AIDS has changed our lives , the way we think, the way we hope, they way we deal with life and death. And, yet there are people who have remained diligently untouched. Some are younger and don't remember the waves of grief and loss. Others, just hid their head in the sand and pretended that it didn't impact their lives. But the fact is, HIV/Aids has impacted all of our lived in numerous ways. I am forever grateful to my friend and colleague Rev. David Farrell for giving birth to World AIDS Day many years ago. We must never forget or we will repeat our past. And, with remembering comes the consciousness to make a difference.
As the rate of HIV begins to increase again in the US and continues to spread around the world let's remember that we and our churches can and must make a difference.
World AIDS Day - A Reflection (taken from the MCC CTL Newsletter)
I remember high school like it was only 5 or 6 years ago. But it's been 20 years since I was graduated from Liberty-Eylau High School.
I remember college like it was a few months ago. But I was awarded my Bachelor's degree in 1990.
I remember starting full-time ministry very vividly, though that was about 13 years ago. I remember my ordination too, which was 8 years ago.
I remember when my youngest brother was born. I can still smell that sweet baby smell...that was almost 29 years ago! I remember when his youngest daughter was born and he brought her to me and put her in my arms to hold. That was more than 4 years ago.
Both of my grandmothers have died in recent years. The last one to die was a year and a half ago. Some days the grief returns as if it only happened weeks ago.
I remember (vaguely) Watergate. I remember the first time I voted. I remember getting my Master of Arts degree in blizzardy Vermont in January of 2003. I remember my first date in junior high school, and then my first "gay" date in college. I remember the fear and excitement of coming out. I remember the day that the World Trade Center collapsed. I remember my first apartment. I remember words like "sissy" and "faggot" and how they hurt, and how strong and powerful it felt to come out and face the bullies and even claim with pride the word "queer." I remember being a skinny kid and a chubby adult and the times I tried to lose the weight and succeeded and the times I tried to lose the weight and failed. I remember my first hangover. I remember my first sermon. I remember the first play I wrote. I remember my confirmation. I remember my first day at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. I even remember a sunburn in 1989!
There is so much to remember, and so many memories come so easily. I remember fun roommates and good friends and beautiful lovers (and a few crazy ones). I remember...
So it puzzles me that people don't seem to remember AIDS.
Effective treatments are only about 8 years old. Less than a decade. With all that we remember, how could we not remember AIDS.
It really hasn't gone anywhere. People (in this country) have access to medicines that help the disease be somewhat manageable. But so many people died. And so many young people still get infected. And there is no cure. And some people don't respond to treatment. And entire countries don't have access to the treatments, and some of the treatments have harsh side-effects. And some of us have lived with it for so many years - with it and with survivor's guilt and with grief for our friends who didn't make it and with hope that this will be the year a cure is found.
I get so sad year after year hearing more and more people say that they don't know anyone with HIV or that they've never known anyone with HIV. How can that be? Maybe because those of us who are positive or who remember the worst of the crisis act as if we've forgotten. But we can't forget.
So, as annoying as it may be to some people, I keep telling people. In classrooms and in newspapers and on the web and in person and in bars and in pulpits...I keep reminding people that HIV and AIDS are still around, and even if we could cure it tomorrow, the generation that we lost to it must not be forgotten.
I am a person with HIV. In fact, my T-cells were once low enough that the official diagnosis was AIDS. And I'm very lucky. I have good medical care and I feel good most of the time and I have never had an opportunistic infection. I'm so grateful for that. I contracted the virus in 1991, had reason to suspect that in 1995 and had it confirmed in 1999 and started treatment in 2000. Fourteen years later, I'm still here to tell the tale, and so I do.
Maybe you will go to a vigil today or light a candle or make a donation or wear a T-shirt...and that's all wonderful. But whatever you do, please remember. You remember so many other things. Remember also that as recently as 8 years ago, people were still dying at alarming rates. Remember that people still die, though thankfully, less often. Remember the people who died, and the hateful voices who used religion as a weapon to blame the victims of the virus. Remember that there is still no cure, and that those of us who stay healthy have to work very hard at it with no guarantees, and that others don't even have access to the medicines that can save lives.
