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. ▼
~Your thoughts here~
3. MCC NOVA News and Upcoming Events
Ø SACRED PLACES--An Evening Meditation
Sunday, June 3, 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 “Longing,” the human yearning for love, knowledge, completeness, and healing. Come and explore our topic through readings, music, and meditation. All are welcome. For more information, please contact Ginny Reed @ 703 648 9327.
July 10, 12:30 pm Come join the Care Team at Burke Lake Park immediately following service on July 10th. Bring a picnic or bag lunch and be prepared to enjoy the many outdoor activities that the park has to boast. Members of the Care Team will head up group activities that include, but not limited to, a walk/run along nature's trails, rowboat rentals, volleyball, and nature observation. Playgrounds are also available so bring the whole family!! Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. Contact Chris Fink or Judith Raleigh for more details.
Ø VOLUNTEERING IN WEST VIRGINIA
MCC-NOVA: Serving and Learning in Appalachia
"Take me home, country roads." From August 6-13, 2005, a group of ten of us will have the opportunity to explore Appalachia and learn about the resilient people of the historic coal-mining towns deep in the "hollers" of West Virginia. This highly rural region once was idealized as "Almost Heaven," by popular American songwriter John Denver. But in reality, much of southern West Virginia is designated a federal "empowerment zone" because of high poverty levels and limited employment opportunities. Global Volunteers, our host organization, has developed innovative community revitalization programs to address the significant social challenges of the area.
During this week, we will assist the extended community around Beards Fork, WV, with labor and education projects, including repairing and renovating former coal-company houses, where low-income families can live affordably. We will work alongside, and will be mentors to, participants in the local "Youth Build" program -- helping young people who are pursuing their GED, and are working on-site to develop their construction skills. We may also have the opportunity to tutor local GED students during the day, and assist with an after school program at the Beards Fork Community Center.
It’s not too late! Here's how you can help!!!!!!
All volunteers who assist on these projects pay their own way. In this manner, Global Volunteers is able to run these projects with the most financial help going directly to the communities they serve. So, although each of us is kicking in some of our own funds to make this trip happen, we know that there are those of you out there who have expressed interest in helping us both financially and prayerfully. We have figured out that just our incidentals for the ten of us will run about $2,560 or $8.00 per mile for 320 miles (the distance to Beards Ford). Some of these incidentals include: gas, food, bottled water, work gloves, etc. Look for our display in the fellowship hall asking for your monetary donations, which, as always, are tax-deductible. We hope that you will consider helping us with our project. Feel free to ask any one of us for further information.
Cindy A., Gail M., Gail S., Ginny R., Holly, JB, Kala, Kharma, Kurt, and Margaret -- your "Bridge Builders" team!
· At its June meeting, the Board of Director’s regretfully accepted the resignation of Sharon Bohlender, member-at-large. Sharon’s clear thinking and administrative acumen will be missed. The Board would like to express its deep appreciation to Sharon for her service to God and the MCC NOVA community – we wish her all the best on the next leg of her journey.
· We are pleased to announce the appointment of Miguel Gomez to the MCC NOVA Board of Directors. Miguel will be filling the vacant position until the next congregational meeting in December. We are grateful to Miguel for his willingness to serve and share his gifts in this ministry. Welcome a-Board, Miguel!
Ø BLESSINGS ON THE JOURNEY
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that we say goodbye to Sondra, Andrea, and Emily Burroughs this week. The Burroughs family has been accepted into a great program that will allow Sondra to complete her education and will help the family get a new grasp on life. We send them with our ongoing prayers, and hope to keep in touch with them while they are away. Their new address is printed below. I know that they would appreciate cards and letters of support from their MCC NOVA family.
Sondra Burroughs (& Andrea & Emily)
3573 S. Waverly Road
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
Ø WELCOME REV. DR. JUSTIN TANIS
As many of you may have noticed, we have had the great pleasure of welcoming Rev. Dr. Justin Tanis as a newcomer to our community. We wanted to give you a chance to learn a little more about Justin as you get to know him. Please take the time to introduce yourself and say hello!!
