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Dear Founders,
Hello from North Carolina! I'm having a blessed time with lots of family time and some amazing Southern cuisine! Since being here, I've attended a family reunion, as well as spend some quality time with a few family members individually, including my 94-year-old Aunt El. She is such a sweetheart! Most of the time, I have spent with my step-brother, who is having some major health issues. I ask for your continued prayers as the doctors try to navigate a course to guide him to better health.
I know you were blessed last Sunday with the ministry of Rev. Eric Buter; I know I was! (Yes, I was watching/worshipping in NC!) Child, we went with Eric on the rollercoaster, didn't we? Thank you, Eric, for an enriching and uplifting message!
For September, we will begin a sermon series entitled, Our Recovery. September is Recovery Month, so each of the first four Sundays, we'll concentrate on some of the steps from the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Step program. Patricia Wahle will kick off our first message this Sunday with a sermon entitled, In God's Care. She will cover the first three steps of the program. If you'd like to read ahead, check out Matthew 6:25-34.
I will return to Los Angeles next Tuesday, and I'll be back at work on Wednesday. In the meantime, I'll be watching and worshipping with you online. God bless.
Pastor Keith
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Readings & Scripture:
The first reading is taken from Steps 1, 2, & 3 from Alcoholics Anonymous
Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable.
Step 2: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God.
The Gospel reading, which is taken from Matthew, Chapter 6, Verses 25 through 34 (Contemporary English Version).
I tell you not to worry about your life. Don't worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn't life more than food or clothing? Look at the birds in the sky! They don't plant or harvest. They don't even store grain in barns. Yet your heavenly Parent takes care of them. Aren't you worth much more than birds?
Can worry make you live longer? Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don't work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of them. God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. God will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?
Don't worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” Only people who don't know God are always worrying about such things. Your heavenly Parent knows you need all of these. But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what God wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
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Interested in Church Membership? Or, maybe, you just want to know more about our church's core beliefs and history. Set up an online meeting with Rev. Steve Swafford at membership@mccla.org for an individualized study! | |
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Our Awesome and beloved member Patricia Wahle will be giving the Message this coming Sunday September 01, 2024, at our 10 a.m. service!
Patricia Wahle Bio & Sermon Title:
“In God's Care”
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Dr. Patricia Wahle is a Christian author. She has written two books that are commentaries on the book of Revelation, titled “A Revelation to Patricia” and “Taking Revelation Back.” The book of Revelation in the Christian Protestant Bible has unfortunately been used to threaten and coerce people for many years, but in Patricia’s commentaries, she notes that none of the threats that have been made against people using the text in the book of Revelation were actually threats that God made against us in the original scripture. In her books, she makes the case that the original text was actually a warning of the harm we can cause one another when churches stray from God’s primary commandments to love God and likewise to love all other people as yourself.
Patricia was raised on a farm in Iowa, where her family was very active in the United Methodist church, and consequently, so was she. Patricia served as a guest preacher at her various churches since she was in college. She started college when she was 16 and graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1995 with a degree in computer science. Soon after college, she found a software engineering job that would move her to California.
While in California in 2008 and while getting a medical degree at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Patricia realized that she could no longer hide it from herself the fact that she is a lesbian. It was then that she was first introduced to Founders MCC, then MCC Los Angeles. The LGBTQ affirming message of the Metropolitan Community Churches saved her life and set her on a path to truly accepting herself. After years of learning about MCC theology, she learned that the idea that homosexuality is a sin was introduced into new translations of the Bible in the mid-1900s, and she came to realize that she actually wouldn’t even want to spend eternity with a God who punished people for loving someone, and that really cemented her commitment to the theology of MCC. After a brief time back in the Midwest to help with family and where she authored her books, Patricia returned to California in 2021 and rejoined Founders MCC last year.
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Being MCC in Politically Perilous Times in the U.S.A.
