CONNECT
with Metropolitan Community Church
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IN THIS ISSUE, you will find:
- Virtual Events in June
- Coming Soon
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News (and in case you didn't see it)
- Ongoing Events
- Resources
DON"T MISS THE ITEMS AT THE END OF THIS EMAIL!
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It's PRIDE MONTH in many places in the world.
Celebrate the freedoms gained.
Speak up and work for the freedoms still needing protection.
Save lives.
Include all the people in LGBTQIA+.
Share the radically inclusive love of God.
Keep the Protest in Protestant.
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Wear ORANGE June 2-4
Unite with Metropolitan Community Churches across the United Sates in the call to end gun violence: wear orange June 2-4. MCC honors the communities shattered by gun violence alongside the 120 people who are shot and killed, and hundreds more who are wounded, every day in the U.S. Together, MCC congregations call for meaningful action to save lives. Learn more about the Wear Orange Campaign here: https://wearorange.org/about/
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INTRODUCING...
MINISTRY HUBS
Our Moderator, Rev. Ceclia, came up with the concept of Ministry Hubs. Hubs can be defined as a center of activity or focal point. In this case the hub is a ministry program or activity that various congregations are connected to like spokes on the hub of a wheel.
The purpose of a Ministry Hub is two fold:
- to provide an opportunity to showcase the good ministry being done within MCC in this ministry area and;
- to provide an opportunity for other congregations that might be interested in doing this type of ministry to gather information or resources.
The format will include a live virtual presentation followed by discussion. Hub will be recorded and added to the resource bank for later access by those who are not able to participate live.
The ministry area focused on in our first Ministry Hub is Children and Youth Ministry. If you have ideas for other ministries that you would like to be showcased or are seeking resources for contact Rev. Dexter Brecht, Church Support and Development Coordinator. RevDexterBrecht@MCCchurch.net
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Coming Your Way...
The Final Report and Recommendations of the Commission on Pathways of Healing and Reconciliation
The final report and recommendations have been submitted to and approved by the Governing Board. They are being translated now and will be shared with you shortly. Watch your email for this important document!
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NEWS
(and some "In Case You Missed It")
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Brazil National Retreat
More Good News may be found here too! Current and past Good News stories are collected here. Send your stories to Communications@MCCchurch.net.
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Churches in Transition
Approximately 10% of our affiliated churches are experiencing significant change at any given time. Your prayers for a healthy and holy moving from one place in the life of the congregation to another are much appreciated. Thanks, especially, to our Elders who are offering them pastoral support and to Mark Godette from our Governing Board for providing administrative support. Supporting our congregations in transition continues to offer both challenge and cause for celebration and I believe God is to be found in the midst of both.
MCC Charleston, Charleston, SC, USA will be installing Felicia Pritchett as their new Pastor on May 17th. Please keep this new relationship in ministry in your prayers. messages of blessing and/or support may be sent via their website: MCCCharleston.com
MCC Key West, Key West, FL, USA will be holding a candidating weekend on May 27 through 28. Please ask the Holy Spirit to guide the congregation and the candidate through this process of discernment.
MCC Sydney, Sydney, NSW, AUS. Geof Ivers has been appointed as the Pastoral Leader. Messages of congratulations can be sent to geofivers@tpg.com.au
MCC Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA held their final worship service on Easter Sunday.
MCC Windsor, Windsor, ON, CAN is now accepting applications for their next Pastor. You can visit the MCC Job Listings in the Resource Bank to view the announcement and/or email MCCWdale2@live.com for more information.
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Congratulations
to Rev. John Fowler, retired MCC clergy in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. John has been serving as the Australia & Aortearoa/New Zealand Vocational Coordinator and is now stepping down from this position after many years. In this capacity he shepherded annual MCC clergy license renewals, facilitated those in ministry formation in the Australian protocol, assisted the Network and churches throughout the area in times of transition. His advice and coordination provided the contextual frame for carrying out policy and guidelines to ensure that culture, policy, and local law all aligned.
