Comments(0) Parliament passed important new legal protections against incitement to hatred on grounds of sexual orientation on Wednesday 7 May 2008. The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill received Royal Assent on 8 May, another historic step towards legal equality.
See the Stonewall article on these provisions.
Comments(0) See the full article in Ekklesia.
Comments(0) Dear Friends,
I wanted to email and let you know of some upcoming events in our life together.
Sacred Space
For the last few years we have offered a “Quiet and Calm” service once a month. This has been an oasis of calm in the week, with a simple celebration of Holy Communion, time for reflection and the opportunity for to be anointed with oil and prayed for. Attendance at this service has grown and we are now going to offer a similar service every other week. We have called this “Sacred Space” and it will follow a similar pattern each time - with space for soft music, gentle reflection and prayer. We will slightly change the content of the format, offering four variations:
Sacred Space: Communion
This will be a simple service of Holy Communion, offering time and space to pray and reflect on the needs of our world, of our church and of those we love, offering all our prayers to God through the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
Sacred Space: Healing
We will make time to receive the Sacrament of the Sick for those ill in mind, body or spirit, again in the context of a gentle service of prayer and reflection.
Sacred Space: Reflect
Our service will contain a reflection based on the life of Jesus or a theme appropriate to the time of year, again with a lot of time and space for prayer and meditation.
Sacred Space: Adoration
A time of quietness, prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament.
Over the space of two months we will experience all four of these themes.
Workshop on the Bible, Sexuality and Gender
On Tuesday 26th February at 8pm we are holding a workshop looking at what the Bible says about Sexuality and Gender and different interpretations of those passages. We will consider different Christian views of the authority of the Bible and how we can use the Bible in our own journeys of Christian discipleship. Please let me know if you wish to come.
Come and Sing Day
Please join us on 1st March between 11am and 4pm as we look at the songs we will be singing over Holy Week and Eastertide. This is for the choir and anyone else who enjoys singing. Please let me know if you wish to come along.
Membership Class
On Saturday 8th March, again between 11am and 4pm we will hold a membership class for anyone thinking of formally joining MCC. This is required for anyone who wishes to join - or transfer from another MCC congregation. Please let me know if you wish to come along.
And don’t forget……
Our special worship in Lent! Today we reflect on the Pharisees who criticised Jesus helped by Robbie Williams and his song “Sin, Sin, Sin” which is what the Pharisees accused Jesus of doing. John will be preaching for us. Next Sunday we look at the the woman who anointed Jesus with her tears and use the Christina Aguilera song “Beautiful” to help us in our reflections. If you haven’t taken a Smartie Tube yet please do so, and help us as we raise money for the Immigration Aid Unit.
I hope to see you in Church, and at some of our events, soon.
love
Andy
Andy Braunston
Pastor
Metropolitan Community Church of Manchester
www.mccmanchester.co.uk
Comments(0) See the Ekklesia article at http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/6723 describing the Employment Tribunal decision that the Anglican Bishop of Hereford had discriminated against a gay youth worker, is now required to pay compensation and costs, and must undertake equal opportunities training.
Comments(0) We are planning to hold a Come and Sing Day for the choir, and anyone else who wants to learn some new songs, on Saturday 1st March from 11am until 4pm. Please let Neil know if you wish to attend.
Comments(0) On Sunday the 6th of January the MCC church planters held the first Sunday Gathering of Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in Glasgow. 11 people prayed, sang and dreamed together about what God’s vision is for the community.
No single person holds the whole vision for the church, so as a group they prayed and meditated on what God is calling them to be. The following is what they put on their Dream Tree. Within these words is the vision of God, and more will be added as they work and grow together and more people bring their part of the vision.
