Greetings!

Happy Mother's Day! This Sunday, we want to celebrate all those mothers (biological or chosen) and mother-figures in our lives. Thank you to all who sent in pictures of your moms that will be used in a special tribute to mothers during our services.

Over the last couple of weeks, we honored those who have served on the Board of Directors and as Lay Delegates. We also welcomed new Board Members and Lay Delegates. I want to give a special "shout out" to Mark Hahn who took all the lovely pictures. Mark has "retired" from being the denomination's official photographer, but we count on him often to make sure we have quality pictures of our church events. Thank you, Mark! 

As we celebrate Asian-American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I'm so excited to welcome back to our church next Sunday the Johannes Line Dancers And Cultural Group. Our own Oyie Esquerra dances in this group and introduced them to us awhile ago. They are a delight and will add so much to the service!

This Sunday, my message is entitled, Mother, May I? If you'd like to read ahead, check out Acts 17:22-30 (Voice Version). I look forward to worshipping with you all this Sunday!


Pastor Keith
Mobile Vaccination Clinic - Saturday!
A mobile vaccination clinic will be at FMCC (courtyard) TOMORROW, Saturday, May 13th, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Vaccinations are available for Covid-19, Flu, and Monkeypox. All vaccinations are FREE. 
Sheena Metal Interfaith Service
Join us tomorrow, Saturday, May 13th, at 5:00 p.m. on the church Facebook page for our monthly Interfaith Service, led by Rev. Sheena Metal.
Men's Dance Hall / Partner dancing
This has been created exclusively for the enjoyment of men. Please Join us tomorrow, Saturday, May 13, 8 p.m. in the Founders Black Box Theatre. Enter first door off Rodney. All men, however you identify, and all levels welcome! Instruction included. $5 suggested donation.
Special Offering Bringing Light & Power – May 14
The Board of Directors has approved receiving a Special Offering on the second Sunday of May to restore and improve the lighting of our Sanctuary. The project will include the replacement of the six main light fixtures (four above the main floor & two above the balcony); replacing approximately two dozen light bulbs on the perimeter of the ceiling; and installing new dimmer switches for all of the lights in the sanctuary Please prayerfully consider how Spirit might move you to bring power and light to our Sanctuary worship space.
Board Meeting
Board Meeting, Tuesday May 16. All are welcome. Zoom link: 

Meeting ID: 817 3961 8885
Passcode: 718258
Self-empowerment classes & Zumba classes
May 20: Self-empowerment classes with Reece Whitaker for LBGTQAI at 9 a.m. Zumba class at 10:15 a.m. Donation is accepted, but not required.
Sunday, May 21, Special Guests
On May 21st, we will have the Johannes Line Dancers and Cultural Group (featuring our own Oyie Esguerra!) at the 10:00 a.m. service. You don't want to miss this amazing group!
Graduation 2023
It's time to honor our graduates! If you are planning to graduate from school (any level) this year, please send a note to [email protected] to let us know:
 1. Your name. (Your Preferred Pronouns)
 2. Parents'/Guardians' names.
 3. School attended (current school affiliation).
 4. Post-graduation plans. 
 5. Planned major if going to higher education.
Pride Planning Team
Rev. Keith and Rev. Alejandro are looking for a few folks to be on the Pride Planning Team. We want to represent FMCC in the June Pride parades, and we're looking for some ideas and some helpers! If you're interested, please check in with Rev. Alejandro at [email protected].
Volunteers Needed Immediately! 
Have you been feeling a nudge by the Spirit to get a little more involved at church? Here's a simple way to start - we need a couple of people to help for a couple of hours on Friday mornings and/or Saturday mornings with the Food Bank. It's really simple: On Fridays, the food truck arrives, and the food just has to be moved from the pallets to the Hunter Room or the kitchen. On Saturdays, the food just has to be set up on the tables in the courtyard for those who come for food. Not only will it do your spirit good, you'll be in great company! Come and join us!!!
"Assistance for one of our Staff Pastors"
One of our Staff Pastors is experiencing a major health issue - cancer. There are ways that ALL of us can help, such as keeping him in our prayers. There are also some tangible ways we can help: financial assistance for medical bills, providing meals, daily walks, simple house chores, errands. Check out the website link provided to see how you may help:
Rev. Steve Pieters
Rev. Steve has been undergoing chemo therapy for cancer. He is currently in need of assistance in the following areas: 
  
