16 July 2021
Greetings!

Peace and Greetings to you!

While we’ve resumed in-person worship at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church, our ministries and programming also have started to resume, either in-person or as a hybrid type of gathering. And while there is so much happening in the life of our congregation this summer, as we are so excited that we can offer all these wonderful elements of ministry and programming.

As Our Capital Campaign, “I AM PROUD OF ‘MY’ CHURCH” starts to wind down in the last few weeks of our campaign drive, I encourage you to prayerfully consider contributing to our campaign fundraiser, in order to help us begin repairs and restoration to the outside of our building. You can read more about the campaign and ways you can contribute below.

Our Annual Church Rummage Sale happens just about two weeks from now on Saturday, July 31, 2021, from 9am-5pm. We are currently collecting items for the Rummage Sale, so if you have something that you are wanting to donate or even volunteer to work the day of the Rummage Sale, contact the church office at 414-383-1100 or by email at info@milmcc.org, and let us know what you may be contributing and/or what hours you can help us out. Details for this can also be found below.

The board and I are excited to join forces with our siblings at Angels of Hope Metropolitan Community Church, as we engage in our joint mission project with one of our community partners. Each Fourth Sunday of every month, we will have PACK THE PANTRY SUNDAY. Pack the Pantry Sunday is an opportunity for us to provide and bring specified food and staple items, as we help our partners at VIVENT HEALTH keep their food pantry stocked. Our first Pack the Pantry will be next Sunday, July 25th. Details about this wonderful endeavor can be found below, along with clicking on the Pack the Pantry Shopping List, to see what items we will be collecting. While VIVENT Health is our main focus in keeping their pantries fully stocked, we will also continue to provide necessary items to our other community partner, Courage MKE. Both organizations are vital elements to our community, and we are proud to be able to work with each of these organizations in our community.

Plans have begun in preparation for our monumental year and celebrate 50 YEARS, being a Vibrant, Inclusive, Progressive Community of Faith. We are blessed that we will be honored for 50 years of serving the LGBTQI+ Faith Community on September 9, 2021, by the Milwaukee Historical Society. 

Milwukee Metropolitan Community Church is currently the oldest LGBT based organization, still in existence in the State of Wisconsin. Prior the start of Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church was the Imagine Dinner Club that was established in 1970 and the GPU (Gay Peoples Union) in the mid part of 1970.

I remind you and invite you to SAVE-THE-DATES of November 19-21, 2021, as we will gather as a Community of Faith, but also come together in Community, celebrating our fiftieth anniversary. Our Network of Churches in Metropolitan Community Church will also come together that same weekend for our Annual Network Gathering. We come together not only to reunite ourselves with our siblings in our network, but to gather with one another share this momentous occasion, not only as a church, but as a church that has been prominent in the LGBTQI+ Community for 50 Years. More details and information will be forthcoming about our Network Gathering, along with information on our Annual Anniversary Gala “A Night of Cabaret” and the activities occurring for our big anniversary celebration. More details forthcoming.

For those in our church family, who continue social distancing, and have not returned to in-person worship, we hope you taking advantage of keeping connected through our virtual worship service that is available online Sunday afternoons. We invite you to take advantage and continue to worship with Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church virtually, until you are ready to resume with us for in-person worship. 

Virtual worship can continue be found on our Facebook and YouTube pages, in the later part of the afternoon on Sundays. We ask that you keep watch on these pages for when worship has been uploaded. Due to the high traffic on internet usage on Sundays, and now that all faith communities have started returning to in-person worship, uploads have been taking longer than expected.

This Sunday, we continue our series “I Am Proud of My Church.” We continue the series being able to proud say that: “I Am Proud of My Church: Because My Church is Family!” Join me this Sunday morning at 11:00AM for Worship as we continue Ministering God’s Will, Magnifying God’s Dominion, Celebrating God’s Love and Cherishing God’s People!

I Invite you to take a moment to scroll down to view these announcements and the many other special announcements, connected to the life of our congregation and community, as we continue to be the vibrant, inclusive and progressive community of faith that we are.

Regardless of how you continue worshipping with us, and as we move forward, you welcomed in our home and into our community of faith!

May God’s blessings continue to be with each of you!

In Christ!
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 (The Inclusive Bible)

The body is one, even though it has many parts; all those parts – many though they
are – comprise a single body. And so, it is with Christ. It was by one Spirit that all of
us, whether we are Jews or Greeks, slaves or citizens, were baptized into one body.
All of us have been given to drink of the one Spirit. And that Body is not one part; it is many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body.” Would that make it any less a part of the body?” If the ear should say, “Because I
am not an eye, I do not belong to the body.” Would that make it any less a part of the body? If the body were all eye, what would happen to our hearing? If it were all ear, what would happen to our sense of smell? Instead of that, God put all the different
parts into one body on purpose. If all the parts were alike, where would the body be? They are, indeed, many different members but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” any more than the head can say to the feet, “I do not need you.” And even those members of the body which seem less important are in fact indispensable. We honor the members we consider less honorable by clothing them with greater care, thus bestowing on the less presentable a property which the more presentable do not need. God has so constructed the body as to give greater honor to the lowly members, that there may be no dissention in the body, but that all the members may be concerned for one another. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members share its joy. You then, are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.
THIS SUNDAY, WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES
As we continue our series and proclaim that:
"I Am Proud of My Church: Because Church is Family!"

