A Christmas Video Message from Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson

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A Christmas Video Message to MCC Churches Dear MCC Church Leader, Please find a special Christmas message from our Moderator, Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson, to share with your congregation. You can choose to share it with your congregation in the following ways:   Use the following link on your website or in an email message:         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kkpZtI8xxU   View the message on our website:           http://www.mccchurch.org/christmas2008     Download the full video file and use it at your Christmas Eve Service or any other holiday service. Use the following link to download the file:           http://www.mccchurch.org/docs/christmasmessage2008.wmv   If you have any trouble viewing or downloading the video, please email Carlos Chavez at carloschavez@mccchurches.net.     Have a safe, joyful and blessed Christmas and New Year!   All the best to you from UFMCC!       Metropolitan Community Churches Post Office Box 1374 Abilene, Texas 79604   (310) 360-8640 - phone (310) 388-1252 - fax

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TAP New! Exciting! Future!

A Change is Coming!   TAP  iACADEMY In This Issue TAP is Evolving... An Expanded Team... A Time Frame... A Real Excitement... In Closing...   N E W !     E X C I T I N G !     F U T U R E !   Quick Links... MCC Website TAP Website CLM Website TAP IS EVOLVING... TAP (Train-Access-Prepare) is evolving into MCC's iACADEMY in 2009! The time is right and ripe for us to work with staff, faculty, participants, and potential participants world-wide to assess our current program and to expand and enhance the program to a higher level of effectiveness, efficiency, and constituent focus. The 2009 TAP schedule will reveal an overall MCC curriculum as well as geographically focused opportunities. As a result, our focus will be on providing support to different areas around the globe, asking those areas to take a lead role in developing offerings addressing their unique needs and timing.   As we develop robust programs in different geographic areas, we anticipate creating opportunities for world- wide participation. In addition to content specific learning, TAP will also provide a venue for individuals to learn how to navigate in multicultural environments-a critical skill for success in today's global world. AN EXPANDED TEAM...       A REQUEST FOR YOUR HELP... I am working with Rev. Dr. Sharon Bezner, MCC Director of Resources, and a new addition to the team, MCC's iACADEMY Dean, Flo Perry. Flo is a member of Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church in Houston, Texas where she has been active in a number of ministries, including currently serving on the Board of Directors, as Team Lead for the Equality Ministry, and on the planning team for the Unbinding the Church initiative which will launch in February 2009. Flo recently retired from Shell Oil Company after a very successful 35 year career, where she was a senior leader and a Human Resource executive. Her last position was Senior Diversity Consultant for the Shell U.S. Corporate Diversity Office, where she worked primarily with CEOʼs and other senior leaders throughout U.S. businesses to implement and execute diversity and inclusiveness plans.   The TAP team is working to create an infrastructure and schedule to accommodate this expanded program. Within the next few weeks, the team will contact you to participate in an email questionnaire and/or a TAP Forum to solicit your feedback and input on the current TAP program. Directionally, we have specific goals and plans for the 2009 iAcademy; however, we are committed to integrating as much of your input as is feasible with the availability of resources. Please give some thought to your experience with TAP and offer suggestions for its enhancement. If you have never engaged with TAP, it would be helpful for the team to understand what has kept you from participating in the program. A TIME FRAME... MCC's iACADEMY is intended to provide educational opportunities and to provide an opportunity for individuals at MCC's world-wide to connect and create relationships around areas of mutual interest and need.   To facilitate as seamless a transition as possible and to have continuous program offerings, the enhanced 2009 TAP program will be launched in Australia in February, followed by the U.S. in March, and other geographic areas as appropriate. I've learned that some of these areas - like Australia - have a lot of energy and ideas for quickly moving into the expanded TAP program and have, therefore, selected them for an early launch. If your area of the world is ready to move forward, please let me or the team know so we can place you on the calendar.   We will provide frequent updates to keep you informed about the progress and launch of The 2009 iACADEMY! A REAL EXCITEMENT... Rev. Sharon, Flo, and I are very excited about moving TAP forward in 2009 as a venue to provide all MCC communities with sound, economical, efficient, and excellent educational opportunities, intending to expand the offerings to be even more fit- for- purpose as we solicit input from all of you. Current economic conditions may be negatively impacting travel and training budgets and we see this as a way of maintaining a program for continuous self-development, education, and growth. By maximizing the technical tools at our disposal, take some pressure off precious resources-money, time, and energy, we believe TAP can become a critical success factor for MCC!   We also see this as a venue for creating connection opportunities for all of us via online forums which would include such offerings as "Best Practices," "How to Facilitate an Online Meeting," "How to Best Participate in Online Meetings," and much more. The team is already working on contacting potential presenters and is open to hearing from anyone who feels he/she can contribute to the offerings. IN CLOSING... Without a doubt, we are facing a change because of the economic environment that we would not have chosen. However, during times of change, we are always left with an unexpected opportunity to see possibilities that we might not have considered otherwise.   I believe that one of those great possibilities during this challenging, global, economic, downturn is fully engaging the TAP program. This team is committed to making this a viable and fun learning alternative as well as a way to connect in new ways. We just ask that you give it a try!   I close with this Chinese Proverb:   "Be not afraid of growing slowly. Be afraid of standing still."   Lillie   The Rev. Elder Lillie Brock Coordinating Ministry in Region 7 Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Northern Texas, Florida and Western Canada   Directing Denominational Initiatives in  Resourcing, Interim Ministry Training and Placement, Church Revitalization, Large Churches, The Virtual Church, Strategic Planning

