MCC News - MCC Moderator Hails the Signing of U.S. Hate Crimes Legislation

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Tearing Down Walls.  Building Up Hope. PUBLIC STATEMENT from Metropolitan Community Churches Office of the Moderator For Immediate Release:  28 October 2009       MCC Moderator Hails the Signing of U.S. Hate Crimes Legislation   Earlier this month, the House of Representatives {October 8th} and the Senate {October 22nd} of the United States Congress, in separate votes with bipartisan support, passed an authorization bill for the Department of Defense that included as an amendment, "The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act."  Today, President Obama signed that act into law.   First introduced by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy and designed to add perceived or actual gender identity and sexual orientation to the already protected categories of race, color, religious and national origin, the legislation took ten long years of effort and coalition building to become reality.   This new law will mean that federal prosecutors may try hate crimes cases that involve the targeting of LGBT people and our communities.  It will also enable the possibility of federal funding for often lengthy and expensive investigations, and equally importantly, the funding of preventive programs at the local level.   It is an important first step in the LGBT quest for FULL EQUALITY NOW, as we marched in Washington to achieve earlier this month.  And, I am grateful to President Obama for fulfilling his word to us and for his leadership, as well as to Senator Kennedy and the families of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, who rose above their private pain to seek a greater public good.  I am grateful today to the many people of faith and good will, among them many MCCers, who preached and marched and demonstrated and wrote letters to Members of Congress and organized community educational forums in the hope of reaching this day.   As we celebrate this victory, let us not lose sight of the race that remains before us.  We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, encouraging us on --- Matthew and James, yes --- and also, people like James Zappalorti, a gay man living with mental illness, targeted for his kindness to children in the neighborhood; people like Julio Rivera and Henry Marquez and Michael J. Sandy, chased into traffic and left to die of his injuries because his attackers thought a gay man would be an easy target; people like Allen Schindler and Larry Meholic, Lenonard Vines and Billy Jack Gaither and Henry Edward Northington.  Today, I call as our witnesses in this good fight, the names of Sakia Gunn and Steen Fenrich and Rashawn Brazell and all the LGBT youth lost to violence; Brendan Teena, Gwen Aruejo and Sanesha Stweart and all the transgender children of God who urge us on.   Let us pledge, in our celebration and joy at this major victory, to not forget those who've gone before us, and to continue all the hard work that won today's victory, until ENDA passes and people across the United States are free from employment discrimination; until the day when DADT is repealed and people are free to serve the country they love with openness and integrity; until the day when DOMA is repealed and no one ever again is allowed to vote on the validity of anyone's love.   Johnathan Katz wrote these words in Gay American History:  "For long we were a people perceived out of time and out of place.  Our existence as a long-oppressed, long-resistant social group was not explored.  We remained an unknown people, our character defamed.  That time is over."     I pray today, his words may become our mantra until full equality is achieved not only for every LGBT person, but for every person regardless of race or class or ethnicity or religious identity, and all the saints can rest in peace, knowing their living and their dying was not in vain.    We've come this far by faith. May our faith lead us forward in the quest for full human equality.   Grace and peace,   +Nancy   //signed    The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches     This statement prepared in conjunction with the Moderator's Global Justice Team, Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair. For Additional Information, Contact: Kathy Beasley, Communications Director Metropolitan Community Churches P.O. Box 1374 Abilene, TX (USA) 79604 Email: Kathy Beasley Website:  www.mccchurch.org

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Happy Anniversary MCC from Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson

