2. From the Hearts of the Community
At MCC NOVA, we believe that being in spiritual community is a source of blessing ... and that one of biggest blessings is the opportunity to share our spiritual journeys with others ... and to become a part of the spiritual journeys of others. In the sharing of our experiences and insights with one another, we often find opportunities for spiritual discovery and growth. In this new section of our newsletter, we are inviting members and friends of MCC NOVA to submit their original articles, thoughts, poems, reflections, etc. to share with the community. If you have something that you would like to contribute to our newsletter, please contact Rev. Kharma. ▼
Lay Delegate’s General Conference Highlights
Ten of us from MCC NOVA traveled to Calgary Canada to attend MCC’s General Conference July 21-26. General Conference is a week shared with 1,500 MCCers from around the world for fabulous worship, fellowship, music that lifts the roof, workshops, networking, and meetings to conduct denominational business.
Conference Highlights / ”Lite” (for “Full Version,” see details below):
- Founder Troy Perry steps down as Moderator
- Nancy Wilson elected as new Moderator
- Openly gay Episcopal Bishop claims to “stand on MCC’s shoulders.”
- Kharma and Lance’s Excellent Preaching Adventure
- MCC NOVA meets with Andres from the MCC in Uruguay
- MCC NOVA consults with Wendy Foxworth, church growth specialist
- MCC NOVA couple makes it ”legal”
- New Business: after next (2007 in Scottsdale, Arizona), General Conference will move to every 3 years.
At the week’s first service MCC’s Founder Troy Perry preached for his last time as Moderator, telling stories that were funny, poignant, and at times tearful about how MCC has changed lives, communities, and is changing Christianity. (Case in point, Rev. Brent Hawkes of MCC Toronto was the driving force behind Canada's recent Equality in Marriage legislation; Brent was often acknowledged and appreciated over the week.) There was also much tribute paid to Troy at this service and throughout Conference.
At Sunday’s Business meeting, Nancy Wilson was elected our new Moderator. She is one of the few women in history to head a denomination. At the worship service that night, Nancy was blessed and prayed over by the children of the Conference; this was the first of what will be five events celebrating her election. The culmination will take place October 29th when Nancy will be officially installed at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Nancy may be able to visit us at NOVA during that week; stay tuned for details.
Rev. Gene Robinson also joined us for worship and was one of the outstanding guest preachers of the week. The openly gay bishop of New Hampshire whose ordination has rocked the worldwide Anglican community spoke appreciatively of the fellowship’s radical message of inclusive love and claimed to be a gay Christian who “stands on MCC’s shoulders.”
Early in the week, our pastor Rev. Kharma Amos and Rev. Lance Mullins, two of the youngest pastors in MCC, delivered a joint sermon which seriously impeded their ability to walk through any crowd for the rest of the week without being stopped and told how wonderful it had been. We NOVA folks were proud. Their service may be able to be viewed soon or bought as a DVD from the website www.mccchurch.org.
There were other special events for those of us from NOVA. As you may be aware from the correspondence carried in this e-newsletter, our church is in partnership with the MCC in Montevideo, Uruguay, and is helping support member Fernando, who is studying for ministry in MCC. Fernando’s partner Andres was able to come to conference and met with us over lunch. Despite the language barrier, Andres’ warmth and excitement about being at General Conference was clear. We also viewed a PowerPoint presentation the Uruguayan church had put together so we could see the faces of that small and brave church and views of their beautiful city. Later in the week, we had a dinner meeting with Wendy Foxworth, a church growth consultant. She had been given a lot of data about NOVA and had advice about our next steps as a growing congregation. More about this will follow in this newsletter, at services, and in upcoming events.
Finally, at the end of the week we were all delighted to attend the marriage ceremony of Gail and Ginny, already together 27 years but just now able to “make it legal” in Canada. Rev Kharma and Rev. Jo Bell of Toronto co-officiated. The venue was modest -- a small, sunny meeting room in the hotel -- but the ceremony was very moving and there was hardly a dry eye in our little group. Afterwards, we all toasted the happy couple with champagne and enjoyed a celebratory dinner together.