Moving from Independence to Interdependence
Attention U.S. Pastors, Pastoral Leaders, Network Leaders, and Lay Delegates:
This Message is for YOU!
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While on our journey of faith, those who live in the U.S. now find ourselves in politically perilous times. And, we know that MCCers are always STRONGER TOGETHER when we share our journey in faith, prayer, and love.
So we, the Council of Elders, invite you to join us as we explore what we carry in our ‘spiritual backpack’ on this journey and choose to move from independence to interdependence through listening, prayer, action, and hope. We are indeed stronger together and even stronger with love.
The first meeting will include an introduction and invite feedback. We hope you will join us:
Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87363356214?pwd=TzhldUkyZmJsWkNPNi9pd3dERTREZz09
Future meetings will be held on the following Saturdays, same time, using the same Zoom link:
August 31 / September 21 / October 26 / November 16
(a post-election debrief).
If you believe this is a good idea but are unable to attend, please let us know by emailing the Council of Elders at: [coe@mccchurch.net]. And, we welcome your suggestions regarding what is important and helpful to you on this journey toward the U.S. elections.
Please note: this U.S. gathering is the first of several that are being considered globally.
Faithfully, the MCC Council of Elders:
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston, Moderator
Elder Hattie Alexander-Key
Rev. Elder Mark Byrd
Rev. Elder Nokuthula Dhladhla
Elder Velma Garcia
Rev. Elder Rich Hendricks
Rev. Elder Aaron Miller
Rev. Elder Elaine Saralegui Caraballo
Rev. Elder Stuart Sutherland
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MCC/UCC in the Valley is having a concert on Aug 31 called Night of Praise & Worship,and Founders Praise Team will be participating.
Instructions: Go to:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/night-of-praise-worship-tickets-991480393547?aff=ebdssbdestsearch, then search for Night of Praise & Worship. The event will come up as the 1st or 2nd choice. The food and the concert is free. MCC/UCC are asking that folks sign up on Eventbrite so they know how many total to expect for the dinner."
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We are celebrating our September Birthdays during the 10 a.m. service this Sunday, September 01, 2024. | |
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Greetings everyone,
September 7th we will meet virtually from 9- 10:30am
To join the meeting on Google Meet, click this link:
https://meet.google.com/tsc-rmph-eub
Or open Meet and enter this code: tsc-rmph-eub
Virtually, we will meet for an hour followed by a 15 minute meditation that you can enjoy in your home or car or any other quiet place you have accessible. Lastly, we will leave the last 15 minutes of group for any questions or additional need for support.
I look forward to seeing you all virtually this month.
Warmly,
Patrice Ford
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On September 8, at the 10 a.m. service we will install and bless our new student clergy, Bam Noriega. | |
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Hello, I am Rev. Elder Elaine Saralegui Caraballo and it is a great pleasure for me to speak to you about this part of our creed —
"We know you by your many names, Triune God, beyond comprehension, revealed to us in Jesus Christ, who invites us to the Feast."
The diversity of names we use to name God is an obvious reflection of human spiritual experiences. In the Bible, God is known as Shaddai, Yahweh, Elohim, and Father, among other names. Each name is a portrayal of life experiences from multiple given times and contexts to capture the essence of God. This variety of names not only depicts our personal connection with the Divine, as it also takes into account the capacity of Divinity to reveal Itself to every person in a unique way.
When we affirm in MCC that we know you by your many names, we celebrate the multiple spiritual expressions that lead us to perceive and call the Divine in diverse ways. The idea of God as Father/Mother, Son and Holy Spirit is one of these ways which are essential in Christian teachings, where God is known in Three Persons that share the same nature and that are related with each other.
It is important to stress that this Trinitarian understanding does not imply a hierarchy, but the communion that is built through links of equality and sorority. At MCC, we precisely promote this kind of relationship.
When we acknowledge that Divinity transcends our grasp, we open our hearts to other experiences about the Sacred which are equally valid, although they are always limited. As part of the Christian tradition for us, Divinity is revealed in Jesus Christ, through Whom we understand part of God's essence.
