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IN THIS ISSUE, you will find:
- Good News
- Events
- Reminders
- Resources
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom where our Mailing Address is listed. Some servers clip or truncate emails and you might have to click a link to "view entire message."
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All Saints Day | All Souls Day
Dia de los Muertos
1 November
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The 1st of November is known by many names: All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, and Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos. In some places, Dia de los Muertos is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November while others celebrate for a week. Despite the skeletons and skulls that are part of the decorations for Dia de los Muertos, it is not the same as Hallowe'en. The Disney film Coco was inspired by Dia de los Muertos and can help give insights into the meaning of this holiday for those outside the tradition. |
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Dia de los Muertos décor outside of Founders MCC | ICM Fundadora in Los Angeles, Califiornia, USA. These images are from the 2021 celebration.. |
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The Queer Bible Commentary, 2nd Edition
Check out this newly revised and updated 2nd Edition of The Queer Bible Commentary edited by Rev. Elder Dr. Mona West and Rev. Dr. Robert E. Shore-Goss! This new edition reflects more international voices and perspectives as well as the latest in queer and biblical scholarship. There will be an official book launch at the Society of Biblical Literature in Denver in November. A number of MCCers and former MCCers authored chapters.
“The second edition of this incredible commentary has new voices which add even wider perspectives to a work which originally broke many conventions in its first incarnation.…Each author is placing before us justice-seeking and inclusive ways to read the texts and the work is reaching out to global communities in the hope of empowering them to queer texts in their own way. This is a commentary that needs to be in every church, bible believing home and seminary as it is a work of liberation for queer and non-queer alike.”
Lisa Isherwood, University of Wales, Trinity St David
“This book lives up to its title of being queer—daring, non-binary, and myth-busting. Unveiling heterosexist readings and challenging imperial logic, this book with international contributors broadens our moral and theological imagination. No one will read the Bible the same again after reading this book.”
Kwok Pui-lan, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
Lay Delegates - If your Pastor has not already ordered their copy, this might be a good Christmas gift from the church!
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More Good News Stories
We are now collecting and saving your Good News stories in the Resource Bank! Check out the wonderful stories that have come in during October 2022. Read about and see pictures from Ft. Myers, Florida and their water and food distribution following Hurricane Ian. Rev. Fernando Frontán has received an award and been on TV. Rev. Aaron Miller and Rev. Rich Hendricks have been active in their communities. Read this month's Good News stories here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nBkmedQmGoR4iXNqRBqnIz4-vOJ4YlwcoAYhlYEtDcg/edit?usp=sharing
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Merida, Mexico Leadership Development Meeting |
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MCC Staff Members in Merida, Mexico. |
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
MCCers from many parts of the world recently gathered together in Merida, Mexico to share development is one of MCC's five strategic aims and forms an important part of the Strategic Vision Statement 2030 put forward in the Moderator's report to General Conference earlier this year.
Participants in the meeting, which was facilitated by Evangeline Weiss, were:
Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez - Mexico, Senior Leadership Team
Barry Hundley - USA, LEAD Programme (Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship)
Rev. Cathy Alexander - USA, Vocational Leadership Co-ordinator
Rev. Stedney Phillips - USA, Diversity, Inclusion and Laity Development Co-ordinator
Isabel Marquez - Mexico, Network Leader
Rev. Toni Kruger-Ayebazibwe - South Africa
Rev. Peta Evans - United Kingdom
Rev. Elder Karl Hand - Australia, MCC Council of Elders
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston - United Kingdom, Moderator
Marie Tasker - USA, Thriving in Ministry programme administrator
Rev. Cristiano Valerio - Brazil, Brazilian Ministry Coordinator
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Dates/Times: November 4 (1-6pm) and November 5 (9am-5pm)
Location: Online
Instructor: Sarah Monroe
As the religious landscape in the United States shifts with growing speed, chaplaincy has grown in importance across institutions and disciplines. This course explores how chaplains could be a vital presence in poor communities, as poverty grows with equal speed. Taking lessons from The Poor People’s Campaign, grassroots movement building around the country, and hospital and jail chaplaincy, students discuss how chaplains could lead a movement to end poverty.
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Trans Kinship Gathering
November 5 – December 3 (first Saturday of the month)
11am PDT / 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT / 7pm BST / 6pm GMT
Meeting ID: 839 4427 5180
Passcode: TransMCC
BIPOC Kinship Gathering
Saturday 19 November - 9am PST / 10am CST / 12pm EST / 5pm GMT
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 863 5628 0881
Passcode: 330367
God-Talk:
Conversations about the Divine Kinship Gathering
Rev. Peter Trabaris and Rev. Brendan Boone invite you to join this new Kinship Group. The goal of this ministry is to study and learn from our theology/ies, and what they teach us, as we learn from each other, and continue the work of “Transforming Ourselves, as we Transform the World." Having begun during General Conference, this is a continuation of the discussion. If you are interested or have any questions please contact: revpetertrabaris@gmail.com or Rev.Brendan.Boone@gmail.com.
