MCC REGION 3 ANNOUNCES THE FOLLOWING EVENTS:

Children and Youth Ministry Leaders’ Summit
Saturday, May 3

Please come and join us at our 3rd Annual C&Y Ministry Summit !
This is your opportunity to share ideas, resources, and inspiration in support of this critical ministry.

WHO: This meeting is open to anyone in MCC Region 3 -- Delaware , DC, Maryland , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , South Carolina , Pennsylvania , Virginia, and Puerto Rico -- who serves in any capacity in your children and youth programs -- or who would like to build a C&Y program in your church.

WHEN: Saturday, May 3, 2008, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

WHERE: MCC Baltimore , 401 Monument Street , Baltimore , MD 21201

WHY: The number of people in our community who are choosing to have children is growing at an amazing pace. Churches that strive to meet the needs of families give them a reason to keep coming back. The word gets around, and more families come. The opposite is also true: Many families with young children will not stay in a church that does not meet the educational and social needs of their children and family. Whether your church today has zero children, only a few, or many, you need to have a children/youth program.

Our goal for this summit is not only to encourage those providing leadership but to offer tangible support as well.

RSVP: We will ask for a contribution of $10 to cover the cost of lunch and parking, payable the day of the event. RSVP by phone or email to:

• Jennifer Glass at 310-861-4630, jenniferglass@mccchurch.net,

• Mary Ann Durburow, 717-364-8111, redheadedpenguin@verizon.net

Or speak to the C&Y Ministry leaders in your church.

Sub-Regional Gatherings

Northern: September 12 / 13

Location: MCC of the Spirit , Harrisburg , PA

Plenary: Affirming Our Spiritual/Theological Diversity

OR

Spiritual Journeys Go In Different Directions

And That’s OK, No Reason To Get All Bent Out Of Shape

If Yours Is Different Than Mine And Mine Is Different Than Yours!

Rev. Dr. Mona West

Central: November 14 / 15

Location: Open Door MCC Boyd's, MD

Plenary: Affirming Our Spiritual/Theological Diversity

OR

Spiritual Journeys Go In Different Directions

And That’s OK, No Reason To Get All Bent Out Of Shape

If Yours Is Different Than Mine And Mine Is Different Than Yours!

Rev. Dr. Mona West

Southern: October 24 / 25

Location: St. John 's MCC, Raleigh , NC

Plenary: Practical Strategies For Stewardship and Spiritual Formation

At The Congregational Level

Tentative Agenda for Sub-Regionals

Friday
7:30 Musical Service

Saturday
Opening Worship
Plenary
Workshops
Closing Worship

Cost: $25

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOU CAN REGISTER IN ADVANCE WILL BE SENT IN A FUTURE EMAIL.

 

Clergy Transitions

Rev. Tyrone P. Sweeting is now the Interim Pastor at MCC of the Blue Ridge, Roanoke , VA. Welcome Rev. Sweeting!

ICM Cristo Sanador, Imani MCC, Durham , NC , MCC Washington, DC, and MCC Charlotte, NC, are working with Rev. Elder Arlene in searching for interim pastors; MCC Christ the Liberator, NJ, continues their pastoral search; MCC Fredericksburg, VA, remains in an interim period with Rev. Lori McPherson.

Please pray for the leaders of your local church, the churches in region 3, your regional elder and staff and for the international ministry of MCC around the world and your board of Elders.

MCC of the Hudson Valley , Albany , NY Closes

MCC of the Hudson Valley held its last worship service on April 13. Over the last few years the attendance and finances have seriously dwindled to the point they could no longer sustain themselves as a viable church. However, this church has touched many peoples lives through the years and for that we are most grateful. Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman is hopeful that sometime in the future we will be able to plant a new church in the Albany , NY area. Rev. Elder Ackerman also wants to thank Rev. Janet Avery for faithfully leading the congregation through 16 months of active evaluation, and strategizing to see if this church could build itself back up. It was only at the end of process that we made the most difficult decision to close it. Please keep in your prayers the people who called MCC of the Hudson Valley their church home.

