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Dear Founders,
What a wonderful week we shared last week. I'm still being blessed thinking about the service celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe. I asked the folks who decorated so beautifully for the service to leave the decorations up for our Sunday services last week, as well. I spoke in my sermon on Sunday morning about some of the lessons I learned from the familiar story of Juan Diego and The Virgin. It meant more to me this year than any year past. I pray you were blessed as much as I.
This week, we're a step closer to Christmas! Can you believe it? Our Advent season, with the theme of Emmanuel: God With Us, is coming to a close as we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Over this month, we have shared the traditional Sundays of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and (this coming Sunday) Love. While there is much to be concerned about with the new government administration, we can still look deep within and find that having the Spirit of God living in and through us gives us a Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love that NO ONE can take away. Our Emmanuel is truly WITH US.
On Sunday, we will have a special service including a drama presented by Rev. Eric Buter, our Music Team, and our Drama Team. They have all been busy preparing for this event, and I hope that you will be here to support them. A special time of hospitality awaits after the worship service - a wonderful time to build and strengthen our Community of Faith.
Don't forget our Christmas Eve service next week. It is a traditional service of Lessons and Carols, and this year, we will experience drama and dance along with the readings and songs. You won't want to miss this service! Service will begin at 8:00 p.m., but come early and enjoy some refreshments and fellowship starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Hunter Room/Courtyard.
Over the coming week, I invite you to take some time each day to just be alone with God. Allow the Sweet, Sweet Spirit to wash through your spirit, and rise up through you so you can be blessed and, in turn, bless others. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday.
Pastor Keith
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Reading is taken from John,
Chapter 3, Verses 16 through 21
(The New International Version)
For God so loved the world that God gave the only Begotten One, that whoever believes shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send the Begotten One into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through belief.
Whoever believes is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s only Begotten One.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
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Sunday, Dec 22, 10 am service:
"What If? (A Christ-less Christmas)" A Special Dramatic and Musical Presentation by Rev. Eric Buter and Founders MCC Drama & Music Departments
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Sunday, December 22nd The Latino Ministry will perform a Christmas drama at their 1:30 service, "Un Niño Nos Ha Nacido--El Príncipe de Paz," followed by a pozole dinner afterwards. All are invited! | |
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FMCC/ICMF is joining City X1 (services for LA's unhoused and at-risk youth) in providing supplies for pets of unhoused youth this holiday season. Items needed:
dog food (wet/dry)
cat food (wet/dry)
dog collars/harnesses/leashes
flea meds
gift cards for Petco or PetSmart
pet toys
Items may be brought to the church to put under the Christmas Tree and will be donated during the New Year/Epiphany Season.
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Next Sunday, December 29th, at 10 a.m., join us for an all-musical service celebrating Kwanzaa. We will acknowledge the 7 principles of this tradition. | |
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With God All Things Are Possible (Matthew 19:26)
TOTAL ROOFING COST =$146,196.00
GIVEN AS OF Dec. 8th. =$93,404.00
REMAINING NEED =$52,792.00
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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: 12-15-2024: $7,269.00
Roofing Challenge: $952.00
Tithing: $5,342.00
Facility Rental: $975.00
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Hoodies now available for the LOW price of $40. Proceeds will go towards the LatinX Ministry. Sign-up sheets are available. Hoodies can be purchased by cash or PushPay, using "Special Offering / Other Designated Funds" | |
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! | |
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! | |
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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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. | |
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.
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REGISTRATION FOR
GENERAL CONFERENCE TRANSFORMATIONAL WEEKEND IS OPEN!
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MCC General Conference 2025 registration discount. Our denomination's General Conference is fast approaching. The Creating Oasis Transformational Weekend will transpire July 3-6, 2025 in Scottsdale AZ in a beautiful resort that the denomination has reserved for us
(More information from the denomination is included further below).
Pastor Keith would love to see a large contingent represent Founders MCC, the Mother church of our denomination.
If enough of us go, maybe we can go via a large passenger van, or even a coach that we can maybe also offer to our sister church in North Hollywood.
Until the end of this month, you can take advantage of the Early Bird Discount and take $75 off the normal registration fee of $400! The denomination has also contracted an incredible deal for room rates with the resort--go in with another to take advantage!
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JOIN US AS WE CREATE OASIS!
Come . . . and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Reunion | Refreshment | Revival
3-6 JULY 2025
Scottsdale, AZ. USA
Don't miss the Early Bird Registration rates!
Early Bird Rate available until 31 December 2024.
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Registration for the Transformational Weekend
03-06 July, 2025
"Early Bird" rates are available until
31 December 2024.
After that deadline, registration will increase.
Early Bird Onsite Rate: $325 USD
Early Bird Online Rate: $200 USD*
Regular Onsite Rate: $400 USD
Regular Online Rate: $225 USD*
Onsite Individual Day Attendance Rate: $200 USD per day
*Online experience will include General Sessions, pre-identified Programming Events, Workshops, and Worship Services. Additional connections to both those onsite and online will be made using the Whova app. We will not be hosting a 24-hour all-access conference like in 2022.
Use the link below to register for the Transformational Weekend.
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Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston's invitation to all of us to join her in Scottsdale, AZ, USA for 2025 General Conference. | |
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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 $119USD/night (plus taxes and fees) and 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.
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Come early or stay a few days after the Transformational Weekend and take in the history and culture of Scottsdale, AZ.
