Don't miss the items at the end of this email. Some servers truncate emails, and you might have to click "view entire message." | | In this edition of Connect: | |
- Council of Elders Prayer Vigil
- FiRST Webinar on Financial Best Practices
- Partners in Hope Testimonial
- The Sanctified Rebels
- Queer Epistemologies and Embodied Theologies in the MCC
- Church Camp of MCC Brisbane in Australia
- Rev. Marge Ragona: A Life of Love, Activism & Inclusion
- Fellowship Sunday
- UFMCC Benevolence Fund
- Transblessing 2025
- Trans Legal Survival Guide 2.0
- Resources Co-Ordinator: Rev. Teagan MacAodhagáin
- In Memoriam: Lillian Kathleen Meadows
| | REMINDER: Join the Council of Elders' Global Prayer Vigil: Sowing Seeds of Hope, Justice, and Joy | |
You are invited to join our upcoming Council of Elders Prayer Vigil 2025: Sowing Seeds of Hope, Justice, and Joy.
This online gathering is a time for us to come together in unity and purpose, seeking divine guidance as we sow seeds of hope, advocate for justice, and cultivate joy within our community.
We look forward to sharing this sacred time with you. The prayer vigils are set in different time zones, and you are welcome to attend any one that is the most convenient for you.
Schedule: September 25, on these local times:
| | | Australia (Sydney) | English | 7:00PM (AEST) | | Philippines (Manila) | English | 7:00PM (PHST) | | South Africa | Various Languages | 6:00PM (SAST) | | UK (London) / Europe | Various Languages | 7:00PM (BST) | | Brazil (São Paulo) | Portuguese / English | 7:00PM (BRT) | | North America | Spanish / English | 7:00PM (CDT) | | USA (Los Angeles) | English | 7:00PM (PDT) | | | Fellowship Sunday: Commemorating the First Sunday Service of MCC | |
We are all part of MCC because Rev Troy Perry held the first Worship service of MCC on Sunday, October 6th, 1968. We celebrate Fellowship Sunday on the Sunday closest to that date, which this year is Sunday, October 5th, marking our 57th anniversary! Some of our churches celebrate Fellowship Month using the month of October to highlight our shared history, leaders past and present, accomplishments, and programs.
Each year, MCC congregations are encouraged to hold a special offering for the denomination for Fellowship Sunday or Fellowship Month. This year’s offering will be dedicated to Flourish! Flourish is MCC’s leadership development program to not only train and develop existing clergy and lay leaders, but also to develop a new generation of leaders within MCC.
This is a great time to give to Flourish because right now we have a Challenge Match whereby the first $25,000 raised for Flourish will be matched dollar-for-dollar until we meet the Challenge Match goal of $25,000 – that means any Fellowship Sunday offering will have DOUBLE the impact! Make a difference by ensuring that MCC has the leaders needed for today and also for tomorrow.
Impact of your Donations to Flourish: Here are some testimonials from scholarship recipients who were able to attend the GC2025 Transformational Weekend through Flourish:
"The Transformational Weekend was a deeply meaningful experience for me. As someone who ministers outside an MCC church and in an area where there are no MCC churches within several hours, this weekend was a vital time for me to reconnect with my MCC community, colleagues, and friends. This was even more important in our current national climate, where transphobia is having a significant impact on my professional and personal worlds. The greatest gift and takeaway from the weekend for me was, indeed, the power of MCC community. We are imperfect, with ongoing struggles and issues to work through denominationally. And we are striving to do something important-- especially in this time of rising fascism. The power of gathering in community-- both in person and virtually-- is so essential in these times. It fed my spirit, clarified my call, and renewed my connection to UFMCC. Thank you for the scholarship that supported me in doing this."
"I was so happy to finally meet MCCers from around the world. Even though we have options via zoom, it is not the same as being in the room with others. In an increasingly high-tech world, the need for soft touch will only increase. Opportunities to build community like General Conference empower young ministers like me to take up space and reach out to the large network around us."
