Bi-Monthly Newsletter of UFMCC | 2024 June 1 | View as Webpage

Don't miss the items at the end of this email. Some servers truncate emails, and you might have to click "view entire message."

May Calendar

Visit our Resource Bank for educational and seasonal resources.

Erratum Notice: The Connect Newsletter released last May 15, under "Congregations in Transition," mistakenly referred to the new Interim Pastor of MCC Sydney, Syndey, NSW, AU as "Rev. Geoff Iverson" - instead of "Rev. Geoff Iver." We apologize for the error.

Join the PAD Conference 'Family Reunion' on July 26 to 28 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

PAD Family Reunion! The last PAD gathering was in 2017 and it is about time to have another to gather the MCC siblings to the Motor City!

MCC Detroit has the unique opportunity to co-host North America’s longest running Black Pride celebration in Detroit, entitled “Hotter Than July.” This year’s Black Pride will have a gospel theme to it featuring the artist B Slade featuring special guest Bishop Yvette Flunder.

We have a fantastic time planned for you and worked to keep costs affordable. We are honored to have our Moderator the Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston and her spouse Orgena Rose travel to be with us. Won't you join them as well? Plan to join us in the Motor City for the 2024 PAD: The Next Generation Conference and Reunion!

Plan to join us in the Motor City for the 2024 PAD: The Next Generation Conference and Reunion!

Schedule: July 26-28, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church - Detroit, Michigan, USA

*in US Dollars.

PAD:TNG Gathering Calls

If you identify as a person of African descent, you are welcome to attend the PAD:TNG Gathering Calls for the month of June.

June 11: 9AM PST / 10AM PST / 11AM CST / 12PM EST / 5PM UK / 6PM South Africa / 6PM Sweden

June 15:

4PM PST / 5PM MST / 6PM CST / 7PM EST / 12AM (next day) UK / 1AM (next day) Sweden / 1AM South Africa

Questions, Concerns, Clarifications Regarding PAD Conference?

If you have any questions regarding the upcoming PAD Conference and its related events, you may email PAD-TNG@MCCchurch.net.

We look forward in hearing your thoughts, ideas, and feedback.

Rev. Dr. Renee McCoy Honored at the 4th Annual Audre Lorde Wisdom Awards

The 4th annual Audre Lorde Wisdom Awards, held last May 16, 2024 (which coincides with National LGBTQ+ Elders Day) honored Rev. Dr. Renee McCoy. The event aims to empower Black LGBTQ+/SGL elders who champion authenticity and advocacy through their work.

Rev. Dr. McCoy is a leader, an activist, a pastor, a religious expert, and a writer - whose work has been a lifeline for the Black LGBTQ+ community and those living with HIV/AIDS. Her journey from the SNCC and Black Catholics in Action, to founding the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays, and leading the first MCC congregation for Black openly LGBTQ+ people in Harlem is nothing short of inspiring.

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. McCoy! Your MCC family is very proud of you.

Call For MCC Theologies Submissions

Table of Hope MCC in Wichita, KS, USA, is searching for a pastor. The pastor shall be responsible for the duties of a teacher, a preacher, and spiritual leaders.

Applications from all qualified individuals are welcome. Some of the requirements include: completed or currently completing a professional religious education, with preference for Masters of Divinity; ordained or eligible for ordination in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; and with an open and inclusive theology which invites individuals from all (or no) faith traditions to gather as a community in worship and service.

If you feel that you are called, or if you know someone who you think is qualified, you may download the Pastoral Search Packet through the button below for more information.

MCC Disaster Relief Fund

Families around the world are facing devastation from disasters, especially with the imminent climate change. While calamities do not discriminate, it is often the marginalized and the poor who are first to be negatively affected.

MCC seeks to work with local partners to deliver essential supplies and support long-term recovery for those who need it. Your donation to the MCC Disaster Relief Fund helps provide: emergency food, water, and shelter; medical care and hygiene supplies; and support for rebuilding homes and livelihoods.

MCC Disaster Relief Fund has provided support to:

• Neema MCC, Kenya - to help feed people after a sever drought
• Open Table MCC, Philippines - provided relief for those affected by a typhoon
• MCC churches in Florida, USA - after Hurricane Ian

Donate now to the MCC Disaster Relief Fund, through the links below:

Eco-Justice and the Global Justice Institute

Written by Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline.

