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Governing Board Decision on General Conference Transformational Weekend
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29th April, 2025
Dear people of God,
Thank you for your prayers and patience as the Governing Board has discerned the best way forward for holding the Transformational Weekend in July 2025.
Since before the result of the US election was known, our denominational leadership - the Governing Board, the Senior Leadership team, the MCC staff, the General Conference team, the Council of Elders - has been planning, preparing, and taking everything into great consideration, as things develop and unfold in the United States. Together with our prophetic mission, the safety and well-being of our people have always been front and center.
The MCC Doing Justice group has also been doing its work, and asked the Governing Board to consider the option of moving the Transformational Weekend entirely online, in response to greater increasing personal risk and harm during travel, particularly for our trans siblings and siblings of Colour.
The Governing Board has listened to many voices, especially those who will be most at risk when travellng to an onsite gathering.
MCC has always held gatherings during times and in places where others would seek to oppress us. This is another of those moments in history. This is a time when our prophetic witness and the celebration of our LGBTQIA+ Christian community is most important.
The Governing Board has voted unanimously to hold the Transformational Weekend onsite at Scottsdale, Arizona USA, as well as online.
In reaching this decision, we understand that this will disappoint some and please others.
It is worth noting that the Governing Board is diverse. We live in Brazil, England, Philippines, South Africa and the USA. Five of us identify as Black or People of Color. Many of us will experience risk when traveling.
We recognize that many individuals have assessed the risks for traveling to the gathering and have decided for themselves that the benefits of gathering in community outweigh the challenges. Some of the delegates who hope to travel to the USA live in countries where being LGBTQ+ and speaking out against power is very dangerous.
They are very familiar with oppression. Others have chosen to participate online and yet want MCC to make a stand against the oppression that is limiting their ability to safely travel and be fully themselves. There are individuals who are funding themselves to attend and may not be able to get refunds on travel and accommodation already purchased.
For many, this is the first time in a long time of being with the wider MCC body in one physical location. For a good number, this is their first ever General Conference. The important thing to note is that our gathering both in-person and online stands as the public witness of our faith as MCC, in a time such as this.
The General Conference Core Team will continue to work closely with those who are traveling to the USA from other countries to give best advice and support. We will make necessary contingencies and response plans for any customs and border situations for our people traveling into the US and also for our people traveling within the US.
There is already a Security team in place preparing for the onsite gathering and we will be issuing guidance to all participants. Since early on in planning, there has been time and space allocated in one of the worship services to lament the injustices that have prevented siblings traveling to Scottsdale and to recognize their absence on site. We will ensure that there is plenty of pastoral support available onsite and online for anyone who needs it.
The General Conference Core Team made the commitment to make this General Conference a hybrid experience since the beginning of the planning process. This commitment is even more important now and in order to create the best online experience, we invite you to get involved. For the technologically inclined, one way you can get involved is to serve on the livestream team and editing team.
Contact Mike Haase if you are interested in tech mikehaase@mccchurch.net . Another way you can get involved is by hosting a streaming party in your home, at your church, or in your region. Contact Rev. Lauren Bennett if you are interested in that revlaurenbennett@mccchurch.net .
Of course, there are lots of other ways you can get involved in General Conference, including serving on our safety and security team, transportation, check-in etc.
For other ideas and opportunities, please contact Kim Rabon-Noyce kimrabonnoyce@mccchurch.net
There is still time to support individuals who are struggling financially to participate in the Transformational Weekend. If you would like to make a contribution to the Go Global fund, please use this LINK.
God called MCC into being to speak out against injustice and to amplify the voices of those at the margins. Our Transformational Weekend is another opportunity to do this holy work. May the same God who called us grant us prophetic courage, the hope of our faith, and the assurance of the Easter promise.
Respectfully Submitted:
Mark Godette, Clerk, on behalf of the Governing Board
Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey
James Chavis
Rev. Beulah Dürrheim, Vice Treasurer
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, Moderator
Chad Hobbs, Treasurer
Rev. Alberto Nájera
Léo Rossetti
Rev. Joseph San Jose, Vice Chair
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