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“Many of us have been taught that there is only one (capital-T) “truth.” However, dogmatic religious viewpoints that restrict truth in that way have not served us well. In fact, we use the (small-t) plural “truths” to indicate that there are many truths, and we can discover those best when we honestly explore our faith, beliefs, and questions together as a group people, with various perspectives.”
- “Who is Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC)?” UFMCC Website.
I was raised in the 1950’s and 1960’s, attending Catholic schools from first through twelfth grades. In religion classes, we learned that our church offered the one, true faith. We were told to pray for the souls of people who were not devout Roman Catholics, because they would go to hell if they did not convert. This monopoly on Truth was not limited to the Catholic church. When I first encountered anti-Catholic prejudice during the 1960 presidential election of John F. Kennedy, I was mystified. I could not believe how many untrue things people said about Catholics – for example, that JFK, if elected, would be taking orders directly from the Pope and that Catholics were heretics for praying to Mary and the saints. As a result of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), the Catholic church began to modernize and became more welcoming to the beliefs of other faiths, but by then I was turned off to Christianity, God, and religion.
During my childhood, I had little context for a plurality of beliefs. There were no models for people of different faiths having productive, open-ended conversations about God. And there were no models for individuals engaging in an open and curious personal relationship with the divine that included questioning or doubt. In retrospect, I see that the belief system imposed on me became something that got in the way of finding a genuine relationship with God.
Over time, during a very long hiatus from church attendance, I started doing meditation, journaling, and other spiritual practices. I began to see that a spiritual journey requires us to seek truth for ourselves, whether we do our searching in solitude or in the company of others. I began to discover a sense of inner discernment and realized that I was actually engaging in a relationship with the divine.
When I first walked through the doors of Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in 2000, I was happy to find an active, engaged community full of LGBTQ people and allies. As I got to know them, I learned that people at Resurrection came from many different religious backgrounds and from no religion. I was thrilled about the gender-inclusive language that was used during services. My understanding of God is not gendered, and I have always found the emphasis on a masculine view of God in most churches to be an impediment. I was happy to learn that there are few required beliefs in MCC, beyond a desire to follow Jesus’s teachings. Instead, the Statement of Faith of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (our denomination) talks about an ongoing conversation about our faith and beliefs and a willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit. I felt that I had found a community where I could engage with others on an authentic spiritual journey. I still meditate and attend spiritual classes and retreats outside of church. I see this as part of my responsibility to follow the unique spiritual journey that I am led to travel. I have had many interesting and respectful conversations with other Resurrection congregants whose beliefs don’t exactly coincide with mine. This is all part of being in a dynamic community committed to ongoing communication and support.
If you are interested in reading UFMCC’s Statement of Faith, Core Values, and Mission Statement, check out the website at www.insidemcc.org.
| | Sunday Service | May 11th, 2025 | | CHURCH BOARD NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS | | |
Board of Directors' News
Greetings from your Board members, who are working to support our church’s core values of Inclusion, Spiritual Transformation, Community and Justice! Please click HERE to read the summary of the 4/28/25 monthly Board meeting.
The Board of Directors is elected by the congregation of RMCC to oversee the business and finances of the church. The Board meets monthly, with additional meetings as needed. All are welcome to attend and listen. If you wish to address the Board at a monthly meeting, please email Cathleen Sheil-Hopper, Clerk, cathleen@resurrectionmcc.org, to request that your topic be considered for the agenda. The next monthly meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2025.
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Please note that our Text-to-Give function in our new software is active. Please follow these steps:
- Text “Give” to 855.734.2902
- You will receive a link to setup/personalize “text to give” providing your name and card information and the donor will give in the moment
- To “text to give” in the future, the donor will go back to that text trail and just simply text the give amount “ex. 10, 50, 100” (the donation will default to general fund) or text “options” and the system will prompt the donor with more giving options.
Please see Terry Zenn if you have questions. Terry@ResurrectionMCC.org
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La Casa de Todos
Presencial o Online a las 13:00 horas
Bienvenido a nuestro servicio religioso en vivo todos los domingos en nuestro hermoso santuario. Nuestros servicios llenos de música celebran la adoración con expresión. Cada servicio es de aproximadamente 60 minutos. La comunión se sirve en todos los servicios de adoración y se puede recibir individualmente o con un pequeño grupo de amigos o seres queridos. En La Casa De Todos, celebramos una Comunión Abierta; no es necesario ser miembro de nuestra iglesia, ni de ninguna iglesia, para recibir estos dones de gracia, esperanza y amor.