Our worship services in MCC are feasts that encourage us to face adversity with joy, as a form of resistance. In each celebration we share bread and wine, remembering that Jesus’ table is open to all people.
We seek to create communities where social divisions that are useful to discriminate between groups and individuals, are erased (Galatians 3:28). We also acknowledge and celebrate the importance of embracing and valuing the diversity of spiritual, religious, and cultural expressions, understanding that all of them contribute to enriching our understanding and experience of Divinity.
Aché, Amén, Salam, Shalom, Namasté y Gasho.
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Latinx Conference 2024
September 27 to 29, 2024 • MCC San Antonio, TX, USA
This event is designed to: Inspire latino/a/e/as/xs leadership development to build vibrant latinxs faith communities that are empowered to transform the world.
We are MCC Latino/a/e/os/as/xs people and allies who bring robust life, faith and social experiences called to...
- Provide training, mentoring and resources.
- Enhance strengths and skills while embracing cultural heritage.
- Cultivate a culture of holistic wellness to uplift our latinxs
- identities.
Interested in helping some 1:30 P.M. Latinx Service members attend? See Lucia or Louis about how you can help.
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Latino/a/e/as/xs Survey
Metropolitan Community Churches is looking to be more dedicated to seeking, forming, instructing, and empowering Latino ministry within our local congregations.
Take The Survey
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General Conference 2025!
View as Webpage
EXPERIENCE A DESERT OASIS!
In one year, we will be in the middle of our Transformational Weekend, which will be held 3-6 July 2025! General Conference will again take place in two parts:
Part 1: Business Discussion Circles, Forum and Meeting
In the months leading up to General Conference, there will be many Discussion Circles, webinars, documents and emails to inform you of the business of General Conference. There will be many opportunities for you to provide input.
At a meeting in June 2024 between the Governing Board and Governance Committee, the Governing Board voted to hold both the General Conference Business Meeting and Business Forum online. The Business Forum will be held on 31st May 2025 and the Business Meeting will be held 7th June 2025. Watch for more information about the content of these sessions.
Part 2: Transformational Gathering
The 2025 conference will definitely have a retreat feel lasting 3 days instead of our typical 5 or 6-day conference that commingled business with worship and learning. In addition, there will be pre and post-conference activities to enrich and extend your experience. As mentioned above, all business will take place online and not during this in-person gathering. This creates a perfect opportunity for many different members of your congregation to retreat in the desert. Elements of this conference will be live streamed, recorded, and online allowing a hybrid experience for those unable to travel. Our conference app will bridge the online and in-person participants and increase involvement, engagement, and communication between everyone.
TRANSFORMATIONAL WEEKEND SCHEDULE
We are excited to announce the broad schedule for the Transformational Weekend!
Thursday, July 3, 2025
- Afternoon: Check-in and Welcome Reception
- Evening: Grounding Worship & Social Time
Friday, July 4, 2025
- Morning: Opening Worship
- Afternoon: Plenary, Small Groups, and Free Time
- Evening: Reception & Social Time
Saturday, July 5: 2025
- Morning: Worship and Plenary
- Afternoon: Small Groups and Free Time
- Evening: Dinner Church Style Worship (included in your registration)
Sunday, July 6, 2025:
- Morning: Closing Worship with Installation of the Moderator, blessing over the incoming Governing Board, current and outgoing Council of Elders.
- Afternoon: Optional Excursions
Before and after General Conference, several institutes will take place. Watch for more details on those before airline tickets become available.
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Hotel Information
The in-person portion of the conference is taking over Scottsdale, Arizona, USA at the Embassy Suites Resort. It is walking distance from the historic district, Old Town Scottsdale, and the arts and entertainment district.