REMEMBER
You can also connect with us for Virtual Worship on our Facebook Page or YouTube Channel, Sunday afternoons through our links below to our Facebook and YouTube pages.
PACK THE PANTRY SUNDAY
EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH

NEXT PACK THE PANTRY SUNDAY, JULY 25, 2021

Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church and Angels of Hope Metropolitan Community Church have joined forces through our Outreach Ministry Programs in order to connect closer with our community partners in the LGBTQ Community.

Every Fourth Sunday of the month has been designated PACK THE PANTY SUNDAY. Pack the Pantry Sunday is a time for you, the people of the church to come together and help support our partnered organizations Food Pantries.

We ask that you bring your items on the fourth Sunday and place them in the containers that will be provided. This doesn't mean you can't being your items on other Sundays as well, but are hopeful you will partake in Pack the Pantry on every Fourth Sunday of the month.

Click below to obtain a list of Pack the Pantry items:
MILWAUKEE MCC ANNUAL CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE
JULY 31, 2021

It's almost that time of year again when Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church will be having our ANNUAL CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE, July 31, 2021.
The Sale will be at 2225 North 54th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208.

And it's never too early start clearing our your closets and garages and basements, of those unused items and donate them towards the rummage sale.

If you would like to volunteer
and help out, please see or contact a Board of Directors Member.
You can sign up to volunteer on the sign-up sheets located in the Narthex of the church.

If you have items that you wish to donate to our Annual Rummage Sales, that are in good condition, please let us know. If you need assistance in having items picked-up, make you contact the church office at 414-383-1100 or via email to info@milmcc.org.
ORDER AND SHOP WITH SCRIP AND MAKE IT A
WIN-WIN FOR BOTH YOU AND OUR CONGREGATION!

Continue to shop with SCRIP, making it simple and easy to shop virtually.

By purchasing and shopping with SCRIP Cards, you can continue to shop in your normal way, whether in person or virtually, while continuing to support Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church.

Order forms can be obtained by clicking below on the SCRIP ORDER FORM LINK below. You can mail your payment to the church by using one of your tithing envelopes or going online and using our online giving portal, noting in the comments that your payment is for SCRIP Cards. SCRIP Orders will be mailed to you once received.

Our NEXT ORDER DEADLINE is:
July 25, 2021
Drop your forms and payment in
the basket on Sunday mornings, or you can send them in the mail to
the church.

POZ SPIRIT WILL RESUME IN-PERSON GATHERINGS BEGINING AUGUST

Next Gathering - Tuesday, August 3, 2021
7:00pm to 9:00pm ~ in the church community room

POZ SPIRIT is a monthly gathering for those infected with HIV/AIDS providing a safe, respectful and supportive environment Friendship, Networking, Resources, Peer Support Education and Spiritual Support. This gathering is open to all men who identify as HIV/AIDS positive. 

The group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 7PM to 9:00PM in the Community Room at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church. Light snacks are served,
and reservations requested but
not required.

Contact the church office (414-383=1100) or send an email to hivministries@milmcc.org email by the Monday before each gathering!
JOIN US FOR
THEOLOGY-ON-TAP
THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH!

Our next gathering, Thursday Evening,
August 5, 2021 at 6:30pm.

This gathering will be hosted in a Hybrid Fashion. Physically locations to the next gathering will be announced soon, as well as live streaming via ZOOM. Details on
the physical location will be announced soon along with Zoom link access to take part in our discussion!

Grab your favorite beverage and some snack type foods for an evening of good discussion. 

For questions and more information, feel free to contact the church office by calling 414-383-1100
or by email at info@milmcc.org

You can also Connect with us on
August 5th at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86055363676
MILWAUKEE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019

Come learn what is happening in and around our Church. You're invited to come to our monthly Board of Directors Meetings and experience and see your board in action.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, August 10th, starting at 7pm.

Lots of great things are happening
in the life of our community of
faith as we start resuming worship and programming in person!
Come get the info first hand and be in the know with the happenings of your church!
BRUNCH WITH THE PASTOR RETURNS THIS AUGUST!
AUGUST 15, 2021

After a long awaited year, Brunch with the Pastor will be returning!

Join us on Sunday, August 15, 2021, following Sunday Worship, as we gather at one of our local eating establishments as we gather for some good food, exciting conversations and awesome fellowship with one another.