UNASE A NOSOTROS PARA SERVICIOS VIRTUALES
| | EVENTS AND GIVING OPPORTUNITIES | | |
Plastic Earth Film Screening
May 25th | 1-3 PM
Plastic Earth - A Documentary Film screening designed to present solutions to the single-use Plastics Crisis observed on International Plastic Free Day (May 25th).
All are welcomed to attend 1- 3pm, Sunday May 25th in The Gathering Place. This film is sponsored by the Justice Ministry. Please see Bob Stubblefield for more information.
REGISTER HERE
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Finding Home
June 8th, 2025 | 12:30-2:30 PM
Want to learn about finding a new church home? Do you have a desire to be engaged with a faith based community? If so, then meet us at 12:30 pm in the office Conference Room for Resurrection MCC's Finding Home class. This class is specifically for all people who would like to become a member of Resurrection MCC and make our church their new church home. A light lunch will be provided.
REGISTER HERE
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PRIDE EVENTS
VOLUNTEERS & DONATIONS NEEDED
DONATE HERE
Tie-Dye BBQ Kick-Off
Join us as we kick off Pride Month in bold, colorful style with the Tie-Dye BBQ Kick-Off on Sunday, June 1st, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, immediately following worship service at Resurrection MCC!
REGISTER FOR TIE DYE T-SHIRTS & BBQ HERE
VOLUNTEER FOR TIE DYE T-SHIRTS & BBQ HERE
The Laces & Legends Ball
Get ready to strut, slay, and celebrate at the most legendary night of Pride Month—The Laces & Legends Ball! Happening on Saturday, June 14th, 2025 at 7:00 PM, this one-of-a-kind celebration is where bold style meets big energy in an evening full of joy, connection, and community glam.
REGISTER FOR LACES & LEGENDS BALL HERE
VOLUNTEER FOR LACES & LEGENDS BALL HERE
Parking Lot Festival
We’re closing out Pride Month with a bang at the Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Parking Lot Festival—happening Sunday, June 29th, 2025, immediately following worship! It’s a celebration of love, community, and resilience, Resurrection-style.
REGISTER FOR PARKING LOT FESTIVAL HERE
VOLUNTEER FOR PARKING LOT FESTIVAL HERE
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Voting 411
September 27th | 10 AM - 12 PM
Join Resurrection’s Social Justice Ministry & Harris County Clerk's Election Office for an election education event to provide information relating to the Nov 4th 2025 Uniform Election. The presentation will provide information detailing what's on the ballot, discuss the importance of making a plan to vote, ways to ensure your mail in ballot is counted, teach participants how to operate the voting equipment and much more.
REGISTER HERE
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Tea Chat with Rev. Mona
February 5th to December 17th, 2025
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
In the Gathering Place
"Discover the perfect blend of spiritual enlightenment and soulful conversations with weekly Tea Chat Bible Study Sessions! Together, we’ll explore God’s Word, reflect on its meaning, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and renewal. Join us as we infuse the essence of spirituality into every sip, guiding you on a journey of self-discovery and reflection. Let's put the 'tea' in spirituality together. Cheers to a harmonious mind, body, and spirit!"
REGISTER HERE
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The Galleria Group of RMCC Friends
Meets every Tuesday at 6:00 PM for dinner at Jason's Deli, located at 5860 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057. This informal gathering is an opportunity to connect, share a meal, and build community with friends from Resurrection MCC. Anyone interested in joining is welcome to simply show up or connect through the Church Center App. For more information, please see Joe Martinez or Larry Ponder.
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2025 OWLS EVENTS (Older Wiser Leaders Serving)
1st Saturdays @ noon
2nd Thursdays @ noon
3rd Fridays @ 7pm
See Larry Ponder for more information
| | Join us after service for in-person Brunch Buddies, Sunday, May 11th, after service at Spaghetti Western, 1613 Shepherd Dr. View MENU. | | |
Registration for General Conference is now open!
The MCC General Conference is gathering in Scottsdale, AZ, July 3-6. Be sure to register early for hotel as accommodations go fast! We can't wait to see you there!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
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The Stonewall Reader: A 6-Week Zoom Discussion
Wednesdays, May 28–July 2 | 7:00–8:30 PM | Zoom
Join Rev. Vicki and Cathleen Sheil-Hopper for a powerful reflection on The Stonewall Reader, featuring first-person LGBTQ accounts before and after the 1969 uprising.
