CONNECT
with Metropolitan Community Church
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IN THIS ISSUE, you will find:
- Job Opening at MCC
- News & Open Opportunities
- Events
- 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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MCC is Hiring!
Work from home full time as MCC's
Administration and Communications Assistant
Applications due 1 May
Work with colleagues to ensure smooth running of our administrative systems, including data input, support for events, clergy licensing and other areas, as they arise. Help to develop administrative processes which are simple and clear for the user and efficient and effective for the organization. This role also provides the opportunity to develop graphic design and creative content for MCC communications, which will form a larger part of the role, as the administrative systems become more effective and efficient. Read the full job description here.
All applicants can send a cover letter, resume, completed MCC Job application, and Diversity and Inclusion monitoring form to recruitment@mccchurch.net.
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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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Celebrate Earth Day April 22!
Share what your church has done or is doing to take care of the earth and raise consciousness about care for our planet.
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News from South Africa, Brazil, Australia, and the USA
Be inspired with the latest Good News Stories. Read the ones that have came in for March or look back at February and other months.
Remember to share your Good News!
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Trans Kinship Gathering
6 May (first Saturday of the month)
11am PDT / 1pm CDT / 2pm EDT / 7pm BST
Meeting ID: 898 0876 5091
Passcode: 381764
API
Friday, May 19 at 6 pm PDT / 9 pm EDT
Saturday, May 20 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
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)
18 April, 2023
9pm EDT / 8pm CDT / 6pm PDT
Meeting ID: 863 5628 0881 Passcode: 330367
God-Talk
Saturday, 22 April (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, 9 May 7pm EDT / Midnight BST
Saturday, 13 May @ 12pm EDT / 5pm BST
This group is for People of African Descent only.
Meeting information will be in the next copy of Connect.
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Tea Time with the Elders!
Tuesday, 18 April
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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Image Dei Premier (Tomorrow!) |
Sunday 16 April
5pm EDT/4pm CDT/2pm PDT
On Sunday, we will bring a unique opportunity anyone who appreciates outstanding music!
IMAGO DEI is a mass for the Christmas season based on creation-centered theology. With words by Rev. Elder Ken Martin and music by the late LeRoy Dysart, IMAGO DEI was performed only once, in December 1985. The cassette tape of that performance was digitized in 2005 and recently augmented with multimedia designed by David Ranck. The premiere of the multimedia video will occur online at 2:00pm Pacific Time (5E/4C/3M) on Sunday, April 16.
It is an important musical achievement, but more than that it is a visually beautiful and moving experience.
Ken Martin has recorded a special introduction, which you will also be able to see on the 16th.
The premier will use Zoom and Vimeo for the best technical experience. If you are interested, please go to the Imago Dei 1985 Facebook page and join the group for updates and links you will need to participate.
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Join Online for Brazil's National Retreat! |
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28 April to 1 May
Join the National Retreat MCC in Brazil. This year's theme is: “Celebrating the Manifold Grace in Serving”.
The Brazilian National Retreat is an immersive experience in the charisms, knowledge, flavors, colors, pains, but mainly in the delights of being MCC.
Allow yourself to dive in! Jesus is waiting for us in Teresina -- with portals around the world -- ready to serve a cold cajuína (a local cashew drink) on the table. Divinity has been preparing a rich opportunity for transformation and expansion of consciousness.
The degree of openness of our heart is the measure of our blessing and the joy of the encounter is the measure of our vitality.
Participate. It will be blessing!
Schedule:
Video invitation with English subtitles:
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Workshops Focused on Change & Transition |
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Journeying through Change & Transition (Part 1)
Saturday, 6 May at 11:00am – 2:30pm EDT or
Saturday, 8 July 9:30am - 1:00pm BST
Leading through Change & Transition (Part 2)
Saturday, 13 May 11:00am – 2:30pm EDT or
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. The first offering (Journeying) is on Saturday, 6 May at 11:00am – 2:30pm EDT and (Leading) Saturday, 13 May 11:00am – 2:30pm EDT.