A few top places to visit:
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Want to help support someone attending conference? When registering there will be an option to give to the Go Global Fund. You may also donate directly by clicking the button below. A donation to the Go Global Fund will help subsidize other registration rates making it more affordable for others to attend General Conference, to provide online access to those outside the USA or to support Watch Parties in locations other than in the USA.
Donate Directly to the Go Global Fund
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Transformational Weekend Schedule
We are excited to announce an overview schedule for the Transformational Weekend!
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Reunion
- Afternoon: Check-in and Welcome Reception
- Evening: Opening Worship & Social Time
Friday, July 4, 2025
Reflection
- Morning: Morning Worship Celebration
- Afternoon: Plenary, Small Groups, and Free Time
- Evening: Reception & Social Time
Saturday, July 5, 2025
Refreshment
- Morning: Worship and Plenary
- Afternoon: Small Groups and Free Time
- Evening: Dinner Church Style Worship (included in your registration)
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Revival
- Morning: Closing Worship with Installation of the Moderator, blessing over the incoming Governing Board, current and outgoing Council of Elders.
- Afternoon: Optional Excursions
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General Conference Business Meeting
Registration for the Business Meeting will open in January 2025!
The Business Forum will be held on 31st May 2025 and the Business Meeting will be held online on 7th June 2025.
Watch for more information about the Discussion Circles being hosted prior to the Business Meeting.
There will be no cost to register for the Business Meeting.
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Engaging Programming
We are excited that a main feature of our Transformational Weekend will be opening ourselves and each other into the possibilities of what it means to be community today -- what it means to be church in 2025. To help us steer the conversation, we are inviting the Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes to join us in Scottsdale. You might remember him from our online conference in 2022.
To stay up-to-date on all the planning and relevant information visit the conference website at
https://generalconference.mccchurch.org/
If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, start a conversation with us: conferences@MCCchurch.net.
We look forward to connecting with you during our Global General Conference 2025!
GC Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in how you can support General Conference by becoming a sponsor? Use the link below to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
GC 2025 Sponsorship Information
Click Here to Register for the Transformational Weekend
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Engaging Programming
Reunion | Refreshment | Revival
We are excited to have Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes join us for the Transformational Weekend as our keynote speaker aiding us as we open ourselves and each other into the possibilities of what it means to be church today.
Look for more speakers and events to be announced in coming emails!
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Focusing on Leadership Development
Flourish is committed to providing Leadership Development for both clergy and lay leaders. Leadership development is a process that helps people improve their skills, knowledge, and confidence to perform in leadership roles.
Some of the benefits of Leadership development can help people develop the following capabilities:
- Self-awareness: Being aware of oneself and how one interacts with others
- Resilience: Being able to adapt to challenges and
- Influence: Being able to impact the thoughts and actions of others
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Stay Informed
To stay up-to-date on all the planning and relevant information visit the conference website at https://generalconference.mccchurch.org/
If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, start a conversation with us: conferences@MCCchurch.net.
We look forward to connecting with you during our Global General Conference 2025!
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Flourish is new!
We are so excited to share that leadership development for all MCC churches is now coordinated through FLOURISH. The focus of the program is to support all clergy and ministry leaders, (no matter the geographical location) particularly those who are experiencing change. Change comes in a variety of ways that includes both professional and personal.
We took the best of our former efforts in Thriving in Ministry (from the Lilly Endowment grant funding) and added funds designated by the Governing Board to ensure we can offer leadership development around the globe for our churches.
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Rev. Cathy Alexander (She/Her)
Vocational Leadership
Coordinator, Director of FLOURISH program
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Marie Tasker (She/Her)
Flourish Program Manager
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Meet the Flourish Coordinators
Rev. Elder Tony Freeman (He/him/his)
Expanse Coordinator-USA
Since 1995, Tony has served in a variety of leadership roles in the local church (pastoring in all of the different church “sizes”), and at the denominational level in both volunteer and staff roles.
Denominationally, he served a variety of roles, including Vice Chair of the inaugural Governing Board, on the Council of Elders, and a a paid staff member. In 2016, he was a Moderator candidate.
In 2021, Tony retired from the full-time ministry and is currently living in Tucson, Arizona (USA) where he and his son Mario look forward to weekly trips to try out new local restaurants.
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Pastor Leticia Souza (She/Her)
Expanse Coordinator-Brazil
Leticia is a lesbian woman, teacher, theology graduate and student at the Darlene Garner Institute.
She serves as pastor of the Sol da Justiça Metropolitan Community Church (Cabo Frio - interior of the state of Rio de Janeiro) and as coordinator of "Delas", the Women's Ministry of the MCC in Brazil.
Married to Deaconess Mariah and passionate about paws. She came to the MCC at a time of great pain due to homophobia and says that here she found healing, life and freedom.
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Rev. Josh Mavamo (He/him/his)
Expanse Coordinator-Spanish Speaking Countries
Josh Mavamo, born in Mexico, with two decades of ordained ministry and much more time sharing the joy of the Gospel to others.
Ministry has led him to spend periods in other places and cultures, which have enriched me greatly in the appreciation and inclusion of others.
Sharing talents and efforts with the Metropolitan Community Church to make known the radically inclusive love of the Divine is a great joy. As well as collaborating in the growth of leadership in the local communities.
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Programs sponsored by Flourish
- Mentoring
- Respite for Clergy
- Spiritual Direction
- Strength Finder training
- Individualize programming meeting your needs as a leader.
Would you like more information about Flourish. Contact the Program Manager at Flourish@mccchurch.net
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