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Asian Pacific Initiative - December 2008 Newsletter

What's New?!  December 2008 Vol. 1, Issue 1 In This Issue MCC Philippines Pakistan Nepal API Strategic Planning Quick Links MCC Website MCC Philippines - Makati MCC Quezon City As the year draws to a close, we are thrilled to launch MCC Asian Pacific Initiative's first e-newsletter.  This has been a very full year, with a tremendous opportunity for growth and development taking place in several parts of Asia.  During this season of gratitude, we invite you to give thanks for God's blessings on this ministry and help us envision what 2009 holds! In Blessed Hope, The API Team MCC Philippines   Did you know there are now two MCC churches in the Philippines?  The original Manila church was affiliated in 1991 (now known as Makati) and is currently pastored by Regen Luna (pictured left).  Two years ago, a satellite branch was planted in Quezon City.  This church is currently pastored by Rev. Ceejay Agbayani (pictured right) and under his leadership, the church has grown tremendously!  Rev. Elder Ken Martin and Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong attended the affiliation service and Rev. Agbayani's ordination on September 14.     The current needs in the Philippines are: 1) Consistent meeting location for MCC Philippines - Quezon City (the church has been moving weekly according to free spaces provided by the government) 2) Subsidy for Rev. Agbayani's salary (it is currently below livable wages, even for the Philippines).  We also need help sending MCC Philippines -- Makati pastoral leader Regen Luna to Union Theological Seminary in the Philippines.  A scholarship fund is also being established.  Please let Stedney Phillips know if you are willing to partner with API to make these dreams a reality. Pakistan   While most LGBT people enjoy relative freedom in North America, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand, queer people literally have to live in fear that their lives would be in danger just by stepping outside the door.  Islamic Fundamentalists frequently send "enforcers" to keep sexual minorities in the closet, or worst yet, "eliminate" them completely.  It is not uncommon for a lesbian to be raped by the enforcers or for a gay man to be beaten and tortured.  Consequently, many gay men end up marrying women, or in some rare cases, gay men marry lesbians.    Lesbians are often referred to as "those who wish not to marry" and are left with little economic alternatives in a patriarchal world.  This is why MCC wants to partner up with CARE Pakistan, to offer training for women to become self-sufficient and to provide a safe environment for lesbians to learn a marketable trade.   USD$1,500 would be able to sponsor the vocational training for one lesbian.  API has a goal of training three women.  Please e-mail Stedney Phillips to make a commitment today. Nepal   On November 17, 2008, Nepal became the first country in Asia to legalized same-gender marriage.  The nation's highest court's affirmed LGBTI citizens as "natural persons" deserving equal rights and protected from discrimination.  According to Sunit Pant, Nepal's only out gay Member of Parliament, "Reading this decision my eyes were filled with tears and I felt we are the most proud LGBTI citizens of Nepal in the world." Other Countries   MCC API has been in conversation with Global Social Justice on the possibility of planting a church in Malaysia by 2010.  A study group has been formed and conversations taking place to establish a thriving church there.  There are also talks with an Independent, predominantly LGBT group in Singapore.  Please keep both these groups in your thoughts and prayers! API Strategic Planning   From July 29-July 30, the API team met in Austin, Texas to plan the focus for next year.  The team consists of Rev. Elder Ken Martin, Rev. Ed Paul, Stedney Phillips, Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong.  Be on the lookout for future updates and events! API Luau   On August 1, Rev. Elder Ken Martin and Tom Cole held a luau (Hawaiian-style party) at their home to talk about Ken's recent trip to the Philippines and Pakistan.  More than 80 people showed up, became passionate about the work in Asia, and contributed more than USD$12,000 as well as two laptops to the API ministry. The laptops were well received by the two churches in the Philippines.  They are now able to communicate more readily with the rest of the world!  Thank you for your generosity.   If you would like to host a fundraising event to support this effort, e-mail Stedney Phillips.                            Jonipher with Makati group                 Jonipher and Ken with Rev. Ceejay General Conference 2010   The Asian Pacific Initiative's outreach efforts will be featured in one of the pre-conference institutes prior to General Conference 2010 in Acapulco.  Watch for more information on this! Thank you for your contributions in 2008!!   It is through your prayers and giving - in offerings, fundraisers, and your commitment to API through the Generous in Faith designation - that together, we are transforming lives!   API Steering Team Contact Info: Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Chair - jonipherkwong@aol.com Stedney Phillips - StedneyPhillips@MCCchurch.net Rev. Ed Paul - edpaul@hotmail.com Rev. Elder Ken Martin - RevKenMartin@MCCchurch.net

