MCC's Rev. Nancy Wilson writes from Brazil...

2012

PACESETTER

CHURCHES

Churches Participating

in MCC's Easter Offering

for Global Justice

1. Agape MCC (Fort Worth, Texas) - Rev. David Wynn, Sr., Pastor

2. All God's Children MCC (Minneapolis, Minnesota) - Rev. Kevin Downer, Interim Pastor

3. Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida) - Rev. Charles Tigard, Pastor

4. City of Refuge Tijuana Church (Mexico) - Rev. Tony Manriquez, Pastor

5. First MCC (Atlanta, Georgia) - Rev. Paul Graetz, Pastor

6. FirstCoast MCC (St. Augustine, Florida) - Rev. Ruth Jensen-Forbell, Pastor

7. Harvest MCC (Denton, Texas) - Rev. Jeannie George, Pastor

8. Heartland Community MCC (Springfield, Illinois) - Rev. Dr. Tony Thieman-Somora, Pastor

9. Holy Covenant MCC (Brookfield, Illinois) - Rev. Dr. Danny Spears, Pastor

10. Holy Cross MCC (Pensacola, Florida) - Open Pulpit

11. Imago Dei MCC (Pennsylvania) - Rev. Janice Bowker, Interim Pastor

12. Joy MCC (Orlando, Florida) - Rev. Lisa Heilig, Interim Pastor

13. King of Peace MCC (St. Petersburg, Florida) - Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis, Pastor

14. LAI Sanctuary of Praise (New York, New York) - Elder Stacey Latimer, Pastor

15. Living Springs MCC (Bath, England) - Rev. Kieren Bourne, Pastor

16. MCC Albuquerque (New Mexico) - Rev. Judith Maynard, Pastor

17. MCC Baltimore (Maryland) - Rev. Y. M. Dozier, Interim Pastor

18. MCC Baton Rouge (Louisiana) - Rev. Keith Mozingo, Pastor

19. MCC Boston (Massachusetts) - Open Pulpit

20. MCC Brighton (England) - Rev. Catherine Dearlove, Interim Pastor

21. MCC Charlotte (North Carolina) - Rev. Catherine Houchins, Pastor

22. MCC Christ the Liberator (Highland Park, New Jersey) - Rev. Dr. Tom Bohache, Pastor

23. MCC Corpus Christi (Texas) - Open Pulpit

24. MCC Elizabethtown (Kentucky) - Rev. Cathy Porter, Pastor

25. MCC Governing Board, Senior Leadership Team and Staff

26. MCC Hartford (Connecticut) - Rev. Aaron Miller, Interim Pastor

27. MCC Key West (Florida) - Rev. Steve Torrence, Pastor

28. MCC Knoxville (Tennessee) - Rev. Jill Sizemore, Pastor

29. MCC London (Ontario, Canada) - Rev. Paul Whiting, Pastor

30. MCC Los Angeles (California) - Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, Pastor

31. MCC Lubbock (Texas) - Rev. Renae Phillips, Pastor

32. MCC New England Campus Ministries (Boston, Massachusetts) - Rev. Dr. Joan Saniuk and Sharilyn Steketee, Co-leaders

33. MCC New Orleans (Louisiana) - Rev. Rick Sosbe, Pastor

34. MCC Newcastle (Newcastle Upon Tyne, England) - Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, Pastor

35. MCC NOVA (Fairfax, Virginia) - Open Pulpit

36. MCC Ocala (Florida) - Rev. Vicki Miller, Interim Pastor

37. MCC of Greater St. Louis (Missouri) - Rev. Dr. Carol Trissel, Pastor

38. MCC of New York (New York) - Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Pastor

39. MCC of Paducah (Kentucky) - Rev. Lillian Ferguson, Pastor

40. MCC of San Antonio (Texas) - Rev. Mick Hinson, Pastor

41. MCC of the Blue Ridge (Roanoke, Virginia) - Rev. Joe Cobb, Pastor

42. MCC of the Spirit (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) - Rev. Lori Rivera, Pastor

43. MCC of Topeka (Kansas) - Rev. Carol Trissell, Consulting Pastor

44. MCC of Winston-Salem (North Carolina) - Rev. Ron LaRocque, Pastor

45. MCC Rehoboth (Delaware) - Rev. K'Lynne McKinley, Pastor

46. MCC Richmond (Virginia) - Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, Pastor

47. MCC Sacred Journey (Hendersonville, North Carolina) - Rev. Jane Nelson, Pastor

48. MCC San Diego (California) - Rev. Dan Koeshall, Pastor

49. New Creation MCC (Columbus, Ohio) - Rev. Margaret Hawk, Pastor

50. New Spirit MCC (Cincinnati, Ohio) - Open Pulpit

51. Open Arms MCC (Rochester, New York) - Rev. Jim Mulcahy, Pastor

52. Open Circle at The Villages MCC (Florida) - Rev. Carol Rawlings-Chambers, Pastor

53. Open Door MCC (Boyds, Maryland) - Rev. Miller Hoffman, Pastor

54. Peninsula MCC (San Mateo, California) - Rev. Terri Echelbarger, Pastor

55. Resurrection Beach MCC (Costa Mesa, California) - Ty Bradley, Interim Pastoral Leader

56. Resurrection MCC (Houston, Texas) - Rev. Janice Ladd, Executive Pastor

57. River of Life MCC (Dorchester, England) - Rev Catherine Dearlove, Pastor

58. River of Life MCC (Kennewick, Washington) - Rev. Janet Pierce, Pastor

59. St. John the Apostle MCC (Fort Myers, Florida) - Rev. Steve Filizzi, Pastor

60. St. Jude's MCC (Wilmington, North Carolina) - Rev. John McLaughlin, Pastor

61. SunCoast Cathedral MCC (Venice, Florida) - Rev. Dr. Sherry Kennedy, Pastor

62. Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) - Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins, Pastor

63. Trinity MCC (Arlington, Texas) - Curtis Smith, Pastoral Leader

64. Trinity MCC of Gainesville (Florida) - Rev. Dr. Jim Merritt, Pastor

65. Valley Ministries MCC (Stockton, California) - Rev. Terri Miller, Pastor

67. Wichita Falls MCC (Texas) - Rev. Mel Martinez, Pastor

An Easter Invitation from

The Rev. Dr. Nancy L. Wilson

Office of the MCC Moderator

Easter@MCCchurch.net

Holy Week, Thursday morning

As You Prepare To Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ...

...I am writing these words to you from Brazil, where I am spending Holy Week.

And I must tell you, the faith of our Brazilian brothers and sisters is joyous and contagious! As so often happens in MCC, I came to Brazil to minister -- but they have ministered to me and encouraged me.

In my own spiritual life, I am experiencing this same joy and excitement over this year's Easter Offering for Global Justice Campaign -- in fact, I don't know when I have felt so deeply and passionately about a denomination-wide Easter campaign as I have this year!

Out of my personal meditation and prayers during this Holy Week, I am writing to ask for your encouragement and help today -- in a very specific and urgent matter.

Let me explain...

This Easter, we have a God-given opportunity

-- together! -- to give birth to the Global Justice Institute, a joint project of Metropolitan Community Churches and The Fellowship of Affirming Churches.

___________________

Following the

Risen Christ is at the

very heart of our justice ministries!

___________________________________

That's why Easter -- the season of new life -- is the right time for us to birth the Global Justice Institute.

But birth always presents special challenges! Just as there are unique and necessary expenses at the birth of a newborn baby, the very same is true at the birth of a new organization.

Our goal is to raise $40,000 USD through the Easter Offering for Global Justice Campaign -- that's 30% higher than any previous Easter goal.

I know in my heart there's only one way we can reach this significant goal -- it's with your help!

Now you may be tempted to think that the goal is too high -- that your gift won't make much of a difference. Here's the God-given secret to reaching our goal this Easter:

_____________________

None of us can

do it all. But all of

us can do something!

_______________________

If you will do your part and give what you can, then God will do God's part! Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the crowds, so God will multiply each of our gifts to perform an Easter miracle this year.

I truly believe that's the secret to reaching this year's $40,000 USD goal.

Here's what you can do:

After you've shared your tithes and offerings through your local congregation, I invite you to make a generous, over-and-above financial gift to this year's Easter Offering for Global Justice Campaign.

There are three ways you can make your personal gift. Won't you select one of these options and share your gift today?

GIVING OPTION #1:

Locate an MCC Pacesetter church in the left column and make your contribution through a local participating church.

GIVING OPTION #2:

To make an on-line donation: Click on one of the "Donate" buttons in this email, or visit the MCC Easter Offering web page and click on the "Donate" button.

GIVING OPTION #3:

Mail your donation via check or money order, made out to "Metropolitan Community Churches," to P.O. Box 50488, Sarasota, Florida 34232, USA. In the notation section, add "Easter Offering."

Thank you for your generosity and for your support of MCC's global ministry.

In closing, let me share these words with you as we together look to the empty tomb and the Risen Christ:

As we give boldly and with generous hearts,

know that we are forever an Easter people --

the Risen Jesus is the center of our faith,

the Resurrection is our hope,

love is our motivation,

peace is our hearts' desire,

justice is our passion,

and Alleluia is our song!

Grace and peace,

+Nancy

Rev. Dr. Nancy L. Wilson

Moderator

Metropolitan Community Churches

Easter@MCCchurch.net

P.S. Won't you pray and seek God's guidance about your participation in this year's Easter campaign? Perhaps you'll feel led to donate $10, $25 or $50. Perhaps you've been blessed and are able to give even more -- $100, $500 or even $1000. If each of us will listen and respond to God's "still small voice," I know we'll -- together! -- reach this year's Easter goal.

P.P.S. To make your online donation right now, Click Here. No gift is too small for God to use.