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Flourish strives to support the Mission of UFMCC by:
● Providing Respite/Retreat/Rest
● Ensuring Equitable Resources
● Mentorship
● Convening Spaces
● Creating Infrastructure allowing Flourish to be woven into the fabric of UFMCC
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Learn How MCC Is Achieving Its
Goals Through Flourish
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In the June Newsletter:
- Training Opportunities:
- When We all Get to Heaven Pod Cast by Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
- Introduction to Protest Chaplaincy 2026
- GC2025 Transformational Weekend Workshops-Now Available
- Welcome New Youth and Young Adult Coordinator
- Thank You Message from Rev. Elder Héctor Gutiérrez
- Matching Grant Opportunity
- Grant Support
- Celebrating MCC Churches and Leaders
- Resources for Clergy and Lay Leaders
- Important Links and Information
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Would You Like to Learn More About the Work,
Accomplishments, and History of MCC?
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski created the podcast series, "When We All Get to Heaven", an award-winning documentary podcast that preserves and shares an important chapter in MCC’s history. The series received a Peabody Award, one of the most prestigious honors in storytelling and journalism.
"Presented by Slate Podcasts and produced by Eureka Street Productions, the documentary explores how a San Francisco church community navigated faith, illness, loss, and connection during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s.
Drawing from an archive of more than 1,200 cassette tapes recorded during that era, the podcast brings forward deeply personal stories from clergy, caregivers, activists, and community members as they faced uncertainty, demonstrated resilience, and cared for one another during a defining moment in American history."
Read more about the series using this LINK.
Access the podcast series using this LINK.
A special thank you to Rev. Elder Jim for his dedication to preserving MCC’s history and ensuring that the stories, struggles, and triumphs of our community continue to inspire future generations.
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Introduction to Protest Chaplaincy
MCC Flourish and the Doing Justice Team sponsored four participants to attend a four-part training series on Protest Chaplaincy presented by Convergence.
Following the training, the team developed a presentation and gathered resources to introduce this important ministry and make it accessible to the wider MCC community. In the political and emotional climate many of us are experiencing today, this webinar explores the role clergy and lay leaders can play in supporting those who are marginalized and those working on the front lines of justice movements.
The presentation and resources are available in the MCC Resource Bank and can be accessed using the link below. Resources are available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and German.
We extend our sincere thanks to Rev. Dr. Kerr Mesner, Rev. John Magisano, Rev. Dr. Carla Sherrell, and Rev. Joseph Livingston for their commitment to attending the original training and for generously sharing their knowledge by creating this resource for others.
Link to Introduction to Protest Chaplaincy Resources: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VhmC6ZtBAMtM7ftCOSUaQ8zcHSLj7IH0?usp=drive_link
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GC2025 Transformational Weekend Workshops –
Now Available On-Demand
Were you unable to join us for the inspiring GC2025 Transformational Weekend? Are you looking for new ideas, practical tools, and opportunities to grow in your ministry and leadership?
The GC2025 Transformational Weekend workshops are now available on-demand, allowing you to learn at your own pace and revisit valuable content from presenters across MCC and beyond.
You can register through Eventbrite using the links below. A nominal fee is charged to help cover the costs of publishing and hosting the workshop recordings. If financial assistance is needed, please contact Flourish@mccchurch.net for support.
To view the complete list of workshops, presenters, and session descriptions and register, please use this LINK.
We hope these resources will inspire, equip, and support you in your ministry journey.
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MCC Youth and Young Adult Update
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Rev. Patrick Landau for his passion, vision, and dedication to MCC’s Youth and Young Adult Program. His commitment to nurturing and empowering young leaders has made a lasting impact, and we are deeply grateful for his faithful service to MCC.
As this important ministry continues to grow, we are pleased to welcome a new Expanse Coordinator, Liam, who will help support and expand this work.
Liam is a 31-year-old theologian and podcaster who resides in Houston, Texas, with his partner, Drew, and their two cats. He is a graduate of the L.E.A.D. Program and a recipient of the Carlos Chavez and Jennifer Justice Young Adult Award.
Liam believes that we are all responsible for cultivating a culture where people can proudly be themselves while passionately pursuing our shared mission. He brings this belief to life through his podcast, Psalms and Psych, and through classes he co-facilitates for young adult spiritual seekers.
As Liam shares, "I believe we all learn from each other."
We look forward to the energy, creativity, and leadership Liam will bring as he continues the exciting work begun by Rev. Patrick.
| | Please join us in welcoming Liam to this role. You can reach him at: flourishyouth@mccchurch.net | | Your Gifts Make a Difference! | | |
A Special Message from Rev. Elder Héctor Gutiérrez
Please take a moment to read the special thank you message and watch the video from Rev. Elder Héctor. You can also enjoy inspiring photos from his time in fellowship and ministry with our MCC partners in the Philippines.
From 1st-3rd May this year, I had the blessing of joining the Open Table MCC, Manila delegation to participate in the International Queer Alliance of Christians Conference in Taipei, Taiwan. Participants from 11 Asian countries gathered to share, pray, and offer one another moral and spiritual support in their call to be signs of Christian inclusion in contexts where many people practice Muslim, Buddhist, and other faith traditions. Among the participating countries, the Philippines was the only nation with a Christian majority.
It is important to hold in prayer and solidarity our siblings who experience double discrimination, first for being Christian and secondly, for being LGBTQ+.
