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DON'T MISS THE ITEMS AT THE END OF THIS EMAIL!
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SERVICE OF BLESSING
Virtual global service to bless out the retiring Council of Elders and bless in the new Council of Elders -
Thursday 7th March 2024 at:
12pm PST / 2pm CST / 3pm Cuba and EST / 8pm GMT / 10pm SAST which is 7am AEDT Friday in Australia
Zoom link for service - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82829182833?pwd=eennDSoDfVC3PU0b5fKzSpHw3bUdcq.1
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
JOIN US FOR A DESERT OASIS!
We are excited to announce that MCC's next General Conference Transformational Weekend will be held 4-6 July 2025! This time, our in-person portion of the conference is taking over Scottsdale, Arizona, USA at the Embassy Suites Resort -- walking distance from the historic district.
Our host hotel is an amazing, accessible resort. It is beautiful with views of Camelback Mountain, two pools, and beautiful landscaping. We tried hard to find not only an accessible hotel for physical accommodations, but a financially accessible hotel. The Embassy Suites hotel is offering us an amazing rate of $119/night which includes free breakfast, daily cocktail hour, and a complimentary shuttle to hundreds of local shops, restaurants, and activities. Each room has a living room (with a pull-out couch), and kitchenette easily accommodating multiple parties to maximize savings. In October 2024 we will send a unique link to reserve your room.
This conference will have a retreat feel being only 3 days instead of our typical 5 or 6-day conference that commingled business with worship and learning. In addition, there will be pre and post-conference activities to participate in. This time, all business will take place online and not during this in-person gathering, making it a perfect opportunity to invite different members of your congregation to retreat with you in the desert. Elements of this conference will be streamed and online allowing us to have a hybrid experience for those unable to travel.
More information about speakers, schedule, pre and post-conference institutes, worship and the dates of the business meeting will be shared in coming months. In the meantime, save the date and get ready to have some fun in the sun (or in the air conditioning) with us!
If you have any questions, you can always email us at: [email protected]
Do you want to ensure you get all of the information about this next General Conference? Click the button and make sure you are on the email list! Registration and hotel reservations will open in October 2024.
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Latino/a/e/as/XS Conference Survey
Metropolitan Community Churches is looking to be more dedicated to seeking, forming, instructing, and empowering Latino ministry within our local congregations. Our primary goal is to spread the radically inclusive message of the gospel to all Latinx communities. We believe in the importance of your input to guide our response to this initiative and to the project we are planning to undertake.
While it is true that many churches are increasingly presenting themselves as inclusive, MCC not only celebrates but also honors and takes pride in all individuals, embracing their diverse identities and celebrating them for who they are and who they love.
We kindly request your participation in this survey, which will play a crucial role in shaping the path we intend to follow to establish a robust Latino ministry.
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Las Iglesias de la Comunidad Metropolitana buscan estar más dedicadas a buscar, formar, instruir y empoderar el ministerio Latino dentro de nuestras congregaciones locales. Nuestro objetivo principal es difundir el mensaje radicalmente inclusivo del evangelio a todas las comunidades Latinas. Creemos en la importancia de sus aportes para guiar nuestra respuesta a esta iniciativa y al proyecto que pretendemos emprender.
Si bien es cierto que muchas iglesias se presentan cada vez más como inclusivas, ICM no sólo celebra sino que también honra y se enorgullece de todos los individuos, abrazando sus diversas identidades y celebrándolos por quienes son y a quienes aman.
Le solicitamos amablemente su participación en esta encuesta, que desempeñará un papel crucial en la configuración del camino que pretendemos seguir para establecer un ministerio latino sólido.
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Honoring Timothy Spiers
During the service to celebrate 50 years of MCC ministry in Europe, the Moderator Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston honoured Timothy Spiers for his 50 year of ministry, especially in the MCCs in London, England. He is currently a member of MCC East London and was presented with a Distinguished Service Award, on behalf of the Moderator, by Pastor Stacey Ingrassia.
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Community Development Team (CDT) World Tour
We heard you! The Community Development Team took time in 2023 to explore the world. We talked to Clergy and Laity alike to find out what was needed and wanted as support for your ministry. For those who attend "Thank you!" For those who couldn't attend, we appreciate you and your ministry. Take a few minutes to read the results of our World Tour and know we are working hard to support you as you continue to minister to God's people throughout the world. To read the report, click here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1G4UNT22js1gUh9OSEvBIr--rHc3HJQr8?usp=sharing
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MCC PAD (People of African Descent) - The Next Generation
PAD: The Next Generation will be featuring monthly reflections throughout the year.
In recognition of Black History month, Rev. Marilyn Bowen, Pastor of Imani MCC, Durham, NC, USA wrote the following reflection - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PRGAccGuAJgPEdnOrY3212T3Cnq-kfEKN2Hd6aRiXqE/edit?usp=sharing.
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More Money, More Justice Course (Save the Date)
All of the things making your church meaningful requires money! Keeping your church facility safe and ensuring you have resources for visioning and engaging in ministry is crucial.
