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Visit our Resource Bank for educational and seasonal resources. You may also follow us on our various social media platforms: | |
Bylaws Amendment Proposals Due on 1st October 2024 | |
The Governing Board has established that General Conference 2025 will have an online Business Meeting and Forum, with several Discussion Circles occurring in advance so you can share your input. | |
If you want to propose a bylaw amendment, it will need to be ready by 1st October 2024 to keep within the time frame. | |
The process for bylaw amendment proposals is established in this section of the current bylaws, addenda 1 - click here. | |
The form (including instructions) to submit bylaws - click here. | |
Moderator Nominating Committee (MNC) Survey | |
The Moderator Nominating Committee (MNC) is seeking your input on the characteristics of the Moderator to be elected for GC 2025. More information can be found here. | We invite you to complete an important survey sharing your views to assist the MNC as they prayerfully begin this important work by 13th October 2024. | |
Application to Serve on the Governing Board - Due on 31st October 2024 | |
The Governing Board Nominating Committee (GBNC) is hard at work seeking qualified applicants to serve on the Governing Board from 2025-2031. More information can be found here. | |
They are charged with the responsibility of soliciting, interviewing, and recommending candidates to sit for election to the Governing Board at the 2025 General Conference. | There are two (2) Lay positions and two (2) Clergy positions on the election ballot for the 2025 General Conference. Applications should be submitted via email to [GBNC@MCCchurch.net] by 31st October 2024. | |
Donate Now to the MCC Disaster Relief Fund for those affected by Hurricane Helene | |
The recent Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage and destruction. A number of families and communities have been affected, including some MCC churches in Florida, North Carolina, and other areas in the south east of the United States. We have been notified that disaster relief funds will be needed in both Florida and North Carolina and that we will be working to get these requests funded as soon as possible. | |
The MCC Disaster Relief Fund is an appeal which aims to support MCC churches affected by the recent hurricane, and any funds not used can be retained for future needs related to disaster relief. | |
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. | |
How To Apply - MCC Disaster Relief Fund | |
If your church or community is experiencing hardship because of Hurricane Helene, your church can apply for assistance by writing a letter (or an email if a letter is impossible at this time) to the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. The church must be in a declared disaster zone and have suffered effects at the church proper or have an isolated disaster/emergency which can be documented. In the letter, please include the following: | |
- Description of the situation your church is experiencing.
- Goals/Purpose for the use of these funds
- Budget for the use of these funds
- Projected impact of these funds (the difference these funds will make to the church and your community)
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The letter should come from either the Pastor, Vice Moderator, or the Board of Directors. | |
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Examples of the use of these funds could be:
- Payment of your insurance deductible relating to a property insurance claim caused by Hurricane Helene
- Repairs to your church building
- Assistance for your church’s Benevolence Fund due to the increased demand for your church’s Food Pantry program
- Distribution of water in your community
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Initially, application requests may be for amounts up to $1,000 (USD). Additional funding might be possible as additional funds come in. | |
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If you receive MCC Disaster Relief funds, the reporting requirements are:
- Final accounting of how the funds were used.
- Description of the outcomes and impact of the funds
- Photos and personal stories are encouraged.
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Fellowship Sunday - Commemorating the First Sunday Service of MCC | |
We are all part of MCC because Rev Troy Perry held the first service of MCC on Sunday, October 6th, 1968. We celebrate Fellowship Sunday on the Sunday closest to that date, which this year is the precise date of October 6th marking our 56th anniversary! Some of our churches celebrate Fellowship Month using the month of October to highlight our shared history, leaders past and present, accomplishments, and programs. | |
Each year, MCC congregations are encouraged to receive a special offering for the denomination. This year’s offering will be dedicated to Flourish. No matter where you are within MCC as a leader (Laity or Clergy), the goal of Flourish is to bring connection and programming to enhance, develop, and inspire your ministry. The former “Thriving in Ministry” and the Global Leadership Development Fund have partnered together to form Flourish! | |
Here are some testimonials from people impacted by Flourish: | |
Spiritual Direction: “Words cannot truly encompass the power of spiritual direction in the work I do as a clergywoman, for the richness of my intersectionalty, and the holistic wellness of self- work. I have experienced a few “aha” moments that brought light into areas that required it.”
—Rev. Nilsa Irizarry, Clergy and Church Support Resource Associate, MCC
| Fundraising, Generosity, Grant Writing Webinar: “Wow, what a powerhouse of people and the knowledge they shared was incredibly helpful. Looking forward to more webinars like this to learn more.”
—Nico Bonner MHPS, Founding Executive Director, Flaming for Jesus
| Clergy Retreat (Fall 2023): “This clergy retreat provided time for me to have intimate, meaningful private conversations of sharing with friends and colleagues. This retreat was the first time I felt ‘a part of’ MCC and not treated as an outsider. It was amazing for others to ask me to pray with/for them and to share personal hurts and struggles within MCC. The retreat was the first time I was able to ask for help and receive it which means the world to me.”
