Don't miss the items at the end of this email. Some servers truncate emails, and you might have to click "view entire message." | |
Visit our Resource Bank for educational and seasonal resources. You may also follow us on our various social media platforms: | |
|
From the very beginning of the HIV/AIDS crisis, MCC has been present and actively involved. In the early years of the AIDS epidemic, we pioneered a model that centered on the voices and experiences of people living with AIDS.
MCC proudly and loudly preached that God is a force for healing, that God does not use disease to punish, and that the gospel of unconditional love embodied in Jesus requires us to love those struggling with the stigmas of this disease and the relentless physical suffering that accompanies it.
We offer some resources that you may use in any way you see fit.
| |
- Cover Letter for World AIDS Day - Click Here
- Sample Liturgy Developed specifically for World AIDS Day - Click Here
- Litany for Advent or World AIDS Day Service: Use this in your Advent service or a special World AIDS Day observance - Click Here
- Watch the 2024 MCC Recording: A celebration of Rev. Steve Pieters and his recently published book, Love Is Greater Than AIDS: A Memoir of Survival, Healing, and Hope - Click Here
- Joint UCC, MCC, TFAM Broadcast: Tune in on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. EST for a brief prayer service highlighting the voices of our spiritual leaders and people living with HIV/AIDS. (More information to follow.)
| |
ICM Mexico National Retreat - Aguascalientes | |
|
The ICM Mexico National Retreat was recently held last November 8 to 10 at Aguascalientes, Mexico. The event was announced by Pastor Pablo Ortiz, Bishop Hector Gutierrez, Elder Velma Garcia, and network leader Isabel Marquez.
Various ICM community members, bishops, and elders from Mexico and the greater Latin America participated in the event.
“Many churches claim to embrace the community; we don’t embrace it, we celebrate it: who you are, who you love, and how God created you,” said Bishop Hector Gutierrez. Elder Velma Garcia conveyed greetings from Bishop Cecilia Eggleston and expressed her support for the Latin American community. Isabel Marquez, leader of the network in Mexico, commented that ICM (MCC) is a Church that likes to educate the community, “it’s nice to have this diversity, to respect each other as human beings.”
The event was successful in strengthening and inspiring all those who participated to press forward with a renewed sense of faith and conviction, through forging a network of love and solidarity that pushes the community to be true to our faith and calling.
View the photos from the event, posted by the Eben-Ezer ICM Facebook page by clicking here, or view the photo slideshow posted by the Fraternidad Incluyente AGS Facebook page by clicking here.
| |
November is Trans Awareness Month | |
|
November is considered as Trans Awareness Month, as it encompasses both Transgender Awareness Week (November 13 to 19) and Transgender Remembrance Day (November 20).
It is a time to celebrate, recognize, and be in solidarity with our transgender siblings, and many MCC congregations are incorporating this theme into their November sermons, one of which is Valley Ministries MCC in Stockton, California, USA.
On four Sundays of November, they will be honoring: Reverend Jim Pierce, an LGBTQ rights activist since 1974; Reverend Doctor Megan Rohrer, an LGBTQ activist, historian, and writer; The Honorable Victoria Kolakowski, the first transgender judge in the United States; and Reverend Doctor Rosario Vargas, a pastor and author. Find out more about their Transgender Sermon Series via their website.
A video message from Rev. Aaron Miller is also scheduled to be published on November 20, which is Transgender Remembrance Day - which will kickstart the Council of Elders' video series this Advent Season. Stay tuned to our social media platforms for this video series.
Is your local MCC congregation doing sermons or activities in relation to Trans Awareness Month? Let us know by emailing us, and we might feature it on upcoming Connect Newsletters.
| |
Light a Candle for the International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on 24 November | |
|
We are inviting local MCC churches across the globe to light a candle - in prayer, in memoriam, and in solidarity with our trans siblings - on November 24, the Sunday following the Transgender Day of Remembrance (which falls on November 20).
We also invite you to send your photo/s of this activity, with a short narrative that includes where you are located and describing what you did. We may feature your TDoR Activity via UFMCC's Newsletter and Social Media. Please send this to the [communications@mccchurch.net] by November 30.
