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Network Gathering Update
We deeply regret the cancellation of the Europe Network Gathering that was scheduled to be held in Manchester the first weekend of November. The Network Team is busy organizing an alternative programme to be offered early in 2013. Our intention is to offer a combined LEAD Retreat and Church Size Summit.
L.E.A.D. Retreat
The L.E.A.D. Retreat (Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship) programme provides MCC laity with an opportunity for spiritual growth and the development of leadership skills. Persons who complete the full L.E.A.D. Certificate Programme will be placed on a Leadership List, which is a leadership pool from which Elders, Senior MCC Staff, and Clergy can choose trained laity to serve in leadership positions in MCC at the local, denominational, and international levels. Click here for more information about L.E.A.D.
Church Size Summit
The 2011 Europe Network Gathering included a half-day introductory presentation on Church Size Theory. Now a full MCC Church Size Summit is coming to Europe soon! Every church's entire leadership team (Pastor, Board members, and ministry leaders) should plan to attend, especially if you...
- Care about the health and viability of your congregation;
- Are so busy "doing church" that there has been no time to step back and assess where you are headed as a church;
- Wonder whether your church's ministry is still meeting the needs of your community; and/or
- Want to figure out what to do to lead your church to greatness.
Click here for a full description of what happens at a Church Size Summit. Detailed information about the programme will be coming to you as soon as the new date and venue are confirmed.
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MCC East London and the Olympics
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The Olympics are coming to London, and the stadium is located in Stratford, where MCC East London is based (Stratford Unitarian and free Christian Church, West Ham Lane, Stratford, London, E15 4PH). MCCEL is working with the Unitarians so that the Church will be open from 12pm to 8.30pm from 23rd July to 9th August for the Olympics and 27th August to 8th September for the Para Olympics for the benefit of any MCCers or Unitarians from around the world that may be visiting during these times...if you fancy coming in for some peace and quiet, prayer, meditation or to have a chat and a cup of tea or coffee. It would be great for any MCCers who are visiting to pop in. There will either be a member of MCCEL or the Unitarians on site at these times.
MCCEL will have it's normal service on Sundays at 5.30pm. All are welcome!
The Unitarians are planning to have a reflective service at 3.30pm Monday to Saturday and their usual service at 10.30am on Sundays.
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Rev. Andy Braunston recently represented MCC at the United Reformed Church (URC) General Assembly in the UK. Click here to read his poignant report.
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URC Community Project Award 2012
Our Tribe was one of the joint second place winners of the United Reformed Church Community Project Awards 2012, sponsored by the national church and home insurer, Congregational & General.
They were presented with the award and a cheque for £2000 at the URC General Assembly.
Click below to watch a short film made about the group. This video was shown at the Assembly.
Pride Scotia 2012
Pride Scotia took place on Saturday, 30th June, in Edinburgh.
Our Tribe, the inclusive and affirming ministry for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) folks, their friends and families at Augustine United Church was out on the parade. This is a joint ministry with Metropolitan Community Church.
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Rev. Maxwell Reay - Pride Scotia 2012
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From Rev. Maxwell Reay:
We set off from outside the City Chambers, where a rainbow flag was flying and headed down the Royal Mile, past the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood House with our banner telling all we were from an inclusive and welcoming church. Over 1000 people were part of the parade.
The parade ended at the Omni Centre, where we had a stall at the community fair and gave away over 500 Our Tribe wrist bands to folks young and old.
We then headed to our evening event at Augustine United Church where Jo Clifford performed her play Jesus, Queen of Heaven. This beautiful play tells the story of Jesus as a transsexual woman. 35 folks attended this performance, which ends with a sharing of bread and wine.
The celebrations continued on Sunday morning with an uplifting Pride worship service, which focused on the history and symbolism of the colours in the rainbow flag.
Our Tribe received a £1000 grant from the Inverurie Mission Trust to support their participation in Pride Scotia. Thank you to all who supported this weekend of events.
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Rev. Elder Dr. Mona West, Director of the MCC Office of Formation and Leadership Development, recently announced that Rev. Pressley Sutherland, OFLD Coordinator for the Europe Network, soon will be moving to the United States in order to pursue his next ministry as clergy in MCC. Pressley says, "It has been a privilege to coordinate the OFLD in Europe. Working with the UK Faculty, Supervising Clergy, Interview Teams, and students, we have had the opportunity to apply and build upon the recent UK Protocol for the first time in its entirety, from Discernment Package through Ordination. The quality of students and the care and oversight being offered by our clergy and churches bodes well for the future of our Fellowship here. And I remain inspired by the commitment that Mona and the OFLD bring to ensuring that the clergy training programme in the UK/WE has a strong sense of clarity, cohesion, continuity and companionableness. While I am looking forward to my next ministry, there is sadness in saying goodbye. Thank you to each and all for the opportunity to companion many of you in this most precious and blessed endeavour: finding our place of settlement within the Spirit's calling and gifting in our lives."
We are very grateful for Pressley's commitment to our students and his work with our clergy. As we bid him farewell, please join us in repeating this phrase from Pressley himself--'Go well.' Indeed, go well, good friend and mentor, Rev. Pressley Sutherland.
For the immediate future, any questions or needs related to the MCC ordination process can be addressed to RevMonaWest@MCCchurch.net.
Rev. Margarita Sanchez de Leon, former Pastor of MCC East London, recently announced her resignation as the Interim Pastor of MCC South London. She will be moving in August with her family as her wife Frida takes on the position of Interim Director for Amnesty International in Portugal.
Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez recently announced that Rev. Margarita Sanchez de Leon is now the Dean of Students for the Garner Institute for Leadership Formation, which provides theological education and leadership training for MCC in Iberoamerica.
Truda Smail, the mother of Mary Smail at MCC South London, recently died. Her funeral services will be held on Friday, the 20th of July.
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Prayers for Mary Smail as she grieves the passing of her mother.
Prayers for the Europe churches that are engaged in the pastor search process, including MCC East London, MCC South London, and Brighton MCC.
Prayers for Rev. Sharon Ferguson as she recovers from recent surgery.
Prayers for the people in England who are suffering the impact of the recent flooding.
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Flooding in Dorchester
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MCC Network Team Leader MCC Support Staff
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Rev. Elder Darlene Garner
Skype: darlene.garner
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Jason O'Neill
Skype: mccjason
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