—Rev. Kenny Callaghan, Senior Pastor, All God’s Children MCC
| Learn more about the history of MCC through our resources by clicking here. If you wish to make a donation to Flourish, please click the button below: | |
Congregations in Transition Update | Congratulations to Rev. Michael Ellard and Valley Ministries MCC. Mike has been called by the congregation to serve as their next settled Pastor. | Kevin Konkle has been appointed as Interim Pastoral Leader of MCC of the Palm Beaches. | Please continue to pray for the following congregations and the individuals or teams that are supporting them through periods of Pastoral transition: | |
MCC Amarillo being supported by Huey Lee, Rev. Mel Martinez and Rev. Mary Cantrell;
MCC Baltimore being led by Rev. Melinda Ludy, Rev. Angles Scott-Keys and Rev. Tomas Holloway;
Imago Dei MCC being led by their Board;
Love MCC being led by Interim Pastor Rev. Wanda Floyd;
Milwaukee MCC being led by their Board;
New Creation MCC being supported by Rev. Diane Fisher and their Board; New Light MCC - information unavailable;
Open Arms MCC being led by their Board;
MCC Palm Beaches being led by Interim Pastor Kevin Konkle;
Resurrection MCC being led by their Board;
MCC of the Rockies being led by their Board and administrator James Evans- Ortiz;
MCC San Antonio being led by Provisional Pastor Marsha Warren;
MCC San Francisco being led by Provisional Pastor Daniel Borysewicz;
MCC Sydney being led by Interim Pastor Goeff Ivers;
Table of Hope MCC - information unavailable;
MCC Topeka in Pastoral Search;
Vision of Hope MCC being led by their Board with support from Rev. Jen Glass.
| For more information about congregations that are in Pastoral Search, visit the Job Openings section at [InsideMCC.org]. | If you are interested in serving as a transitional leader of an MCC Congregation, please contact [RevCathyAlexander@MCCchurch.net] or [RevDexterBrecht@MCCchurch.org]. | |
How To Make Fabulous (Not Fake) News | |
Did you know that MCC offers free media relations and training for affiliated churches and pastors? | |
On Saturday, October 26, at 2PM (EDT), our denomination’s Media and Crisis Communications Consultant, James Hartman, will offer an interactive webinar to help you understand the role of the media in your community, and how to use the news to your advantage. | |
No registration is required to participate, but we do ask that participants be pastors, vice-moderators, or others in church leadership. | |
“Many folks make the mistake of thinking you have to BE the news to be ON the news,” James said. “That’s just not the case. When the Pulse Nightclub massacre happened in Orlando, Florida, I worked to get the pastor of our New Orleans, Louisiana church – hundreds of miles away – on all four local TV stations that night. It’s important not only to fulfil our mission of spreading God’s love, but to advance MCC’s profile in the world and in YOUR community.” | |
“After the shooting at Club Q in 2022, I found James helped me so much as a spiritual leader in a traumatized city. He helped me craft media responses and navigate the deluge of media attention. He's a lifesaver - and not just in crisis situations. He then helped me learn how to better prepare for our church's future media needs, too. Invaluable and professional assistance.” - Rev. Alycia Erickson, Pikes Peak MCC, Colorado Springs, CO, USA | |
“James has been a great support for both my professional media promotion and for our Wichita Falls MCC. His expertise and expediency guarantee that my original media content is well-edited and returned quickly. Our work together has helped me/us communicate integrity, stay relevant, and be heard in the public square.” – Rev. Mel Martinez, Wichita Falls MCC, Texas, USA. | |
If you identify as a person of African descent, you are welcome to attend the PAD:TNG Gathering Calls for the month of October. | Tuesday, October 8: 4PM PST / 5PM MST / 6PM CST / 7PM EST / 12AM (next day) UK / 1AM (next day) Sweden / 1AM South Africa | Saturday, October 12: 9AM PST / 10AM PST / 11AM CST / 12PM EST / 5PM UK / 6PM South Africa / 6PM Sweden | |
PAD:TNG Thoughts and Resources | The People of African Descent: The Next Generation (PAD:TNG) are seeking to provide thoughts and resources for the broader MCC community. | Please read as the members of the Prayer Vigil team provide history, reflection and encouragement. | |
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. | |
Courageous Leadership: Sexuality, Consent, & Boundaries | |
The purpose of the course is to support MCC congregational leaders to build cultures
that balance unique expressions of sexuality with boundaries and consent.
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Our work together will take place over 2 sessions. In session 1, we will explore sex positivity and
the ways that boundary concerns emerge in congregations. In Session 2, we will role
play asserting boundaries and coaching colleagues and congregants.
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Schedule:
October 9 - 6PM EST to 8:30PM EST (2.5 hours);
October 23 - 6PM EST to 8:30PM EST (2.5 hours).
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Council of Elders Spirit Conversations | Join the MCC Council of Elders as they share their favorite spiritual practices. Learn more about them, their journey in MCC and what helps to find their spirit. | In the third Spirit Conversation, Rev. Elder Aaron Miller focuses on the idea of "gratitude and awe" - with the foundation scripture being John 16:6a, when Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." | Next Schedule: October 15 / 5PM ET / online via Zoom | |
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. | |
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