Greetings!

G'day, mate! I have now returned from my trip to Australia to be with my friend (and our fellow FMCC church member), Derrick Singletary. It was wonderful to visit with him and spend quality time that we haven't had since before Covid stopped the world. It was also wonderful to spend time with Rev. Wanda Floyd and Rev. Allen Mosley, as we were the worship team that worked with Rev. Wayne Lindsey when we first came into MCC in Raleigh, NC. What a blessing!

I do want to say a special THANK YOU to Dr. Dean Coffey and Pastor Lucia Chappelle for their messages the last two weeks, along with Rev. Alejandro Escoto who moderated the services. I know that you were blessed by their ministries, as well.

This Sunday, I will be back in worship, and my message is entitled, A Helping Hand. If you'd like to read ahead, check out John 5:1-9 (Message version). I look forward to seeing you this week!

Pastor Keith
Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Announcements for the week of 5-20-22!
Bayanihan Ministry - May 26th
Join our Bayanihan ministry for their monthly Bible Study next Thursday, May 26, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. 


Meeting ID: 991 4669 6739
Gay Pride Events - June 2022!
Lots of events are planned around the city for Pride month. FMCC will participate in WeHo Pride on Sunday, June 5th and in LA Pride on Sunday, June 12th. Our services for the first two weeks of June will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday (June 4th and June 11th)!!! We'll also celebrate Trans Pride (along with Father's Day and Juneteenth) on Sunday, June 19th.
Online Worshipers: Send Pictures!  
If you're not able to join us for worship in person, we'd still love to share your "presence" in worship through our Passing of the Peace video each week. Send pictures to pics@mccla.org .  (Pictured: "Ella") Note: Pictures are due by Wednesday of each week to be included in the next Sunday's video.
Stewardship Campaign Info  
 These are the 2022 Stewardship Refocusing Our Vision Campaign totals so far.  

Tithes 37 @ $156,630.00
Building Fund 13 @ $5,182.00
Please take some time this week to prayerfully consider your financial commitment for 2022. Then, fill out the Stewardship Commitment Card either in person or online at www.foundersmcc.org. We so appreciate all that you commit to make Founders MCC a vital part of our lives.
New Church App Coming Soon!!!
Volunteer Opportunities!
Food Available
Food Delivery

Our Food Delivery is every Friday Morning between the hours of 7:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.

Food Distribution

Each Saturday, our church offers food to those who are in need. In addition to the HopeNet food that comes each week, we have started offering fresh produce from Food Forward. Come by from anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning to pick up food. 
Vaccination@mccla.org  
If you haven't done so already, please send a picture of your vaccination card to vaccination@mccla.org so the check-in line will run quickly on Sunday!  
Vaccinations for those 5 years of age and older:
Free Home Covid Test Kits 
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.
Hospitality - online - after worship!
Don't forget that we have a time of Hospitality after worship each Sunday. The link is at the top of the first page of our website. Come and have some fun with your church family!
General Conference BUSINESS MEETING DATE, TIMES, PROCESS and AGENDA
The General Conference business meeting will be held totally online this year for the first time ever. This means more delegates around the world can participate in the democratic process of our denomination. Being online also gives an opportunity to try a new way of conducting our business together and shifting our culture. This new approach will help us hear more perspectives and build more consensus prior to the Business Meeting.

There is no one time that is convenient for all time zones. May we be gracious and understanding as we do our business in new ways, allowing for the fullest global voice possible.

The business meeting will be held on Saturday 16th July for all time zones*

6:00am PDT,  8:00am CDT,  9:00am EDT,  10:00am BRT,  2:00pm BST,
3:00pm CEST SAST,  4:00pm EEST EAT,  9:00pm PHST,  11:00pm AEST

 *apart from NZT, where it will start at 1am Sunday 17th July. 

For those who may have concerns about preparations or restedness for Sunday preaching, we will provide a video sermon that may be used for Sunday 17 July.

There will be a separate registration for voting delegates for the Business Meeting. Information on when and how to register will be sent out later.

The Business FORUM will be held on Thursday 7th July at the same times, apart from NZT, where it will be very early - 1am - Friday 8th July.
The Business Process

In order to give as many people as possible a chance to contribute to the discussion before the Business Meeting, the business process will be in four stages. More details will be provided with the business packet, which will come out in early June. Here is a brief overview:

Stage 1. Discussion Circles - June - various times and languages
These facilitated online discussions will take place at varying times in June and in different languages. Anyone can participate, particularly delegates, in any of the Discussion Circles to discuss items on the business agenda. Notes of suggestions and questions about motions and bylaw proposals will be taken at each Discussion Circle and given to the authors of motions and bylaw proposals. They will also be posted on the conference website, so all delegates can see what others have raised. 

Stage 2. Business Forum - Thursday 7th July - see times above
The Governing Board, Moderator, and Commissions will be available to answer questions related to their reports and receive feedback. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the Governing Board candidates. Motions and bylaw proposals will be presented with any changes from the original versions highlighted (as a result of the input from the Discussion Circles). There will be opportunity to suggest any further amendments for consideration by the authors. 