Register on Church Center HERE
Register on Zoom HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Next Gen Discipleship Series
Tuesdays, June 3 – July 29 | 7:00 PM CT | Zoom
Next Gen welcomes you to our new discipleship series! In this 9 week session we will be discussing the fruits of the spirit. Join us and a guest speaker each week as we strive to embody love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our spiritual and social lives. In this group we will grow together through scripture, testimony, and “fruitful” conversations. Moderated by Liam Gabriel.
Register on Church Center HERE
Zoom Meeting Link HERE
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Weekly Online Devotions
"Hope As Old As Fire” daily devotionals
by Bishop Steven Charleston
If you are looking for a way to connect to our Online Church, then join our weekly devotional series on Facebook beginning February 14, 2025!
We are embarking upon a new prayer and devotional series that will be both refreshing and reflective of our spiritual values—written by Bishop Steven Charleston, an elder of the Choctaw Nation and the retired Episcopal Bishop of Alaska.
HOPE AS OLD AS FIRE is a collection of brief daily spiritual meditations for persons of all faith traditions. It has become a spiritual classic read by thousands of people around the world. This is the first of four books, the beginning of a mystical revelation that continues to this day. The author is Steven Charleston, a Native American elder of the Choctaw Nation, a Zen practitioner for over forty years, and the retired Bishop of Alaska. Part poetry, part practical advice, part mysticism: HOPE AS OLD AS FIRE will speak to you in a new way each and every day. It is a book you will want to keep near you and share with friends. Each meditation was written spontaneously every day in a matter of minutes after the author's daily practice of traditional Native American prayer. As Steven Charleston says, "I wrote these meditations, but I am not the author."
Join us wherever you are in the world. Just need to follow our group Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/resurrectionmccdevotionalgroup
This group is moderated by Rev. Dr. Carol Kiesling of Taos, NM, Resurrection MCC Online
All are welcome!
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God Talk: Conversations About Faith, Society and
Self-Love with LBGTQ+ Christians
Weekly Thursdays 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm CST
“God Talk” is another way of saying ‘Theology’, in other words: how we think and talk about Divine Presence. Many LGBTQ+ people have been hurt by oppressive or toxic theology, the kind of messaging that describes God as condemning and cruel. These wide-spread messages are often subtle, perhaps from well-meaning sources, so we don’t even realize how we internalized them. The trauma can run deep! No wonder so many people have difficulty developing a relationship with the Sacred.
Resurrection MCC strives to build community to heal those wounds. This group is a safe haven to explore, question and discover how God works in and through us, regardless of who we are or the societal labels we carry. We will discuss our imaginings of the Divine in our lives and hear from people whose partnering with God brings meaning and hope into their lives. We seek to reframe our thinking and expand our imagination to move into a broader understanding of the God of Love.
Facilitator:
Rev. Dr. Carol Kiesling - Taos, NM
Online Ministry
GODTALK YOUTUBE PLAYLIST
Have You Joined the Community?
Join the Online Community Facebook Group Here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1708269556183327
PLEASE REGISTER
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Weekday Devotional and Prayer is held every weekday at Noon on Zoom. During these virtual gatherings, we participate in a daily devotional, scripture readings, prayer, and a time to check-in with our church family.
NEW ZOOM LINK BELOW
Click HERE
to launch Zoom at Noon on weekdays.
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Join us for virtual Brunch Buddies on Sunday at 12:30 pm at the same restaurant venue as in-person.
Join the Zoom here at 12:30 pm
| | RECURRING MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES | | |
Resurrection MCC's Social Justice Ministry is about celebrating the diversity within our church family, giving a voice and outlet of supported advocacy for, and on behalf of members inside our MCC community and the community at large.
This is achieved through specific ministry campaign development in areas where a need has been identified under the overall scope of Social Justice Ministry.
