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Dear Founders,
Happy week! Aren't you glad for the "Fall-ish" weather with cool evenings and mornings and not-so-hot days? It's been such a relief from the heat wave we had over the last few weeks.
What a wonderful weekend of worship. Both our services last Sunday were such a blessing. I pray they brought you all the strength and joy you needed for all that Life gave you throughout this week! I'm still being blessed recounting the powerful message by Rev. Steve Swafford last Sunday. Thank you for giving us the "message of the hour," Rev. Steve!
I'm so excited that there will be seven of us going to the Latinx Conference in San Antonio next weekend. If you haven't already, please begin praying that there will be many blessings coming our way, as well as that we will bring many blessings to all at the conference.
I hope you have enjoyed our sermon series, Our Recovery. Over the last three Sundays, we've covered Steps 1-10 of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. This Sunday, I'll finish the series with a message entitled, Victory Formation. If you'd like to read ahead, check out AA's Steps 11-12 and Lamentations 3:19-33 (Message Version).
Come expecting a powerful move of the Spirit!
Pastor Keith
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Readings & Scripture:
The first reading is taken from steps 11-12
of the 12 Step Process of Alcoholics Anonymous:
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.
The second reading is taken from Lamentations, Chapter 3, Verses 19 through 33
(The 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 God won’t ever walk out and fail to return.
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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! | |
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My God shall supply all your need according to God’s riches in glory
(Phil. 4:19)
TOTAL ROOFING COST =$146,196
GIVEN AS OF SEPT. 5 =$59,066
REMAINING NEED =$87,130
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Greetings everyone,
September 21st we will meet virtually from 9- 10:30am
To join the meeting on Google Meet, click this link:
https://meet.google.com/tsc-rmph-eub
Or open Meet and enter this code: tsc-rmph-eub
Virtually, we will meet for an hour followed by a 15 minute meditation that you can enjoy in your home or car or any other quiet place you have accessible. Lastly, we will leave the last 15 minutes of group for any questions or additional need for support.
I look forward to seeing you all virtually this month.
Warmly,
Patrice Ford
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Being MCC in Politically Perilous Times in the U.S.A.
Moving from Independence to Interdependence
Attention U.S. Pastors, Pastoral Leaders, Network Leaders, and Lay Delegates:
This Message is for YOU!
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While on our journey of faith, those who live in the U.S. now find ourselves in politically perilous times. And, we know that MCCers are always STRONGER TOGETHER when we share our journey in faith, prayer, and love.
So we, the Council of Elders, invite you to join us as we explore what we carry in our ‘spiritual backpack’ on this journey and choose to move from independence to interdependence through listening, prayer, action, and hope. We are indeed stronger together and even stronger with love.
The first meeting will include an introduction and invite feedback. We hope you will join us:
Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87363356214?pwd=TzhldUkyZmJsWkNPNi9pd3dERTREZz09
Future meetings will be held on the following Saturdays, same time, using the same Zoom link:
September 21 / October 26 / November 16
(a post-election debrief).
If you believe this is a good idea but are unable to attend, please let us know by emailing the Council of Elders at: [coe@mccchurch.net]. And, we welcome your suggestions regarding what is important and helpful to you on this journey toward the U.S. elections.
Please note: this U.S. gathering is the first of several that are being considered globally.
Faithfully, the MCC Council of Elders:
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, Moderator
Elder Hattie Alexander-Key
Rev. Elder Mark Byrd
Rev. Elder Nokuthula Dhladhla
Elder Velma Garcia
Rev. Elder Rich Hendricks
Rev. Elder Aaron Miller
Rev. Elder Elaine Saralegui Caraballo
Rev. Elder Stuart Sutherland
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Celebrating the Life of our Beloved sister, mother and grandmother, Lula Harris-Coleman Peters who is the sister of Rev. Onetta | |
Latinx Conference 2024
September 27 to 29, 2024 • MCC San Antonio, TX, USA
This event is designed to: Inspire latino/a/e/as/xs leadership development to build vibrant latinxs faith communities that are empowered to transform the world.
We are MCC Latino/a/e/os/as/xs people and allies who bring robust life, faith and social experiences called to...
- Provide training, mentoring and resources.
- Enhance strengths and skills while embracing cultural heritage.
- Cultivate a culture of holistic wellness to uplift our latinxs
- identities.
Interested in helping some 1:30 P.M. Latinx Service members attend? See Lucia or Louis about how you can help fund those persons that would like to go to the conference.
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Sep 28: Trans*Unity "Everything Must Go" Yard Sale | |
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CHURCH CLEAN UP DAY FOR ANNIVERSARY – Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You are invited to participate in a Church Clean Up Day on Saturday, September 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to clean up the Ryland Room Annex in preparation for our Anniversary Celebration the following weekend and construction of new casement windows under our Nonprofit Security Grant. Bring your own Brown Bag Lunch if desired.