Here are the following resources for Fellowship Sunday by Flourish:
| | FiRST Webinar on Financial Practices | |
Mark your calendars. Kirk Blandford, Tammy Erwin, and Marina Laws will be offering a webinar on Financial Best Practices.
Whether you have served as an MCC Pastor, Board Member or Treasurer for a long time or are new to one of these ministry roles, this webinar is a resource for you! Clergy who attend the FiRST Financial Webinar Series will earn one credit hour per webinar.
Topics for the October 23rd session include:
- Employee vs. Independent Contractor
- Clergy Housing Allowance
- Church Payroll
- Church Expenditures Accounting Systems/Financial Reporting
- Data Security
Please register using the button below. When you register you will have an opportunity to recommend a topic that you would like to learn more about. In addition, you will be given an opportunity to ask us a specific question that you would like to be addressed. The FiRST (Financial Information and Resource Team) Team will be happy to answer the question directly with you, or if it is a question that many churches would benefit from hearing the discussion, the FiRST Team will address this question during the webinar.
Schedule: October 23 at 7PM to 8:15PM ET. (see other timezones).
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MCC is proud to announce the UFMCC Benevolence Fund, established to offer financial assistance to clergy and authorized lay pastors during times of financial distress.
To learn more or to inquire about the fund, please visit the UFMCC Resource Bank by clicking here, or email [Benevolence@mccchurch.org] for more information.
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Introducing Our New Resources Co-Ordinator: Rev. Teagan MacAodhagáin
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As the Resources Co-ordinator, Rev. Teagan is responsible for overseeing the revitalization and expansion of the MCC Resource Bank, with a focus on making liturgical, theological, congregational, educational, and historical resources easy to find, access, and use. Rev. Teagan will also work with local church leaders to identify needs, curate and create resources in multiple languages, and organize them clearly and intuitively.
"I am delighted that Rev. Teagan has joined the MCC staff team," said Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston. "As a person of faith, he is committed to making a difference in the world and is passionate about MCC. He brings years of experience in adult education, resource development and digital literacy. Teagan is also committed to fostering inclusivity, innovation and learning.”
Rev. Teagan joined our staff in August taking that month to familiarize himself with the staff, our resources and technology, as well as the job itself. Now we will introduce him to you.
Before he joined the denominational staff, Teagan has served in a variety of roles in healthcare, education, and community development with direct experience in resource curation and management, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and adult learning and education development.
Teagan has a MA in Counselling and Pastoral Care, an MSc in Health Science and an MPhil in Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies from Trinity College Dublin. Teagan is a founding member and current Chairperson of Amach Le Dia (Out with God) a non-denominational faith group allowing those in the LGBTQIA+ community to use their gifts and talents in the service of God and their community. This is an opportunity which is still out of reach for most in the LGBTQIA+ community in most of the various denominations in Ireland, even today.
Teagan shared enthusiasm for his new role. “I am thrilled to work and contribute to MCC’s mission by transforming its Resource Bank into a dynamic, globally accessible platform that empowers local leaders and supports intercultural collaboration.”
You may send a note of welcome to Rev. Teagan at [revteaganmacaodhagain@mccchurch.net].
Please join us in welcoming him to the MCC Staff. 🥳
| | Terri Echelbarger Tells Us Why She is a Partner in Hope | |
Terri Echelbarger, a Partner in Hope, shared her reasons for supporting Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) through monthly giving. While many members contribute to their local church, Echelbarger highlighted that these assessments are often not enough to fully fund all the vital work the organization undertakes.
Terri emphasized that donating to Partners in Hope allows the collective voice of MCC to have a greater impact. She noted that while many large non-profits require a significant commitment to join their premier giving clubs, Partners in Hope has no minimum donation.
By pooling resources, members can be more effective and strengthen the organization as a whole. Echelbarger gives a monthly gift to the program, encouraging others to join her in supporting MCC's mission with hope and gladness.
| | The Sanctified Rebels Care | |
Afraid? Tired? Lonely? Rejected? Grieving? Feel Like No One Cares? The Sanctified Rebels Care!