As the new Director of Environmental Justice for the Global Justice Institute, I am sharing news about this ministry which I am beginning to build. I hope your concern about and interest in the ever more endangered state of our world encourages you to read this announcement and communicate with me as you can.

We intend to work with individuals and local communities around the world who are wanting to create or are actively engaged in creating their own initiatives for ecological health and socio-political empowerment—justice for all, both human and more than human beings.

In an effort to understand the current level of commitment to eco-justice within MCC, I am writing to request clergy, lay leaders and others to share efforts being made in their congregations to promote environmental justice locally and regionally, as well as any sermons or other forms of community concern, engagement and outreach.

It is my intention to use this information as an important guide for my work, as well as to help me create a directory of engaged congregations and hopefully a network for sharing information and encouragement. See information for your response below.

A fundamental principle of the eco-justice ministry is the unity of all beings, the reality that all Earth beings are connected in one cosmic family. This means that human rights can only be understood as part of the rights of all, human and more than human. Ecological injustice—the abuse of Earth and the global climate in all its manifestations, fouling water and air and soil, the wholesale slaughter of animals and forests in the cause of greed and the decimation or even erasure of species both plant and animal, and more—impacts all communities but often with particular virulence those communities with few or no resources, individuals and communities of color, women often more than men, LGBTQI individuals and communities more than others. Thus, the rights of nature are inseparable from human rights.

In concert with the Yogyakarta Principles adopted by the GJI, we will: go only where we are invited; assume we have a lot to learn; listen to our hosts; forge partnerships; respond when required; and understand that our priority is always the furtherance of the human rights effort on the ground.

In all situations where we are present it is our goal to be responsive to requests for engagement and assistance, and to educate the global spiritual community about the urgent need for eco-justice among all beings everywhere.

Please share your response for information me at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com. If you would like to have direct conversation, I will be glad to set up a Zoom conversation at our mutual convenience. Or I will be glad to share my phone number with you in exchange for yours and we can talk by phone.

I hope to hear from you soon -- Robin.

Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline is the former Pastor of MCC Richmond USA, and is the Queer Poetic Eco-Theologian in Residence at MCC Washington DC USA.

Connect With Your Network Co-Leader

Are you a leader in an Affiliated Church, Emerging Church or Spiritual Community and would like to connect with others in your geographic area for support, communication, celebration or embodiment of MCC’s Core Values? Then contact the Network Co-Leader for your area:

Additional Network Co-Leaders are still being sought to help encourage local MCC leaders, ensure effective communication, celebrate ministry successes, and facilitate the embodiment of MCC’s core values. Contact RevDexterBrecht@MCCChurch.net to find out more about serving in this ministry role.

Congregations in Transition

Revs.Tomas Holloway, Melinda Lundy, and Angie Scott-Kees have been appointed to serve as the Transitional Ministry Leaders of MCC Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA.

MCC Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA is choosing to be led by their Board of Directors for through 2024 following the resignation of their Pastor; Rev. Tory Topjian.

MCC of the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach, FL, USA is now receiving applications for the position of Senior Pastor. Visit the job openings tab at insidemcc.org for more information about this ministry opportunity.

Applications continue to be received for the position of Senior Pastor of Resurrection MCC, Houston, TX, USA. Visit the job openings tab at insidemcc.org or resurrectionmcc.org for more information about this ministry opportunity.

The appointment and agreement with Rev. Geoff Ivers to serve as Interim Pastor of MCC Sydney, Sydney, NSW, AU has been extended for an additional year.

Transitional Leadership is being sought for the following congregations:

Imago Dei MCC, Aston, PA, USA

MCC of the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach, FL, USA

Open Arms MCC, Pahoa, HI, USA

Vision of Hope MCC, Mountville, PA, USA

If you are interested in serving as a Gap, Interim or Provisional Pastor for one of these congregations, or as a possible vocation please contact: RevCathyAlexander@MCCchurch.net or RevDexterBrecht@MCCchurch.net.

Call For MCC Theologies Submissions

Send in your wonderful work so current and future generations may benefit!

We accept sermons, liturgies, Christian Education materials, essays, books, academic papers, and spiritual teachings and reflections - in written, audio, or video format.

The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries Leadership Conference

The Fellowship for Affirming Ministries (TFAM) 2024 Leadership Conference brings together leaders and teams in supporting diverse, equitable practices in their industries and communities in which they serve.

