The Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson is the moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches, which has ministries in over 40 countries.  Dr. Wilson was part of the first LGBT faith delegation to meet with a sitting president in 1979.  She is currently a member of President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Metropolitan Community Churches and the Global Justice Institute publicly and firmly condemn the adoption of a federal law in the Russian Parliament that bans so-called “non-traditional sexual relations” and which mandates fines and jail terms for people convicted of sharing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) “propaganda.”

The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, said:

“Tradition is not about an idyllic past, but rather an ongoing transmission of values. Non-discrimination is one of these values important for the whole society. LGBT people have always been part of the larger Russian community. The only difference today is visibility. Russian tradition needs to meet universal human rights standards, such as the freedom of expression, a principle that applies to all Russian citizens irrespective of their national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, religion or sexual orientation.”

The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Executive Director of Global Justice Institute, continued:

“Let me be clear. Tradition is less essential in a democratic society than justice. Stop invoking tradition to perpetuate discrimination at the highest level against our LGBT brothers and sisters from Russia! They will remain proud and visible despite these attempts to silence them, while our solidarity with the Russian civil society fighting for LGBT rights will increase. Censorship shouldn’t be a value that characterizes any nation in the 21^st century.

“As a community of faith and a social justice institution, we reject the way the Russian authorities try to legitimize and legalize discrimination against LGBT people. Societal norms and traditions can’t be invoked in good faith when they deliberately harm vulnerable groups, such as LGBT people.“

The Global Justice Institute is a collaborative effort of Metropolitan Community Churches and The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, dedicated to fostering theological reconciliation, positive public images and economic development with LGBTI people around the globe.  For more information visitwww.globaljusticeinstitute.com or contact Rev. Pat, Executive Director, at revpat@globaljusticeinstitute.com SKYPE:  RevPatMCCNY

Current MCC Governing Board (left to right): Rev. Onetta Brooks, Liz Bisordi, Kareem Murphy, Raquel Benítez-Rojas, Rev. Elder Dr. Nancy Wilson, Rev. Tony Freeman, Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin, Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis, Bryan Parker

(En español)

Opening Statement from Current Governing Board

GBNC Announces Slate of Governing Board Candidates

Governing Board Nominating Committee (left to right):
Rev. Cathy Alexander, Rev. Catherine Dearlove, Rusty Hall

In July, Clergy and Lay Delegates will have the opportunity to elect 2 clergy and 3 lay candidates from the slate being presented. From the slate of lay candidates, the two who receive the highest number of votes will each receive a six-year term on the Governing Board. The candidate with the third highest number of votes will receive a three-year term. Of the clergy candidates, the two who receive the most votes will each earn a six-year term on the Governing Board.

From now until July, we encourage you to prayerfully consider the candidates, ask God for clarity and purpose, and consult your congregation. Read the biographical information and listen to the candidates’ videos, which will be coming soon. Learn all you can about them so that as clergy or lay delegates representing your congregation, you can vote for those who best represent the spiritual values, required skills, and future vision of MCC.

The Process

The GBNC’s mandate was to refine and implement a process to recruit qualified candidates and establish specific criteria for evaluation and selection of potential Board members.  The GBNC also had the benefit of lessons learned from the existing Governing Board as to the gifts, skills, and time required to fulfill the demands of Board service.

Candidates were required to demonstrate the following:

(1) Essential Qualifications (Assessed through the candidates’ submissions to the GBNC)

These included active local church membership, multiple levels of MCC involvement and experiences, a record of service or leadership, and a record of accomplishment(s).

(2) Essential Competencies (Assessed through the interview process and personal references)

These included trustworthiness, interpersonal skills, communication skills, ability to use technology and operate in a virtual environment, flexibility, teamwork skills, conflict management skills, support for diversity, and a spirit of generosity.

(3) Important Attributes (Assessed through self-disclosure, interviews and resume)

These included diverse perspectives (candidate diversity) and complementary skill sets critical to the operational needs of the Board (for example, expertise or ability in the law, finance, human resources, strategy, governance, previous Board of Director experiences, and leadership).

The GBNC reviewed candidate submissions, screened them against the required qualifications, conducted interviews, reviewed personal references, and shortlisted the candidates to arrive at the recommended slate.

The Candidates

The GBNC was excited with the response of well-qualified candidates offering different skills, attributes, work, and vocational experiences. In all, 18 people applied from 4 countries. Each candidate had a unique story to tell in their relationship with MCC and brought a love for the people of MCC, a passion to serve God’s people, and an energetic hope for the future of MCC.

Your Slate of Candidates

The GBNC is pleased to announce the following candidates recommended for election to the Governing Board.

All candidate biographies are submitted here as received from the candidates, without editing on the part
of the GBNC or MCC staff.  Please address all questions to GBNC@MCCchurch.net.

 Laity

Adrian Buganey

Adrian Buganey

I have been a member of MCC Brisbane Australia since 1976, along with my partner Rev Ivor Holmans (deceased).