Together, we can raise awareness about the challenges faced globally by our transgender siblings and Be MCC as we respond with love in support.
| |
#StrongerTogether: Being MCC in Politically Perilous Times in the USA | |
|
Join the final Stronger Together meeting, organized by the Council of Elders, this Saturday. It will be a post-election debrief.
Schedule:
Saturday, November 16
11AM ET, via Zoom
| |
Reminder: 2025 MCC Clergy License Renewal Early Bird Rate Deadline is on November 30th, 2024 | |
To our MCC Clergy - please be reminded that the deadline for the Early Bird Rate of the Clergy License Renewal is on November 30th, 2024. This year, the licensing process will be coordinated by the team of Rev. Cathy Alexander and Tammy Rabon-Noyce. We look forward to assisting you through the process. | |
African MCC Network Conference | |
|
The African MCC Network is about to have their conference, which is set to happen on November 29 to December 1, 2024, at the Tlotlo Hotel and Conference Centre in Gaborone, Botswana. The event will also be available virtually via Zoom.
The theme will be "Vukani Ma- Africa Simdumise" (Zulu) which roughly translates to "Wake Up Africa, Praise God."
For more information, you may email the team at [africamccconference2024@gmail.com].
| |
Donate Now: MCC Disaster Relief Fund | |
The recent hurricanes in the USA (Hurricane Helene and Milton) and the recent typhoon in the Philippines (Typhoon Kristine) have caused widespread damage and destruction. A number of families and communities have been affected.
Your generous donation to the MCC Disaster Relief Fund will provide critical support to those affected, helping them rebuild their lives and recover from this disaster.
| |
Racial Justice Coaching for White Leaders | |
How do we live from love rather than fragility?
Join the webinar by Beyond Conflict designed for white-presenting folks in order for them to practice racial justice leadership in their work and personal lives.
If you are white or white-presenting, and you are looking for community, skills, and strategies to center racial justice more clearly and consistently in your life, this program is for you.
Schedule: There will be 6 sessions, every other Thursday at 1PM ET, starting February 6, 2025.
| |
Living Water MCC Online Prayers for Peace | |
Living Water MCC will continue their Prayer for Peace, which started last September 11, and shall continue every Wednesday until December 18 at 8PM EET (Eastern European Time).
The prayers are bi-lingual: Finnish and English - as needed, and last about 15 minutes.
| |
The Science of Gender Identity | |
Join Q Christian Fellowship on November 17th as we gain insight into the science of sex and gender diversity from three experts - a pediatric internist, endocrinologist and geneticist.
The cost to attend this event is $10 per attendee; scholarships are available by emailing [samantha@qchristian.org].
Schedule: November 17 (Sunday) at 8AM ET / 5PM PT.
| |
|
Kinship Groups offer a safe spaces 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.
| |
Call For MCC Theologies Submissions | |
Send in your wonderful work so current and future generations may benefit!
We accept sermons, liturgies, Christian Education materials, essays, books, academic papers, and spiritual teachings and reflections - in written, audio, or video format.
| |
Got Interesting MCC Stories You'd Like to Include in Connect? | |
Has your local MCC congregation, pastor, staff, or member done an inspiring advocacy work recently? Do you have an inspiring MCC story or testimony to share with the rest of the denomination?
We are looking for interesting, powerful, and inspirational stories within global MCC community that can touch hearts, inspire others, and strengthen our faith community - that we might include in the next edition of our Connect newsletter.
| |
|
Assessments: 18766 John J. Williams Hwy | #382 | Rehoboth Beach | DE 19971 | USA
Board of Pensions: PO Box 9917 | Wichita Falls | TX 76308 | USA
Other: 3276 E. Venice Ave | Venice | FL 34292 | USA
© 2024 Metropolitan Community Churches
https://www.mccchurch.org
MCC Statement of Privacy
Update Your Profile at the bottom of this email and
choose which newsletters and communications you want to receive from MCC.
Be aware if you click unsubscribe, it will remove you from ALL FUTURE MCC communications!
VIEW AS WEBPAGE
| | | | |