Today is World AIDS Day. Say a prayer or make wish, but most of all, please remember.
Durrell Watkins, Senior Minister www.mccctl.com
Prayer Requests
For Rev. Donna Stroud and her family. Donna's mother just died after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Donna is the pastor of MCC of the Upstate, Greenville, SC. mccupstate@bellsouth.net
For Kevin Dove, partner of Rev. Andy Sidden, pastor of MCC Columbia, SC whose mother recently passed away. mcccolumbiasc@aol.com
Praises:
1. Open Arms MCC, Rochester, NY has voted to purchase new property.
2. St. Jude's MCC in Wilmington, SC has voted unanimously to purchase new property.
3. New Life MCC, Hampton Roads, VA has voted to move back to the Virginia Beach area of VA on Jan. 1.
Our Newest Teaching Church - MCC of Northern Virginia
Recently, MCC NOVA, Fairfax, VA was approved to become a Teaching Church pending the vote of the congregation. The congregation voted last week unanimously to support our movement in this direction. A $400 stipend for the 9-month academic year, as well as the cost of Intensive Registration, was also approved as part of our budget. We will be limiting the number of students to one, as we get started. Rev. Kharma Amos is the pastor.
MCC New York Receives Grant for Queer Youth Program
MCC NY was approved by the City Council for the money for their transitional living program for homeless Queer youth --- $400,000. This program is one of the most innovative and needed programs.
MCC People of African Descent Conference 2006
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs
The People of African Descent (PAD) Conference 2006, Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) will be held on April 20-23, 2006, in Tampa, Florida. The PAD conference is a bi-annual MCC conference experience, and serves as an educational and spiritual venue for people of African descent within MCC, along with their families, friends, and allies. When we speak of our families, friends, and allies, we are referring to those who are not people of African descent but who support, love, and are willing to learn with and from people of African descent. Our families, friends, and allies also include people who are not part of MCC. The theme for the 2006 Conference is "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." The meaning and the focus of this theme and that will be addressed during the Conference is captured in the following -- There is nothing that can separate us from loving God, from loving ourselves, and from loving one another. Let us look at our obstacles and explore ways to overcome together. The thematic canopy will encompass us exploring and tackling some of the issues that we face today. It is our intent to address this journey through dynamic workshops, enlighten speakers, inspirational worship, and networking opportunities.
Request for Submissions This is a call for workshop submissions for presenters, panelists, speakers, etc. Workshops will focus on personal leadership and empowerment, wholeness of body/mind/spirit, and spirituality. There will also be workshops designed for our Friends and Allies. The Friends and Allies workshop track will run parallel with the PAD workshops with a focus on subjects germane to building bridges between MCC, PAD and our friends and allies. Throughout the Conference the Friends and Allies track will intersect with the PAD track at workshop junctures where it would be productive for us to come together and discuss the subjects identified.
Workshop Tracks Specifically, workshop submissions can be tailored to address any of the tracks explained below.
Spirituality: This track will candidly address our progression and the roadblocks that impact our internal and external spiritual growth. Thoughtful consideration should be given to institutionalize inhibitors, cultural barriers, enhancing the spiritual journey, etc.
Leadership/Empowerment: This track will explore understanding how people of African descent (PAD) fit in the political infrastructure of our churches, the overall MCC denomination, and how to operate within both constructs; enhancing and supporting PAD clergy and laity leadership skills; learning the importance of building bridges with allies; strategies for confronting and addressing hostile sectors of the secular and religious communities; and how PAD can use our cultural gifts, talents, and personality to provide more meaningful contribution to the diversity of MCC.
Wholeness: This track is intended to support the attendee in exploring the many ways to be not just healthy, but whole. Workshops in this area can encompass subject areas that speak to our mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational well being.