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Rev. Paul Fairley Memorial Service Webcast - Tuesday, December 16, 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time (GMT -6)

MEMORIAL SERVICE WEBCAST ANNOUNCEMENT As you are aware, Rev. Paul Fairley's Memorial Service will be at 7:30pm on Tuesday, December 16 here at MCC Toronto.  If you are unable to attend personally, we invite you to attend on-line as we webcast the service live.   WEBCAST LINK:  http://mcctoronto.com/video Rev. Paul G. Fairley  December 24, 1969 - December 6, 2008 ________________________________________________________

7:30PM / TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, Eastern Standard Time (GMT -6) Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto 115 Simpson Avenue, Toronto, ON  M4K 1A1 ______________________________________________________________ All are welcome.    Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, C.M. Enquires: Funerals@MCCToronto.com

Community ConNEXTion December 2008

December 2008 Community ConNEXTion Theme: Spiritual Grounding     Rev. Elder Lillie Brock Coordinating Ministry in Region 7 Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Northern Texas, Florida and Western Canada   Directing Denominational Initiatives in  Resourcing, Interim Ministry Training and Placement, Church Revitalization, Large Churches, The Virtual Church, Strategic Planning   Contact Information: Skype: revlillie   Email:   RevLillieBrock@MCCchurch.net     Rev. Dr. Sharon Bezner MCC Resource Specialist   Contact Information:   Skype: sharon.bezner Cell: 214-850-2661   Email:   RevSharonBezner@MCCchurch.net     Kay Hale Administrative Assistant to Region 7 Elder and Staff   Contact Information:   Skype: kay.hale Cell: 972-653-2735  Email:    KayHale@mccchurch.net     King of Peace MCC St. Petersburg, FL   Resurrection MCC Houston, TX     Ministry Quicklinks   MCC Churches Region 7 Website Center, Focus, Meditate, Contemplate   Spiritual Grounding activities are those things done to center, focus, meditate, and contemplate, on that which is spiritual. These activities are performed to foster, grow, and build a relationship with God. Spiritual Grounding seems often to be left to the individual to discover, work out, and perform. Churches however can offer Spiritual Grounding activities, and do! At King of Peace MCC in St. Petersburg, FL, regular offerings seek to aid people in being spiritually grounded. For the last three years, Associate Pastor Rev. Lorraine Brock has written and published an Advent booklet. The booklet provides a short reading for each day of the Advent season, taken from a variety of sources. The reader is urged to read the provided passage and reflect on it during a morning prayer time. The hope is that the passage will return to the reader throughout the day, keeping the reader centered. The purpose of the booklet is to assist the reader in keeping focused on the Advent season, and prepare the reader for the celebration of Christmas. The booklet is made available to the congregation at no charge.   A similar booklet has been prepared and used for the Lenten Season as well. For 2009, the booklet will take the form of cards, with one card for each day of the Lenten Season. The cards can be easily carried in a pocket or slipped into a day timer or book, for easy access throughout the day. Each card will have a short reading on the front of it, followed by a question for reflection based on the reading. On the back of the card, space will be provided for writing or journaling reflections or thoughts. The purpose of the cards, as is the purpose of the booklet each year, is to help the user focus on the season of Lent, and prepare for the upcoming celebration of Easter.   Another Spiritual Grounding activity King of Peace offers is a Creative Journaling Class. This 1.5 hour class includes several writing activities all geared toward helping the participant focus on God, and grow spiritually. Writing Your Own Psalm is one of the activities of the class. After looking at Psalm 103 or 104, one of the nature psalms, each participant selects a photograph from a group provided, spends some time with the image, and prays with it, then writes about it, resulting in their own Psalm. A second writing activity of the class is writing an Ethical Will. This Biblically based Jewish tradition asks the participant to write a will, expressing what they will leave behind in regard to what they stand for, what their dreams are. The third writing activity of the class is writing from Abiding Memories. Each participant completes a sentence about each of the five senses: "The sound/sight/smell/touch/taste that I remember is...". They then determine which sentence they are most drawn to, and write the story of this memory. Then they take this story and break it down, until only the minimal amount of facts and feelings remain, and what is left is a poem that they have written. The purpose of the Creative Journaling Class is to help participants focus, or get grounded, on their selves, and their spiritual lives.   