Justin Tanis is an activist and writer, with a passion for increasing our freedom in this world to be who we are, whatever our sexual orientations and gender identities might be. He is MCC clergy, having served as the denomination's Director of Leadership Development from 1996 - 2005. Prior to that, he was the Associate Pastor of MCC San Francisco, Pastor of Ke Anuenue O Ke Aloha MCC in Honolulu and Interim Pastor at MCC Boston. In 2003, he was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award for his book, Transgendered: Ministry, Theology and Communities of Faith, published by Pilgrim Press. He has also been published in the anthologies The Courage to Love, Take Back the Word and A Queer Bible Commentary. He serves on the National Advisory Board for the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry, the Steering Committee for the Gay Men's Issues group of the American Academy of Religion and on the Board of Advisors for the National Center for Transgender Equality. When not doing all that, he is active in the leather community, and serves as the editor for the Leather Archive & Museum's newsletter, The Leather Times. He currently lives
in a delightfully queer eclectic household in Woodbridge, Virginia.
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!
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.
4. SPECIAL MCC NOVA FEATURE: LETTERS FROM URUGUAY
MCC as a Global Movement
One of the most exciting things about the evolution of Metropolitan Community Churches is the way in which we have been becoming a global movement. Since our founding in 1968, MCC has grown from an initial meeting of 12 people in Rev. Troy Perry’s living room in Huntington Park, CA to an international fellowship of approximately 300 churches in 30 countries.
In 2001, at our General Conference in Toronto, we approved a historic restructuring of our denomination into international regions. One of the reasons for this restructuring was our desire to more fully explore the benefits of our being a truly global fellowship. For too long, MCC’s resources were being primarily centered in the United States, and churches outside the U.S. and Canada were feeling increasingly isolated and devalued. By restructuring, we created intentionally international regions and have attempted to put “feet” on our expressed desire to share resources more equitably throughout the world. In 2003, many of our regional conferences were held outside of the U.S. We have been trying to become much more proactive in translating materials to facilitate true dialogue between diverse voices. We are making every effort to make sure that delegates from all countries in which there is an MCC presence are able to attend and fully participate in this year’s General Conference in Calgary.
In these ways and many more, we are learning about all of the joys and the challenges presented by being a multinational, multilingual, multicultural community of faith committed to working together as a liberating force for good in the world.
MCC’s Calling to Do Justice
I believe this is incredibly important — and sacred — work.
When we are able to come together in our differences in a spirit of authentic mutuality, I believe we learn so much more about the God in whose image we are all created. We learn more about what it will mean for us to do justice – beyond the securing of our own rights and happiness. We learn more about our calling to come together as a world community, united in the liberating mission of Christ to bring good news to the poor, liberate the captives, set the oppressed free, and proclaim the year of God’s favor.
The most important way in which I believe we go about living this call to do justice is in forming relationships.
In the past few years, we have talked a lot at MCC NOVA about our understanding of what it means to work for justice. For example, we’ve begun to really examine our philosophies of giving and of mission. In preparation for our upcoming service project in Appalachia, we had Nancy Eubanks come and lead us in a discussion called “For All the Right Reasons” to explore the reasons for our social justice activities. We talked about the ways in which Christian mission has often been misunderstood as patronizing and paternalistic activities in which “we” – the giver – give benevolently to “them” – the “least of these” who are in need of our help. We discussed the ways in which we believe God calls us, instead, to work in partnership with others in ways that help all of us to give and receive out of our giftedness. Our social justice activities are much more effective and true to the gospel when they are based in relationships of mutuality — cycles of love and friendship in which there is two-way sharing. We know that we have as much or more to learn from those whose life circumstances are different than our own as we do to teach. We know that we have as much to receive as we do to give.
MCC NOVA Partners with ICM Uruguay
I am excited to share news with you about a new relationship that MCC NOVA has entered into with ICM Uruguay (Iglesia de la Comunidad Metropolitana de Uruguay). We were presented with an opportunity to partner with City of Angels MCC in Glendale, CA in co-sponsoring the education of Fernando Frontan. Fernando is a theological student in Montevideo, Uruguay who is working with supervising clergy, Rev. Araceli Ezzati, to become MCC clergy and help a church grow in Uruguay, where MCC’s message is so vitally needed. The Board of MCC NOVA voted to approve our financial sponsorship of Fernando’s studies for the next two years from our Christian Social Action fund. We are excited to be able to help make it possible for MCC to grow in Uruguay, but even moreso, we are excited about the chance to enter into a mutually beneficial partnership with Fernando and the emerging church there.
As we form relationships of mutual respect, collaboration, friendship, and cooperation, we make room for the Spirit of God to liberate us and, in and through us, to bless the world.