Love * a ’safe place in the world’ ministry * a place full of friends * less doom and gloom and more laughter, music and fun * a place that is inclusive of all people in our community * a beacon of thoughtful, heart-filled christianity * building a Queer Theology for each individual * MCC in Glasgow needs to reach out to folk who are seekers so they may hear the Good News of Christ * a childrens ministry * honest, nourishing and life changing friendship with each other and with God/Jesus * a place of sanctity where I can feel calm * meeting needs in the wider community - social justice * welcome people of all ages * a place of refuge * working together, even in a small way, to make a difference in the community and the world * ‘beyond tolerance’: affirming and celebrating the marginalised * diversity of practice, of worship, of belief - unity in love for each other, unity in respect * ’community ministry’ (development of church ‘history/her-story/other-story, usually accepted boundaries) * a place of hope where no shame is felt * inclusive * part of the wider interfaith community * this is a place for me not to lead, but feed - a place to receive, and be an ‘internal organ’ of the body * a place for me to do some church healing * a place for spiritual sustenance in a spiritual desert * to be visible in the LGBT community and the wider community * ministry/place of real acceptance for religious beliefs *
a place to support Christians who are involved in other churches * to further the saying ‘God Loves All’ * a place where all are free to be * a place where art is - where expression can take many forms: music/web/art - each are valued * rest when it’s needed * peace between people - trust in each other * hope of Christ * compassion
to others - understanding of other groups in society * something different - a place where we learn to approach God in all sorts of, sometimes new, ways * a place of suprises * to sing to shout, to praise out! * friendship * safe space * youth work * outreach to other minority groups * a place to ask questions
The next meeting of Metropolitan Community Church in Glasgow is 3rd February, 11.30am, at The LGBT Centre, 84 Bell Street, Glasgow.
See their website at http://www.mccinglasgow.co.uk for full details and contact information.
Comments(0) It was with great pleasure that the Board of Directors, at this evening’s Annual General Meeting, awarded the Outstanding Service Award for 2007 to John Foulds in recognition of his quiet yet highly appreciated work across a wide range of ministry areas.
On many occasions, John has shown himself to be a safe and willing pair of hands whenever something needed doing. He has been a supportive and listening ear for many who have shared their concerns with him, while he himself has been struggling with the pain of leaving behind a life which was bringing him to his knees, both physically and spiritually. John came to us needing much love, and has responded by showing much love to others.
And so, while the award in previous years has generally been given in recognition of particular notable projects or achievements, the Board were delighted this year to acknowledge the many ordinary yet important ways in which John builds up our church as a place where the love of Jesus is to be encountered. And we regard these gifts as worthy of celebration.
Comments(0) Each year we have our Annual General Meeting on the second Sunday of Advent whilst St Chrysostom’s host the Victoria Park Carol Service. This year our AGM falls on Sunday 9th December. We will, therefore, NOT be serving refreshments after church on that Sunday. Instead we will travel to Sedgley Park Police College in Prestwich (lifts available) for a Christmas Dinner, AGM and concert from Neil. The cost for the meal is £18 (unwaged £10) but we don’t want to exclude anyone on the grounds of cost. Please use the bookings forms and return this with your payment to Andy.
Comments(0) Link to the Ekklesia article published on 19th November 2007.
Comments(0) See the article about this in Ekklesia.
Comments(0) Follow the link to this news item from Ekklesia (a think-tank that promotes transformative theological ideas in public life) which describes how Living Springs Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of Bath is getting involved with a group of Accepting Evangelicals - a open network of Evangelical Christians who believe the time has come to move towards the acceptance of faithful, loving same-sex partnerships at every level of church life, and the development of a positive Christian ethic for gay and lesbian people.
Comments(0) A Message
From the Moderator’s Office
of Metropolitan Community Churches
__________________________________
June 1, 2007
Dear Friend:
I’m writing today to invite you to reach out with a word of love and encouragement.Let me explain…Just two weeks ago, 20-year old Sean Kennedy of Greenville, South Carolina was enjoying an evening out with friends. His friends and family describe him as happy, loving, energetic, personable, friendly, and caring.As Sean left a “teen night” event at a local gay bar, a car pulled up, a young man hopped out, and Sean was beaten by an 18-year old in yet another senseless anti-gay hate crime. Sean died the next day from injuries he received in that attack.I was deeply saddened by Sean’s tragic death, and I was also deeply touched by the words of Sean’s mother, Elke Kennedy.Listen to what she told a local TV station:“When Sean told me he was gay, he said, ‘Mom, I understand if you don’t want to love me any more.’ And I told him there is nothing, ever, that you can do to make me stop loving him.” Then she added, “If your son or daughter is different, you need to support them for who they really need to be.”So today, I’m simply writing to invite you to share your love and condolences with this mother, who loved her gay son so beautifully and unconditionally. Will you send her a word of encouragement and let her know she is in our prayers during her time of sadness and loss?Notes and cards may be sent to her by postal mail at: Elke Kennedy, 7 Brandywine Court, Greenville, SC 29615. You may send e-mails to Elke at elke445@yahoo.com.One more note:On Sunday evening, June 3, a public vigil will take place in Greenville to honor Sean’s life. This vigil is being organized by Rev. Donna Stroud, pastor of MCC of the Upstate, along with other religious leaders and political groups, and Sean’s family will be present.