1. Transportation to and/or from City of Hope in Duarte (every other Tuesday)

2. Getting groceries.

3. Minor chores (dishes, laundry, kitty litter)

4. Taking him for a walk 20 to 30 minutes each day.

If you can assist weekly, daily, monthly, anytime, please email Rev. Steve's scheduler, Solomon Trager:


There is also a GoFundMe page set up for Rev. Steve here:


Commitment Cards
Our Commitment Cards are available on-site and online throughout the year. We ask that you prayerfully consider your financial commitment for 2023.
Hospitality!
Join us before and after worship for a time of Hospitality in the church courtyard. Martin Miny is heading a team of people to get coffee, juice, and pastries ready each Sunday. Volunteers are always welcome!
Monkey Pox Vaccine Available 
LA County now has another limited supply of Monkeypox Vaccine available. You can sign up here: https://lacpublichealth.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aY96Sxs2lUgUZb8
Change In Covid-19 Protocols
As we continue to cope with Covid-19, we are changing our protocols. The new protocols are in line with the rest of LA County. Until further notice, here are our guidelines:

1. We will no longer require vaccinations and boosters for church attendance, though we highly encourage them.
2. We will make wearing masks optional. Please feel free to continue wearing masks as you feel comfortable.

3. We ask people that have symptoms of (or tested positive for) Covid, flu, monkeypox, or any other easily communicable disease to please refrain from attending until they are well.

As we have from the very beginning of the pandemic, we will continue to keep in line with the advice of the LA County Public Health Department. Thank you so much for your patience as we navigate new guidelines.
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: 5-08-2023: $10,507.00

Tithes for both services: $4,497.00
Building Fund: $110.00
Facility Rental: $5,900.00
Evening Vespers
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!
MAY 2023 
MCC VISION STATEMENT
 
Metropolitan Community Church is compelled by an unfinished calling and a prophetic destiny. We are a global movement of spiritually and sexually diverse people who are fully awake to God’s enduring love. Following the example of Jesus and empowered by the Spirit, we seek to build leading-edge church communities that demand, proclaim, and do justice in the world.
 
Vision includes hopes and dreams and values. Vision leans into both who we are now where God meets us and who we can be because God does not leave us where she meets us. There are moments when we try our sincere best and might just get one step closer or feel like we haven’t moved at all. These days it may feel like we’re going backwards. Yet, no matter how many times we get knocked down, we get up again. Vision can birth resilience.
 
There are other justice oriented organizations and denominations. Often, they may limit their good work to one or two compelling causes. Often, they may miss how important spirituality is to the work that lasts longer than one generation. Often, they may miss truly being welcoming to LGBTQI folks, even though it is their hearts desire and says so on the church sign. Often, they may do great gymnastics to keep at the good work with the limitations of government grants or demanding donors.
 
Our founder, Rev. Elder Troy Perry’s vision continues to be compelling and life changing in our embattled world—to keep spirituality and sensuality in lively conversation and action is justice work and brings healing to the world and where, when we are at our best, we are the leading edge of what wholeness for all God’s kids can be. So we stretch, willing to make mistakes, willing to get back up again because love in action keeps Jesus at the lead. 
Rev. Keith Mozingo (Moderator)
Dean Coffey (Vice Moderator)
Kim Doneche (Clerk)
Ed Shaughnessy (Treasurer)
Roger Owens
Ina Serene
Martin Miny
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.