Stage 3. Business Meeting - Saturday 16th July - see dates and times above
This will be our official Business Meeting. Reports will be received and any previously submitted motions will be formally made. Voting will happen in stage four. We will hear a limited number of delegates speak for or against a motion. Most of the discussion will have occurred in stages 1 and 2. There will be no further amendments to motions and no new motions from delegates at this stage. This is to ensure that the business content is all translated, culturally comprehensible and accessible to our global delegates.

Stage 4. Virtual Voting - 17th or 18th July
Most votes will take place in a 24 hour period after the Business Meeting and results then announced online. If there needs to be a second round of voting for the Governing Board candidates, voting delegates will be informed of the time and details. 
The Process for Motions

In order to manage the complexities of a large number of delegates seated in two houses online, who do not share the same primary language, the Governing Board has decided that all substantive motions (see example below) to come before the Business Meeting must be received in writing by the Clerk of the Governing Board, Rev. Elder Diane Fisher by Sunday 22nd May 2022. This is so the motions can be translated and distributed before the Discussion Circles and Business Forum, and to allow time for lay delegates to consult with their congregation. Motions may be modified by their author, having received feedback from the Discussion Circles and the Business Forum.

There will be no new motions accepted from delegates during the Business Meeting itself. Having all motions in writing beforehand means that all delegates will be able to have time to consider the motions on which they will be voting, prior to the meeting. These motions will be discussed during the Discussion Circles and Business Forum. During those times, any suggested amendments may be offered to the authors for consideration. Final versions of any motions will be made available prior to the Business Meeting. During the meeting, we will hear arguments for and against each motion.  

Only clergy, lay delegates, Council of Elders, and the Governing Board may propose motions. If you wish to submit a motion, please write it out in full, with your name and with the name of the person who is seconding the motion. 

It is helpful to 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 would be:
  • Motion to request the appointment of a Commission by the Governing Board to look at a specific issue

An example of a motion that has no financial or timelines would be:
  • Motions of appreciation, to thank individuals or groups of people for their service to the denomination over the past three years

Please send your motion to revdianefisher@MCCchurch.net no later than 22nd May. 

If you have any questions about the process, please contact the Chair of the Governance Committee, Clare Coughlin clarecoughlin@MCCchurch.net
General Conference Business Agenda

Click on this link to view or download the draft agenda for the Business Meeting. Proposed Agenda Remember this is still subject to change. A final proposed agenda will be in the Business Packet and will be on the General Conference website.
Meet Some of Our Speakers for the
Global Transformational Weekend!
1-3 July 2022

During the Global General Conference Transformational Weekend, we will be featuring a number of dynamic plenary speakers. Read more about our speakers here.

THANK YOU for your support as we navigate this new way holding General Conference!

If you have any questions or ideas you want to share with our core team about the Transformational Weekend, please contact us: conferences@MCCchurch.net 

If you have any questions or suggestions about the Business Meeting process, please contact the Chair of the Governance Committee, Clare Coughlin clarecoughlin@MCCchurch.net

We look forward to co-creating this new way of doing General Conference with you. 
Keep in Touch! | conferences@MCCchurch.net
Your Generosity is Saving Lives!

Thank you for your generosity! It is making a difference!

MCCers around the world have responded so quickly, generously, and regularly to the relief efforts for Ukraine. For MCC, this has been with our partner organization in Ukraine – ACCEPT Romania – who are working on the ground and around the clock to assist LGBTQ refugees fleeing their homelands. They are exercising such compassion and flexibility to respond to the unique needs and challenges of each situation. You’ll hear more about that later in this email.

We are also strengthening our relationships with MCC-based organizations who are well ahead of us in meeting the needs of refugees around the world (more details below). This is a time for us to come together in solidarity and support, and we are doing that.

What we have done
Through your generous support, ACCEPT has been able to:

  • Support over 60 LGBTQ people and their families as they have crossed the border of Ukraine into Romania in search of safety.
  • Meet the needs of people who would have fallen through the cracks of other relief organizations.

We are proud to be one of ACCEPT's active supporters.

There is still so much need
The needs of the people fleeing Ukraine to save their own lives and the lives of those they love are as unique as the people themselves. Here are a few examples. 

  • Those in need of specific medical care are often unable to continue their life-sustaining treatments (i.e. HIV/AIDS medication, hormone and other treatments unique to the plight of trans individuals, etc.).
  • There are many Ukrainians who are seeking asylum, who flee to Romania because they have a route to do so, but who are ultimately traveling to another location (Romania is a transit location for many, because Romania itself is not the most friendly for LGBTQ people.)
  • Those who are called “Third Country Nationals” (people from another country who are living in Ukraine for school or work) are facing particular challenges, including unique legal challenges specific to their situation.
  • Many who consider their pets as family (so many of us do) are choosing to stay put and face dire circumstances, rather than leave their pets behind. The ACCEPT shelters have made room to accommodate this.