Won’t you join me in prayers that this vigil, along with the public attention it will receive, will help to motivate the state legislature to adopt a hate crimes bill? South Carolina is one of only four U.S. states that has never adopted any type of hate crimes law.
Thank you for taking a moment to respond to this request, and thank you for the many ways you share God’s unconditional love every day. “By your love for one another, everyone will know you are my disciples.” (The words of Jesus, from the Gospel of John 13:35)
Grace and peace,
+ Nancy
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
_________________________________________
Below Is The MCC Statement That Will Be Read At Sunday Evening’s Vigil in Greenville, South Carolina:
~~~ Sean William Kennedy ~~~
Remarks:
On a typical May evening a few weeks ago, Sean Kennedy was a healthy, happy 20-year-old gay man living in Greenville, South Carolina. While enjoying the company of his friends at a bar named Brew’s on May 16, 2007, he became one of a growing number of victims who every year lose their lives to hatred and senseless violence.His attacker, Stephen Andrew Moller, just 18 years old himself, though not counted in those statistics, will nonetheless also lose his life or some portion of it because somewhere, at his still young age, he learned it was acceptable to randomly select, bash, batter and even kill gay people.
It’s time for this violence to stop!
It’s time for this violence to stop… and for religious groups to stop fanning the flames of anti-gay prejudice. The sad reality we live with every day is this: Far too much of the violence directed against God’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children is rooted in religion-based fear and misunderstanding.
– Ending hate crimes and protecting all Americans equally
does not “persecute” those who hold differing views on
race, gender identity, ability or sexual orientation, as
claimed by Carrie Gordon Earl of Focus on the Family.
– Enacting legislation at the local and federal level to end
hate crimes protects all of us, regardless of our differing
beliefs and convictions.
It’s time for this violence to stop… and for parents, guardians, teachers, pastors and community leaders everywhere to teach our children, in the words of Sean’s mother, Elke Kennedy, that “people should not be judged or attacked or killed because others don’t like who they are.”
We are joined in spirit tonight as people of faith and people of goodwill, from many creeds and customs, many races and personal identities, to say:
Save our children…
from ignorance and hate,
that rob them of their innocence.
Save our young people…
from the tragedy of anti-gay violence,
that robs them of life’s hope and joy.
Save our society…
from all prejudice and judgment,
that rob us of our common humanity
and fail to reflect the acceptance
of the God who is Unconditional Love.
In the Scriptures — which we, as spiritual leaders in Metropolitan Community Churches, hold most dear — Jesus counsels prayer, not persecution, and certainly not violence, in response to disagreement, even when it rises to the level of considering ourselves enemies.
“Treat others
as you would like them
to treat you,” he says.
“Love your enemies
and do good.”
– Luke, Chapter 6
Sean Kennedy treated everyone well, according to family and acquaintances alike. He was a generous and kind soul. Even in death, he acted to save, not take, life by donating his vital organs. Because of his choice, the lives of four people he never knew have been saved.
Whether we who are gathered here tonight knew Sean or not, we can make a choice to follow his good example and act now to save the lives of the one in six of the twenty-five daily victims of hate crimes who will be attacked, and in some cases killed, for no other reason than their sexual orientation or gender identity.
– We urge all South Carolinians tonight to contact
Senator Robert Ford and let him know he is not
alone in his effort to introduce new hate crimes
legislation in the State Senate.
– Contact Representative Seth Whipper in the
South Carolina House of Representatives and let
him know that you support his efforts to introduce
similar legislation in his chamber.
– Contact South Carolina’s U.S. Senators Lindsey
Graham and Jim DeMint. Tell them of Sean’s
unnecessary death — and tell them you expect
them to pass the Matthew Shepherd Act now!
And pray with us, not only for Elke and the family and friends of Sean Kennedy, but also for Stephen Andrew Moller and his family, and for all the people who, like Stephen, think it is acceptable to harm those who are different from us.
No one is safe from hatred’s reach until everyone is equally valued as a human being and equally protected under the law. No one wants to save and protect all of our lives more than the God in whose name we speak tonight.
+ Arlene
Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman
Member, Board of Elders
+ Nancy
Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
_________________________________________
Comments(0) PUBLIC STATEMENT
by Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches
On the Exclusion of Bishop Gene Robinson from
Participation in the Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Communion
As the Archbishop of Canterbury sent out over 800 invitations to the upcoming Lambeth Conference — the global, once-a-decade gathering of Anglican Bishops – four names were omitted from the invitation list, two glaringly so: Bishop V. Gene Robinson and Bishop Martyn Minns.