Saturday, 19 November
9am PST / 10am CST / 12pm EST / 5pm GMT
Meeting ID: 874 4689 7024
Passcode: 106074
No meeting in December
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November 14-18, 2022 - FREE
What do you believe is the single greatest social and liberative challenge facing us at this time?
Even in progressive faith spaces, we have historically silenced the voices of humans who are not part of the dominant culture. This summit will flip the script and only feature such voices. We will ask each of these important voices what they believe is the single greatest social and liberative challenge facing us at this time, and, more importantly, what is the church's responsibility in the conversation?
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TIME CHANGES
This is the time of year when many countries and regions change their clocks from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time or from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time. During the next few weeks, carefully check your local times for all events outside your time zone. This World Clock may help: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
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IS GOD CALLING YOU?
Check our listings for Pastoral Positions and laity positions. JOB OPENINGS
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Applications now being accepted for
Operational Development Team Lead
Explore the job description here. Complete the application form here. Interested candidates must submit a CV, application form, as well as the Diversity and Inclusion form found here. Applications should be sent to recruitment@MCCchurch.net Closing date is Sunday 30th October 2022
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MCC's Disaster Relief Fund
Disaster Relief efforts are still underway in those areas impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Fiona. You can contribute to MCC's Disaster Relief Fund.
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CLERGY LICENSE RENEWAL TIME
SAVE WITH THE EARLY BIRD RATE!
From Oct 1, 2022 through Nov 30, 2022 midnight PDT the fee is USD $175.
From Dec 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023 the fee is USD $325.
Both the form and the payment must be received for your license to be completed.
Treasurers and Clergy, please put the Clergy person's name on the check or on the PayPal information.
For the USA and Canada, Complete instructions for using the online Clergy Renewal Form may be found HERE.
Once again, this year, there is One Fillable Form. Please visit the Licensing Folder in the Resource Bank and open the 2023 Clergy License Folder to download the appropriate form for your Protocol.
In your reporting for CEU hours for 2022, please report the required 9 units (9 contact hours) including the 2 contact hours of anti-racism, anti-oppression or anti-colonialism. If you attended General Conference 2022 or any of the numerous workshops or classes offered in 2022 please note them as appropriate.
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GOVERNING BOARD REPORTS and Financial Information
You can find past and current reports, minutes, and financial reports in the Resource Bank. Check here: Governing Board
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Looking for something on the website?
It might be in the Resource Bank now.
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MCC Resource Bank - for Clergy, Lay Delegates, Board Members, and Worship Planners. New resources are added all the time so check back often!
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Tea Time with the Elders!
THIRD TUESDAY MONTHLY
5pm EDT / 9pm GMT
Join us via Zoom
Meeting ID: 248 584 328
Password: 469464
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Lectionary Discussion Group for Preachers
Wednesdays 11am EDT / 3pm GMT
https://zoom.us/j/92606189026?pwd=UFNONnpVOEF2WnFXb3cyTG5tQVoxdz09
Join in conversation with other preachers to share ideas and questions that will help shape your sermon.
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Prayer Time with the Moderator
Most THURSDAYS
at 5:15pm EDT / 9:15pm GMT
Join the Moderator for a time of reflection and prayer on Facebook Live.
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MCC Clergy Connection Call
2nd Thursday Monthly
1pm EDT / 5pm GMT
This is a peer initiated, peer led, focused monthly support group.
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Bilingual Praise worship hosted by Joy MCC (Orlando, Florida, USA) Thursdays at 7pm ET/midnight GMT
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Military hymn download for Veterans Day now available
Planners for the services, ceremonies, and observances of Veterans Day 2022 now have a new resource to consider: a military hymn entitled, “Ever Faithful to the Call.” The hymn can be reviewed and downloaded free for nonprofit use at www.everfaithfultothecall.com
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Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks
How do we handle gratitude during these times? When we don't feel grateful? In a 6-part video and discussion course based on her book, Grateful, Diana Butler Bass takes us into a journey to understand what gratitude is, how it can strengthen us as individuals and in community, and the surprising ways in which it subverts hopelessness and injustice. In addition to lectures and mini-practice sessions, Diana will be joined by other writers in conversation about how giving thanks has made a difference in their own lives.
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Created for you, the members and leaders of MCC! Visit the site and familiarize yourself with the menu and easy to access blocks. Use the quick link to get to the Resource Bank where you can search for the tools you need.
Remember, we also have our visitor website https://visitmccchurch.com/
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Check out all the great classes and resources still available at Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) including MCC specific classes. Yes, we no longer have the OFLD (Office of Formation and Leadership Development) but SSOL classes are still available.
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2775 NW 49th Ave. Ste: 205-327
Ocala, FL 34482
USA
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