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Greetings!

Greetings once again. I am finally back in CA after a very emotional and exhausting trip to North Carolina. Though I hated to leave so suddenly, I'm so thankful that I left when I did. I was able to be with my aunt while she still recognized me and visit with her and my family for a couple more days before she passed away. I was then able to serve as a pallbearer at her funeral. I was also able to spend much of my time away with my brother, who was recently released from the hospital. He is some better, but he will continue to deal with his long-term health issues for the rest of his life unless God heals him. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

I know you have been enjoying the sermons and the testimonies this month as we focused on Recovery. I'm very thankful to Rev. Onetta Brooks for preaching last Sunday. I also want to thank Mark Talgo and the others who have given a personal testimony. I'm always amazed when I hear people relate their personal journeys and how God, through the Spirit (and usually through some very disciplined living) has turned their lives around. 

As you know, our 57th Anniversary is coming up next weekend, and we'll have a combined multi-lingual service beginning at 11:00 a.m. followed by lunch together. It will be wonderful to see Rev. Troy Perry, our church's founder, in worship with us, as well as share our worship and a meal together. In addition, we have Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez as our guest speaker. We'll have a BIG SURPRISE in that service as well. Don't miss it!

Throughout the month, we have heard messages coinciding with the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. This Sunday, we will complete the sermon series with Steps 11 and 12. My sermon is entitled, Rapture, Revival, Rinse, and Repeat. If you'd like to read ahead, check out Lamentations 3:19-31 (Message version).  I'm looking forward to seeing you all in person this Sunday!

God bless.

Pastor Keith

First Reading is taken from the 12-Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous,

Steps 11 through 12.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out. 

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Second Reading is taken from Lamentations, Chapter 3, Verses 19 through 31

(Message Version)

I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, God's merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). God's all I’ve got left.



God proves to be good to the one who passionately waits, to the one who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times. When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst. Why? Because the Sovereign won’t ever walk out and fail to return.

These two weekly opportunities for sharing your insights on Sunday's message require no prior knowledge other than having viewed the Sunday 10 AM message. "Growing Deeper And Higher" will be offered weekly onsite (no Zoom) on Sundays in the Education Center at 11:30 AM, and online on Thursdays via Zoom at 7:00 PM PDT. The Zoom link for Thursday's gathering is: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85030319029 pwd=d3WuF91sKVXinDjUSIu6SeV1LLPBRF.1    

Join CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) and other social justice groups who have been gathering weekly in Los Angeles to pray for the return of family members who have been detained or deported.

We invite people of all genders to accompany them and hold our disappeared community members in prayer. We are hurting along with them, and we have their backs.

This vigil takes place every Tuesday, Noon at the Los Angeles Federal Building.

Bam Noriega

Founders MCCLA

Student Clergy

(480)773-0527

Join us on October 5th at 11:00 a.m. to celebrate our church and denomination's 57th Anniversary! Plans for the day include a multilingual service (English and Spanish congregations combined), a guest speaker, Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez, a Potluck Lunch, and an in-person encounter with our Founder, Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry! This will be an exciting day, so plan to be here in person and bring others with you!

Anniversary Speaker:

Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez 

 Rev. Gutiérrez serves as the Team Lead for Community Development in Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC). In this role, he works closely with staff responsible for vocational leadership, church development, emerging ministries, inclusion and diversity, and the General Conference. He also supports the judiciary process for MCC and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, serving alongside our Moderator, Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, and Kirk Blandford.

Rev. Gutiérrez has been instrumental in developing MCC's presence in Latin America, including the founding of two MCC churches in Cuba. He has also contributed to the International Task Force, the MCC Statement of Faith Commission, the Multiple Pathways to Ministry initiative, and in the Clergy Manual Review Team.

He has traveled twice to Cuba with Rev. Elder Troy Perry and his husband Phillip, and, together with his own husband, Juan Ramos, has enjoyed time in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, including a memorable Christmas week.

Rev. Gutiérrez and his husband Juan Ramos make their home in Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico, and have joyfully shared life together for more than 22 years.

Founders Metropolitan Community Church will again host the Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival as part of Our 57^th Anniversary Celebration weekend on October 4-5, 2025!!!

Founders Metropolitan Community Church will again host the Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival as part of Our 57^th Anniversary Celebration weekend on October 4-5, 2025!!!

Hollywood Queer Short Film Festival (HQSFF) announced that tickets for this year’s festival (October 4-5 at Founders MCC Church, 4607 Prospect Ave. LA) are now on sale.

The HQSFF theme this year is VISIBILITY IS RESISTANCE, which acknowledges “the considerable efforts being made by the current national regime to take the whole world back to a time when all manner of queer expression was suppressed and we were practically invisible,” according to Festival Director Jim Hoffman, “But we’re not going anywhere.”