After electing the new Moderator, these two UFMCC bylaw changes were the most consequential business we conducted:
n It had been proposed that General Conference be extended from every 2 to every 3 years. I went to Conference conflicted about this proposal but listened to the arguments about how necessary this change would be for financial health at both the Regional and Fellowship levels. I reluctantly voted for the change and it passed. After General Conference in 2007, the next one will take place in 2010. It’s also hoped longer interims between General Conferences will help the Regions will become stronger.
n Tithing to the Fellowship was to fall to 13% this year and successively thereafter, but because of the press of global obligations (and pleas from the Board of Administration that further cuts would require a serious alteration of their mission), it was proposed that tithes to the fellowship be frozen at 14% for now. Our NOVA treasurer had already recommended we vote for the higher tithe, which I did. The proposal passed.
Our next (2006) Regional will actually be a COMBINED conference with Region 5 (which includes Eastern Canada, upper eastern United States and several European countries. See http://www.mccchurch.org/region5/reg5splash.htm for the complete list)! This will take place close to home for us -- in Pittsburgh. General Conference in 2007 will be located in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Thanks for giving me the tremendous experience of attending this Conference and representing NOVA as your Lay Delegate.
Jean Gralley
3. MCC NOVA News and Upcoming Events
Ø SACRED PLACES--An Evening Meditation
Sunday, August 7, 6 PM Sacred Places is an evening meditative service designed to facilitate meditation on a selected topic and encourage individuals to explore sacredness & spirituality in ways that may be new to them. The topic for this month will be “The Power of Song.” We have all felt the power of music - to stir, to soothe, to raise up, or to bring low. We each have our favorite musicians and songs. Come join the meditation group as we listen to songs from a lesbian/feminist choral group, Amasong, which draws heavily upon folk music from various world traditions, music written by women, and other music reflecting women's experience. Come and explore our topic through readings, music, and meditation. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Ginny Reed @ 703 648 9327.
Ø NEWCOMERS / MEMBERSHIP CLASS
Sunday, August 21, from approx. 12:30 - 3:00: We will be holding a class for those interesting in learning more about MCC NOVA or who are interested in becoming members. Pizza will be served! There is a sign-up sheet located on the Welcome Table (inside the main sanctuary door).
NOVA MISSION TO WEST VIRGINIA
Please pray for our volunteers Cindy, Deb, Gail M. Gail S., Ginny, Holly, JB, Kala, Kharma, Kurt , and Margaret as they travel to Beard’s Fork, WV this week to help with labor and education projects.
A NEW MCC CHURCH PLANT IN PENNSYLVANIA
A new MCC church plant is underway in Pennsylvania! Regional Elder Arlene Ackerman has given the go ahead for a parish extension of MCC of the Spirit (Harrisburg). Under the leadership of church planter Rev. Roben Waddell, a feasibility study is being conducted and a core group of interested individuals is already meeting. Please play for Rev. Roben and the men and women who have stepped forward to provide leadership for this effort. Rev. Waddell can be reached at Robensroost@comcast.net.
If you answered this question, "Si," then we need you. As you may have heard, MCC NOVA has entered into a partnership with the MCC in Montevideo, Uruguay (ICM Uruguay). Already, we are being blessed as we get to know this congregation. You have read some letters that have been exchanged by Rev. Kharma and Fernando Frontan, the church's clergy candidate. Those of us who were at conference met their lay delegate and Fernando's partner, Andres, and were blessed to be able to spend some time with him. And we are now exploring how to allow our relationship to develop in ways that are mutually beneficial. As part of this, we're looking for people who speak/write Spanish to help on a couple of projects. If you are able and interested, please contact the church office as soon as possible.
1. Translators. We're looking for a couple more people who can translate from Spanish to English and vice versa to help with our ongoing correspondence with Fernando and the church in Uruguay.
