Dear Viewer,
Are you as excited as I am? I just love Stewardship season! As I mentioned last Sunday, it gives me an (annual) opportunity to reevaluate my giving of Time, Talent, and Finances. It makes me feel so good to fill out my Commitment Card for the church. I'm so happy that my family taught me the joys and benefits of making these commitments and being generous.
This year's Stewardship season is extra special: we are focusing on starting our Building Fund, and we're raising an offering for updated broadcasting equipment. This church has been broadcasting our services for many years (remember receiving DVDs in the mail from the church?), so we have lived through several updates in our mode of transmission as well as our equipment.
This week, NEW BROADCASTING EQUIPMENT, including new, state-of-the-art High Definition, Digital cameras are being installed! I was at the church when they tested them, along with the new monitor, and I almost did a Pentecostal dance! The difference was immediate and amazing! You are in for a blessing this Sunday! I do want to say a special THANK YOU! to several people: Camille Araullo (Leader of the our Tech Crew/Media Team) for her research, phone calls, e-mails, and meetings with vendors to get the new equipment; Erika Partida for helping us get the discounts from her boss, Andy, at TV Pro Gear for the church; Sara Hanson Nicholl, Sarah Contreras, and Osvaldo Rodriguez for their faithfulness and training in the broadcast booth each Sunday; Larry Rodriguez and Kees Van Vliet for the new monitor for the sanctuary, and David Raybould for his faithfulness through many years of contributing his expertise, finances, and equipment to keep our broadcast alive.
Last Sunday's message was Time To Build. This Sunday, the message is Talent To Build. If you'd like to read ahead, check out Joshua 6:1-5, 20 (Amplified). Join us ONLINE for a great day of worship...through a new camera lens!
Pastor Keith
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Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Announcements for the week of 10-16-20! |
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THE TIME HAS COME! BUILD DEMOCRACY!
Last call for California Voter Registration - Monday, October 19!
RegisterToVote.ca.gov OR 800-345-VOTE (8683)
More information on California Ballot Initiatives:
League of Women Voters California lwvc.org
More information on voting procedures:
Voter's Edge California: votersedge.org
Polling places, Dropbox locations, Ballot tracking:
sos.ca.gov/elections
VOLUNTEER! BUILD THE VOTE!
Help get out the vote: WhenWeAllVote.org/takeaction
Become an Election Worker (LA County): LAvote.net
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Stewardship Commitment Cards
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Our annual Stewardship Commitment Cards will be available by mail as well as on our website. Please begin now to pray about your financial commitment for 2021. We will dedicate the Commitment Cards Next Sunday, October 25th.
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Special "Broadcasting Equipment" Offering - October 25 |
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We will have a special offering Next Sunday, October 25th, to pay for new broadcasting equipment (new, digital, upgraded cameras and online streaming equipment). The Board of Directors has approved the use of $10,000 that was bequeathed to the church by Glenn Payne as the "seed money" for this project. We will need to raise another $15,000 to pay for the new equipment.
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Applications: Board of Directors and Lay Delegates
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Applications: Board of Directors and Lay Delegates
We are currently receiving applications for the Board of Directors (2 positions) and Lay Delegate (2 positions). If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please download the application from our website (www.foundersmcc.org) and e-mail them back to [email protected]. Deadline for applications is October 25th. (If you applied earlier this year and you want to still be considered, please indicate that in an e-mail to [email protected], as well.) Our virtual Congregational Meeting is scheduled for November 15th.
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From Rev. Tim Hamilton: COVID Bereavement Groups |
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Kaiser Permanente has established some Covid specific bereavement groups that are open to the public. A person does not need to be a member of Kaiser Permanente to attend these call in groups, and these are provided at no cost. If you know anyone that might benefit, and has experienced the death of a loved one due to Covid, feel free to pass on this info. |
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Message from Rev. Kevin Downer: |
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"I am delighted and grateful to share that yesterday First Congregational Church of Woodstock CT called me to be their pastor. The congregation has an active food ministry, has been open and affirming for over 17 years, is creative and filled with hope, joy, and love.