Other Spiritual Grounding activities offered by King of Peace include an occasional Taizé worship service. The Taizé community in France is an ecumenical religious community that hosts thousands of visitors weekly, particularly young adults. Taizé worship has a unique style that reflects the meditative nature of the community. Taizé music emphasizes simple phrases, usually lines from Psalms or other pieces of Scripture, repeated and sometimes also sung in canon. The repetition is intended to aid meditation and prayer. The characteristics of Taizé worship make it a spiritual grounding activity. Another spiritual grounding activity offered has been a book club. Participants read a popular, best-selling book with a spiritual component, and gather regularly at a local restaurant to share a meal and discuss the assigned chapter(s) in the book. Again, this focused activity helps people concentrate on the Spiritual, providing much needed grounding.   Resurrection MCC in Houston, TX offers Spiritual Grounding activities, also. The Chalice is a weekly Wednesday evening congregational event. Supper is offered at the church for a nominal fee at 6:00pm. At 6:30pm, a 30 minute worship service is held. This service is meditative in nature, providing an opportunity to experience different forms of prayer each month, such as body prayer, Taizé, and beaded prayer. A short instruction allows the participant to engage in the prayer form, done communally but silently, for about 10 minutes. The worship space is set to encourage meditation, connection, and focus on Spirit, with a central "altar" space designed in the center of gathered chairs set in a circular form. The altar is on the floor, designed with earth elements like rocks, wood, rope, and water/fountains, and set with candles in a very low light setting. Music is simple choruses, easily repeated, or instrumental by a cello or piano or keyboard or organ. The service format includes introduction of the prayer form, scripture and/or poetry reading, practice of the prayer form, and dismissal or sending forth. The service allows each participant space for spiritual grounding, in community, on a weekly basis. To complete the evening experience, the service is followed by several options for spiritual growth including a Creating a Life that Matters class, a NOOMA discussion, and a book discussion.   Another spiritual grounding practice offered at Resurrection MCC is the daily reading activity, prepared by the pastoral staff. Printed in the bulletin each Sunday and posted on the church website, a reading is provided for each day of the upcoming week. The reading is a short exert from scripture or another spiritual book. In addition, reflective questions and/or activities are provided that accompany the reading. The activity is provided as a means of spiritual grounding, a way of meditating and focusing on God, throughout the week.   Spiritual Grounding activities are essential for spiritual growth. Thanks to Resurrection MCC and King of Peace MCC, particularly Rev. Lorraine Brock, for sharing your Spiritual Grounding practices with us!   Compiled by Rev. Dr. Sharon Bezner RevSharonBezner@MCCchurch.net Sharon.Bezner (SKYPE) Creating a Life That Matters Creating a Life that Matters is all about relationships: intentional, authentic relationships - with the Sacred, our Self, and our Passion.  CLM transforms lives and inspires people to more directed, clear, passionate involvement in their life and in the life of the planet, through the support of their local MCC.   Certification is required to teach the CLM Program in a local church or community and two train-the-trainer sessions are already planned for 2009. Participants who attend one of these sessions and demonstrate competency in facilitation of the curriculum will receive certification to teach this transformational course.   Click on the links below to register:   Online Registration Tutorial   March 2-5, 2009 in Dallas, Texas                    August 3-6, 2009 in Dallas, Texas

 

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