Our Trans*Unity group is also planning an “Everything Must Go” yard sale on the same day to support the Christine Daniels Memorial Scholarship Fund. Great Fun, Great Prices, Great Way to get to know others in our community and support a great cause! Join us for a good time!
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TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR HOLLYWOOD QUEER SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
An artist insanely in love with a man who doesn’t get him; a plane crashes in an accident that was all too predictable. Necrophiliac lesbians. Skateboard boys hot AF find each other. Drag queens tell stories to kids, probably not about the pups appearing everywhere. A doctor whose dead social life comes alive...
These are just a few of the stories to be seen at this year’s HOLLYWOOD QUEER SHORT FILM FESTIVAL, a four-program celebration featuring all the colors of the queer rainbow. HQSFF screens October 5 and 6 this year at Founders MCC Church, 4607 Prospect Ave in Hollywood 90027.
Tickets are now on sale for this event. Parent sponsors include the community’s long standing social groups CMEN and CMG, and regular sponsors include local businesses that are well known and loved.
In addition to the film programs, HQSFF will entertain audiences with live entertainment from the fabulous Gay D.D. cabaret revue. According to Festival Director Jim Hoffman, “We want people to experience these films as part of a live audience, not watch them at home. A live act will be an even bigger draw.” Hoffman added that no “streaming” tickets will be available.
To check out the film lineup and Gay D.D. performers, and to purchase tickets, visit the festival website at www.hqsff.com.
We will also leave a box of our business card-size handout on Thursday. We have lots of these so if you run out, let me know and I'll bring you more.
Thanks again for all your help and for helping us get the word out. Let me know if there's anything else you need.
Best,
Jim Hoffman
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Hello, I am Reverend Elder Mark Byrd and currently serve on our Council of Elders. I would like to share a few brief thoughts about the line in our MCC statement of Faith that says:
“Baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, You empower us to be Your Presence in a hurting world. In MCC we may share common and differing theologies, beliefs, and practices around many things… Baptism and the Holy Spirit included… that’s the beauty of who we are.
And yet, if we are not careful the terms “baptized” and “filled with the Holy Spirit” could be perceived as a litmus test for how well, or even if, God can or will use us to help someone else.
For our purposes today, let us keep it simple… thinking of baptism as a way of connecting with the divine in a manner which allows us to connect or reconnect with our own humanness… a humanness that is sometimes hurting and broken too.
And maybe we simply think of the Spirit as God’s presence in and around us, sometimes obvious sometimes not… that opens our awareness not only to God, but others and in ways we may never imagined… ways that allows us to see hear and feel the pain others may be experiencing… pain that can be just as diverse as we are. Not everyone’s hurt is the same.
I am reminded of the story someone shared about a little girl who walked to and from school and one day did not make it home when she was supposed to.. her mom went looking for her and found her on the steps at school with another little girl… when her mom asked why she did not come directly home… she said, “I was helping my friend, her doll broke.” Her mom said, “did you help her fix the doll?” “No, Mommy, I was helping her cry.“
Yes, sometimes just our presence and being there can make a difference – especially in those situations with folks for when, as Rev. Delores Berry used to be fond of saying “some things only heaven can cure.”
Especially now, when it seems the hurt and pain of the world in which we live can overwhelm and paralyze us on all levels, it is easy to get burned out or frustrated when our efforts don’t seem to make a difference or help.
So, I would be amiss not to say too, that in our willingness and efforts to allow the divine Spirit to work in and through us, we must also be intentional in allowing her to help us take care of ourselves as well.
In books, songs, and even sermons, we have all heard “Hurting people, hurt people.” Last year, country singer Tim McGraw released a song by the same title which reminds us we can (and I would add with the Spirit’s help) break this cycle.
The words go: Hope is the thread and faith is the needle…For people like you and me. So maybe we can be… Hurt people healing people Broken people fixing people Wounded people mending people Love forgives and love forgets So One day we won't be Hurt people, hurting people Yeah, love is the thread and faith is the needle
May God hold us as we hold each other. God bless you my friends!
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General Conference 2025!
View as Webpage
EXPERIENCE A DESERT OASIS!
In one year, we will be in the middle of our Transformational Weekend, which will be held 3-6 July 2025! General Conference will again take place in two parts:
Part 1: Business Discussion Circles, Forum and Meeting
In the months leading up to General Conference, there will be many Discussion Circles, webinars, documents and emails to inform you of the business of General Conference. There will be many opportunities for you to provide input.
At a meeting in June 2024 between the Governing Board and Governance Committee, the Governing Board voted to hold both the General Conference Business Meeting and Business Forum online. The Business Forum will be held on 31st May 2025 and the Business Meeting will be held 7th June 2025. Watch for more information about the content of these sessions.
