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| July 16 | International Drag Day | | July 26-28 | PAD Conference 2024 | | |
Visit our Resource Bank for educational and seasonal resources. You may also follow us on our various social media platforms: | |
Rev. Tijuana Gray and Joe Cobb Receive Awards for Their Outstanding Work | |
Rev. Tijuana Gray of MCC Topeka - KS, USA has received the John Nelsen Award for her project entitled “Queer Black Woman Preaching: Womanist Thought As A Tool for Normalizing Uncomfortable Conversations About Race in the Queer Church.” | |
This cash award is for the best Doctor of Ministry or Doctor of Educational Ministry project focusing on scripture in aiding the transformation of the student’s congregation into a missional church. The award is given by Dan Winn, Jr. in honor of his friend and counselor, John Nelsen, who for over 40 years devoted his ministry to challenging, sustaining, and transforming congregations, with a missional church focus. | |
An MCC Clergy - Rev. Joe Cobb (former pastor of MCC Blue Ridge - VA, USA) also received an award for his Doctor of Ministry project - the George and Sally Telford Award. This is also a type of cash award presented to a graduating DMin student who shows exceptional ability for congregational leadership with an emphasis on social justice issues and vision for the church. Joe Cobb is known for his work on the “Would Jesus Discriminate” campaign of MCC. | |
Congratulations to both Tijuana and Joe for the respective awards you received. Your MCC family is proud of you for showcasing what MCC stands for through your amazing works. | |
‘Queer’ Ways of Celebrating Pride in Hawaii and South Sudan | |
We don't all celebrate Pride the same way, but the Spirit can help us celebrate it in unexpected ways and places. One example is told to us by Carol Sedano, a Board Member of Open Arms MCC - Pahua, Hawaii, USA. Many members of their congregation were too ill to come together in person on Pride Sunday, so they decided to attend worship virtually with a supportive Presbyterian congregation in Yachats, Oregon, USA. The Presbyterian Pastor preached in drag that day to demonstrate that he was an ally of the LGBT+ community. | |
In addition, Bashir - a virtual member of Open Arms MCC, organized a celebration in South Sudan where he is a refugee. The tent and refreshments for the celebration in Sudan were possible because of funds realized from a tomato farm in Nairobi which Bashir and supporters from Open Arms MCC helped established. The results of God's rainbow promise can be seen in the smiles of the children. | |
These are Pride Celebrations that are truly worth being proud of, and these are great examples of the global nature of MCC. | |
Help Those Impacted by Hurricane Beryl in Texas, USA | |
Resurrection MCC - Houston, Texas USA has been impacted by Hurricane Beryl. Many congregants are without power, and need food and water. The church building has been damaged and trees are down. | |
If you are able to make a donation, please donate online here. Or, if you're set up for text-to-give, simply text "Give Emergency" to 281-346-9444. | MCC has already sent funds to support the church from the Disaster Relief Fund. Please keep all those affected by this latest hurricane in your prayers. | |
People of African Descent Conference 2024 | |
This year’s PAD conference will be a Family Reunion! The last PAD gathering was in 2017 and it is time to gather the MCC siblings in the Motor City! MCC Detroit has the unique opportunity to co-host North America’s longest running Black Pride celebration, entitled “Hotter Than July.” This year’s Black Pride will feature the artists B Slade and Bishop Yvette Flunder. The worship service at MCC Detroit during the conference will feature our Moderator Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston. We have a fantastic retreat planned for you and worked to keep costs affordable – featuring a riverboat cruise, worship with other affirming congregations and the “Gospel and Soul” experience! If you are not able to come, is there someone else you can sponsor to attend? Whether they are inside or outside of your church, we encourage help for others to travel to 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 | |
| $250 | July 1 and after Registration | | $80 | Saturday Day Rate (In-Person Only) | | $25 | Livestream Access (Saturday Worship / Workshop and Sunday Worship) | | |
If you identify as a person of African descent, you are welcome to attend the PAD:TNG Gathering Calls for the month of August. | |
Saturday, August 10: 9AM PST / 10AM PST / 11AM CST / 12PM EST / 5PM UK / 6PM South Africa / 6PM Sweden | |
Tuesday, August 13: 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. | |
Latinx/a/e/o/xs Conference: Empower, Encourage, Enlighten | |
We are happy to announce that the Latinx/a/e/o/xs Conference is happening on September 27 to 29, 2024 at MCC San Antonio, Texas, USA. The theme will be "Empower, Encourage, Enlighten" / "Empoderar, Motivar, Iluminar." | |
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. | |
Correction for Pastoral Opening: The last issue of Connect included incorrect information about a Pastoral Opening. Please see the corrected information (below): | |
Table of Hope MCC Wichita - Wichita, KS, USA has begun their Pastoral Search in anticipation of the retirement of their Pastor, Rev. Jackie Carter. A packet of information about the church and how to apply can be found via this folder in our Resource Bank. | |
UFMCC is Looking for Laity Development Co-ordinator | Celebrate the role of laity by: equipping, empowering, inspiring and fostering awareness in our churches. UFMCC is looking for a Laity Development Co-ordinator. | Some of the essential duties and responsibilities of this post include: foster awareness of the various ways laity serve within our churches through their ministries; meet regularly with both lay leaders and pastors to discuss the needs of laity and the ministries they lead; and provide training, support and regular connection for lay delegates and other church leaders. | Closing date is August 9, 2024. | |
You, Your Church, and Cyber Security | Data privacy and security are critical issues for individuals and local churches. Criminals are continually working at breaking through security protocols that are in place to protect you and your church. Learn how to avoid being a victim, what to look for in insurance protection, and what to do following a breach or hacking event. | Join Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship & Generosity at Discipleship Ministries, and his special guest Jeff Koch, the President and CEO of United Methodist Insurance, who will share information and insights into the challenges for keeping data secure and constructive steps we can take to protect ourselves. | Schedule: July 16, 2024 / 6:30PM CST | |
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. | |
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 | |
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. | |
SunCoast MCC 6-Night Fundraiser Cruise | Join SunCoast MCC and other MCCers for a six-night fundraiser cruise. | 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 | |
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