Friends and Allies (FAA): This track will be designed to create intentional dialog with our Friends and Allies in areas that support and build bridges with PAD. This is an open invitation to all FAA to join us and help us create the world we want. Some workshops will be FAA specific to facilitate discussion and explore ways in which FAA can collaborate and support PAD efforts; to increase understanding of commonalties and differences; and to create a platform for meaningful discussion regarding barriers to diversity and how to expand awareness of authentic diversity. Other workshops will be inclusive and designed to bring FAA and PAD together to consider the many complexities of living in the religious and secular world together. In today's world, in addition to friends and allies being racially or orientation sensitive, it is paramount that we find ways to solidify old bridges (relationships), build new alliances and unify around our common goals of equality for all and prosperity. The rhetoric from the not so, "Christian" right extremists threaten us all equally. Today's less tolerant climate makes it imperative that we identify and strengthen relationships with those that share our vision of Christian charity, fellowship, and support of those in the margins.
Request for Workshop Proposal (RFP) The PAD Request for Workshop Proposal (RFP) is an invitation for presentations and workshops that support and expand the above-described tracks. Submissions from those interested should follow these basic guidelines. · Workshops are planned for 90 minutes and depending on the topic could potentially span two consecutive 90-minute time periods.
Time allotted for workshops should allow for topic, learning objectives, and Q & A, and wrap up.
The workshops can be specifically designed for clergy, laity, PAD, or FAA. Workshops can be designed with any combination of presentation styles - single or dual presenters, or panels. Panels ideally will have no more than 4 panelists. Panelists will be allowed 10-15 minutes each.
All proposals must be related to the Conference theme and within the context of spirituality, leadership/empowerment, wholeness, or an ally related perspective. Presenter policies: In order to keep conference registration fees affordable, we ask that the presenters volunteer their time and services to the PAD Conference. As a presenter you will be able to register at a discounted rate of $50 for the entire conference. This does not include travel, hotel expense or off site events. If your proposal is accepted, you will be mailed a confirmation letter and your registration form, which we ask that you return promptly. You will be notified no later than December 30th. Proposals must be received by December 15th. Send electronic submissions to Rosenotes5@aol.com or surface mail addressed to Debra Rose, P.O. Box 16023, Washington, DC 20041-6023.
For additional information regarding the MCC PAD Conference you can contact one of the Conference Co-Chairs, Rev. Candy Holmes at candynotes@aol.com or Rev. Franc Perry at wfrancp@aol.com. You can also refer to the MCC PAD web page -- available late October 2005. The MCC PAD Conference web page link can be found on the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) website -- www.mccchurch.org. Thank you for you consideration.
MCC Men In Ministry Conference - February 2-4, 2006 . Atlanta, Georgia USA
I am writing to the men of MCC, present and past, in current or former positions of leadership or members, laity and clergy alike, with a special invitation.
If you're a woman receiving this letter, I ask you read it if it interests you and also to keep the men in MCC and the event I am describing in your prayers. We care about you, and about what interests you, and welcome your interest in us, and in what interests us.
Did you know its been more than 20 years since there was an MCC denominational gathering specifically for men to nurture our relationship with each other and to address topics of particular concern to us?
I remember such a gathering at Camp Letts, in suburban Washington DC, that at that time included clergy and student clergy, while the women met at an adjacent facility. I remember how important that event was for me. We gathered as men in what seems now to be an almost naive pre-AIDS time, and at that conference I developed mentoring relationships with Brent Hawkes, Tom Jordan and Dennis Chappelle -- relationships that helped shape my future ministry.
Since those earlier gatherings, we have gathered more as caucuses at General Conferences. MCCers, including Nathan Meckley, Robert Griffin, Durrell Watkins, Steve Carson, Lee Carlton, Skip Chasey, Paul Graetz, Dale Chavis, Neil Thomas, Steve Pieters, and Steve Marlowe, to name a few, have faithfully invited us at different times to pay attention to what it means to be men in our movement, and to remember how all of us were affected by the AIDS years.