How you can help now
You can still give through MCC to meet these needs. We are so grateful to ACCEPT and their on-the-ground leadership. Florin Buhuceanu, a long-time MCC-affiliated activist, is a founder and supporter of these efforts. And, ACCEPT is keeping MCC up to date as things change and needs shift. 100% of any funds you contribute will go to ACCEPT. MCC is covering every administrative fee, including wire transfers, conversion rates, etc.

Here are some ways that you can donate to this effort now!

If you are in the US and are able to donate by credit/debit card, please visit: http://weblink.donorperfect.com/mccdisasterrelief

If you would like to donate via PayPal, please visit: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=XGFV7SCBL7ARQ

If you would like to transfer funds electronically, from anywhere in the world, here are the relevant banking details:

Bank Name: Lloyds Bank
Sort Code: 30-90-54
Account #: 00150202
Account Name: UFMCC UK Project (funds will be used entirely to support Ukraine)
IBAN: GB14LOYD30905404391875
BIC: LOYDGB21090
ACCEPT is the first non-governmental human rights organization in Romania to defend and promote LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights. ACCEPT is working with partner organizations in Moldova, Ukraine, and other neighboring countries. They are establishing new relationships with other countries in Europe who are receiving refugees.
OUR PARTNERS ARE ALSO HELPING!

MCC works with several other affiliated and associated organizations who are engaged in justice work around the globe. We are proud to share more information with you about their efforts, and hope you will generously support these efforts as well. Each is focused slightly differently, so choose the one that best honors your intentions. This is a moment when it is essential that we work together so our support can be more effective.

The Global Justice Institute's work around Ukraine includes the entire Eastern European region. From Belarus to Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Romania, we have been actively involved in humanitarian efforts to save lives. We’ve quickly moved most of our partners out of harm’s way but continue to support some who remain stuck in Belarus and Ukraine. We provide housing and food assistance for them and communicate with them almost daily as we work to move them to safety.   

The Global Justice Institute is also partnering with 2 individuals organizing on the ground whose efforts we have been able to verify, and who are assisting those still under siege in Ukraine, and who are providing two other levels of support.

The first has to do with technology. Night vision drones are needed to find safe times to leave for those attempting to flee and for use by those attempting to get supplies into those who are hiding.

The second has to do with caring for those who are wounded and do not have access to medical facilities or emergency care. Backpacks that are designed for a second level of medical care in terms of combat action and that meet the standards of tactical medicine with things like Quikclot and Celox are being prepared, with each backpack having enough supplies to save up to 10 lives. 

Every penny contributed to The Global Justice Institute goes to support this work. We take no administrative fees and all our activists are well-experienced volunteers. To support this life saving work, go to https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1435416.
The Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto (Canada) has a vibrant refugee ministry.
MCC Toronto is the only LGBTQ+ exclusive Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) for refugees in all of Canada. Through our work with sponsorship teams, we have privately sponsored over 55 LGBTQ+ refugees to Canada and have provided services and programming to over 3,500 LGBTQ+ refugee claimants since 2007.

They did an Instagram Live Takeover with Andrew Kushnir who is an LGBTQ+ advocate of Ukrainian descent living in Toronto and it can be viewed at: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb0tc1yl-gE/
 
There is also lots of great media coverage connected to MCC Toronto and their Ukrainian Relief Efforts:
 
So far they have only heard from 3 Ukrainians outside of Ukraine but not yet in Canada. However, they have 50 Afghans on their wait list for refugee sponsorship and are pulling together about a dozen sponsorship teams of five that have to raise $18,500 to sponsor a refugee.
 
MCCT expects most Ukrainian Refugees will come on a special short term visa given by the Canadian government ... and likely return home. Senior Pastor, Rev. Jeff Rock says his heart is warmed by the number of phone calls he has gotten from people offering spare bedrooms and sending funds on to Ukraine where it is needed now. And, he affirms that MCCT will be there in the long term to support folks when they arrive.
 
MCC Toronto has a long time congregant/connection through the Global Justice Institute who has been coming back and forth between Canada and Belarus for years. He speaks fluent Ukrainian, Russian, Belarussian, and Polish so is acting as their translator and they are ready with programming as soon as folks arrive!

To support MCC Toronto's Relief efforts, visit: https://www.mcctoronto.com/help-support-lgbtq-ukrainians/
Rainbow Faith and Freedom is a Global Movement to confront religious-based LGBTQI discrimination. They are working to inspire faith communities and families to be safe places for LGBTI people by changing the hearts and minds of individuals around the world.

Rainbow Faith and Freedom was founded by Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, C.M., Senior Pastor Emeritus of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto.

Brent is encouraging supporters of this vibrant ministry to join MCC and ACCEPT Romania in our Ukranian relief efforts. Donation information is included above.
Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Board Of Directors
Rev. Keith Mozingo (Moderator)
Martin Covarrubias (Vice Moderator)
Ken An (Treasurer)
Kim Doneche (Clerk)
Gef Aviles (Stewardship)
Roger Owens (Member)
Bob Stayton (Member)
Parking Available
Children's Hospital has so graciously volunteered up to 10 spaces for us to park. It is a small lot off Sunset Blvd., just beyond the Metro Station entrance.