It is necessary, for us who come from a small church, to fill  many roles, and I am currently serving my second term as Treasurer. I served a term as Assistant District Coordinator before Districts were disbanded  and have been on the Board of Ordained Ministry and the Judiciary Committee.

I worked for BHP Billiton for 30 years in accounting before retiring to spend more time with my partner;  God had other plans, and now  I work part time as CEO of Brisbane biggest and best Gay Spa & Sauna, a position I have held for over 10 years. Since the late 1980  I have been a volunteer with the Queensland AIDS Council and its many other names before it was  disbanded by our present State government.

I fought along side Ivor for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in this State of Queensland and continue to fight against homophobia.  I have protested and marched along side my sisters and brothers recently when the current Queensland government rescinded the Civil Partnership Bill. I have fought and continue to do so for marriage equality.

Adrian’s Video submission

Richard Henry

Richard Henry

For most of his l career, Richard was a small business owner.  He ended his professional career at Walt Disney World, where he worked for 15 years as a Systems Administrator and Loss Prevention Manager in the Merchandise division.

He came to Metropolitan Community Churches at Joy MCC in Orlando, Florida in 2003.  As a member of Joy, he served in leadership positions including the Board of Directors and Pastoral Search team.   Richard also led ministries and facilitated classes.     He currently resides in Sarasota, Florida and is an active member of Church of the Trinity.  Richard serves on the Board of Directors, Stewardship team and Programming team.  He is certified to facilitate CLM and has completed the requirements for LEAD certification.   He volunteers at the Moderator’s office.   Richard is a member of the UFMCC Older Adult Advisory Council.

Richard also serves on the board of Trinity Charities, which serves folks living with HIV/AIDS in the Sarasota and Manatee County areas.

Richard’s Video submission

Kareem D. Murphy

Kareem D. Murphy

Kareem Murphy is a member of the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC, where he has served in numerous volunteer and leadership roles, including Lay Delegate and Member of the Board of Directors.  He has also been active in ecumenical and interfaith outreach and networking for both his church and the denomination.  On behalf of MCC, Kareem organized over 15 different faith groups for the interfaith contingent of the National Equality March (2009), including our own Council of Elders.  Kareem currently serves on MCC’s Public Policy Team, facilitating MCC’s public ministry on issues of national policy. In that role, he helps the MCC Moderator in her service on the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Kareem also brings a passion to the fight for marriage equality, having collaborated with faith leaders across the City and other allies in the marriage equality efforts in Washington, DC and Maryland.  Following the victory in DC, Kareem and his husband and college sweetheart, Rev. DeWayne Davis, celebrated their 20^th anniversary with a “dream” wedding in August 2011.  He served as faculty at four MCC Leadership Mentoring Retreats, including the two for Young Adults.  He also served as the Volunteer Coordinator for both the 2010 General Conference in Acapulco and the 2011 People of African Descent Conference.

Kareem has lived in the Washington, DC area for over 20 years.  In his professional life, he is a Partner with The Ferguson Group, a Washington, DC-based government affairs firm specializing in local governments.  He heads the firm’s health care and homeland security practice groups.  He helped recruit and select five of the firm’s sixteen partners.  He led development of the firm’s more than $10 million budget for three cycles and chaired the team managing the last two strategic plans.  Kareem received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Spanish from Howard University and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Maryland at College Park.  He is a graduate of MCC’s first Leadership Mentoring Retreat.  He makes his home in Washington, DC with his husband and their canine child Dmitri.  Kareem is passionate about American Musical Theater.

Kareem’s Video submission

Sarah-Jane Ramage

Sarah-Jane Ramage

S-J is an assistant director in Deloitte’s UK restructuring services division of corporate finance.  In this role she is responsible for assisting businesses which are in financial trouble and managing businesses which have entered insolvency proceedings.  These roles regularly challenge her to make a little go a long way, to identify and implement creative solutions to complex and unusual problems.  She holds an MA from the University of Cambridge and is a chartered accountant.

She lives just outside Brighton on the South Coast of England with her partner Andrew and his two adult children.  She has been a member of MCC Brighton (UK) for 10 years, having searched for MCC since graduating in 2000.  She has served in a variety of roles both administrative and worship focused and currently serves on the Worship team and board of directors.  Since attending general conference in Acapulco in 2010, her interest in the wider denomination has grown and she served on the International Task Force during 2011 and 2012.  S-J has always demonstrated her faith in her secular life and truly embodies the values of MCC both spiritually and in matters of social justice and diversity, participating in her employers diversity network specifically considering trans and bisexual issues.
Sarah-Jane’s Video submission

Gail Rissler

Gail Rissler

I have been an active member since 1996 when I found in MCC a church home that would truly honor my commitment to God and my relationships with others. My MCC experience includes facilitating the Denomination 2014 – 2018 Strategic Vision, Mission and Action Plan. I am working with several MCC churches facilitating their five-year strategic plan development and providing leadership guidance. As a local church member, I served as a Board member (Treasurer), facilitator, strategic planner, organizational development consultant, Spiritual Autobiography and Personal and Spiritual Strategic Planning teacher, Covenant Team member and silent retreat leader.  I co-authored and teach an advanced Servant Leadership program focused on ministry leader growth, development, planning and action. I completed the MCC Creating a Life That Matters course, attended MCC Church Size and Stewardship Summits, developed church policies and procedures and led stewardship and capital building initiatives. Currently, I am a member of King of Peace (KOP) MCC, a rapidly growing and enthusiastic congregation, where I serve as the Strategic Planning Ministry Leader and a Spiritual and Personal Development teacher.