The Sanctified Rebels is a collective of progressive deacons who dare to lead with love, disrupt injustice and reimagine ministry for a new era. We honor the sacred while challenging the status quo—serving with courage, creativity, conviction, and love.”
All are Welcome! No Matter who you Are! You are a Beloved Child of God! Speaking Truth to Power!
The thought behind The Sanctified Rebels is to find the “invisible” people. An MCC community outreach ministry primarily, but open to lay leaders who do not have a deacon ministry within MCC, but want to be involved. The ministry is being led by Elder Velma Garcia. Email me directly if you have questions, thoughts, suggestions or want to be involved in your own community. [velmagarcia@mccchurch.net]
| | Queer Epistemologies and Embodied Theologies in the MCC | |
Written by Cristiano Valerio, Brazilian Church Specialist of MCC/ICM
Laughter, pleasure, and the celebration of dissident bodies have often been marginalized by the hegemonic Christian tradition. However, the emergence of queer theologies—especially those rooted in the Latin American experience—has reclaimed these affects as legitimate fields of theological revelation. This article examines joy as a technology of survival, not as a metaphor, but as a theological and epistemic practice, drawing primarily on Matthew B. David and Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip's article, André Musskopf's Theological Journeys, and the Supporting Guide to the Draft Statement of Faith of the ICM.
Read the full article by clicking the button below. You may use your web browser's translation feature.
| | Church Camp of MCC Brisbane in Australia | |
MCC Brisbane held its church camp over the weekend of September 5 to 7, 2025 at the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia.
MCCers attended from MCC Good Shepherd, Sydney, MCC Sydney and of course MCC Brisbane. The theme was "Radical Hospitality" as we ate our way through the Gospels of Luke and celebrated the table during bible study over the weekend.
Some of the activities included gingerbread decorating, radical hospitality on a budget, "Being You and How This can be Radical Christianity in a Rapidly Changing World," painting, and yoga.
For downtime, the participants went for walks on the beach and chilled out. There was even a murder mystery activity where they dressed in the "Hollywood theme." It was a brilliant weekend.
Thank you to the organising committee and MCC Brisbane.
Submitted by Rev. Stuart Sutherland.
| | Rev. Marge Ragona: A Life of Love, Activism & Inclusion | |
The Stonewall National Women's Fund will be honoring one of our very own MCCer, Rev. Marge Ragona, in their upcoming event.
Rev. Marge Ragona was a trailblazing pastor in Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) whose unwavering commitment to justice, inclusion, and spiritual liberation has reshaped faith communities across generations. Her first introduction to MCC was in the early 70's in New Orleans when she met Rev. Bill Larson. The Upstairs Lounge fire of 1973—where Larson and 31 others were killed—deepened her awareness of MCC’s mission and the cost of visibility. Moving back to New York that same year, she discovered MCC New York and finally found the freedom to live openly. Pouring herself into church leadership, she became known as a passionate feminist voice. She spoke at Equal Rights Amendment hearings, wrote articles on women in the Bible, and challenged the church to adopt inclusive language in its hymns.
Ordained in 1976, Rev. Ragona served congregations in Boston, Providence, Ventura, and Pensacola before founding MCC Mobile and later pastoring Covenant MCC and Bethel MCC in Birmingham. Alongside her longtime partner Shirley Lambert, she co-founded the Mobile AIDS Buddy Program, Though she officially “retired” in 2004, she never stopped serving. Today, her legacy lives on in the churches she planted, the programs she started, the thousands of lives she touched, and in the ongoing movement for LGBTQ+ equality.
Schedule:
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Special Dinner with Marge Ragona - October 10 at 5PM ET, $250 / person - purchase tickets here.
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A Life of Love, Activism, and Inclusion - October 11 at 6PM ET, at Sunshine Cathedral, FL, USA - $10 / person - purchase tickets here.