To register and learn more about this course please select the link below. We are excited and pleased to support the global MCC community by offering this series again. Journeying through Change & Transition on 8 July 9:30am - 1:00pm BST which is the prerequisite for Leading through Change & Transition on 15 July 9:30am - 1:00pm BST. Please investigate this link for more information and registration.
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Hidden Histories: Faith and Black Lesbian Leadership |
Thursday, 11 May 2023
5:00pm Pacific/7:00pm Central/8:00pm Eastern
The Rev. Derrick McQueen, Ph.D. will interview Monique Moultrie, Ph.D. about her new book, Hidden Histories: Faith and Black Lesbian Leadership (Duke University Press, 2023). In this work, Moultrie uses oral histories of Black lesbian religious leaders in the U.S. to show how their authenticity, social justice awareness, spirituality and collaborative leadership makes them models of womanist ethical leadership. By examining their life histories, Moultrie frames queer storytelling as an ethical act of resistance to the racism, sexism and heterosexism these women experience. Moultrie and McQueen will also discuss using oral history interviews as research methodology and what this method brings to one’s research.
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Can the Church Change/ Summit |
22-26 May 2023
10 voices answering the important question: How do we decolonize the imagination and visions for the future?
Do you think the church can change? It's a big question.
If yes, what's the most important direction for that change? Where do you see the Spirit at work in our current shifts? What is the most important practice, action, reflection space churches could take up when learning to decolonize their imaginations for a creative, flourishing future?
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Financial Wellness & Older LGBTQ+ People
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16 May 2:00-3:00 EDT
Join SAGE, the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for a webinar on financial wellness for LGBTQ+ older adults. In celebration of Honor Our LGBT Elders Day, the webinar will be held May 16 2:00-3:00 EDT.
Register today at:
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May 16 2:00-3:00 EDT
Church of the Trinity MCC
Sarasota, FL, USA
June 2-4, 2023
Note: Applications Due 1 May
LEAD, Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship, is the UFMCC lay leader certificate program. Since its inception in 2011, there have been 12 North American LEAD cohort groups, as well as LEAD cohort groups in the UK, the Philippines, the European Network and Australia. We now have 51 LEAD graduates following their call to lay ministry all over the world. The next LEAD cohort group, North American LEAD 13, is now being planned for Friday, June 2, 2023, beginning at 5:00 pm Eastern Daylight-Saving Time, through Sunday, June 4, 2023, 6:00 pm Eastern Daylight-Saving Time, at Church of the Trinity MCC, Sarasota, FL, USA.
One of the exciting features about this retreat is that most of the expenses for the retreat will be covered by a fund set up by upRising MCC of Austin, TX, USA. Because of the fund, accepted retreat applicants will not pay the Retreat registration fee (normally $350). In addition, Church of the Trinity will provide housing for participants with its church congregants and provide several meals during the Retreat. Retreat participants will only need to pay for their travel, plus a $50 matriculation fee, to attend the retreat. In addition, all online courses that are required or are electives for completion of the LEAD program will be paid through the fund (a $600 value). The LEAD scholarship fund, The Judy Dale Scholarship for Lay Leadership, may be used to assist with other fees associated with course work or events necessary for the completion of the LEAD certificate requirements.
Applications
Applications will be processed on a “first come, first served” basis until May 1, or until 18 applicants have been accepted to attend the Retreat.
Applications can be found here (to download the Application, click on “File” in the upper left hand corner. A pull-down menu will appear. Click on “Download” and then select “Microsoft Word”.)
More information about the LEAD program can be found in the North American LEAD Manual here. (To download, follow instructions above.)
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Festival of Homiletics
Preaching Hope for a Weary World
15-18 May 2023
Free Online Access as Well!
Early Bird online all-access $95
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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
There is an early bird rate until 30th April 2023.
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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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