Current Campaigns include:
- Voting & Legislative Engagement
- Civil and human rights issues
- Local Civic Engagement
- Advocating for the Marginalized and Oppressed
- Immigrant Justice
- Creation Care & Environmental Sustainability
- Protecting and advancing the rights, dignity and freedom of the LGBTQ community
- Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
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Imani Vida Drum Circle
Imani means Faith in Swahili, and Vida means Life in Spanish. We are a group of diverse individuals of the Greater Houston Area who love to come together in community and make music together. We make music through all sorts of percussion instruments...hand drums, shakers, rain sticks and even the sound of foot-stomping music. Drummers of all skill levels are welcome. No prior drumming experience is required to participate in our circle. Dancers are welcome too! We only ask that you bring your desire to be apart of our community drum circle. Meets 1st Saturday of the Month at Resurrection MCC at 1:30 pm.
For more information, please visit https://www.meetup.com/drummingcircle/
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Rev. Vickey Gibbs Children's Church
Every Sunday at 11 AM
Fellowship for ages 0-12
| | Toastmasters is every Monday, from 6:30 - 8 pm in the Gathering Place. Impress your clients, your boss, or even a potential employer during your next job interview. Speak with confidence in one-on-one situations and in presentations for groups of 20 to over 200. Surprise yourself by becoming a member of Toastmasters and see how your personal goals will come true. With Toastmasters you will learn by doing as you improve your public speaking skills in a super supportive environment. Join us for our very own Toastmaster Club right here at Resurrection MCC. Contact Horacio Rodriguez at 954-662-4926 or FindYourVoiceToastmaster@gmail.com for details. Toastmasters.org | | |
You'll never know what you're missing until you do it! We have a place for you in our volunteer ministries. What are you good at? What makes you happy? Do you have a skill or talent that will benefit others? Visit our Connect page on the website and learn more about our volunteer opportunities and how to join us!
VISIT THE CONNECT PAGE HERE
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We build deep connections with a network of others that love praising God.
Join us as we commit ourselves to growing the ministry and glowing up!
Resurrection Choir Rehearsal - Thursday at 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Ability to sing in tune is helpful.
RMCC Chimes Rehearsal - Thursday at 5:15 P.M. - 6:15 P.M.
Being able to read music is helpful.
For Dance, Theater, and other performance-based ministries, reach out directly to Cassandra White via email. Cassandra@ResurrectionMCC.org
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Cold Drinks, a Snack, Books, and More!
The bookstore is open before and after each Sunday church service. Our books are carefully curated to fuel your spirit.
Come on in and say hello. We are happy to have you.
| | Amazing things happen when we pray for one another in times of grief and celebrate together in times of joy. Send Requests online here: COMPLETE ONLINE FORM or by texting the word RMCCPRAY to 97000. We hope this electronic method will make it quick and easy to communicate the struggles and triumphs you are experiencing in a way that can provide our Pastoral Care Ministers with the information they need to support and encourage you along your journey. The form allows you to provide your name, contact information, the information about your prayer request or celebration, as well as an easy way to request a contact from a Pastoral Care Minister (only if you indicate you'd like a contact). Based on your preferences we can communicate by text, phone, video chat, or even in-person visits when necessary. We want to hear from you! | | If you haven't downloaded the church app, it's important that you do! Each time you attend a service in person or virtually, please CHECK IN so we know you were here. Using the church app is easy! You can find detailed instructions here. We hope you will download it and stay connected! | | Pride Charities, our partner agency which operates the food pantry at Resurrection MCC, relies on donations and financial support for the food needed to help the 175 families we assist each month. Please consider picking up a few extra cans of assorted soups, or any of the items found on this list. We are pausing clothes donations. | | |
🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁Rainbow of Hope 🌈Narcotics Anonymous is every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on our campus in the Gathering Place. This Twelve Step recovery program offers hope and freedom from active addiction in a safe space for the LGBTQ community. This support group meets regularly in order to help one another learn a new way of life through sharing experiences, strength, and hope. All are welcome to come and learn more. For more information, please contact Patrick at 281-908-9729.
re:MIND Depression & Bipolar Support Groups in-person meetings are now on Fridays at 12:00 pm in the Chapel. For more information on groups visit the website www.remindsupport.org . Online groups are available at https://www.remindsupport.org/online-support-groups/.
If you need assistance signing up please call 713-600-1131 or email info@remindsupport.org.
Overeater’s Anonymous meets Saturdays at 9:30 am in the Chapel and will still offer the zoom meeting on Saturdays at 9:30 am on Zoom. Meeting ID: 402 391 084, Password: 176233. Phone in option (use same Meeting ID as above): +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston).
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