From 4th-12th May, I visited our MCC churches in the Philippines to learn, listen, and witness firsthand the ministry taking place in their local contexts. MCC Baguio continues its strong commitment to HIV/AIDS prevention; MCC Marikina is growing as an emerging church; and Open Table MCC serves as a beacon of hope through its active advocacy for LGBTQI+ rights in Manila and throughout the country.
It was a joy to engage in dialogue with our siblings and hear their ideas for how MCC can continue to grow and thrive within their cultural and ministry contexts. I also had the blessing of spending time with Kakay Pamaran, theologian and Dean of Students at Union Theological Seminary. Together, we shared hopes for partnerships that would strengthen theological education and formation opportunities for MCC ordination candidates beyond the Philippines.
The possibilities for MCC to grow and expand in the Philippines are both hopeful and tangible, offering an inspiring vision for the future of ministry in the region.
Thank you for your part in making this possible! Your generosity, prayers, and support are helping create opportunities for connection, leadership development, and ministry growth around the world.
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MCC Flourish Planting Seeds Around the World!
We are very thankful to announce that MCC Flourish has recently received another generous matching donation of $25,000.
What does this mean?
One generous donor has committed to matching all donations to MCC Flourish up to $25,000. That means your gift will be doubled as we work together to raise $50,000 to continue the work and mission of MCC.
So, what does MCC Flourish do?
MCC Flourish is the leadership development department of MCC. Through its programs and initiatives, over the past two years Flourish has:
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Funded over $30,000 USD in scholarships for individuals around the globe to attend GC2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
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Provided more than $15,000 USD to support MCC global network gatherings.
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Providing training opportunities in Mentoring, Conflict Transformation, Chaplaincy, Protesting, Anti-Racism, and many other areas to participants around the world by investing over $25,000 USD in these educational opportunities.
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Supporting clergy and lay leaders in attending retreats and respite opportunities by providing more than $12,000 USD in financial assistance for these experiences.
- Provided Spiritual Direction partners and mentors for new clergy.
- Worked with local Church Boards of Directors to strengthen leadership and ministry.
- Created Expanse Coordinator positions to provide support in Brazil, Spanish-speaking countries, Europe, among retired clergy, and across the USA.
- Provided pulpit support through the Respite Program, helping churches cover honorariums for guest clergy while pastors are away.
To donate, please use this LINK. If you are donating from outside of the USA, please use this LINK and select the Flourish option from the dropdown menu.
Thank you for supporting MCC Flourish:
Cultivate Equity from the Ground Up!
| | Grant Support Information | | |
Celebrating MCC Churches, Clergy and Lay Leaders for their
work in the community!
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Flourish is honored and excited to highlight the leadership within MCC. The work of MCC is not confined to a building; it reaches into communities and extends around the globe.
We invite you to share your story and your work—or to lift up someone whose contributions should be recognized—by emailing Flourish@mccchurch.net.
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This month, we recognize
MCC of Our Redeemer, Augusta Georgia, USA
Rev. Dr. Marc Trimm
Thank you Rev. Dr. Marc and MCCOOR for your dedication and commitment to your community and MCC.
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Rev. Dr. Marc Trimm has carried a passion for sharing God’s love and goodness from a very young age. After preaching his first sermon at the age of 10, he discovered a calling to touch hearts and transform lives through ministry. That passion has guided his journey as a media specialist, traveling minister, pianist, worship pastor, and senior pastor over the past two decades.
In 2003, Marc was licensed and ordained as a Minister of the Gospel and later that year became a senior pastor, serving in that role for six and a half years. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology as well as several leadership training certifications. Since joining MCC of Our Redeemer in 2013 as Director of Music, he has also served as Interim Pastor (2017), Associate Pastor (2018), and now Senior Pastor.
Rev. Marc’s prayer is that through music, ministry, and the love shared by the MCC of Our Redeemer family, all people will come to know how deeply God loves and cares for them.
MCC of Our Redeemer is a vibrant congregation serving the Augusta, Georgia area and is the one of two MCC congregations serving the region that spans the border of both Georgia and South Carolina. The church is deeply engaged in community outreach and is recognized for its support of transgender individuals in the area.
One of the congregation’s most impactful ministries is its Transgender Clothing Drive and Exchange, which provides free gender-affirming clothing to those in need. This ministry offers not only practical support but also dignity, affirmation, and community connection.
In addition, MCCOOR supports a variety of outreach initiatives, including:
- Providing food, financial support, and volunteers for Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries.
- Sponsoring a local nursing home during the Christmas season.
- Hosting an annual pet food drive.
- Organizing school supply drives for local students.
- Supporting and participating in Augusta Pride.
Through these ministries and many others, MCC of Our Redeemer continues to embody MCC’s commitment to inclusion, compassion, justice, and community service.
Source: MCCOOR.com
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Ways Flourish can Support the work of MCC in your Church, Network and Community
- Mentoring
- Flourish will partner with you in researching and give guidance in writing a grant
- Respite for Clergy and Lay Leaders
- Spiritual Direction
- Strength Finder training
- Board Training
- Individualize programming meeting your needs as a leader.
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Important Information and Links
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Learn how MCC is advancing the mission and goals of the denomination through Flourish by downloading the information page found HERE.
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Request funding to SupportMCC Networks and Kinship Groups: LINK
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Respite/Retreat/Rest Program: LINK
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Flourish Staff Information:LINK
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