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More news items available below!
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Join the upcoming digital conference for, by, and with Christian transgender youth.
This will be a weekend full of interesting panel discussions, contemplative workshops, sincere prayers, and heartwarming community.
Schedule: October 4-5, online via Discord
| | Trans Legal Survival Guide 2.0 | Our communities are under attack, and the law is changing very fast. This update to A4TE’s Trans Legal Survival Guide compiles information to help the trans community navigate changing regulations and advocate for themselves and their networks. Download the full guide below. | | In Memoriam: Lillian Kathleen Meadows | |
Born in Colorado November 9, 1929 and passed to eternal rest August 20, 2025 at 8:48 PM.
Kathleen has an adopted son, Harry who lives in Missouri. She was preceded in death by her partner of over 40 years Freda Smith, her twin sister Kathryn, her sister Ileen, a brother and mother, father.
Kathleen as most people knew her was the long-time spouse of Rev Elder Freda Smith. Kathleen was the rock in their relationship. She was the driving force behind them being able to buy property and making it their home in Sutter Creek. They both loved living in the foothills of California.
Kathleen retried as a Civilian worker from McCellan Air Force base. She was a pioneer worker who worked on B52s. She also did computer input and odd jobs. She loved her retirement and was busy always helping Freda. She filmed and help produced the Sunday services aired on local broadcast of River City MCC Sacramento. She would also film services and workshops at many MCC General Conferences.
Kathleen was a blessing and lived her life with class and style. She was known for her “Bling.” She loved her large belt buckles, her shiny jackets, pressed shirts, and jewelry. She was a very classy woman.
She considered supporting Freda part of her life’s work and ministry. She loved animals, cats and dogs especially.
There will be a Celebration of Life service in the near future and hopefully will be on a viewing platform.
| | Monthly Gathering for Trans & Nonbinary People of Faith | |
Rev. Elder Aaron Miller, on behalf of the MCC Council of Elders, is offering to host monthly meetings on Zoom with co-facilitators Rev. Elder Maxwell Reay and Rev. Dawn Flynn through the end of this year.
We will discuss the following: WHAT is happening and WHAT we are feeling -- in the place and country where we live; HOW can we be safe/er during these times; WHERE do we find grounding and spiritual renewal; WHERE do we (and can we) -- find God in the midst of this?; WHAT do we need and HOW can MCC help?
Please consider joining us for this much-needed time to gather. We know, as people of faith and Beloved of God, we are stronger when we center in love and for love, together.
Next Schedule: September 29 at 2PM ET.
| | African MCC Network 2nd Annual Conference | |
African MCC Network will hold its second annual Conference, which will happen from November 28-30 2025, in Pretoria, South Africa.
The theme of the conference is "Coming Together As One!" - which is based on Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you."
For payments, see bank details below.
The African MCC Network is also offering a program called Poppy Seeds. This program is created to offer support to our siblings who would like to attend the conference but cannot afford due to financial constraints. With this program, we urge MCCers to consider giving generously in a form of a donation, contribution or a free will offering.
| | Blessed Tomorrow: Christian Climate Training | |
Join Blessed Tomorrow and 9 Ecumenical partners for a climate + Christian faith training to reflect on how our choices shape our common home, and learn to live out our faith through bold, compassionate action.
This training will equip you with faith-rooted knowledge, practical tools, and real-world experience to inspire climate action in your home, congregation, community, and beyond. During the training, you will meet with others from your denomination in breakout sessions.
Clergy CEUs are authorized for taking the course.
Schedule: September 27 at 11:30AM ET (see other timezones)
| | Biblical Hebrew for Beginners | |
Want to deepen your understanding of Scripture and be able to read it in the original languages? Dr. Jordan Dyck has been teaching biblical languages at seminary level since 2007, and Flourish is partially funding courses in Biblical Hebrew for MCC clergy (and those in training), beginning this October.