Come, learn, and create.
Join us for a three-part virtual training beginning in May. Don't miss this opportunity!
Dates: Friday, 3rd of May;
Wednesday, 8th of May;
Wednesday, 22nd of May
All sessions are held 1:00pm EST - 3:00 EST.
Who should take this course? YOU! Plus, all leaders (within your congregation) who recognize how challenging asking for money can be!
Select this link to register: https://forms/gle/n/nFCmxSyBLmAQHswa7
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Living Well with Differences 2024 Course
Would you like to feel more confident when engaging on difficult issues?
Would you like to tackle hot topics with open, honest, and loving communications?
Have you struggled to have a meaningful conversation with someone who opposes your views?
Would you like to respond more positively when a conversation gets heated?
The Living Well with Differences course helps participants learn how to recognise and understand the signs of potential tensions and sources of conflict earlier and respond with confidence. We will explore what conflict ‘looks’ like in our faith communities, explore different approaches and responses that can help develop your skills in transforming relationships and navigating tricky conversations. Please click the links for course information.
The Europe, Africa, and Australia cohort starts the 12th of June.
Europe-Africa-Australia
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UKgrgDnctMvoG9cg2MwnhNSzxjul0Gdx/view?usp=sharing
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2024 Parent & Family Summit
| Q Christian Fellowship will be hosting a virtual Parent & Family Summit on April 21st, April 28th, and May 5th. The theme for this year is Interwoven: Uniting Kids, Parents, and Community. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain the support, resources, and education you need to connect with your LGBTQ+ child or family member in healthy ways. For more information https://www.qchristian.org/parentsummit | |
LGBTQ Religious Archives Network
The LGBTQ Religious Archives Network will be presenting the Virginia Ramey Mollenkott Award to Austin Steelman on Wednesday, March 6th for his paper: "Not an Ordinary Man: J. Gresham Machen & the Un-Queering of Evangelical Theology".
For more information or to sign up to attend either in-person on to watch via livestream click here:
https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/events
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The Village Metropolitan Community Church in Brighton, England is pleased to announce that from the 3rd of March 2024 they will be moving to a new venue for their weekly events at the Ledward Centre in the heart of Brighton. The Ledward Centre is Brighton's LGBTQ+ community, cultural centre and Cafe. The Village Church was formed in 2014.
Rev. Michael Hydes, Pastor of The Village MCC said; "I'm excited and scared! Dorset Gardens Methodist Church has been our home post-covid, and without their very kind support I know we would have really struggled to find our feet. They have gifted us with a good foundation on which to build, and I'm excited to see what God has in store for us next!"
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Pastoral Search - MCC Richmond (USA)
MCC Richmond is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Senior Pastor position. We have been in ministry in the Richmond area for over 45 years, and we are energized by what lies ahead for us. You could be the leader that God is calling to serve with us! Come and be a part of this vibrant and active church that is on the move. If you are considering a change or even if you are not, check out the information that we have put together. We know that you will be intrigued by what is happening in Richmond, Virginia. You will find our application packet, videos, and background information in the Resource Bank of the UFMCC website. Here is a photo of the Pastoral Search Team in front of our church.
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The Power Of Our Voices and The Telling of Our Stories, hosted by the RISE Together Mentorship Network, is a three-day mentorship and leadership development opportunity for women of color ministry leaders, activists, clergy, and lay leaders. Through networking, inspirational worship, dynamic panel discussions, and empowerment workshops, women of color will be renewed, inspired, supported, and empowered to navigate difficult spaces, overcome barriers, and embrace the fullness of God’s call on their life.
March 14-16, 2024!
Register Today - https://utsnyc.edu/2024riseconference/
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Gay & Quaker: The Shaping of Activist Bayard Rustin
Thursday, April 4, 2024 at 5pm PT | 7pm CT | 8pm ET
The LGBTQ Religious Archives Network is hosting a webinar reflecting on the shaping of activist Bayard Rustin. To register or learn more about this event, please click here:
https://www.lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/events/bayard-rustin
Bayard Rustin has recently become prominent in public awareness in the United States as an iconic figure and architect of the 20th century Black Civil Rights Movement. This webinar will reflect on how that activist-organizer was formed, particularly in relation to his sexual identity and his Quaker faith. How did these deeply personal elements of Rustin’s being inform—or hinder—his development as a change agent? Religious historian and Rustinian scholar Quincy Rineheart will lead this conversation with Rustin’s long-time partner Walter Naegel and activist-organizer Mandy Carter.
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One Home One Future
One Home One Future is a campaign that educates, activates, and supports clergy, congregants, youth, and all spiritual people in meaningful and just solutions locally and regionally within the United States in ways that are accessible and positive. If you join before March 5th you are eligible to participate in their next virtual Lunch and learn event.
