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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 August Newsletter:
- Fellowship Sunday: MCC Leadership Development
- How will your Fellowship Sunday Donations support the Mission of MCC?
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Training Opportunities:
- Holding Difficult Conversations
- Mentor Training
- Introduction to Protest Chaplaincy 2026
- GC2025 Transformational Weekend Workshops-Now Available
- MCC Retiree Gathering
- Investing in the Future of MCC REVM
- Celebrating MCC Churches and Leaders: Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
- Grant Support
- Resources for Clergy and Lay Leaders
- Important Links and Information
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Fellowship Sunday
Learn How Your Gifts Make a Difference!
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MCC Flourish Leadership Development Program
Planting Seeds Around the World!
Our 58th Fellowship Sunday is right around the corner. What a blessing to be part of a denomination that has always welcomed everyone to God’s table! Each year you can make a monetary donation to a specific need that will build up our communities of faith.
This year we want to focus our offering on Leadership Development. Your continued generosity will help us cultivate leaders who will inspire hope, strengthen congregations, and faithfully respond to the changing needs of our world.
Leadership is not built overnight—it is discovered, developed, and sustained through intentional support. With your partnership, we can ensure that today’s leaders continue to flourish while preparing the next generation to lead with compassion, integrity, and vision.
Together, we are discovering and equipping our leaders— today, tomorrow, and beyond. Your gift today creates the leaders of tomorrow.
For more information on our upcoming Fellowship Sunday fundraising, please email Flourish@mccchurch.net
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How will your Fellowship Sunday Donations
support the Mission of MCC?
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So, what does MCC Flourish Leadership Program 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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Provided 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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Supported 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.
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Holding Difficult Conversations: A Workshop for Clergy and Lay Leaders
MCC Flourish is excited to sponsor the second workshop in our Conflict Resolution series, designed to equip clergy and lay leaders with practical tools and skills for navigating difficult conversations with greater confidence, compassion, and effectiveness.
Learn how to approach tough conversations with honesty, courage, and care. This session will offer practical tools for raising concerns constructively, listening beneath positions to uncover deeper needs, and maintaining relationships even when conversations become challenging.
Attending the first Conflict Resolution training is not a prerequisite for participating in this workshop; however, we encourage you to take the first training when it is offered again.
Although this workshop is being offered free of charge to participants, please understand that MCC Flourish is covering the cost of your registration and providing you with this opportunity to participate.
When:
19 September or 17 October
2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Please check the time-zone chart on the registration form for the time in your area.
Registration Commitment
I understand that by registering for this webinar, MCC Flourish will be reserving a spot for me. If I am unable to attend, I agree to notify MCC Flourish as soon as possible so that someone on the waiting list may have the opportunity to participate.
Use this LINK to register.
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Become an MCC Mentor
As churches call new pastors, some leaders are stepping into their first pastoral role, while others may be coming to MCC from another denomination or from a different part of the world.
As leaders, we know how important connection can be. Having someone who understands ministry, someone to talk with, share ideas with, ask questions, and simply provide a listening ear, can make a meaningful difference.
MCC Mentors can be that person.
MCC Flourish is looking for leaders who are willing to share their time, knowledge, wisdom, and experience by walking alongside a pastor for their first year of ministry.
Whether you are interested in becoming a mentor for the first time or you are already a mentor and would benefit from a refresher, MCC Flourish is offering Mentor Training in partnership with the Moravian Church.
What Does Mentoring Involve?
Mentors are assigned for a one-year period and will receive a stipend in recognition of their commitment and service.
There will be two training opportunities, and you only need to attend one. Each training will take place over three days, four hours each day.
Training Opportunities
Option 1: 13–15th October
Option 2: 20–22nd October
Time: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Eastern
If you have experience, wisdom, and a heart for supporting other leaders, we would love to have you consider becoming an MCC Mentor!
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, or if you are currently a mentor and would like to participate in the refresher training, please complete the registration form using this LINK.
Together, we can help ensure that no MCC pastor has to navigate ministry alone.
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GC2025 Transformational Weekend Workshops –
Now Available On-Demand
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.
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September MCC Retiree Gathering
You're warmly invited to join Rev. Elder Carolyn Mobley-Bowie for our next MCC Retired Clergy Gathering. Reconnect, share stories, reflect, and enjoy fellowship with friends and colleagues.
Date: Thursday, 17th September
Time: 6:00PM Eastern Time
Check the chart for your local time and register using this LINK.
The Zoom link will be emailed to all registered participants the day before the gathering.
| | Investing in the Future of MCC | | |
Answer the Call: Invest in Future MCC Leaders
REVM 2026 (Readiness to Enter Vocational Ministry)
Did you know that approximately 20 MCC churches around the globe do not have a Senior Pastor? Did you know we have two new Emergying Churches in Africa?
Every MCC pastor, chaplain, and ministry leader begins with a call. REVM helps emerging leaders discern that call by providing mentoring, guidance, and practical tools as they prepare for vocational ministry and continue their journey toward ordination.
In 2026, REVMs are being planned to equip future MCC leaders in Africa, Mexico, and the United States, helping strengthen the church's ministry for years to come.
Our goal is to raise $25,000 (USD) to make these programs possible. Thanks to generous donors, the first $12,500 has already been committed as a matching gift. That means every dollar you give will be matched—doubling your impact—until we reach the remaining $12,500.
Will you invest in the next generation of MCC leaders? Your gift will help ensure that those called to ministry receive the support, training, and encouragement they need to discern, prepare, and serve.
Donate Today
| | Discover how your generous donations are supporting MCC clergy around the world by watching this special message from Minister Ronald (Ronnie) Madongwe (He/Him). | |  | | | Celebrating MCC Churches, Clergy and Lay Leaders for their work in the community! | | |
MCC 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
Rev. Deana Dudley
Senior Pastor (She/They)
and MCC of Toronto
MCC Toronto: Creating Brave
Spaces and Changing Lives
In July 1973, Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto held its first worship service in an office above a bar. More than 50 years later, MCC Toronto, led by Rev. Deana Dudley, continues to be a powerful force for justice, advocacy, and compassionate ministry.
Today, MCC Toronto is working to protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community while also providing support and sanctuary to LGBTQ+ refugees seeking safety from war, persecution, and unsafe conditions in their home countries.
Since 2007, MCC Toronto’s LGBTQ+ Refugee Programs have supported more than 8,000 LGBTQ+ refugees and helped 75 LGBTQ+ refugees relocate to Canada.
Creating Brave Spaces
In October 2023, Rev. Dudley and MCC Toronto were invited to participate in PBS's Brave Spaces, a program created and produced by PBS (Public Broadcasting Service).
The episode was filmed at MCC Toronto and features members of the Queer Muslim Network, Rev. Deana Dudley, and members of The Choir of MCC Toronto. The program provides an opportunity to hear different perspectives and explore what it means to create spaces where people can come together, share their stories, and build understanding across differences.
Watch the PBS Brave Spaces episode here.
To learn more about the incredible work of Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, visit MCC Toronto’s website.
From worshiping in an office above a bar to creating brave spaces for refugees and the LGBTQ+ community, MCC Toronto continues to live out the mission of MCC, proclaiming inclusive love, creating community, and working for justice.
Source: MCCtoronto.com
| | Grant Support Information | | |
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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