I have a couple of personal reasons for wanting to do this -- and I'll bet you could add a few of your own. I am acutely conscious of my friends that I have lost, some to AIDS and some, frankly, to mid-life crises of different sorts. I wonder in the latter cases if things might not have turned out differently for my brothers if our collegial connections had been stronger?
I have also had the privilege of working with the Pastoral Intensives over the past 20 years, and have met some stellar new leadership -- but many of whom haven't had the privilege I've had of knowing men from different generations. We need to so some intentional cross-generational mentoring and listening, which I know will benefit all of us.
In recent years we haven't much raised men's issues, and I hope you'll agree with me that it's time to do so again -- in part to deal with our past and, just as importantly, to focus on our futures.
Taking a cue from our sisters who will be meeting the same weekend in Florida, I am inviting you to come to Atlanta, Georgia (USA) during February 2-4, 2006 for the MCC Men in Ministry Conference.
Our theme will "Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Spirits."
We will hear from past and present MCC leaders, including Steve Pieters, Edgard Danielsen Morales, Chris Glaser, Wes Mullins and Jonathan Jones, among others. Our meetings will be hosted by First MCC Atlanta and we are negotiating reasonable hotel rates at adjacent hotels.
Check out www.MCCconferences.org for more information or to register now -- and also be sure to check for hotel information as it becomes available.
I hope you'll join us for what I know will be a pivotal time in all of our lives. MCC is really entering a new phase in its history -- I am hoping its most dynamic period ever. Our work together in February is a vital part of that.
Sincerely,
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
Metropolitan Community Churches www.MCCConferences.org
December 20, 2005
Christmas Greetings from MCC Region 3,
As I write this we are only a week away from Christmas. Somehow that seems almost impossible and yet it is all too true. We haven't even put up our Christmas tree. And yet, even without the tree and all of the other decorations (which will be up by the time you read this) the spirit of Christmas is filling my heart and home.
Recently my family and I attended the Christmas concerts at MCC Washington. What a powerful witness of faith and giftedness. And, as I read through all of the local church E-Newsletters I see that all of our churches are holding cantatas, special Christmas services, adopting families in need, caroling at retirement homes and collecting food and toys to give away. The Christmas celebrations are everywhere.
Christmas for me is not so much a date as a remembrance that Christ lives in us and in our churches and through us. It is so important to stop and remember that for many people we are the only expression of a living Christ that they have ever met.
Birthday parties are about honoring the life of the one you celebrate. This Christmas I pray that we honor the birth of Christ not just with presents and Christmas carols but with our very lives.
From my family to yours, have a very merry and blessed Christmas!
Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman
Region 3 Reconstituted
As most of you have already learned following a 20 month study all MCC regional lines have been redrawn to better meet the needs of our local churches and our denominational realities. This creates for us a wonderful mix of churches, leaders, and flavors of MCC. I am looking forward to our working together in the cause of Christ.
Churches that now make up MCC Region 3 : (going from south to north)
Puerto Rico -
San Juan - ICM Cristo Sanador
South Carolina / Carolina de Sur
Charleston - MCC Charleston
Columbia - MCC Columbia
Greenville - MCC of the Upstate
North Carolina
Charlotte - MCC Charlotte
Charlotte - New Life MCC
Durham - Imani MCC
Raleigh - St. John's MCC
Wilmington - St. Jude's MCC
Winston-Salem - MCC Winston-Salem
Virginia
Roanoke - MCC of the Blue Ridge
Fairfax - MCC of Northern Virginia
Norfolk - New Life MCC of Hampton Roads
Richmond - MCC Richmond
Fredericksburg - MCC Fredericksburg
Maryland
Baltimore - MCC Baltimore
Laurel - New Covenant MCC
Annapolis - MCC of the Chesapeake
Boyds - Open Door MCC
Hagerstown - New Light MCC
College Park - Holy Redeemer MCC
Delaware
Rehoboth Beach - MCC Rehoboth
District of Columbia
District of Columbia - MCC Washington
Pennsylvania
Allentown - MCC of the Lehigh Valley
Harrisburg - MCC of the Spirit
Mountville (Lancaster) - Vision of Hope MCC
Philadelphia - MCC Philadelphia
Glen Mills - Imago Dei MCC (Western suburb of Philadelphia)
Pittsburgh - MCC Pittsburgh
New Jersey
North Brunswick - MCC Christ the Liberator
New York
Albany - MCC of the Hudson Valley
New York City - MCC New York
Rochester - Open Arms MCC
Binghamton - Church Plant in process
Plus, the inclusion of all of the Caribbean Islands.