MCC Youth Ministry Project 2008

It was with great joy that MCC's Youth Ministry Project 2008 to the Dominican Republic was announced in December. MCC Youth from all over the world applied. Fourteen youth and young adults will be participating June 21 – 28 in this project. While this will be an enjoyable and memorable trip, the mission’s focus is to serve as disciples of Christ.

This is a historic moment for MCC! This is the very first ministry trip for MCC youth!

The young people who take part in the MCC Youth Ministry Project 2008 will work with a school in El Tamarindo, introduce a summer Bible school, and perform some light construction work and painting at the school. The group will be working with 70+ very impoverished children. They will also be taking over school supplies and scholarship money to sponsor a few students at the school. In addition, the group will also meet and worship with a group of Dominicans working to plant an MCC church in Santo Domingo , the capital city of the Dominican Republic.

Four adults will be staffing the team, including Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman , Cindy Acker, Tim Helm, and Rev. Jennifer Glass . Four additional adults will be leading the maintenance project and will serve as adult advisors.

You can be part of this important ministry! You can commit to being a sending partner. Spiritually, the MCC Youth Ministry Project 2008 needs dedicated prayer support through every phase of this mission – from the fund raising efforts before the mission as well as safety and effective ministry during the mission.

Plus, financially, each participant needs to raise $1,800. This covers transportation, lodging, school supplies, paint and construction materials, and donations to the school’s scholarship fund.

A special Thank You! to MCC Richmond who collected a special offering for this project! Several of the MCC churches in CA are also going to be holding special collections.

Won’t you consider making a financial contribution? You can mail a donation to:

MCC Youth Ministry Project
MCC Region 3 Office
Attn: Rev. Jennifer Glass
P. O. Box 276
Landisville , Pennsylvania 17538

Please make checks payable to “MCC” and include “MCC Youth Ministry Project” in your memo line. If you would like to donate by credit card please feel free to contact Jennifer Justice at 213-447-2953 or JenniferJustice@MCCchurch.net. Thank you!

Benefit Concert at MCC of the Spirit , Harrisburg, PA

MCC of the Spirit has formed its next Mission Group to re-Build, re-Pair, re-New Orleans ! A group of about 20 people will be traveling to New Orleans June 14-22. There will be a Benefit Concert with 3:12, Janie Womack, Natalie Darkes, Sister Beat, the Sacred Movement Dance Team of MCC of the Spirit , and special guest Amanda Ackerman on Saturday, May 10 from 6 pm to 9 pm at MCC of the Spirit . Donations will be accepted at the door, $20 is suggested, but give what you can! Details and directions are at www.threetwelve.net and www.mccofthespirit.org.

News from ICM Cristo Sanador

ICM Cristo Sanador of Puerto Rico has been conscious of the actions in their country against members of the GLBTT community, and that such actions are illegal, they have solidarily united with other gay activist organizations in an effort to denounce and stop these actions. They are convinced that information and education are our best resources to get to the root of Gay phobia. To that end they have come up with a calendar of clerical events to be celebrated during the month of May 2008 to educate and inform the general public that there is nothing to fear. More info to follow as the month of May approaches.

Mortgage Burning at MCC Winston-Salem, NC

MCC Winston-Salem held a Mortgage Burning Celebration on Sunday, March 30. They paid off their mortgage in December after they got some generous donations.

The North Carolina Council of Churches 2008 Critical Issues Seminar

The 2008 Critical Issues Seminar sponsored by the North Carolina Council of Churches will take place on May 13 at Greensboro College, Greensboro, NC. The topic this year, From Hostility to Hospitality: Immigration and People of Faith, is about how to welcome and treat immigrants in our state as Christians instead of the hateful and dehumanizing way that is become more prevalent.