We are grateful for John’s faithfulness and wish him well with his endeavors as God continues to call him to ministry beyond this position.
Rev. Cathy Alexander, Vocational Leadership Coordinator, UFMCC
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Stop, Pause, and Take a Breath.
Breathe in the opportunity to take a moment and find RESPITE. What is respite? It is the ability to take a break, get revived, and create space for yourself. What does respite look like for you? It is an individual experience.
The Thriving in Ministry Program has Respite Funds available for you to stop, pause and take a breath. Request and application and more information from MarieTasker@MCCchurch.net.
This is for USA Clergy only as it is funded by a grant from the Lily Foundation.
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Reclaiming our Spiritual Heritage - June 17-24
This is a free virtual oasis featuring new presenter interviews each day, addressing issues around personal and global consciousness as well as practical, actionable steps to help you experience a greater sense of purpose and connection, gain understanding about your spiritual heritage, and find deeper levels of self-acceptance, self-love, and personal empowerment! Our Moderator, Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston was interviewed by Christian de la Huerta for this event! Learn more at www.consciousleaderssummit.com
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Theology from the Margins
First Event with Rev. Dr. Ana Ester - on ZOOM
Wednesday, July 12th - 5:00pm - Belo Horizonte, 4:00pm EDT, 8:00pm GMT
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June is Pride Month - Thursday, 1 June,
7:30pm BST/ 8:30pm GMT / 2:30pm EDT
OUR TRIBE will celebrate with an Online Pride Party, led by Rev. Elder Maxwell Reay.
We will come together for a time of celebration to mark the beginning of Pride month.
Please Dress up in your best Pride outfit. The more glitter the better!
Feel free to bring your own snacks and drinks. If you have a favourite Pride poem or reading, bring it along and let others hear it.
Communion will be shared and is always open to all. If you would like to have juice and crackers or bread with you then please do.
To join us, please click here:
Meeting ID: 314 005 7633 Password: 1861AUC
We open the Zoom room at 7.20pm for 7.30pm start.
This event is live and not recorded.
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PRAY for the L.E.A.D. gathering
June 2-4th in Sarasota, Florida.
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BIPOC is a term that means “Black, Indigenous, People of Color” and is mainly used in the USA. “People of Color” are African Americans, Asians, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, multiracial Americans, and LatinX. Eventually the term “Indigenous” was added. One definition of “Indigenous” is a collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants which have also been considered as People of Color. If you identify as a part of the BIPOC community, please join the gathering Tuesdays 20 June (6pm PST, 8pm CST and 9pm EST) and June 20 at the same times. ZOOM link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86356280881?pwd=YUp1YTlOeDhGN0Zrc0M3WTMvOFI5dz09
Meeting ID: 863 5628 0881
Passcode: 330367
API
Friday, June 16 at 6 pm PDT / 9 pm EDT
Saturday, June 17 at 9 am Philippines & Singapore
LOCATION/ZOOM LINK:
Meeting ID: 854 6117 3187
Passcode: 701186
DESCRIPTION:
A dynamic online conversation with Asian Pacific Islander MCC members from around the world
God-Talk
Saturday, 24 June (meets 4th Saturday each month)
9am PDT / 10am CDT / 12pm EDT / 5pm BST
Conversations about the Divine and MCC Kinship Group.
Rev. Peter Trabaris and Rev. Brendan Boone invite you to join this 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." If you are interested or have any questions please contact: revpetertrabaris@gmail.com or Rev.Brendan.Boone@gmail.com.
Meeting ID: 850 0238 8825 Passcode: 226946
PAD: People of African Descent
Tuesday, 13 June 7pm EDT / Midnight BST
Saturday, 17 June @ 12pm EDT / 5pm BST
This group is for People of African Descent only.
