This page will be updated with the latest information from the Board over the coming weeks:
Important Announcement 04/05/2021
Please see below an important announcement:
Northern Lights Metropolitan Community Church
Board Statement on Pastor’s Resignation
4th May. 2021
On Sunday 25th April, Pastor Ronnie announced at Church that he had decided to resign his position at Northern Lights MCC for personal reasons. To ensure that those not present at Church on that Sunday were also informed, Pastor Ronnie sent a note on 28th April to everyone associated with the Church. This was accompanied by a statement from the Board, assuring the Congregation that the Board had begun to take the steps necessary to manage the transitional period which our Church is now facing.
The Pastor’s announcement was as much a surprise to Board Members as it was to the entire Congregation. However, it is the responsibility of the Board to respond to such challenges, and so, during the last few weeks, the Board has been undertaking the process of transferring outstanding matters from the Pastor to the Board. This process identified one issue about which the Pastor and the Board have not been able to reach agreement. Unfortunately this disagreement has led Pastor Ronnie to decide to bring forward by one month the effective date of his departure. He has today informed the Board that he will not be taking any further part in the activities of the Church.
The Board appreciates that this announcement will come as a considerable shock to the Congregation, and particularly to those who have benefitted from his pastoral support. We had all hoped to have a month for conversations to help make the period of change a little easier, but unfortunately the Church will now have to escalate plans for the Pastoral Care Team to respond to all concerns raised by the Congregation (rather than sharing these between the Team and the Pastor). As many of you will know from personal experience, our Pastoral Care Team consists of very talented and sensitive individuals, in whom the Board has total confidence. They can be contacted through a form available on the Church website.
The Worship Team has already made arrangements for our Services in May, and, in line with the usual process, is currently making plans for June. Northern Lights MCC has always been committed to having our worship shared by a team, and this will obviously continue as normal.
As already announced, the Board will soon be consulting Members about the search for a Pastor. It is for Members to decide whether or not to alter the priorities which were agreed when we previously undertook this process. Meanwhile, the Board will ensure that the various roles of the Pastor are covered, and we will keep you informed about this.
The Board shares the sadness of the Congregation about the latest development, but draws attention even more forcefully to the sentiment with which we concluded last week’s statement - “with God’s support, your commitment, and UFMCC guidance, the Board has confidence in our future”
Please feel free to reach out to any Board or PCT Member if you need to chat.
You can access the Pastoral Care Contact Form via this link
Northern Lights Metropolitan Community Church
Board Statement on Pastor’s Resignation
4th May. 2021
On Sunday 25th April, Pastor Ronnie announced at Church that he had decided to resign his position at Northern Lights MCC for personal reasons. To ensure that those not present at Church on that Sunday were also informed, Pastor Ronnie sent a note on 28th April to everyone associated with the Church. This was accompanied by a statement from the Board, assuring the Congregation that the Board had begun to take the steps necessary to manage the transitional period which our Church is now facing.
The Pastor’s announcement was as much a surprise to Board Members as it was to the entire Congregation. However, it is the responsibility of the Board to respond to such challenges, and so, during the last few weeks, the Board has been undertaking the process of transferring outstanding matters from the Pastor to the Board. This process identified one issue about which the Pastor and the Board have not been able to reach agreement. Unfortunately this disagreement has led Pastor Ronnie to decide to bring forward by one month the effective date of his departure. He has today informed the Board that he will not be taking any further part in the activities of the Church.
The Board appreciates that this announcement will come as a considerable shock to the Congregation, and particularly to those who have benefitted from his pastoral support. We had all hoped to have a month for conversations to help make the period of change a little easier, but unfortunately the Church will now have to escalate plans for the Pastoral Care Team to respond to all concerns raised by the Congregation (rather than sharing these between the Team and the Pastor). As many of you will know from personal experience, our Pastoral Care Team consists of very talented and sensitive individuals, in whom the Board has total confidence. They can be contacted through a form available on the Church website.
The Worship Team has already made arrangements for our Services in May, and, in line with the usual process, is currently making plans for June. Northern Lights MCC has always been committed to having our worship shared by a team, and this will obviously continue as normal.