Metropolitan Community Churches   Happy 41st Anniversary Metropolitan Community Churches!!   October 6, 2009 Happy Anniversary, MCC, on this, the first anniversary of our next 40 years...as we continue to "tear down walls and build up hope." I want to share some scripture with you today, from Ephesians 3: 20 to 21, from which our General Conference 2010 theme, "Imagine," is taken:      "Now to the One who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all we can ask or imagine, to that One be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, Amen." Just  three, brief thoughts:     Our God is powerful, especially working within us!!  Do you feel that MCC?  Ours is a story of the courage of many people, some of whom are now in that great heavenly choir, that communion of saints, who did amazing things that no one would have believed possible. Even now, in the midst of economic stresses, unemployment, God's power to renew and bless and lift up is evident everywhere in our people!    Far more abundantly: God has supplies we know nothing about. God's love and generosity is also our story. Grace upon grace is our lived experience, even in the midst of trials, struggles and loss.  We have everything we need, here, today, to do what God has called us to do!     . . .glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations . .MCC is not a one-generation phenomenon! Reinhold Niebuhr said that "anything really worth doing takes more than one lifetime to accomplish." New members, pastors, churches and opportunities are showing up every day, as we claim our destiny as the Human Rights Church in this new century. Connecting Jesus and Justice is our truest vocation, for generations to come. So, celebrate with me, the gift of this legacy -- but more than that, MCC, our common calling to shape the future.  Happy Anniversary! Grace and Peace,  +Nancy   Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson MCC Moderator   We would like to extend a very special thank you to all of our 2009 Pacesetter Churches who have committed to support this year's Fellowship Sunday efforts in support of the MCC Office of Formation and Leadership Development.    Elizabethtown MCC MCC San Antonio Elizabethtown, KY San Antonio, TX Rev. Cathy Porter, Senior Pastor Rev. Mick Hinson, Senior Pastor Exodus MCC MCC San Diego Abilene TX, San Diego, CA Rev. Margaret Walker, Senior Pastor Rev. Dan Koeshall, Senior Pastor First Coast MCC MCC Seattle St. Augustine, FL Seattle, WA Rev. Ruth Jensen-Forbell, Senior Pastor Rev. Ray Neal, Senior Pastor  Healing Spirit MCC MCC South London Rochester, MN London, UK Rev. Dr. Nancy Horvath-Zurn, Senior Pastor Rev. Jean White, Senior Pastor    Holy Covenant MCC MCC Winston Salem Brookfield, IL Winston Salem, NC Rev. Danny Spears, Senior Pastor Rev. Ron LaRoque, Senior Pastor MCC Key West Neema MCC Rev. Dr. Joe McMurray Nairobi, Kenya Key West, FL Rev. Michael Kimindu, Senior Pastor Living Springs MCC New Spirit MCC Bath, UK Cincinnati, OH Rev. Kieren Bourne, Senior Pastor Mary Warders, Vice-Moderator MCC Albuquerque Open Arms MCC Albuquerque, NM Rochester, NY Rev. Judith Maynard, Senior Pastor Rev. Jim Mulcahy, Senior Pastor MCC Detroit Pikes Peak MCC Ferndale, MI Colorado Springs, CO Rev. Mark Bidwell, Senior Pastor Rev. Wes Mulins, Senior Pastor MCC in the Valley Spirit of Life MCC North Hollywood, CA New Port Richey, FL Rev. Dr. Robert Shore-Goss, Senior Pastor Rev. Suzie Chamness, Senior Pastor MCC New York achurch4me? MCC New York, NY Chicago, IL Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Senior Pastor Rev. Kevin Downer, Senior Pastor MCC of Greater St. Louis First MCC St. Louis, MO Wichita, KS Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell, Senior Pastor Rev. Jackie Carter, Senior Pastor MCC of the Blue Ridge House of Rainbow MCC Roanoke, VA Lagos, Nigeria Rev. Joe Cobb, Provisional Pastor Rev. Rowland Jide Macaulay, Senior Pastor MCC of the Spirit MCC Charleston Harrisburg, PA Charleston, SC Rev. Charles Tigard, Interim Pastor Rev. Terry Steed, Senior Pastor MCC of Topeka MCC Lubbock Topeka, KS Lubbock, TX Rev. Dr. Ty Sweeting, Senior Pastor Rev. Renee Phillips, Senior Pastor MCC Richmond MCC Portland, Richmond, VA Portland, OR Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline, Senior Pastor Rev. Nathan Meckley, Senior Pastor Agape MCC Reconciliation MCC Ft. Worth, TX Grand Rapids, MI Rev. David Wynn, Interim Pastor Rev. Steph Maxson, Senior Pastor OdysseyChurch MCC Church of the Trinity MCC Jacksonville, FL Sarasota, FL Rev. Grant Lynn Ford, Senior Pastor Rev. Lisa Heilig, Interim Pastor Victory Garden MCC River of Life MCC Clovis, NM Kennewick, WA Rev. Marty Luna-Wolf, Senior Pastor Rev. Janet Pierce, Senior Pastor MCC Los Angeles MCC San Francisco Los Angeles, CA San Francisco, CA Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, Senior Pastor Rev. Lea Brown, Senior Pastor MCC Good Shepherd MCC Brisbane Granville, New South Wales, Australia Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Rev. Robert Clark, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Leigh Neighbor, Senior Pastor MCC Austin King of Peace MCC Austin, TX St. Petersburg, FL Rev. Karen Thompson, Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis, Senior Pastor MCC of the Palm Beaches Palm Beach Gardens, FL Rev. Patrick Rogers, Interim Pastor   Tearing Down Walls.  Building Up Hope.