Latinx Kinship Gathering
Time: Jun 22, 2023 6p PDT / 9p EDT
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 963 668 1482
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Trans Kinship Gathering
3 June (first Saturday of the month)
11am PDT / 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT / 7pm BST
Meeting ID: 898 0876 5091
Passcode: 381764
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Journeying through Change & Transition (Part 1)
Saturday, 8 July 9:30am - 1:00pm BST
Leading through Change & Transition (Part 2)
Saturday, 15 July 9:30am - 1:00pm BST
MCC’s Thriving in Ministry Program is joining efforts with A Place for Hope, to provide two amazing workshops about Change and Transition. The mantra for A Place for Hope is to accompany and equip people and faith communities so that all might reach their potential to be peacemakers who navigate conflict and change well.
The first workshop is Journeying through Change & Transition which is
the prerequisite for Leading through Change & Transition.
Save the Date – Thriving in Ministry is sponsoring an IN-PERSON retreat September 19th – 22nd . Please contact Marie Tasker for more information. Space is limited. MarieTasker@MCCchurch.net
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MCC European Network Gathering 2023
18 till 20 August 2023 in a beautiful surrounding close to the cliffs at Corrymeela, Northern Ireland
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Tea Time with the Elders!
Tuesday, 20 June
THIRD TUESDAY MONTHLY
5pm EDT / 10pm BST
Join us via Zoom
Meeting ID: 248 584 328
Password: 469464
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Online Centering Prayer - Tuesdays @ 5pm EDT /10pm BST
led by MCC of the Lehigh Valley (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA)
Join via Zoom with Meeting ID: 871 5093 0059
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Prayers for Peace
Wednesdays 8pm EEST / 6pm BST / 1pm EDT
Living Water MCC in Helsinki Finland arranges every Wednesday a short prayer for peace. The sessions are bilingual: Finnish and English. The prayer sessions last about 15 min and are over Zoom. The link for them is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88413931856?
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Prayer Time with the Moderator
Most THURSDAYS (not 2nd Thursdays)
at 5:15pm EDT / 10:15pm BST
Join the Moderator for a time of reflection and prayer on Facebook Live.
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Are you LGBTQ+ and interested in learning or practicing a biblical or classical language? Get in touch with Dr. Jordan Dyck at learnnewtestamentgreek.com for inclusive lessons from an experienced, qualified and patient teacher. Or, if you already know some Greek, why not join the group reading ancient LGBTQ+ stories this April?
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Is a sustainable and life-giving bi-vocational ministry possible?
We have a resounding yes for you! In, our upcoming class, Hustles, Side Gigs, and Entrepreneurship, Rev. Sarah Ciavarri will lead you through four powerful live online trainings. After taking part in this class, you'll come away with practical tools and valuable insights that will help you create a side gig that not only provides financial benefits but also reignites your passion for life and ministry.
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Chicago Theological Seminary is excited to announce the 2023 Castañeda-Jennings Lecture and Award, to be held virtually on Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 6:30pm CST. Click here to register now!
This year, CTS is proud to present Dr. Teresa L. Smallwood, the James Franklin Kelly and Hope Eyster Kelly Associate Professor of Public Theology at United Lutheran Seminary. REGISTER NOW!
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Smallwood’s Ph.D. dissertation was entitled, The Leprosy Effect: A Queer Womanist Pastoral Care Model. Her areas of specialty are Womanist and Feminist Theology and Ethics; Black Church Tradition; Race, Gender and Sexuality; Emmanuel Levinas; Africana Pastoral Theology; and 20th Century Theology.
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Dr. Fluker is the world's foremost scholar on Howard Thurman, a leading figure in 20th century American religious and cultural life and an inspiration to Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders of the Civil Rights movement.
The course, which can be audited or taken for credit, is available online as well as face-to-face in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Ask us about possible financial assistance. Questions can be directed to registrar@hartfordinternational.edu.
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Looking for something on the website?
It might be in the Resource Bank now.
Need help finding something?
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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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Metropolitan Community Churches
2775 NW 49th Ave. Ste: 205-327
Ocala, FL 34482
USA
© 2023 Metropolitan Community Churches
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