For contact information go to MCCchurch.org and click on "Find an MCC."
Regional Conference Date & Location - MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The Region 3 conference is scheduled for November 2 - 5 and will be a joint conference with Region 5. We will meet in Pittsburgh, PA and will begin the conference on Thursday morning and end following worship on Sunday. Our new moderator, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, will be our featured guest. There will be plenty of wonderful worship services, music, training events, a spirituality retreat and full children and youth programming. Plus, a business meeting. Advance registration will be $99. More information will come out early in the new year. Much of the conference will be in English and Spanish.
For those who would prefer to attend a Spanish speaking regional conference (gathering) you might want to attend the Latin American Gathering in either Mexico City or San Paul in late November. Watch the MCCchurch.org web page for more details.
Region 3 Office Assistant Resigns
Mary Homsher has worked for the former Mid Atlantic District office and then the Region 3 office for the past six years. She has served faithfully and will be missed. Unfortunately Mary has injured her back and quite possibly will need to have surgery to correct two disks. Since recovery will be long Mary has given her resignation. We will miss Mary and her husband Larry (one of our best volunteers). Please keep Mary in your prayers.
Region 3 Office Welcomes A New Administrative Assistant
Jen Glass has been hired to be the new Administrative Assistant to Rev. Elder Ackerman. She will be available most Tuesdays and Wednesdays late morning and early afternoon. Jen holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary, is on staff at Vision of Hope MCC and will be going for her ordination interview next summer. I hope you will join me in welcoming Jen and working with her in the coming months.
New Life MCC On A Journey
New Life MCC, VA has journeyed into the wilderness and spent the last nine months on the Peninsula of Hampton Roads following a building issue on the South Side. One of the casualties of our move to the Peninsula was the loss of a morning service. One of our blessings on the Peninsula was the establishment of a wonderful relationship with St. Mark's Episcopal Church, our host church; however, New Life MCC is just not a church that will live long accepting not having a morning worship service.
So, when an ex-member called about a month ago to tell us that they knew of a building that would be available to us, it didn't take long for New Life MCC to decide to move back to the South Side and on January 1, we'll begin having church again on the South Side in Virginia Beach.
The purpose of this article is for all of the region to know that from the desk of the Senior Pastor of New Life MCC that the Board of Directors of our church is among the most active, decisive, spiritual leaders I have ever met. I'm having real trouble keeping up with the energy and activity to plan the move because they are clearly in charge of it. They are also very involved in making sure we don't lose our new people from the peninsula.
The Board of Directors of New Life MCC are a very welcome Christmas gift to the church of New Life MCC of Hampton Roads and I needed to tell you that I'm so proud to know them and work with them. We are blessed to have leaders that lead here. I had to share with you because they make the work of being a Senior Pastor very blessed!
Pastor Marty Luna-Wolfe
Transgender Reading Group Meets at VOH
A Transgendered Reading Group meets on the third Thursday of each month at Vision of Hope MCC. They are currently reading and discussing the book Trans-Gendered: Theology, Ministry, and Communities of Faith, by Justin Tanis (MCC clergyperson). If you have any questions contact Jen Glass at the VOH Office, voh1office@aol.com or 717-285-9070.