Our host hotel is an amazing, accessible resort. It is beautiful with incredible views of Camelback Mountain, two refreshing outdoor pools, large suite style sleeping rooms, tennis and pickle ball courts, large conference center, onsite restaurant and bar, and beautiful landscaping. We searched to find not only an accessible hotel for physical accommodations, but also a financially accessible hotel. The Embassy Suites Scottsdale Resort is offering us an amazing rate of $119/night which includes free made to order breakfast, daily cocktail hour, and a complimentary shuttle to hundreds of local shops, restaurants, and activities. Every suite has a living room (with a pull-out couch), and kitchenette which easily accommodates multiple parties to maximize savings.
You can book your room today by following this link:
BOOK YOUR ROOM!
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REGISTRATION
Although registration will not open until October, we want to help you plan and budget. Below are the Early Bird (first 90 days) and regular registration rates for General Conference:
In-Person Rates:
Sponsor Rate: $425 USD; €395; $7710 MEX; R$2370
This rate is for those who want to help subsidize other registration rates making it more affordable for others to attend General Conference.
Early Bird Rate: $325 USD; €305; $5880MEX; R$1810
This rate is the Early Bird rate for General Conference which includes dinner one night. This rate will be available for the first 90 days when registration opens.
Regular Rate: $400 USD; €370; $7255 MEX; R$2225
This rate will be after the 90 days Early Bird rate.
Online Rates:
Sponsor Online Rate: $300 USD; €280; $5445 MEX; R$1670
This rate is for those who those who want to help subsidize other registration rates making it more affordable for others to attend General Conference and only have access to the online portions of the General Conference like worship, plenaries, and online social connections. Note: We will not be hosting a 24-hour all-access conference like 202.
Online Rate: $200 USD; €185; $3630MEX; R$1115
This rate is for those who will only have access to the online portions of the General Conference like worship, plenaries, and online social connections. Note: We will not be hosting a 24-hour all-access conference like 2022.
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SEE YOU IN SCOTTSDALE!
More details about speakers, pre and post-conference institutes, worship, and content for the business meeting will be shared in the coming months. In the meantime, mark your calendars, book your hotel, and get ready to have some fun in the sun (or in the air conditioning) with us!
If you have any questions, you can always email us at: conferences@MCCchurch.net to ensure you get all of the information about this next General Conference. Click the button below and add your email if you haven’t already!
COUNT ME IN
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Commitment forms for 2024. | |
Join us before and after worship for a time of Hospitality in the church courtyard. Martin Miny is heading a team of people to get coffee, juice, and pastries ready each Sunday. Volunteers are always welcome! | |
Monkey Pox Vaccine Available | |
Change In Covid-19 Protocols | |
As we continue to cope with Covid-19, we are changing our protocols. The new protocols are in line with the rest of LA County. Until further notice, here are our guidelines:
1. We will no longer require vaccinations and boosters for church attendance, though we highly encourage them.
2. We will make wearing masks optional. Please feel free to continue wearing masks as you feel comfortable.
3. We ask people that have symptoms of (or tested positive for) Covid, flu, monkeypox, or any other easily communicable disease to please refrain from attending until they are well.
As we have from the very beginning of the pandemic, we will continue to keep in line with the advice of the LA County Public Health Department. Thank you so much for your patience as we navigate new guidelines.
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Thank you to all who have given so generously through our online giving portal. Our church cannot function without your generosity!! Feel free to continue giving through our website (on PushPay) or simply sending a check in the mail (4607 Prospect Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027). Again, thank you.
Grand Total For Week Ending: 08-25-2024: $11,599.00
Tithing: $4,619.00
Deaf Ministry: $410.00
Roofing Challenge Matching Gift: $6,140.00
Helping Hands: $430.00
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Rev. Keith Mozingo (Moderator)
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Dean Coffey (Vice Moderator) | |
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Ed Shaughnessy (Treasurer) | |
Ina Serene - Trans* Unity | |
Children's Hospital has so graciously volunteered up to 10 spaces for us to park. It is a small lot off Sunset Blvd., just beyond the Metro Station entrance. | | | | |