That’s why I’m so excited about this new relationship. I believe this is an incredible opportunity for spiritual growth — for me personally, and for us as a congregation. I hope you will join me in getting to know Fernando, and in exploring the ways in which we might develop our relationship as true colleagues in ministry. Over the course of the next week or so, I’ll be sharing with you the initial letters that Fernando and I have been exchanging. I hope that you will be as inspired as I am by his testimony and by learning about the exciting work God is doing in and through their community. Please join me in praying for Fernando, for the church in Montevideo, for Pastor Araceli Ezzati, and for the specific requests that Fernando has asked us to remember in these letters. Know that we are also being held in prayer by the congregation there.
I want to thank those who have been helping me translate from English to Spanish (and vice versa), including a member of our community and a friend of mine in New Jersey. I am including the correspondence in both Spanish and English, so you may read it in the language of your choice. Also, I am looking for others in our community who speak Spanish and may be interested in (a) corresponding with members of ICM Uruguay or (b) helping us to translate our correspondence.
It has been such a gift to me to read these letters, and to remember how beautiful it is that we have been created as an interconnected global community. I am grateful to God for the gift of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
I am eager for your feedback about this new opportunity, for any prayer requests you would like me to share with the church there, and for your hopes about what endeavors we might undertake together as partner-churches. Please email me if you have any questions, feedback, or are able to assist with translation.
Blessings,
Rev. Kharma
The Letters …
Montevideo, Mayo 17 de 2005 Rev. Kharma Amos Pastora de MCC NOVA PRESENTE. Estimada hermana: He recibido de parte de la Rev. Elder Darlene Garner el anuncio de la ofrenda que su comunidad ha dado para contribuir a los gastos de mis estudios en teología con vistas a mi candidatura al ministerio ordenado. Le agradezco profundamente en nombre personal el gesto solidario y por su intermedio a cada hermano y cada hermana de MCC NOVA. Hace muchos años que he recibido el llamado al ministerio. Soy de tradición católica, como lo es mi familia; me forme dentro de esa tradición. Desde pequeño sentí el llamado al sacerdocio y orienté mi vida y mis esfuerzos hacia ello. Tuve vida pastoral desde los 9 años, en misiones rurales, programas radiales, catequesis de niños y adolescentes. Entré al seminario a los 21 años y estuve por cuatro años. Siempre fui un homosexual confeso y por esta razón, se me permitió estudiar teología sin que se me autorizara la vida comunitaria con los demás seminaristas; en ese sentido viví en una comunidad de sacerdotes ancianos insertos en una comunidad barrial periférica de la ciudad de Montevideo. Mientras, trabajaba para solventar mis estudios y el aporte a la comunidad de vida e inserción. Mi Obispo de entonces me permitió tener un proyecto de vida pastoral acompañando comunidades eclesiales de base (CEB). Acompañé a esta CEB por 7 años, incluso luego de que deje el seminario(esta comunidad cuando presenté mi candidatura a la oficina de liderazgo de ICM, envío una carta dando testimonio de mi pasaje como animador esa comunidad). Al final fui invitado a dejar el seminario, a causa de que seguí confesándome homosexual. Mi discusión con el obispo era si puedo vivir el compromise del celibato, ¿que importa que sea homo o heterosexual? Pero no fui lo suficientemente convincente. Luego que salí del seminario, intente ordenar mi vida, creí que lo correcto era intentar una relación una mujer e intentar el cambio de orientación. Acto absolutamente fallido, no funcionó!!. Luego de muchos intentos de cambiarme, terapias de conversión, Dios habló a mi corazón como nunca antes lo había sentido tan fuertemente invitándome a aceptarme tal cual soy y vivir la fe y el llamado desde la identidad que tenía. Así fue. Lo acepté y fui la persona más feliz desde entonces. Inmediatamente intenté ponerme al servicio del movimiento GLBT, y milité políticamente desde entonces. Funde un grupo para personas gltb cristianos que pronto se convirtió en ecuménico e interreligioso. Las necesidades espirituales de este grupo me llevaron a buscar algo más. Así fue que conocí a ICM a través de ICM del Centro, gracias al Rev. Roberto González y su pareja Norberto D'Amico. Conocer a ICM me abrió las puertas a la esperanza y poco tiempo me llevó reencontrarme y recuperar la fuerza del llamado vocacional. Comencé el relacionamiento con ICM y junto a la pastora metodista Araceli Ezzati elaboramos un proyecto pastoral que luego de 2 años terminó siendo una ICM: La Diaconía Cristiana en la Diversidad * ICM Uruguay. Retomé mis estudios con muchas dificultades porque en Uruguay no tenemos un seminario al que pueda acudir para formarme y la formula que hemos encontrado es estudiar a distancia con un Seminario Argentino la Facultad de Teología ISEDET, la que tiene algunos planes a los que puedo acceder . A esta propuesta hemos agregados algunos cursos en el Instituto Teológico Anglicano de Montevideo. La convinación de estos dos planes de estudios me ha dado un programa a medida que me habilitará un básico en teología que me permita obtener la ordenación. Estoy ya casi al fina de esta primera etapa formativa. Si todo funciona correctamente a mediados de Junio estaré con los créditos académicos necesarios para presentar mi candidatura al ministerio a la oficina de liderazgo y tener la entrevista correspondiente que me permita la habilitación, ordenación e instalación. Sólo Dios sabe cuando será verdaderamente, yo estoy realizando mi parte. Creí conveniente compartir contigo parte de mi historia espero que nos conozcamos un poco más, reciban todo mi aprecio y el compromiso de devolver en servicio, trabajo y estudio tanta generosidad de su parte. Mucha paz y mis deseos de bien para ustedes Fernando Frontan Diaconía Cristiana en la Diversidad ICM URUGUAY Montevideo, Mayo 17 de 2005 Rev. Kharma Amos MCC NOVA Dear Sister: I have received from Pastor Elder Darlene Garner the news that your community has offered to contribute with the expenses of my studies in theology, as I prepare to embrace the religious ministry. I deeply thank you and every member, brother and sister of the MCC NOVA. Since I was a child I have felt the calling to follow the ministry. I was born under the Roman Catholic Church as well as my family and since I was a kid I felt drown to embrace the clergy life. Therefore, my entire life I have striven to pursue it. I had taken part actively in the pastoral activities in Uruguay by preaching in rural missions, radio broadcasting and teaching children and youth. I enrolled in the seminary at 21 years old where I studied theology for 4 years but since I was gay I was not allowed to carry on a community life with the rest of the novices. For this reason, I was placed in a community formed by old priesthood in Montevideo but was allowed to work for different tasks at the Roman Catholic Church in my homeland. I worked restlessly and obeyed without hesitation but since I always confessed my self as a gay I was invited to abandon the seminary. I always tried to stand for what I believe firmly, “If I can commit my self to live in celibacy, does it really matter if I am gay or straight?” Unfortunately, I never was that convincing to his eyes. Once I left the seminary life, I took some time to think and organize my life. I thought that the right thing to do would be to enroll my self in a relationship with a woman and change my sexual orientation, but it did not work. After so many dismays and failing attempts to change who I really am by therapy sessions, God spoke to my heart like he never did before, strong but yet clear, inviting me to accept my self just the way I am and simply to live faith. So, I did and since that moment on, I have been the happiest person ever. Immediately I got in contact with the GLBT in Uruguay and I have taken an active part in it, even politically. I formed a GLBT Christian group. Nevertheless my spiritual needs took me to look for something more and that is the way I got in contact with Central ICM and Pastor Roberto Gonzalez. By knowing ICM I have recuperated new strength and new hope in clergy life. I have undertaken my studies again but it has not been that easy since we do not have a seminary here where I can keep studying, so the only way we can do it so far, is by bringing some courses to Montevideo through the Theology Argentinan Seminar (Seminario Argentino Facultad de Teologia) into the Anglican Technology Institute of Montevideo and by combining them I will be able to achieve a basic level in theology so I can finish my studies and become a pastor. Currently I am finishing this educational stage, if everything turns out right I will be able to submit my candidacy so I can present my final test and right after that have my final interview. So, I will become a member on the clergy life. I do not know what the future will bring, only God knows but as for me, I feel complete and happy. Thank you for allowing me to share with you part of my story and I hope we can meet some more. I hope I can be able to pay back to all of you, your generosity with hard work and study, by serving the religious life I have accomplished, I feel very grateful for it. Thank you once more for all, I wish you all peace & my best wishes to you all. Sincerely; Fernando Frontan Diaconía Cristiana en la Diversidad ICM URUGUAY |
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 ALL who donated items for the children’s ministry book/supply drive!
Ø Special thanks to ALL who staffed our booth, prepared our float, drummed, and worked so hard to make this year’s PRIDE so special
Ø Special thanks to Sharon Bohlender for her service on the MCC NOVA Board of Directors. We will miss you
Ø Special thanks to ALL who participated in the first “Living the Questions” education and enrichment series, which was completed this week. Your commitment of time, energy, and resources, as well as your willingness to stretch yourselves and one another made our months together sacred and meaningful. Blessings to each of you as you continue your journey of spirit.