In addition, the 2008 Distinguished Service awards will be given to three people who courageously fought for full inclusion of various constituencies in God's family is very appropriate when we are once again now talking about yet another group (immigrants) people want to exclude.

The three are:

Vernon Tyson – a retired United Methodist minister whose courageous work for civil rights in North Carolina forms the heart of the book “Blood Done Sign My Name,” written by his son Tim. Vernon was very active with the Council, including serving as chair of our Commission on Social Justice (something many of you young whippersnappers may never have heard of!).

David Forbes – pastor of the Christian Faith Baptist Church in Raleigh and a past representative of the General Baptist State Convention on the Council’s Executive Board. David has a long history in the civil rights movement, including arrests in early sit-in demonstrations and participation in the founding of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). He has also been involved with the issue of homelessness in Raleigh and has been the driving force focusing attention on the “lost generation” (young minority men headed towards lives of poverty and prison).

Jimmy Creech – United Methodist and former program associate with the Council of Churches. Jimmy is probably best known for his work to end discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation and to end the exclusion of people who are gay or lesbian from our churches. While with the Council, he was also instrumental in organizing our opposition to the death penalty and in the formation of the Covenant with NC’s Children, along with other work.

For more information, go to: www.nccouncilofchurches.org.

MCC is a member of the North Carolina Council of Churches, with delegates from most of the North Carolina Churches. In addition, Mr. Stan Kimer, member of St. John ’s MCC, Raleigh , NC , is the Second Vice-President of the Executive Board of the Council.

Check out the Upcoming AMERICAN FAMILY OUTING!!!!

It is an exciting collaboration between Soulforce, Metropolitan Community Churches , the National Black Justice Coalition, and COLAGE.

OUR families will be visiting 6 Mega-Churches across the US to foster dialogue around total inclusion of ALL of God’s Children in ALL areas of Ministry.

We hope to have many conversations about faith and family in an attempt to change hearts and minds in as we work to create change and end religious based oppression.

There are many opportunities to get involved. If you are near one of the locations sign up and stand with us in the struggle for Equality!

It is a great opportunity to work towards becoming a beloved community that reflects the unconditional love and grace that Christ taught us all through his life and ministry!!

So what are you waiting for check it out because it’s totally awesome: http://www.soulforce.org/afo

Be sure to check out Mom and Angel Collie and read their story here:

https://www.soulforce.org/application.php?application=sponsorafo&afo_id=8

Angel attends Imani MCC, Durham , NC and is the Archives Project & Program Assistant for MCC.

Continuing Education Audit at Lancaster Theological Seminary

In their commitment to provide

"Theological Education for Every Generation," Lancaster Seminary offers the opportunity for persons in the community to participate in seminary classes at a nominal cost. The LTS Continuing Education Audit program is non-credit and designed for personal enrichment. Certain courses offered during the seminary's regular semesters may be available for Continuing Education Audit (CE Audit) with the permission of the professor. Clergy, lay leaders and others who are interested in exploring how theology impacts their every-day lives, are welcome and encouraged to register as Continuing Education Auditors. Information may be found at the following link:

Continuing Education Audit

or for more information or to register contact:

Judith G. Hummer, Registrar and Director of Student Services Lancaster Theological Seminary

555 West James Street

Lancaster, PA 17603

717-290-8718 ~ 800-393-0654, ext. 118

FAX: 717-393-0423

jhummer@lancasterseminary.edu

Summer Academy 2008 @ Lancaster Theological Seminary

Dear Friend in Christ,

A thinking church is a growing and vital church! In a time of pluralism and rapid change, Christian leaders are called to be “thinking hearts,” able to integrate creatively vision, planning, and management. The cultivation of “thinking hearts” for today’s congregations is one of the goals of Lancaster Theological Seminary’s Summer Academy. This year’s Summer Academy is scheduled for June 16-20 and July 7-11.