Campaign participants will receive free congregational toolkits with a banner to hang in front of your house of worship. You will also gain free access to training and guides, a library of worship and educational resources, action sheets, webinars, retreat resources, programming opportunities, events, and an online community of practice to connect and collaborate within and across faith traditions.
For additional information please contact Rev. Rich Hendricks at [email protected] who is involved in the program and is pastor of MCC of the Quad Cities in Davenport, IA, USA.
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Join SunCoast MCC and other MCC'ers for a 6-night Fundraiser Cruise
September 30 - October 6, 2024 (Departs from Tampa)
Prices start at $638
Contact MCC members:
Dan Mullins 1-407-731-7704 or Lorna Hunter 1-941-220-9849
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Prayers for Peace
Wednesdays 8pm EEST / 6pm BST / 1pm EDT
Living Water MCC in Helsinki Finland offers this time of prayer. 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/84221914911?pwd=VTd1MnlPakltODFxK2lFclo5SkxVdz09
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MCC Kinship Groups
PAD | API | LatinX | Trans | God-Talk
If you have any questions, are interested in a particular Kinship group, or interested in forming another Kinship group, please email Rev. Hector Gutierrez at: [email protected]
Trans Kinship Group
The Trans Kinship group is taking a short break to review our meeting time and how we can best serve our community globally. If you would like to be involved in future online meetings please contact Rev. Elder Maxwell Reay by email at: [email protected]
PAD: People of African Descent
Tuesday 12 March at 4pm PST / 5pm MST / 6pm CST / 7pm EST
This group is for People of African Descent only.
For more information and the link to attend, please contact [email protected]
API Kinship Gathering
Promoting connection, visibility, celebration & diversity through monthly online conversation of the global Asian Pacific Islander MCC community.
For more information, contact [email protected]
God-Talk
If you are interested or have any questions please contact:
[email protected] or [email protected].
Latinx Kinship Gathering
Tuesday, 19th March at 4pm PST / 5pm MST / 6pm CST / 7pm EST
Hola, how are you? Let's talk! Join a virtual space to engage in community and explore questions around social identity, how we identify as Latinx people, what it means to be Latinx in MCC, and much more. New questions will be explored each month.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83187216000?pwd=1h1POiE8VtZPYTls5gUqybzGfbNc1T.1
Meeting ID: 831 8721 6000 Passcode: 426447
For more information, please contact Rev. Nilsa Irizarry at
[email protected]
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Monthly Book Club Discussion on Zoom
Monday, 18th March - 12 noon EST / 5pm GMT - on ZOOM
Connect with others and discuss social issues as we read and discuss one book per month. You are invited to read the whole book and then gather for a conversation. Don’t like to read? It's available as an audiobook! Listen while you walk or drive or while relaxing.
The March book is The Measure by Nikki Erlick (2022)
New York Times Bestseller
“One of the most life-affirming novels I've read in a long while, The Measure is exactly what our world needs right now." - Christina Dalcher, bestselling author
"The Measure" is an utterly original and hugely compelling story, which drew me in from the very first page with its beautiful writing. Weeks after reading it, I'm still thinking about this smart, uplifting novel and its wonderful characters." - Freya Sampson, author of The Last Chance Library
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82059571267?pwd=NTZ6ejZXOHNzZkFDS0FoQllMVTl2QT09
Meeting ID: 820 5957 1267 Passcode: 432609
This book club is sponsored by MCC Knoxville and is facilitated by
Rev. Colleen Darraugh.
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The next North American LEAD Retreat to be held at
Church of the Trinity MCC
Sarasota, FL, USA
April 19-21, 2024
LEAD, Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship, is the UFMCC lay leader certificate program. Since its inception in 2011, there have been 13 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 14, is now being planned for Friday, April 19, beginning at 1:00 pm Eastern Daylight-Saving Time, through Sunday, April 21, 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 March 11, or until 18 applicants have been accepted to attend the Retreat.
Applications can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1946FBthJkP5mOsXHt_LaooV1EuUD6S9H/edit?amp%3Bouid=107596378083343173086&%3Brtpof=true&%3Bsd=true
(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:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y5eZ1rhXCPo647xrMv2BOnjvsTals5VR/edit?amp%3Bouid=105065752783664344590&%3Brtpof=true&%3Bsd=true
(to download the Manual, click on “File” in the upper left hand corner. A pull-down menu will appear. Click on “Download” and then select “Microsoft Word”.
Questions about the retreat or the LEAD program can be directed to Elder Nancy Maxwell at [email protected].
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Visit the Library | Consider an Annual Membership
What Does Membership Get You?
Professional development and online learning at the crossroads of leadership and faith from the most impactful and important voices in our midst.
• Our full library of online learning tools including courses, webinars, summits, and conversations. Over 100 courses for one price!
• Immediate access to all new content the moment it is released.
• Engage with like-minded folks who are participating in your course.
• Future discounts on Convergence projects.
$240 annual membership (saves 33%) or save 15% with quarterly or monthly payments. Consider that one Summit may cost $140.
www.convergencecolab.org
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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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