Bishop Robinson was excluded because he is openly gay. Though “duly elected and consecrated according to the proper procedures of the Episcopal Church,” according to Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Robinson’s presence is seen as “divisive” and “scandalous.”
Minns, on the other hand, unduly consecrated and now heading a body of churches in the United States not recognized by the global Anglican community, was apparently excluded for his participation in the formulation of a renegade diocese.
Though dismayed that the Church of Jesus Christ would exclude any of its shepherds from the table, I also find myself wondering why Bishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria, who consecrated and installed Minns illicitly, has the door held wide open to him?
Archbishop Rowan Williams says he has the right to withhold invitations to bishops whose appointment, actions, or manner of life have caused division. Have not his own actions, in excluding two of his colleagues of diverse theological perspective and opinion, “caused division”? Have not the actions of Bishop Akinola, including his rejection of the collegial authority of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, because she is a woman, “caused division”? Jesus’ counsel to those of us who place ourselves on the throne of judgment instead of before it is simple and direct, “First, take the log out of your own eye.” (Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7)
Bishop Robinson is to be commended for his courage in practising the truthfulness and fidelity he has long preached. As an obviously gifted and qualified church leader, he should be held in high esteem for responding unhesitatingly to God’s call to serve the Church. In a church culture of whispers, secrets, silence and avoidance, Bishop Robinson’s stand of truthfulness distinguishes him.
In light of Archbishop Rowan’s decision, I commend to you the words of Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd, who guides MCC’s work in the United Kingdom: “How tragic that thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Anglicans have been shunned by the Archbishop’s decision. Even more tragic is that many of these will understand this as God’s rejection. Perhaps most tragic of all is that at a time when a united Church could call the world to peace, work for justice, feed the hungry and heal the suffering, it instead divides itself according to internal political agendas.”
Likewise, I echo the words of Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, who oversees MCC’s ministry and commitment to human rights across Eastern Europe: “To deny Bishop Robinson full participation in the Lambeth Conference seems to be a response to the political agenda of some conservative members of the Anglican Communion. Bishop Robinson’s only “problem” appears to be that he loves another man. Jesus always stood with the marginalized and oppressed. Would Jesus have discriminated against Bishop Robinson? Would he have turned his back and stood with the angry mob? It is my sincere prayer that Archbishop Williams will reconsider his decision to exclude Bishop Robinson from participation as a full member of the Anglican Communion, including his presence at the Lambeth Conference. There should be no second class Bishops.”
I urge all people of faith to join me in praying for the Episcopal Church as it continues to wrestle with the question of inclusion. Pray with me for all our brothers and sisters across faith lines, to have the courage to honestly examine the issues of sexuality, including the racialization of sexuality, the history of colonial churches and sexual ethics.
The Church Universal must do this work together, in open and honest conversation, for God’s sake, and for the sake of all people around God’s earth who hunger for faith and spirituality. The exclusion of more and more leaders and members is a terrible and sad price to pay in exchange for avoidance of conflict. (And in your prayers, please pray for Metropolitan Community Churches, that we might never lose our God-given calling to lead by example, to stand with those who are marginalized and rejected, and to share the hope-filled message of God’s unconditional love for all people through Jesus Christ.)
The decision of Archbishop Williams is one that deserves the close scrutiny by all people of faith, for its heart, it serves to further alienate and divide the whole Body of Christ. I urge us all to pray, as Jesus prayed: “May they all be one.” (Gospel of John, Chapter 17)
+ Nancy
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
http://www.mccchurch.org/
This statement prepared in conjunction with MCC’s Board of Elders; the MCC Global Justice Team, Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair; and the MCC Communications Department.For Additional Information, Contact:
Jim Birkitt, MCC Communications Director
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.net
Web: http://www.mccchurch.org/
Comments(0) Prior to the Rev Nancy Wilson’s recent trip to Jamaica, the Revs Robert Griffin and Durrell Watkins took part in a ministry trip to Jamaica where they led a prayer service for 23 people, visited an AIDS Hospice and led a leadership training event for 30. The group there is supported by both UFMCC and Sunshine Cathedral MCC (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida). On Sunday 102 people gathered for worship! - this is in a country where LGBT people have regularly been beaten and killed simply for being perceived as LGBT. The Jamaica church’s music director was murdered the week before the MCC visit.
