There have been a few things that have happened lately which just remind me how much I love MCC locally and as a denomination. Every time we have Enquirers’ Class, I show a short DVD which tells the story of our Founder, Reverend Troy D. Perry. He started Metropolitan Community Churches a year before the Stonewall riots in New York. (http://tinyurl.com/3qgy6fu) Reverend Perry organised the first Pride march in Los Angeles on the first anniversary of the riots. Our church in San Diego was part of a 24 prayer vigil for HIV/AIDS which developed into World Aids Day. We committed ourselves to equality and inclusivity at the start of our ministry and over half MCC’s clergy are women. We use language in worship that reflects the diverse encounters God that are experienced by those who make up our world faith community. As a denomination, we believe strongly in the ‘priesthood of all believers’ – that is, we believe everyone is called to be active in ministry, it is not just for a select few. The denomination now has a formal programme – Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship – L.E.A.D., which gives lay people (those who are not clergy) a training programme and a way of having their gifts and skills recognised.
On Saturday evening, some of us at NLMCC joined MCCers around the world to participate in a live webinar with LGBT theologian Chris Glaser. It was wonderful to see all the different names and church congregations logging in. People could type in comments and questions to Chris, which he responded to, just as though we were all in the room together. If we had wanted Chris Glaser to come to Newcastle, it would have cost us hundreds of pounds. Yet we were able to participate in this time of retreat and reflection completely free. Chris will also provide the resources that we will use for our Advent groups in December.
Recently I was contacted by the MCC department which deals with starting new churches – The Office of Emerging Ministries. Northern Lights MCC has been invited to be the Sponsor Church for a new church starting in Brighton – The Village MCC. The Board has agreed to this request, which means that we will provide resources to Reverend Michael Hydes and the congregation, such as help with developing worship and policy documents. Each month, we send a percentage of our income to the denomination to contribute to our ministries worldwide. Some of this money will now go instead to The Valley MCC to help it grow and develop. For me, it is wonderful to be part of a worldwide denomination, sharing our faith, sharing our resources, changing the world.
God bless
Cecilia
On Saturday evening, some of us at NLMCC joined MCCers around the world to participate in a live webinar with LGBT theologian Chris Glaser. It was wonderful to see all the different names and church congregations logging in. People could type in comments and questions to Chris, which he responded to, just as though we were all in the room together. If we had wanted Chris Glaser to come to Newcastle, it would have cost us hundreds of pounds. Yet we were able to participate in this time of retreat and reflection completely free. Chris will also provide the resources that we will use for our Advent groups in December.
Recently I was contacted by the MCC department which deals with starting new churches – The Office of Emerging Ministries. Northern Lights MCC has been invited to be the Sponsor Church for a new church starting in Brighton – The Village MCC. The Board has agreed to this request, which means that we will provide resources to Reverend Michael Hydes and the congregation, such as help with developing worship and policy documents. Each month, we send a percentage of our income to the denomination to contribute to our ministries worldwide. Some of this money will now go instead to The Valley MCC to help it grow and develop. For me, it is wonderful to be part of a worldwide denomination, sharing our faith, sharing our resources, changing the world.
God bless
Cecilia
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