Bi-Monthly Newsletter of UFMCC | 2025 January 15 | View as Webpage

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January Calendar

Visit our Resource Bank for educational and seasonal resources.

MCC Moderator, Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston invited to speak at Interfaith Service & Moral Mass Meeting

MCC Moderator, Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston will be participating in an Interfaith Service and Moral Mass Meeting in the USA on 20th January, along with leaders from other denominations and justice movements, including United Church of Church, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, and the Unitarian Universalist Association. The event will be in Memphis, Tennessee, and will offer "an opportunity for people of faith and conscience to gather, united in worship proclaiming a commitment to being Prophetic, Pastoral, Prayerful and in Protest as we seek a just world for all." 20th January is Martin Luther King Jr Day. If you would like to attend the event or join online please go to Interfaith Service and Moral Mass Meeting.

MCC Conference Polity Course

Please join us in our upcoming MCC Conference Polity Course starting online on February 5, 2025, and ending on July 8, 2025.

The course schedule consists of online meetings starting at 10 AM PST/1 PM EST/6 PM GMT on Feb. 5, Mar. 12, May 14, and June 11, 2025. There will be a required in-person meeting attendance at the MCC General Conference.

This course will consider the history, structure, and governance of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), as well as the values, theologies, and cultures that have shaped and continue to shape MCC. This course satisfies the requirement for MCC ordination.

The lead Instructor will be Rev. Terri Echelbarger, and the registration will be $150 US dollars.

For more information and interest, please contact Rev. Cathy Alexander, Vocational Leadership Coordinator, via email at [revcathyalexander@mccchurch.net].

Deadline for Motions - January 24, 2025

For as many voices as possible around the world to join in our

discussions on MCC’s business, authors of motions are required to submit their ideas in ADVANCE (in writing) so ideas can be considered and evaluated during the Discussion Circles scheduled for mid-February to early March 2025.

All substantive motions to come before the Business Meeting must be received in writing by the Clerk of the Governing Board, Mark Godette by Friday, 24th January 2025 at [markgodette@MCCchurch.net].

Only clergy, lay delegates, Council of Elders, and the Governing Board may propose motions. This is to help manage the complexities of a large number of delegates seated in two houses online, who do not share the same primary language.

Motions will be translated and distributed before the Discussion Circles, allowing time for all delegates to prepare for participation. During these Discussion Circles, any suggested amendments may be offered to the authors for consideration.

Preparing a Motion: Please provide a rationale for the motion that you are proposing - why you think MCC needs to make the change that the motion, if passed, will make. Please consider the staffing and financial implications of any changes you are proposing.

An example of a substantive motion and rationale is given below:

• Motion to request the appointment of a Commission by the Governing Board to look at a specific issue
• Rationale - this issue is impacting congregations around the world and we think it should be discussed more fully and the financial implications should be addressed.

Motions of appreciation, to thank individuals or groups of people for their service to the denomination over the past three years can also be submitted in advance.

Please send your motion to Mark Godette, Governing Board Clerk, [markgodette@MCCchurch.net] no later than 24th January 2025.

If you have any questions about the process, please contact the Chair of the Governance Committee, James Chavis at [jameschavis@MCCchurch.net].

Discussion Circles - Dates and Information

Discussion Circles are the main way that you can give feedback on bylaw proposals, motions, and other items of business, in a less formal setting, before the General Conference Business Meeting. Anyone involved in MCC can participate in the Discussion Circles. However, it is particularly important that Lay Delegates, Clergy and other delegates with vote and/or voice attend at least one Discussion Circle. Items to be discussed will be sent out in a Discussion Pack by the end of the first week of February, prior to the

Discussion Circles starting.

Notes from each session will be shared on the General Conference Business Meeting page after each Discussion Circle, (allowing time for translation as needed) so that you can see what was said in all the Discussion Circles. This feedback will also be shared with those proposing Bylaw amendments and motions, so that they can consider making any changes, in light of your feedback.

The initial forum on MCC Doing Justice on January 9th included time for praying, voicing concerns and hopes, identifying priorities, and responsibility taking. It was agreed that the need for MCC to take action is urgent and important; and though this initiative was motivated by impending problems in the USA, the challenge and need for action is global. We are called to prepare for the worst and pray for the best when it comes to injustice.

The priorities identified by the initial participants for MCC doing justice included-

• Creating systems of communication that are both safe and effective
• Promoting practices of safekeeping and security
• Identifying and cooperating with justice-doing collaborators

It was agreed that our initial focus ought to be supporting our trans-siblings and those whose immigration status is at risk. It was recognized that the need for information and resources for doing justice will need to take place in a variety of ways including denominationally, regionally, congregationally, and individually.

Your skills, gifts, and talents are needed to help MCC do justice! The next MCC Doing Justice Forum is scheduled for January 22nd. If you have questions or input, please contact Rev Dexter Brecht, Church Support and Development Coordinator at RevDexterBrecht@MCCchurch.net

COE Spirit Conversations: Episode 6



Join the Council of Elders as they share their favorite spiritual practices. Learn more about them, their journey in MCC and what helps to find their spirit.

In the sixth episode of Spirit Conversations, Rev. Elder Stuart Sutherland shares a conversation with Elder Hattie Alexander-Key.

A Look Back: MCC Africa Conference 2024

The conference launching the MCC African Network was held recently last November 29 to December 1, 2024, at the Tlotlo Hotel and Conference Centre in Gaborone, Botswana. It was attended by over 60 participants who represent 7 countries in Africa. The event was simultaneously in-person and virtual.

One of the participants (username: sasha_flystud91) put together a TikTok video summarizing the activities during the conference. You may check out the video through this link.

You may also check out the photos uploaded by Rev. Wand Floyd on her Facebook page through this link.