Schedule: August 5-9, 2024 at Palm Casino Resort & Spa, Las Vegas, NV, USA

MCC Council of Elders is on Facebook

Did you know that the MCC Council of Elders has a Facebook page? It is a place for people to ask for prayer from the Elders; a place for Elders to post prayers for MCC; a place to share MCC's stories; and a place for conversation that is respectful and relational.

We invite you to join the MCC Council of Elders Facebook Group!

Call for Papers on Liberation Theology of MCC

The DARE Forum - a global gathering of scholars and activists rooted in Liberation Theology will be convening a Global Forum in January 2025 in Zimbabwe, Africa. They have issued a Call for Papers at the links below. Please consider submitting an abstract (in English), and please share with those you know whose ministry is rooted in Liberation Theology.

DARE covers all costs, except visas. In other words, DARE covers airfares, accommodation, meals and airport transfer. The deadline for submitting abstracts is 14th June 2024.

More information about DARE can be found here. You may also contact Dr. Graham McGeoch at graham@fuv.edu.br.

Anti-Racism Training for Clergy and Leaders

Convergence and MCC Flourish Program are collaborating to offer MCC Clergy and Leaders a course on Anti-Racism. The main focus of this course is based on racism

within the USA. This course covers multiple topics and for Clergy to receive CEU’s there will be a follow-up session along with the opportunity for those in LEAD to receive credit.

MCC’s Flourish Program is sponsoring this course at a hugely discounted rate. Please

register via the button (below). Scholarships are available.

Gender and Sexuality Course

Join our comprehensive Gender and Sexuality Course which delves into the fascinating and diverse tapestry of the human experience. Explore the concepts of sex, gender, and sexuality, and how they affect our human lives. Let's challenge the stereotypes, embrace inclusivity, and gain insights on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

This course fulfills the Ministry Action Plan requirements, and is open to anyone who is interested. The course will have Rev. Dr. Francisco Danielsen-Morales as the instructor.

Schedule: June 7, June 14, June 21, and June 28; 4PM to 6PM ET

Please contact Rev. Cathy Alexander via email for more information (link below).

Queer History Course

Dive into our Queer History Course and learn about the often-hidden stories of queer lives, struggles, and triumphs across different cultures and time periods. Explore the lives of trailblazing activists, artists, and everyday people who shaped the LGBTQ+ community, from Stonewall and beyond.

This course fulfills the Ministry Action Plan requirements, and is open to anyone who is interested. The course will have Rev. Dr. Kelby Accardi-Harrison as the instructor.

Class Meetings: June 22, July 13, July 27; 11AM-1PM CST (2 hours each)

Please contact Rev. Cathy Alexander via email for more information (link below).

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.

Las Iglesias de la Comunidad Metropolitana buscan estar más dedicadas a buscar, formar, instruir y empoderar el ministerio Latino dentro de nuestras congregaciones locales.

MCC Kinship Groups

Kinship Groups offer a safe spaces of connecting with other people of similar struggles and challenges. We have groups for Trans, PAD, API, God-Talk, and Latinx.

If you have any questions, are interested in a particular Kinship group, or interested in forming another Kinship group, you may email Rev. Hector Gutierrez.

Living Well With Differences 2024 Course

This course helps participants learn how to recognize and understand the signs of potential tensions and sources of conflict earlier and respond with confidence. We will explore what conflict ‘looks’ like in our faith communities, explore different approaches and responses that can help develop your skills in transforming relationships and navigating tricky conversations.

The Europe, Africa, and Australia cohort starts on the 12th of June.

SunCoast MCC 6-Night Fundraiser Cruise

Join SunCoast MCC and other MCCers for a six-night fundraiser cruise.

Prices start at US$638!

Schedule: September 30 to October 6, 2024; Departs from Tampa.

Contact MCC members: Dan Mullins 1-407-731-7704 or Lorna Hunter 1-941-220-984

Assessments: 18766 John J. Williams Hwy | #382 | Rehoboth Beach | DE 19971 | USA

Board of Pensions: PO Box 9917 | Wichita Falls | TX 76308 | USA

Other: 2775 NW 49^th Ave | Ste: 205-327 | Ocala | FL 34482 | USA

© 2024 Metropolitan Community Churches

https://www.mccchurch.org

MCC Statement of Privacy

Update Your Profile at the bottom of this email and

choose which newsletters and communications you want to receive from MCC. 

Be aware if you click unsubscribe, it will remove you from ALL FUTURE MCC communications!

VIEW AS WEBPAGE