As already announced, the Board will soon be consulting Members about the search for a Pastor. It is for Members to decide whether or not to alter the priorities which were agreed when we previously undertook this process. Meanwhile, the Board will ensure that the various roles of the Pastor are covered, and we will keep you informed about this.
The Board shares the sadness of the Congregation about the latest development, but draws attention even more forcefully to the sentiment with which we concluded last week’s statement - “with God’s support, your commitment, and UFMCC guidance, the Board has confidence in our future”
Please feel free to reach out to any Board or PCT Member if you need to chat.
You can access the Pastoral Care Contact Form via this link
Important Announcement 28/04/2021
Please see below an important announcement:
Ronnie Rowbotham:
On Sunday night (25th April) at the end of a beautiful service, I announced that I would be stepping down as the Pastor of Northern Lights. It hasn't been an easy decision; I have loved being part of a faith community as vibrant and as caring as Northern Lights MCC but recent health issues have meant that I have had to make some major changes in my life. I will be leaving in early June. I would like to thank the Board, the Worship Team and the Pastoral Care Team for the kindness and support they have given me over the last two years. There will be plenty of opportunities for me to say goodbye in the coming weeks, but to every single one of you who make Northern Lights the magical place it is-a heartfelt thank you. You are all AMAZING. God bless. Pastor Ronnie
Northern Lights MCC Board:
The NLMCC Board shared the sadness of the whole Congregation on Sunday when Pastor Ronnie explained how changes in his personal circumstances, culminating in recent serious illness, resulted in his decision to step down as Pastor of our Church.
We are very grateful for his contribution to Northern Lights during the unprecedented challenges we have all faced during the two years when he has been our Pastor.
Although the Board had only been informed about Ronnie’s decision during the previous week, unfortunately the UFMCC (the denomination to which Northern Lights belongs) expects the period between resignation and departure to be relatively short, and so Ronnie’s last Sunday with us will be 6th June. However, the Board has already been receiving assistance from UFMCC, and met yesterday to consider arrangements after Ronnie has moved on. As many of you will be aware, our Church has a strong record of managing similar transitions in the past, and, with God’s support, your commitment, and UFMCC guidance, the Board has confidence in our future. We will certainly keep you involved and informed. Meanwhile, we will all be praying for Ronnie as he prepares to move on from our Church.
Please feel free to reach out to any Board or PCT Member if you need to chat.
Ronnie Rowbotham:
On Sunday night (25th April) at the end of a beautiful service, I announced that I would be stepping down as the Pastor of Northern Lights. It hasn't been an easy decision; I have loved being part of a faith community as vibrant and as caring as Northern Lights MCC but recent health issues have meant that I have had to make some major changes in my life. I will be leaving in early June. I would like to thank the Board, the Worship Team and the Pastoral Care Team for the kindness and support they have given me over the last two years. There will be plenty of opportunities for me to say goodbye in the coming weeks, but to every single one of you who make Northern Lights the magical place it is-a heartfelt thank you. You are all AMAZING. God bless. Pastor Ronnie
Northern Lights MCC Board:
The NLMCC Board shared the sadness of the whole Congregation on Sunday when Pastor Ronnie explained how changes in his personal circumstances, culminating in recent serious illness, resulted in his decision to step down as Pastor of our Church.
We are very grateful for his contribution to Northern Lights during the unprecedented challenges we have all faced during the two years when he has been our Pastor.
Although the Board had only been informed about Ronnie’s decision during the previous week, unfortunately the UFMCC (the denomination to which Northern Lights belongs) expects the period between resignation and departure to be relatively short, and so Ronnie’s last Sunday with us will be 6th June. However, the Board has already been receiving assistance from UFMCC, and met yesterday to consider arrangements after Ronnie has moved on. As many of you will be aware, our Church has a strong record of managing similar transitions in the past, and, with God’s support, your commitment, and UFMCC guidance, the Board has confidence in our future. We will certainly keep you involved and informed. Meanwhile, we will all be praying for Ronnie as he prepares to move on from our Church.
Please feel free to reach out to any Board or PCT Member if you need to chat.
Announcement 02/05/2021
We will be holding a Special Congregational Meeting (SCM) in June and our Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM) in August. More details have been communicated to Members via email, but if you cannot find it, please let us know and we can resend the email. Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the Board.