Each week until our Anniversary, our Enews will highlight one of the 30 short films that will be shown at the Festival. Afternoon showings at 2 p.m. will be in the Black Box Theater. Evening showings at 7 p.m. will be in the Sanctuary.

Pairing Up: Sunday, October 5th at 7:00 PM  

The festival’s final program reflects a universal impulse shared by all humans and most of the world’s animals. Starting with TWO BLACK BOYS IN PARADISE, this impressive program ends up with DRAGFOX, an animated masterpiece that features the voice of Sir Ian McKellen in the title role.

A complete lineup of all the films can be found at the festival website: www.hqsff.com The home page includes a direct link to buy tickets.

We will once again have our "Pet Blessings" on Saturday, October 11th, from 11 to 1. This will happen in our courtyard. Bring your pets (mice, chickens, dogs, cats, turtles, snakes, camels, etc.) for a blessing from our pastors. 

COMMUNITY

IS THE CURE

Sunday, October 12, 2025

West Hollywood Park 

647 North San Vicente Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Team Founders MCC Sign-up and Donation Page:

AIDS Walk LA 2025 - Team Founders MCC

Schedule:

9:00 AM

Park open for arrivals/teams | DJ music to begin

10:30 AM

Program Begins on Stage

11:15 AM

Walk Starts

12:00 PM

Walk Complete

With the ICE, Homeland Security, and Border Patrol raids occurring so frequently here in Los Angeles, we at FMCC/ICMF realize the fear that many of our congregants have in leaving their homes. We are initializing an immediate ministry called, ANGELS. This ministry is for those who may be fearful of going to the grocery store, the pharmacy, and the department store and need to reach out to an ANGEL for help. It is also for people who may be willing to run these errands (for those too fearful to leave home currently) to let us know you're willing to BE an ANGEL. So, if you need an ANGEL, or if you're willing to be an ANGEL, please contact us at care@mccla.org and we'll match you up if at all possible. 

Rapid Response Network Launches Hotline to Protect Immigrants From ICE Raids in Los Angeles, 888-624-4752

There continues to be a need for a "White Wall" to help protect the attendees of our 1:30 Spanish-speaking service. Please see Pastor Keith. 

Order your shirts today from Lulu Madrid for only $25! 

We need additional volunteers to help in the sound booth (see Don Mueller) and broadcast booth (see Sandra Contreras)

Tithes & Offerings

Thank you to all who have given so generously through our online giving portal. Our church cannot function without your generosity!! Feel free to continue giving through our website (on PushPay) or simply sending a check in the mail (4607 Prospect Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027). Again, thank you.

Grand Total For Week Ending: 09-21-2025: $3,403.00

Building Fund: $135.00

Facility Rentals: $370.00

Tithing: $2,898.00

Interested in Church Membership? Or, maybe, you just want to know more about our church's core beliefs and history. Set up an online meeting with Rev. Steve Swafford at membership@mccla.org for an individualized study!

Hospitality!

Covid-19 Protocols

Dean Coffey -

Vice Moderator

Patricia Wahle - Clerk

Ed Shaughnessy - Treasurer

Roger Owens - Governance

Ina Serene - Trans Unity

Martin Miny - Facilities

Founders Metropolitan Community Church Address And Contact Info:

4607 Prospect Ave, Los Angeles CA 90027 | 323-669-3434

E-mail: info@foundersmcc.org

Website: www.foundersmcc.org

MCC Kinship Groups

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

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

Inviting all MCC Trans and Nonbinary People of Faith to a Monthly Online Gathering

We held our first gathering last month (June) and it became clear that more of these gatherings are needed and welcomed. With the relentless attack globally on Trans and Nonbinary people, many emotions are being experienced within our global MCC community.

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.

Discussion topics:

• 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.

Upcoming Schedule - 2PM ET, on these dates:

• September 29
• October 27
• November 24
• December 29

(see other time zones)

Click Here for Zoom Link

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/719817716

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.

We invite all MCCers to subscribe to our denomination e-news by clicking on the following link: bit.ly/connect-mcc

A Message from the Moderator

September 2025

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Dear people of God,

It is an honour to serve you again as Moderator for the next six years. I ask for your ongoing prayers as I enter this new term.

As we start this new chapter in MCC’s journey, I am excited for the opportunities and possibilities that God is offering us, even as we grapple with our current realities. In these challenging times, it is important to remember that the world has always been a turbulent place. Oppression, war, violence and injustice are evident in the history of every nation and in every community at some point. Even when a community or country seems at peace, the lives of individuals behind closed doors may be anything but peaceful. There is a line from the Book of Esther, which is often quoted “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, New International Version) Before this moment in the text, Esther is reminded that if she keeps silent, God will raise up others to do the work of liberation that she is being called to do. MCC, we have a huge amount of experience in how to minister in times of struggle and injustice. Our time to lead is now.