The classes will be weekly for 10 (ten) weeks and the total cost is $240. Flourish will sponsor half of the cost leaving each participant to cover the balance of $120 USD.
If you are interested, please complete the form below. If there is enough interest, we will work with Dr. Jordan to set the time and finish the registration process.
| | Online Community & Discipleship: Seeking Online Content Collaborators | |
Calling All Creators, Storytellers, and Digital Disciples!
Do you have a passion for creating content that uplifts, affirms, and builds spiritual community?
We’re launching a new effort to reach smaller MCC churches, the unchurched, and LGBTQIA+ individuals who are seeking a safe, welcoming space to explore faith and grow in spirit.
Whether you're a seasoned creator or just getting started, your voice and gifts can help us extend our reach and nurture community in new and meaningful ways—especially where spiritual connection hasn’t existed in this form before.
Join us in digital discipleship. Let’s create community together. If you would like to join this new online community and share your gifts, contact Suzette Cotto at [suzette@resurrectionmcc.org]. Suzette is the Online Community Ministry Lead.
| | 2nd MCC Clergy Spiritual Retreat in Assisi, Italy 2026: "Encounter with Me, My Call, My God" | |
Join us for a transformative 4-day spiritual retreat in Assisi, Italy, where we will delve into the spirituality of St. Francis and St. Clare, exploring their profound encounters with God.
Experience the rich spiritual heritage of Assisi. Reflect in front of the Cross of St. Damiano. Hear the powerful story of St. Clare, a woman who stood against worldly powers of men. Visit the Church of St. Francesco to meditate on the renowned frescos of Giotto. Engage in prayer with Franciscan brothers at St. Damiano. Encounter the humility of St. Francis in Rivotorto as he tended to the wounds of a leper.
Schedule: March 8 to 13 2026, in Assisi, Italy
| | Applications Now Open for L.E.A.D. 15! | |
Are you ready to grow your faith, deepen your leadership skills, and connect with others across MCC?
Applications are now open for North American L.E.A.D. 15, our next lay leadership retreat and the first step in MCC’s signature leadership development program.
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Retreat Dates: May 8–10, 2026
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Location: Church of the Trinity MCC – Sarasota, FL, USA
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Cost: $400 USD (generous scholarships available)
- Only 18 spots available – apply early!
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If you are someone who served in any military service and fulfilled their obligation (even if curtailed), we are inviting you to join MCC's Veterans Kinship Group.
If you are interested in joining, please email the following information to the group organizer, Rob Hill, at [robrtmhill@gmail.com]:
- Name
- Service in which you served (AR, AF, NV, MC, CC)
- Current MCC or other congregation, if applicable
- City and State
| | Introducing MCC's Innovation Fund! | |
Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) is excited to announce the creation of the Innovation Fund dedicated to helping churches expand and strengthen their digital presence.
The Innovation Team, led by Rev. Wanda Floyd, Outreach and Digital Ministry Coordinator, is supported by a group of skilled volunteers working to assess the digital needs of MCC churches worldwide. Once launched, churches will be invited to apply for funding to support new audiovisual equipment, software, and access to digital ministry training.
| | Let’s Get CONNECTed: Invite More MCCers to Subscribe to this Newsletter! | |
As the recent General Conference 2025 has just been concluded, and as the spirit of connectedness within our denomination is still in the air, we encourage you to invite more MCCers to subscribe to our denomination’s newsletter.
We are delighted to grow our community by sharing our good news and stories with one another via this platform.
Ask your local church leaders to put the following link in your church’s newsletter: bit.ly/connect-mcc
| | Archiving Toolkit by LGBTQ Religious Archives Network Now Available | |
LGBTQ-RAN has developed an updated, video-rich Archiving Toolkit, informed by years of experience in historical preservation. This toolkit offers concise “how-to” information about the overall process of donating records to an archives as well as in-depth information about archiving digital records, paper records, and social media.
Please take a couple of moments to look through the Toolkit and share it with someone who might find it useful.
| | 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.
| | 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.
| | 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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