I am originally from the area, most of my family live in the northeast corner of CT and the words of T.S. Elliot come to mind: "We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. Through the unknown, remembered gate when the last of earth left to discover is that which was the beginning... " I start Friday and will begin leading worship October 25."
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Tuesday - Evening Vespers at 6:00 p.m. on Facebook Live. |
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Wednesday - Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook Live. |
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Thursday - Pastor Pop-up at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. |
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Friday - Evening Vespers at 6:00 p.m. on Facebook Live |
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Hospitality - online - after worship! |
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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 and included here. Come and have some fun with your church family!
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Tithes and General Offerings: for 10/04/20 & 10/11/20
(Paypal, Credit Cards, Checks, in person giving)
Designated Funds Income:
Building Fund: $30.00 (10/11/20)
Special UFMCC Special Offering: $50.00 (10/11/20)
Special UFMCC Offering: $130.00 (10/4/20)
Designated Fund Grand Total: $210.00 (2 Weeks)
Grand Total of all Income: $8,412.54 (10/4/20)
Grand Total of all Income: $2,889.07 (10/11/20)
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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 PayPal) or simply sending a check in the mail (4607 Prospect Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027). Again, thank you. |
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BUDGET IMPACT UPDATES
This is the season of Annual Congregational Meetings for many of you. We want to remind you of a few things that have Budget Impact for 2021. Please make sure your Treasurer and Board Members see this.
If you have questions about conducting your meeting virtually or facilitating virtual voting, please check out the webinar below or contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Conducting Congregational Meetings during COVID-19
This MCC Webinar shared guidance on options, planning and conducting Congregational Meetings during this time of COVID-19 when most of our churches are not meeting in-person.
USA PENSION PLAN CONTRIBUTIONS INCREASE
The Pension Plan contribution increases to $1.75 per member per month beginning in January 2021. New forms are on the website.
Remember to submit your quarterly payments on time. The 3rd Quarter of 2020 is due October 10th.
COVID RELATED IMPACTS
COVID moved most of us to virtual worship and online programming. Even when we return to in-person gatherings, virtual ministry will continue.
- Have you budgeted for your virtual platform (Zoom or another)? It may be time to move beyond the free versions.
- In addition to your CCLI license, do you have and have you budgeted for the streaming license?
When congregations return to in-person gatherings, there will be additional expenses and procedures to consider.
- additional cleaning costs
- provision of any PPE, at the very least the provision of hand sanitizer throughout the facility, and masks for people who may not arrive with one
- any installation of plexiglass around musicians or the pulpit
Be sure to check with your facility Insurance company for anticipated increases, waiver recommendations, and other updates.
- This may be a time to consider Key Person insurance! This is a policy owned by the church on the life of the Pastor. This would provide funds for the church in the event of the death of the Pastor.
CLERGY ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWAL
The Early Bird deadline for Clergy License Renewal is December 1st. The Early Bird fee is $175. While this is a required professional license, Boards might consider covering this fee as part of the Pastor's package, as a benefit, or as a token of appreciation.
For payment in the United States/Canada, you may pay online by clicking this link, or you can mail a check to MCC, 2775 NW 49th Ave. Ste: 205-327, Ocala, FL 34482. If payment is being submitted via PayPal, please ensure that the name of the Clergyperson is included in the details on the payment. If, however, the Clergy License fee is paid by check, the Clergyperson's name must be included in the Memo section of the check.
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Start Budgeting for General Conference!
As we are in the midst of a pandemic, we do not know exactly what the future holds for the MCC General Conference in 2022. We do know we will have a conference and it will be a time of hope, celebration, and momentum.