 

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Imagination - The Official Newsletter of General Conference 2010

 

Metropolitan Community Churches                                                                 Tearing Down Walls.  Building Up Hope.   GENERAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!    EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE!   REGISTER TODAY!     Featured Event!  PRE-CONFERENCE INSTITUTE Clergy/Lay Leadership Institute  Presented by Diana Butler Bass    LEARN MORE!     Important Travel Notes For U.S. citizens, a valid, U.S. Passport is required to travel to Mexico. You can find more information about obtaining a passport at http://travel.state.gov/passport.   If you do not currently have a valid U.S. Passport, it is recommended to begin the application process no later than six months prior to the conference if at all possible.   For information about visas for attendees traveling to Mexico from outside the U.S., please visit http://www.inm.gob.mx.      Easy Does it...   Be sure to check out this section for news and information on how to make your journey to Acapulco easier.      Currently, our General Conference staff members are investigating several options to make your travel to Acapulco a  breeze. Please keep any eye out for more information very soon.     Become A GC 2010 Conference Sponsor Today!   Click the image below to find out how...       Get the Word Out!  Click here to forward this newsletter to your friends & family and invite them to join you for an amazing experience in Acapulco for the MCC 2010 General Conference!     See YOU in Acalpulco for GC 2010!      Are YOU in the Loop? If you received a copy of this newsletter from a friend and you want up to the minute General Conference news and information, get in the loop by clicking the button below and joining our mailing list!       Welcome As we begin to look towards the 2010 General Conference, we wanted to share with you a few thoughts from individuals who attended the 2007 General Conference in Scottsdale, AZ (USA).  One attendee shared; General Conference reminded me that "I am indeed a child of God, made after God's image and have a rightful place in this world."  While another person indicated that General Conference was "A life changing moment for my ministry, to be able to worship with brothers and sisters from around the world who all share the same belief of God's unconditional love is truly an incredible experience." Now equipped with a strong sense of hope and renewed vision of faith, we would like to welcome you to this inaugural issue of "imagination" the official newsletter of our 2010 General Conference!  We want to ensure that each registrant is equipped with news and information from registration to closing worship and everything in between.  Included in this publication will be something for everyone, so don't miss a single issue. See you in Acapulco!       From the MCC Moderator   "We are so pleased that The Fellowship will be joining us for General Conference 2010 in Acapulco! The Fellowship and Bishop Yvette Flunder will not be holding their own annual conference, but will join with us, instead, as an expression of our organizations deepening relationship and collaboration."    Click Here to read the complete letter from Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson.         Registration Have You Registered for General Conference? General Conference  2010 Registration is Now Open!   The Metropolitan Community Churches General Conference will take place from 28 June 2010 through 2 July 2010 at the Fairmont Acapulco Princess in Acapulco, Mexico.  Early bird rates are available now through 30 April 2010! -> Register Today!     About GC 2010 The MCC General Conference is a dynamic and exciting opportunity to connect and re-connect with MCCers, friends, colleagues and allies from around the world. During the conference, we will conduct MCC's denominational business and provide opportunities for the members of our global communities to come together in worship and a myriad of opportunities to learn and grow together.     