2. Dialogue Partners. There are some folks from ICM Uruguay who are eager to get to know people from MCC NOVA and begin personally corresponding. If you would like to start a dialogue and begin a relationship with one of our sisters or brothers in Uruguay, there is an opportunity here for you. This would work easiest if you speak Spanish, but could also work for English-speakers if we have enough translators to help.
3. Presentation Preparation. ICM Uruguay prepared a beautiful PowerPoint presentation that we will soon be sharing with the community, which introduces us to Uruguay, the LGBT community there, and the church itself. We want to reciprocate by preparing a PowerPoint presentation that introduces them to our community. This opportunity is available to those who speak Spanish, or those who don't if they are willing to work with a translator. If this excites your creative juices, call now!
Ø MCC NOVA Community Directory in Progress
We will be publishing an update to our very popular MCC NOVA Community Directory. In order to ensure that everybody who wants to be included is included and that we publish accurate information, please see Ginny Reed before or after service to review your information. We will require positive confirmation that you wish to be included. If you don’t provide that, your name and personal information will not be included. If you are unable to speak with Ginny directly, please send an email to vhreed@msn.com and she will attempt to verify with you on email. Our goal is to publish and distribute within the next month, so time is of the essence!
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Ø Volunteer Opportunity
Did you know that MCC NOVA will celebrate it's 25th Anniversary in March of next year? We're planning now for a fabulous celebration. If you are interested in being on the Anniversary Committee and helping to shape the events during our anniversary weekend, please contact Jane at girlybob@aol.com or by phone at 703.352.5426
Ø MCC Region Three 1st Annual “Family Affair Picnic”
August 20 11-4 pm Come One, Come All to this wonderful opportunity to share fellowship and food with others of our faith!! The picnic will be at Open Door MCC in Boyds, MD (15817 Barnesville Rd, Boyds MD 20814). Open Door has graciously offered to host the event on their beautiful eight acre property! There will be great food, lots of fellowship, and fun activities such as touch football, volleyball, and more! So mark your calendars and plan to come for this queer family of God event! Bring something to grill and a dish to share- there will be grill’s available.
Directions: Interstate 270 can be accessed from 495 Washington beltway to the south or I-70 to the north. From Interstate 270, exit at Route 121 Boyds/Clarksburg (just north of the Germantown exits). Follow the signs for Boyds and proceed approximately four miles. After crossing over the lake, turn right at Route 117, Barnesville Road. Drive one mile to the stop sign at a three-way fork in the road. Take the road in the middle and continue for about 1/4 mile. Open Door MCC is located on the right, and there is a large sign marking the driveway! For More Information Contact: Stacy Rine at: cowsrock65@comcast.net or 443-794-2798.
Ø Trans Reading Opportunities …
Have you ever wanted to learn more about Transgender issues? Or — even more specifically — about what the transgender experience may have to teach us about issues of faith and theology? If so, we’ve got just the thing to get you started. Check out the new Trans-Resource section of our lending library. The following books were just added, and are available for you to *check out:
Crossing Over: Liberating the Transgendered Christian by Vanessa Sheridan; Omnigender: A Trans-Religious Approach by Virginia Ramey Mollenkott; Transgender Journeys byVirginia Ramey Mollenkott & Vanessa Sheridan; Trans-Gendered: Theology, Ministry, and Communities of Faith by Justin Tanis; True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism for Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals by Mildred L. Brown and Chloe Ann Rounsley
These books were donated
in Loving Memory of
Kim Beck
September 16, 1942 — April 17, 2005
* There is a Sign-Out Sheet in a black binder on the top shelf of the first bookshelf to the left when you enter the church library. All of the books in the open bookshelves are
available for check-out. You are invited to check out one book at a time for up to two-weeks at a time.
5. Spotlight on Ministry
Each week in Catch the Rainbow, we take time to say ‘Thank You’ to ministers in our congregation by focusing our “Spotlight on Ministry” that is being done by so many people in so many ways. The following were recognized this month:
Ø Special thanks to the Choir for their dedication in providing musical leadership for our worship.