As you begin planning your 2021 and 2022 budgets, we want to give you some projections of costs for this conference. We recommend that you budget two thirds of your anticipated conference costs in your 2021 budget and one third in your 2022 budget.
Currently, we are planning a multi-site experience for General Conference with one main host site in the USA and other mini-sites around the world. Look for an email outlining some of those ideas in the coming months.
Because life is so uncertain right now, we will not be opening up registration in January 2021 as we usually do. Instead registration will open in July of 2021, a year before the next scheduled General Conference to be held 4-8 July 2022.
We anticipate the Promo Rate to be (starting July 2022):
US/Canada: $350
Europe, Australia, New Zealand: $275
Ibero-America, Eastern Europe: $175
Africa, Caribbean, Asia, India: $45
Regular rate (after August of 2021):
US/Canada: $450
Europe, Australia, New Zealand: $300
Ibero-America, Eastern Europe: $200
Africa, Caribbean, Asia, India: $50
We will have day rates, online-only rates, volunteer rates etc., but it’s simply too early to project those right now in our current situation.
We will be staying at the fabulous, brand-new Fairmont Austin where the room rate is $169/night plus a 15% tax.
Please note that everything is subject to change because of COVID. This brief announcement is just to help as you estimate your costs and plan your budgets. We will elaborate on all of this in the coming months.
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Remember Your Pastor(s) and Staff
2020 has been a challenging year for everyone! Pastors have been trying to balance the need to keep everyone safe and healthy with the desired benefits of in-person gatherings. Many Pastors have had to learn to do worship differently including learning or sharpening technology skills! They have done their best to provide congregants with spiritual nurture and ways to connect virtually. Wouldn't you agree that they have worked hard?
This is the one time of year for Boards or Boards and Lay Delegates or other key lay leaders to meet without the Pastor. This is the time of year to consider a Christmas gift for your Pastor(s) and any Staff.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month so encourage your congregation to send notes of appreciation and encouragement to your Pastor(s) now.
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With concerns about voter suppression and intimidation, a number of states and cities are asking clergy to be present at polling places as witnesses to help counter voter intimidation. We want to encourage clergy and churches in the USA to check with local leaders to find out how they may be of assistance. This is in alignment with MCC's core value of Justice. We are called to work for Justice for all people.
Remember that protecting the freedom to participate by voting is non-partisan and is not a violation of our charitable status. Any support of a specific candidate or in opposition to a specific candidate must be done as an individual and not in the name of the church.
Encourage your members to VOTE!
Be involved. Be watchful. Be careful.
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O Great and Gracious Creator
Once Again on this day we rejoice
You are the Host and the Meal
The Shelter and the Hearth
Abundant prosperity and healing we bring to all your people
May All feel that wealth of knowing you by Grace
Our Creator of More than enough
Today you hear our joyous passion in serving
You promise us this day our daily bread
Obedience to your command that we love one another
As you have loved us
We shall be known by your love
Impoverished no more
We know we are your most prized treasure
For where Your treasure is, there Your sacred heart will be also
Therefore, my beloved family
May we be always steadfast and unmovable
Always excelling in our Savior’s work as we know it is never in vain
You answer our prayer this day in YOUR Mighty Name and in All that is Holy
We end poverty in all its forms everywhere
And So, It Is
Amen
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PRAYER SUBMITTED BY
JACKIE LOIS STRACHAN LAUGHLIN
is a servant leader as a grateful part of the Pastoral Care Ministry at Metropolitan Community Church of Washington DC. She finds sweet joy in prayer. She joined MCCDC in April 2015 and all is well!
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Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Board Of Directors |
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Rev. Keith Mozingo (Moderator)
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Dean Coffey (Vice Moderator)
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Oyie Esguerra (Treasurer)
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Antonio Martinez (Member)
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Founder's Metropolitan Community Church Address And Contact Info:
4607 Prospect Ave, Los Angeles CA 90027 | 323-669-3434
Website: www.foundersmcc.org
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