This holy adventure in Christian growth and leadership integrates traditional and innovative classes in theology, spiritual formation, pastoral care, scripture, preaching, and worship with workshops in themes as diverse as the arts, music, yoga, dance, and spiritual autobiography. Each day of the Summer Academy is framed with morning and evening prayer. We believe that anyone, clergy or lay, who participates in this year’s Summer Academy will experience new insights and energy for congregational leadership and personal growth.

For more information on Summer Academy classes and registration materials, please consult our website (www.lancasterseminary.edu) at the top of the home page under “continuing education.” MCCers Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski, Rev. Dr. Mona West and Dr. David Mellott will be among the instructors.

We want to remind you that pastors receive a 50% scholarship. Scholarship assistance may be available for laypersons on request. Participants may either commute or live on campus during the week. (Some residential scholarship assistance is also available based on availability and need.)

Please consider coming and pass this information along to laypersons in your congregation. You and your congregation will be blessed and energized.

If you need more information, please contact Rikki Jones at 717-290-8758 or rjones@lancasterseminary.edu.

Blessings on the new year,

Rev. Bruce Epperly, Ph.D.
Director, Continuing Education
Professor of Practical Theology

From the Pastor's Desk – MCC Richmond , VA, Weekly Email, April 10

Dear Community in Faith,

God is always surprising us with unexpected gifts.

One arrived in my mail the other day as a package from Beacon Press, a highly respected liberal religious publishing house (part of the Unitarian Universalist Association).

There was a book inside, Sundays in America: A Yearlong Road Trip in Search of Christian Faith, by Suzanne Strempek Shea. The 310 pages contain accounts of Ms. Shea’s visits to 50 churches across the United States where she, a married Roman Catholic woman, sought to experience services as a worshipper who has wandered inside for the first time.

Where on her search did she find Christian faith? Here.

She visited MCC Richmond—her only church in Virginia and the only MCC—in November, 2006. We were worshipping in the Celebration Hall while we awaited repairs to our sanctuary ceiling.

She did not tell anyone why she was here. Janet Inwood, leading worship, did not know; David Wilson, celebrating communion, did not know; Loretta Mountcastle, offering the invitation to give, did not know. Two women who greeted her outside the door did not know. I did not know.

We were ourselves, on a normal November Sunday before Thanksgiving. Her verdict: “I feel blessed to have been in this church this morning.”

In five very evocative pages, Ms. Shea captures the spirit of MCC Richmond, and MCC churches across the globe, especially when she describes “the most touching Communion service I’ve ever witnessed.”

She describes 49 other churches, e.g., the mighty, Riverside Church in New York City ; the well-known, Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, GA; the controversial, Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago ; and the small and unknown. She covers the ecclesiastical waterfront: Episcopal, Pentecostal, Holiness, Methodist, Nazarene, Seventh Day Adventist, Greek Orthodox, and more. We are in good company.

The book is available in all the usual places. I am going to contact the publisher and author to see if Ms. Shea would like to make a return visit to promote her book. If so, we’ll reach out to local media and book venues.

But the really good news is this: We are living out loud for God and Christ in this church. Thank you, God, for blessing and guiding us.

Pastor Robin

(replies welcome; write RevRobinG@MCCRichmond.org or call 804/353-9477)

Regional Elder Schedule

May

1 – 2 Office
5 – 9 Office
10 – 12 MCC of the Upstate
13 – 14 Days Off
15 – 16 Office
17 Celebration of Life for Dan Schellhorn, MCC Washington
Travel
18 – 19 MCC Charleston , SC
20 Day Off
21 – 22 Office
23 – 24 Days Off
27 – 29 Office

The Administrative Assistant, Rev. Jennifer Glass is normally in the office from 9:30 - 2:30 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays.

 

Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman
PO Box 276
Landisville, PA 17538
direct line 610-994-0270
cell 717-368-2352
(not available during office hours)
revarleneackerman@mccchurch.net