Ø Special thanks to Chris Fink and the Care Team for hosting our church picnic last weekend, and to all who came, brought food, and spent time in fellowship. What a great time!
Ø Special thanks to Scott Brna for his dedicated work as a member of the Finance Team, for the past year of service coordinating counters and helping with giving entries.
6. Important On-Going Activities
Ø ministry leader team meeting: Monday, August 15 at 7:00 pm
Ø BOARD OF DIRECTORS meeting: Thursday, August 18 at 6:00pm
Ø Choir Practice: Regular choir practice resumes in August on Tuesdays at 7:15. For more information contact Daniel at 703 491-5798.
Ø COMMUNION: SPECIAL NEEDS? If you have any special needs to fully participate in our celebration of Holy Communion, please contact Rev. Kharma to discuss.
7. Community Notes, Etc.
Ø MAUTNER PROJECT GALA
September 17, 2005, This year is the 15th anniversary of the Mautner Project. The funds raised at the Gala enable the Mautner Project to provide direct services to lesbians with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and their families, to educate lesbians about health issues, to teach health care providers and policy makers about lesbian health issues, to teach health care providers and policy makers abotu lesbian health issues, and to conduct groundbreaking research.
Jean Taczak & Barbara Kraus are table captains for the event. Please contact them if you wish to join them at their table - 703-262-0126.
Location: Hilton Washington & Towers, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC
Times: 6:00pm Silent Auction and Reception
7:00pm Ballroom opens for seating and dancing
7:30pm Dinner is served
8:00pm Dinner Program begins - this includes awards, honoring those who have died from cancer & other life-threatening illnesses, honoring the survivors,
entertainment, and a Live Auction
Until 1:00am After-dinner dancing
Price: $160/person - $80 is tax-deductible
Attire: Formal/Festive
Over 1,600 people are expected to attend this year. The Gala is for everyone. If singles want to sit with other singles (men and women), that can be arranged.
Ø Where will you be next July?
Join 12,000 international participants, 70 countries, 30 sports, band, choral & more at the Chicago Gay Games July 15-22, 2006. No tryouts! For more information, contact Holly McMeekin (571-283-8013 OR holly_mcmeekin@earthlink.net). Flyers will also be available on the information table.
Ø Want to Learn More About the Ministry and Churches of MCC Region 3?
This includes churches in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia and Puerto Rico currently. Want to share what is happening in your church? Hear about resources for ministry? Send an email to Ajoy1@aol.com and ask to be added to the MCC Region 3 E-Newsletter List. Everyone is welcome to join.
Ø Whitman-Walker Clinic Seeks Volunteers
Whitman-Walker Clinic has volunteer opportunities in a variety of capacities at all of its metro locations --NW, SE, Arlington and Takoma Park. If you can help, please contact WWC Volunteer Coordinator, Victoria Bruno at 202.797.4421 or vbruno@wwc.org
Ø Area PFLAG Gatherings (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
1. Manassas --Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main St. Every 4th Monday at 7 pm.
2. Reston --Washington-Plaza church, 1615 Washington Plaza (Lake Ann). Every 1st Tuesday, 7:30-9:30
... AND FINALLY, A REMINDER: The very latest news and information about MCC NOVA, as well as our ongoing calendar of activities and opportunities, can be found on our website at www.mccnova.com.
Please feel free to forward this to others who might be interested. If you received this from someone else, and want to be on our email list, please send an email to MCCNOVACOM@earthlink.net with SUBSCRIBE in the subject or body of the email. We welcome your feedback so that we can make sure we are meeting the needs of our community.
If you received this email in error or no longer wish to be on this list, please reply to this address with PLEASE REMOVE ME FROM THIS LIST in the subject or body of the email.
~ MCC NOVA ~
Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
Stretching, Connecting, Celebrating...People on a Spiritual Journey
10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax, VA 22030-2505
(703) 691-0930 http:\\www.mccnova.com
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