OUR NEXT BRUNCH IS Sunday, August 15, 2021
Location to be determined

We are excited that our designated eating establishments support the church by donating 10% of our total meal receipts back to Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church.
YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN OUR FAMILY OF FAITH AT
MILWAUKEE METROPOLTAIN COMMUNITY CHURCH

It's that time again! We will be holding our Inquirers and News Members Class THIS Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 10AM to Noon in the Community Room at
the Church.

If you've been wanting to learn about Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church and/or are curious about coming into a Vibrant-Inclusive-Progressive Community of faith, now is your opportunity to join us this Saturday At Milwaukee Metropolitan Community.

ONLY 2 MORE WEEKS BEFORE OUR
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMES TO AN END!

We only have two more weeks to engage in Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church's 2021 Capital Fundraising Campaign: “I am Proud of “MY” Church!”

Our Capital Fund, which is really a fancy name for our building fund, of which we are raising funds for several needed repairs to the church building. While we are celebrating 50 Years in Ministry, our building is over 100 years old.

For those of you who are members, or worship with us on a regular basis, have heard mention of the water problems in the basement whenever it rains. And although we love all God’s creatures, we would prefer to keep the skunks, possums, and squirrels on the outside and from making a home inside the building. The money that we raise will be used for roofing repair, replacement of the gutters, along with some foundation work in need of repair.

We have so much to be “proud” of at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church. And this year we celebrate 50 Years of Ministry, in the Greater Milwaukee area, telling the story of God’s love for ALL people. This is truly something to be proud of, and as a vibrant, inclusive, and progressive community of faith, we have so much more to offer.

Over the last fourteen months, when we could not worship in person, while never missing a beat, the board extends our heartfelt appreciation to Rev. Tory and our Worship Team, in what they have been doing, by feeding our souls and spirits each week, providing us with an online worship experience. In addition to this online experience, we started a virtual monthly coffee hour to keep us all connected.

By having to switch over to virtual connections over this duration, we have been able to keep our programs and ministries going, keeping them alive and strong. We can be proud of our Congregational Care Team for all the calls they have made, checking-in with each of us, making sure we were all doing good.

Theology-on-Tap and the POZ Spirit ministries, also went virtual, welcoming new people from around the block to around the United States and even Canada together. Our Prison Ministry also continues its strong outreach. Amazingly, we can accomplish all these things, first by the grace of God and second by the support of each of you. This is truly something to be proud of!

NOW it is time to take pride in our church building. We want to stand proud in our neighborhood by being a clean and well-maintained property. We want to be proud when receiving visitors into our church building. We give thanks to our God for even being able to own a building and take pride in keeping it well maintained.

We all know Wisconsin has only a few months to get outside repairs done. The “I Am Proud of ‘MY’ Church!” fundraising campaign is happening now and will continue through the month of July 2021.

Your support and contributions will allow us to have repairs done before winter. You can make your contribution by sending a check in the mail to the church address, clicking on the “I Am Proud of ‘MY’ Church!" Icon below that will take you to our web page, or even dropping your contribution off at the church and slipping it in the mail slot. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.


Please join us in supporting this important fundraising campaign, and say with us:

We thank you with Prayers and Blessings,
The Board of Directors of Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church
If you auto-give, through your financial institution, or already give online, we THANK YOU. But, if you have typically placed your gifts in the offering plate each Sunday, we also offer other options when giving to the church.

There are several ways YOU can make either a one-time donation or even a recurring donation. Here are the ways you can make that happen:
  1. Through our Secure Online Giving Portal, or either of our two PayPal links. You can go to our Secure Online Giving Portal and/or our PayPal Giving Link for your regular offering or one time giving. You can also go through our regular PayPal Link if you’re wanting to start and set-up a recurring monthly giving for your offering. Click on either of the links below to make that happen.
  2. You can mail your offering via check or credit card by using one of the pre-printed offering envelopes that have been distributed to all our members. Simply insert your check in the envelope or complete the information on the inner flap, should you choose to donate by credit card, and return it by mail. If you are in need envelopes, please contact the church, either by leaving us a message or emailing us at info@milmcc.org. We will be happy to send some to you.
  3. You can send your offering via check in a regular addressed envelope to: Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church, 1239 West Mineral Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204.
  4. You can go to our website at www.milwaukeemcc.org/giving to do your giving.
Click link above to do a regular
offering or one time gift through our Secure Giving Portal
Click link above to do a regular
offering or one time gift
Click link above to set up a monthly recurring gift
As a board, we are praying with you, and for you. We look forward to the day when we can once again gather and worship together. In the meanwhile, please continue to follow the social distancing guidelines outlined by health officials to keep you and your family safe.

Please prayerfully consider making a gift to support your church, so that we can continue to meet the needs of the congregation.

Peace and Blessings,
Milwaukee MCC Board of Directors
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