Part 2: Transformational Gathering
The 2025 conference will definitely have a retreat feel lasting 3 days instead of our typical 5 or 6-day conference that commingled business with worship and learning. In addition, there will be pre and post-conference activities to enrich and extend your experience. As mentioned above, all business will take place online and not during this in-person gathering. This creates a perfect opportunity for many different members of your congregation to retreat in the desert. Elements of this conference will be live streamed, recorded, and online allowing a hybrid experience for those unable to travel. Our conference app will bridge the online and in-person participants and increase involvement, engagement, and communication between everyone.
TRANSFORMATIONAL WEEKEND SCHEDULE
We are excited to announce the broad schedule for the Transformational Weekend!
Thursday, July 3, 2025
- Afternoon: Check-in and Welcome Reception
- Evening: Grounding Worship & Social Time
Friday, July 4, 2025
- Morning: Opening Worship
- Afternoon: Plenary, Small Groups, and Free Time
- Evening: Reception & Social Time
Saturday, July 5: 2025
- Morning: Worship and Plenary
- Afternoon: Small Groups and Free Time
- Evening: Dinner Church Style Worship (included in your registration)
Sunday, July 6, 2025:
- Morning: Closing Worship with Installation of the Moderator, blessing over the incoming Governing Board, current and outgoing Council of Elders.
- Afternoon: Optional Excursions
Before and after General Conference, several institutes will take place. Watch for more details on those before airline tickets become available.
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Hotel Information
The in-person portion of the conference is taking over Scottsdale, Arizona, USA at the Embassy Suites Resort. It is walking distance from the historic district, Old Town Scottsdale, and the arts and entertainment district.
Our host hotel is an amazing, accessible resort. It is beautiful with incredible views of Camelback Mountain, two refreshing outdoor pools, large suite style sleeping rooms, tennis and pickle ball courts, large conference center, onsite restaurant and bar, and beautiful landscaping. We searched to find not only an accessible hotel for physical accommodations, but also a financially accessible hotel. The Embassy Suites Scottsdale Resort is offering us an amazing rate of $119/night which includes free made to order breakfast, daily cocktail hour, and a complimentary shuttle to hundreds of local shops, restaurants, and activities. Every suite has a living room (with a pull-out couch), and kitchenette which easily accommodates multiple parties to maximize savings.
You can book your room today by following this link:
BOOK YOUR ROOM!
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REGISTRATION
Although registration will not open until October, we want to help you plan and budget. Below are the Early Bird (first 90 days) and regular registration rates for General Conference:
In-Person Rates:
Sponsor Rate: $425 USD; €395; $7710 MEX; R$2370
This rate is for those who want to help subsidize other registration rates making it more affordable for others to attend General Conference.
Early Bird Rate: $325 USD; €305; $5880MEX; R$1810
This rate is the Early Bird rate for General Conference which includes dinner one night. This rate will be available for the first 90 days when registration opens.
Regular Rate: $400 USD; €370; $7255 MEX; R$2225
This rate will be after the 90 days Early Bird rate.
Online Rates:
Sponsor Online Rate: $300 USD; €280; $5445 MEX; R$1670
This rate is for those who those who want to help subsidize other registration rates making it more affordable for others to attend General Conference and only have access to the online portions of the General Conference like worship, plenaries, and online social connections. Note: We will not be hosting a 24-hour all-access conference like 202.
Online Rate: $200 USD; €185; $3630MEX; R$1115
This rate is for those who will only have access to the online portions of the General Conference like worship, plenaries, and online social connections. Note: We will not be hosting a 24-hour all-access conference like 2022.
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SEE YOU IN SCOTTSDALE!
More details about speakers, pre and post-conference institutes, worship, and content for the business meeting will be shared in the coming months. In the meantime, mark your calendars, book your hotel, and get ready to have some fun in the sun (or in the air conditioning) with us!
If you have any questions, you can always email us at: conferences@MCCchurch.net to ensure you get all of the information about this next General Conference. Click the button below and add your email if you haven’t already!
COUNT ME IN
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Commitment forms for 2024. | |
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 | |
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.
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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 PushPay) or simply sending a check in the mail (4607 Prospect Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027). Again, thank you.
Grand Total For Week Ending: 09-15-2024: $6,919.00
Tithing: $3,351.00
Facility Rental: $993.00
Roofing Challenge Matching Gift: $1,545.00
Special Offering/Designated Funds: $1,030.00
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Rev. Keith Mozingo (Moderator)
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Dean Coffey (Vice Moderator) | |
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Ed Shaughnessy (Treasurer) | |
Ina Serene - Trans* Unity | |
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. | | | | |