YOU are Invited! Everyone is invited to attend the 2010 General Conference! The conference is created in such a way that the meetings, events and activities are relevant to the lives of our MCC congregations, friends and allies around the world.     Get the latest news, programs, worship events, and more!  Check out the program schedule to watch the conference come together; one amazing event at a time.     Hotel Accommodations Our home for the 2010 General Conference will be the beautiful Fairmont Acapulco Princess. This award winning resort is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico in Acapulco.  Situated on 480 lush, tropical acres, this is one of the premier resorts in the world, encompassing 1017 rooms and suites, two challenging 18-hole golf courses, eight tennis courts, four swimming pools, a variety of restaurants and bars, a fitness center, a children's center and a willow stream spa.   We have secured a great, low rate of US$125 (+tax) per night for up to four people in a room.   Room Reservation Update    The Fairmont Acapulco Princess hotel, the site of all General Conference activities, has revised its required deposit for hotel room bookings.  As of today, the hotel will only require a one night deposit to reserve a room.  We are grateful to the Fairmont Acapulco Hotel for accommodating our guests and hope this change will allow you to consider reserving your room early.  Visit the website for more information! Call to reserve your room now!  To reserve your room call 1 (800) 441-1414 (from the US or Canada) or (506) 863-6301.  Be sure to mention our group name UFMCC 2010 General Conference to lock in our group rate.    Arrive Early & Attend the Pre-Conference Institutes!    Featured Event   This General Conference will open with a pre-conference clergy/lay leader institute featuring Diana Butler Bass.  On 27 June she will share with MCC clergy and lay leaders the ways in which intentional spiritual practice can transform the lives of progressive Christian congregations.    Diana is the author of seven books including A People's History of Christianity: the Other Side of the Story (Harper One, 2009). Her best-selling Christianity for the Rest of Us (2006) was named as one of the best religion books of the year by Publishers Weekly and Christian Century, won the Book of the Year Award from the Academy of Parish Clergy.  She holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Duke University and regularly consults with religious organizations, leads conferences for religious leaders, and teaches and preaches in a variety of venues.  This free, one-day institute will include a plenary and discussion session with Dr. Butler Bass.   Be sure to check out the featured event section of upcoming editions of imagination where you will find up to the moment inside information about other institutes, events, worship and special guests as the details become available!     On behalf of the MCC General Conference 2010 planning team, please pray and hold the vision for this conference with us as we join our hearts and spirits together in the work of preparation that will only be complete when we gather together in Acapulco to imagine!   See you there!    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) Blog Archive ▼  2009 (38) ▼  October (5) MCC News - MCC Moderator Hails the Signing of U.S.... Happy Anniversary MCC from Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson Imagination - The Official Newsletter of General C... Join St. John's MCC at the Equality March in Washi... Join Rev. Elder Diane Fisher on 10-11October 2009 ... ►  September (7) ►  August (6) ►  July (2) ►  June (2) ►  May (4) ►  April (4) ►  February (1) ►  January (7) ►  2008 (16) ►  December (16) About Me Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide Metropolitan Community Church is a place for all people. It is our founding belief that all are welcome at the table whether they are GLBT, Straight, Questioning, a member of MCC, a member of another church, or not affiliated with a church at all. The love of God is NOT conditional. All are welcome! View my complete profile