The MCC Doing Justice Team meets on a weekly basis to discuss myriad justice issues and what MCC can do, at a denominational and community level, to live out MCC’s core value of Justice. At a recent meeting, I was updated on the impact, especially on People of Colour, of having the US National Guard on the streets of Washington DC, along with a much greater law enforcement presence. We talked about how we might learn from other situations like this, to support MCC congregations in cities already impacted by this policy and those which are likely to experience this.

People in the meeting started to share examples of other times of challenge in the US, for example in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd and the riots in Ferguson. Then we thought more widely about the experiences of our siblings in the Philippines, South Africa, Mexico, Cuba and other Latin American countries, where violence, oppression and a strong military presence is or has been the daily life of many.

Remember, MCC started in a time of great social upheaval. MCC, we know how to live, love, minister, protest and follow Jesus amid challenge and trial.

“Kindness and compassion are never abstract. They are lived, practiced, and made real through action”. (quote from one of MCC’s partners in ministry, Charter for Compassion - https://charterforcompassion.org/)

There are so many practical things we are already doing. Churches open their doors to be places of welcome, hospitality, peace and sanctuary. They act as hosts for community meetings. Pastors and congregants visibly participate in protests or act as a barrier between law enforcement and protesters. Congregations have prayer groups committed to praying for the local community on a regular basis and they raise up local, national and international issues as part of worship. Individuals and communities use social media to share accurate information and send out messages of hope, comfort and encouragement. MCC is challenging injustice through law courts and through public statements, through presence and silent witness. These are just some examples of what is happening around the world. If your MCC is active in justice ministry, please share your news with [communications@mccchurch.net] if you are not sure how to make a difference, start with a commitment to regular prayer for justice and look around your local community to see where you can help. Small things done consistently cause change. Think of raindrops wearing away stone.

In today’s world, we are interconnected more than ever before. We are more aware of the horrors and hardships being experienced around the world. This interconnectedness can also be a source of strength. We can learn from each other, support each other, work towards common goals, using our diversity to make positive change.

Times of struggle impact generations differently. Some in the older generation may have already lived through much. Dealing with challenges today may bring up difficult memories and re-ignite trauma. And..there is wisdom and strategies of liberation in the memories and old stories. Reminding ourselves of how we reclaimed our power, personally and as communities, can encourage us in these difficult days. Some in the younger generation may never have experienced the oppressions and injustices which seem to be raining down in so many places. It is an opportunity for us to listen to newer voices amongst us and share new ways of protest and community organising.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 New King James Version)

In all of us this, we are not alone. We are part of our local and our global MCC community. More importantly, we are surrounded by the love and the Spirit of our Creator God. Below, there is a litany, written by Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey, as part of the MCC Doing Justice Team, which you may wish to use personally or in worship. You are welcome to adapt it as you see fit for your context.

People of God in MCC, this is our time. I will do all I can, working with the MCC staff, Governing Board, Council of Elders, Network Leaders and all of you, to lead, equip and resource you so that you can fully answer God’s call, right where you are, because it takes all of us to be MCC.

God bless,

Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston

Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches

Litany for the State of the World

Written by Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey of the MCC Doing Justice Team

Compassionate God, you know better than we the current state of your beloved creation. From your view, O God, this may not be the worst of times, but we are finite, and it is hard to find hope. Teach us to hope, not with naivete, but with fierce, loving action. We name before you now the situations that threaten our hope.

(Climate change, the rise of fascism, the persecution of marginalized groups…)

Liberating God, you bring true peace into the world. Your son our Savior greeted his disciples with “Peace be with you.” We know, O God, that your peace, your Shalom, is not merely the absence of war, but rather the flourishing of all creation. Teach us to make peace, not with injustice, but for collective liberation. We name before you know the situations that threaten your true Shalom.

(The genocide in Palestine, the war in Ukraine, the violence in Haiti…)

Merciful God, you teach us that each person and all creation is beloved by you. Your son our Savior taught us that loving God and loving our neighbor is the heart of all the law and the prophets. Jesus also taught us to pray for our enemies. Teach us O God, to pray not for their destruction but for their metanoia: their turning from evil.

(These may be different in different contexts.)

God of compassion, hope, liberation, peace, mercy, and love, we leave our prayers before you and we pray you to stir our hearts to actions that build up your kin-dom on earth. Amen.

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. 

English and Spanish will be at 7pm Central Daylight Savings, and English only will be 7pm Pacific Daylight Savings.

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)

Here's the Zoom Link for the

COE Prayer Vigil

Seeking Seeds of Hope, Justice, and Joy

 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82798700792?pwd=znlx3v5wVoGLSyeNqF5NfphMolBqRM.1