We pray that the MCC communities will thrive in the continent of Africa through this conference.

MCC Churches Around The World Honor the Trans Community

Different MCC churches from other parts of the globe honor the "T" of the LGBTQIA+ community with candlelight vigils and activities held last November 20, 2024, the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Open Table MCC, Philippines, during one of their worship services, recited the names of some of our fallen trans siblings. You may watch their video here.

MCC Illana, IN, USA held a similar vigil also during one of their services. You may watch their video here.

Northern Lights MCC, UK gathered in the wider community at 1 Strawberry Place, Newcastle, to take time to remember our transgender siblings who have lost their lives. They lit candles, heard poetry, and reflected as they spoke their names aloud. Watch their video here.

MCC Hartford, CT, USA had about a hundred people in attendance during their TDoR service (both in-person and via Zoom, combined). Their community lifted the names of those who died in the USA and lit four candles - representing the unnamed, global, parents/children, and suicide.

These TDoR events serve to be powerful, sobering, and deeply moving events. These ceremonies hope to leave us challenged to do what we can to leave no one behind or alone, especially as we head into politically and socially uncertain, and perhaps harmful, times.

National Trans Day of Visibility is January 29th in Brazil.

Webinar: Honoring Our LGBTQ+ Religious Leaders

Join the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network on Thursday, January 16 as Rabbi Camille Shira Angel leads this webinar course at the University of San Francisco.

You will discover how her students are creatively working to preserve the past and using it to forge a better future.

Rabbi Angel’s course matches students with a queer elder activist of faith whom they interview for a video portraying their life and work.

Schedule: January 16, 8 PM ET, via Zoom.

MCC Kinship Groups

Kinship Groups offer safe spaces for connecting with other people with similar struggles and challenges. We have groups for Trans, PAD, API, God-Talk, and Latinx.

Beginning in January, the God Talk Kinship Group will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 8 PM EST. The first meeting in 2025 will be on January 21. (Click here for Zoom Link).

If you have any questions, are interested in a particular Kinship group, or are interested in forming another Kinship group, you may email Rev. Hector Gutierrez.

Racial Equity Series

FLOURISH heard you and the importance of ensuring that you have the information and tools needed for leadership!

Flourish is working in partnership with Collective Futures to provide a series of four (4) classes to help local pastors, lay leaders, Board members, and staff members address the racial inequities that so many people face every day.

Each class is 90 minutes and you can take one or all depending on your needs. Our first presenter is Taylor Giviens-Dunn.

Schedule: January 30, February 7, March 20, and May 1 at 2 PM ET.

Lay Delegates Workshop: Mastering the Business Packet and Discussion Circles

Attention Lay Delegates: Let’s Talk Business!

Join us in February for our next Lay Delegates Workshop, and learn how to navigate the business packet and prepare for impactful discussions.

Schedule: February 7 or 8, online (an invitation will be emailed to registered participants).

Sign up by clicking the button below. If you want to learn more information, please email Gisselle Blay at [GisselleBlay@mccchurch.net].

Readiness For Entering Vocational Ministry (REVM) 2025

We are transforming ourselves as we transform the world. We are called to develop and equip leaders, congregations, and ministries that foster spiritual growth, do the work of justice, act with compassion, and integrate sexuality and spirituality.

Planning is underway for REVM2025 for July 1-3 as an on-site, pre-general conference event.

If you are interested in attending please contact Rev Cathy Alexander through email by clicking the button below.

Flourish is Sponsoring a Youth & Young Adult Project

MCC is so excited to share that Flourish is sponsoring a new program for Youth and Young Adults.

Rev. Patrick Landau is the Project Coordinator and he is excited to work with all MCC Churches to ensure we are securing our future by recognizing, nurturing, and supporting the youth and young adults in our communities.

Donate to the MCC Disaster Relief Fund

Year by year, several MCC churches and communities around the globe are affected by natural catastrophes and calamities.

The MCC Disaster Relief Fund is an appeal that aims to support MCC churches, should these challenges arise.

Your generous donation has already provided critical support to those affected by the recent hurricanes in the USA (Hurricane Helene and Milton) and the recent typhoon in the Philippines (Typhoon Kristine).

We thank you for your contribution.

Call For MCC Theologies Submissions

Send in your wonderful work so current and future generations may benefit!

We accept sermons, liturgies, Christian Education materials, essays, books, academic papers, and spiritual teachings and reflections - in written, audio, or video format.

Interested in Learning New Testament Greek?

Learning New Testament Greek can enable you to gain a deeper understanding of the New Testament, as well as appreciate the beauty and literary history of its original text.

New classes are about to start. If you are interested, please contact Jordan Dyck via the button below.

Lent 2025 Series by Worship Design Studio

Worship Design Studio is launching their fully-scripted Lent series called "Purveyors of Awe: Elements for Curating a Life of Spiritual Depth."

Awe is a profound emotional response that can significantly impact our well-being and perception of the world.

Avail of this resource by clicking the button below:

Furthering Our Anti-Racism Work

Metropolitan Community Churches share the Core Values of Inclusion, Community, Spiritual Transformation, and Justice. We have used resources to create a Glossary that will help develop a shared understanding of different terms, as we continue to create inclusive communities where people can experience the Divine and work together for justice.

The Glossary (posted in our Online Resource Bank; also linked via the button below) will be regularly reviewed and revised as needed.

Got Interesting MCC Stories You'd Like to Include in Connect?

Has your local MCC congregation, pastor, staff, or member done inspiring advocacy work recently? Do you have an inspiring MCC story or testimony to share with the rest of the denomination?

We are looking for interesting, powerful, and inspirational stories within the global MCC community that can touch hearts, inspire others, and strengthen our faith community - that we might include in the next edition of our Connect newsletter.

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