Region 3 Important Dates 2006
Small Church Pastors Gathering - for pastors of churches whose attendance is 50 or under. Feb. 17, Lancaster, PA
Pastors of Multi-Staffed Churches - March 2 & 3, $75 registration, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love and Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman speakers. Co-sponsored by Region 5. Location to be announced.
Children and Youth Program Leaders Summit - May 6, A gathering from program leaders who want to share resources, network and discuss issues. Location to be announced.
Are You Interested In Serving On A New Region 3 Team?
In January, we will be putting together two new teams. If you are interested in being considered for appointment send an email listing why you are interested and what expertise and/or skills you have to offer to ajoy1@aol.com.
1. Region 3 Facilitation Team - to work as an advisory team for the Regional Elder; to help plan sub-regional gatherings for resource sharing and support; to assist with mobilizing resources people in regional ministries.
2. Region 3 Church Planting Team - to work on demographic studies to analyze where future church plants need to be planted; to help recruit church planters and teams; to help raise church planting seed money within the region; to help support church planting efforts
Upcoming Conferences
Women in Ministry Conference Peace-Building : Its Many Dimensions will be held in Sarasota, FL Feb 2-5, 2006. Find out more online at http://www.mccconferences.org/womens/index.html.
Men in Ministry Conference Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Spirits will be held in Atlanta, GA Feb 2-4, 2006. Find out more online at http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=84778.
World Council of Churches 9th Assembly will be held in Porto Alegre, Brazil Feb 14-23, 2006.
People of African Descent Conference will be held in Tampa, FL April 20th-23rd, 2006. For details, contact Candy Holmes at candynotes@aol.com.
Joint Region Three/Five Conference will be held in Pittsburgh, PA November 9th-12th, 2006. Reserve the dates now. More information coming soon!
The next MCC General Conference will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort July 2nd-7th, 2007. You won't want to miss this one. We'll have the entire resort to ourselves! More information to come!
Sign up to Receive Updates
You can also stay really up-to-date by signing up to receive by email ALL THE ARTICLES SENT BY MCC HEADQUARTERS! If you're interested, send an email to Info@MCCChurch.org and ask to be added to their distribution list.
Quite a sermon in this story
(Story forwarded by Rev. Karha Us, MCC Hudson Valley, Albany, NY)
A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.
"What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered- he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.
Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning: "There's a mousetrap in the house, there's a mousetrap in the house!"
The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I can't be bothered with it."
The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"
The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."
The mouse turned to the cow and said "There is a mousetrap in the house… there is a mousetrap in the house!"
The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."
So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone.
That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.
The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.
The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever.
Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the barnyard for the soup's main ingredient.
But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.
The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.
The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.
So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!
The staff of MCC Region 3.
Mary Homsher - outgoing Office Assistant
Jen Glass - Administrative Assistant
Rev. Edgard Danielsen-Morales - Translator
Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman - Regional Elder
December
1 - 5 MCC Winston-Salem, NC - Conflict Mediation
6 - 7 Days off
8 - 9 Office
10 - 11 Days off
12 - 16 Office
17 - 31 Holidays & Vacation
January - 2006
4 - 15 Tour of all North and South Carolina MCC's.
8 MCC Columbia
13 - 15 MCC Winston-Salem - follow-up to mediation weekend
15 Ordination service - Rev. Roben Wadell, MCC of the Spirit, Harrisburg, PA
16 - 18 Holiday & Days off
19 office
21 Conference Planning Team - Pittsburgh, PA
22 - 24 Days off
25 - 27 office
27 - 9 Vision of Hope MCC - Leadership Training
When Rev. Ackerman is away on vacation you can obtain information on who to reach in case of emergency by calling the office phone number 717 898-3713. When Arlene is traveling away from the office you can reach her by cell phone. Please remember, the cell phone does not work when Arlene is at her home or office