As the owner of Rissler Consulting, LLC, I design, facilitate and teach strategic planning for profit-based businesses, government, non-profit organizations and individuals across the nation. Previously, I was the Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of McDonald Bradley, Inc., an information technology firm specializing in high-end data solutions for the Intelligence Community. I hold a B.S.P.A. and M.P.A. in Public Financial Management from Indiana University and am an active member of the Association for Strategic Planning. I am an internationally certified Strategic Management Professional and hold a Gold Mastery Certification in Reinventing Strategic Planning. I believe I would bring key core competencies to the MCC Governing board including leadership and vision, strategic planning, business operations, budget and forecasting, contracts management, personnel management, corporate management and communications, organizational development and growth, and teaching and facilitation skills. I would be honored to serve our churches and our denomination.

Gail’s Video submission

Toni L. Smith

Toni L. Smith
Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Toni’s Spiritual Gift Assessment consistently shows her gifts are in generosity, faith and administration. Toni is extremely grateful for the foundation of faith laid by her family, in particular her Mother, and credits her for instilling the spiritual practice and joy of tithing. Toni is also extremely grateful for MCC – where she found we can have full spiritual freedom. In light of the legacy that she has received, her passion is to share that with others. In her 15 years at MCC of Greater Saint Louis, Toni L. Smith has served as a leader in many capacities:  Board Member (twice) and Vice Moderator during a time of a pastoral search, Lay Delegate, and Executive Director of the three-year Building Together Capital Campaign that secured the pledges necessary to buy and renovate the congregation’s current “home.”  She has also served as Stewardship Team Leader, L.E.A.D. Team Facilitator, MCCGSL liaison with Metropolitan Churches United (a coalition of churches in St. Louis), as well as having served on various worship teams and committees throughout the years.  Toni is recognized for her deep and abiding faith and spirituality and has served as a guest preacher.  She is highly principled, trustworthy and value centered with a deep commitment to diversity and equality.  Toni has a proven ability to build relationships and coalitions with both individuals and groups.  She has experience in financial management in both business and the church.  Additionally, Toni served on the board of Neighborhood Housing Services.

Toni is currently a State Farm Agent in St. Louis with 29 years’ experience in management and as an agent with her own business.  Prior to working for State Farm, she taught physical education and coached athletics in high school and junior high.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude with both a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University where she was inducted into the SIU-C Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.

 Clergy

Rev. Dr. Robert L. Griffin

Rev. Dr. Robert L. Griffin
Master of Divinity, Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA
Doctor of Ministry, Florida Center for Theological Studies, Miami, FL

Dr. Griffin is a current member and former Vice-Chair of the MCC Governing Board and is standing for re-election. His various leadership roles have included being a Religious Programming Specialist in the US Navy, a church planter and senior pastor in MCC, an MCC Intensive and REVM faculty member, a denominational staff member assisting three different elders (including the Moderator), a volunteer police chaplain, a board member of various non-profit organizations, and a Large Church staff minister.

He says: ”It has been both an honor and a privilege to serve MCC on the Governing Board. It has been a joy to be part of this dedicated team that has led our denomination into our current structure. As we prepare for the next triennium, I am very excited about our future as a movement and I believe strongly in the work of the Governing Board in partnership with the Senior Leadership Team and with clergy and lay leaders in the field to strengthen our denomination and help it move forward. If re-elected, I will continue to offer my services and skills to the best of my availability to help MCC be as healthy and vibrant as possible. In the style of servant leadership I will offer my experience of working in one of our corporate size churches, the Sunshine Cathedral MCC, where I serve as the Chief Programming Minister. In addition, I will also continue to find ways to utilize the skills I’ve developed from other work that I do and have done, such as church planting and serving as a Trustee for the Episcopal Divinity School, as a Board Member for V.I.S.I.O.N.S., Inc., and as a Fellow of the Rockwood Leadership Institute.”

Rev. Dr. Robert’s Video submission

Rev. Dr. Danny A. Spears

Rev. Dr. Danny A. Spears 

Danny was involved in various capacities as a lay person in MCC since 1981, before receiving his ordination as MCC clergy in 2001. He served as pastor at MCC of Corpus Christi, Texas from 2001 until 2007, and has served as pastor of Holy Covenant MCC in Brookfield, Illinois since 2007. Danny is a member of MCC’s Judiciary Pool and MCC’s Advisory Council for Older Adults. He holds both the Master’s and Doctor of Divinity degrees from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas. Danny’s primary gifts are administration, leadership, preaching and teaching.

Danny has specific interests in hunger issues and interreligious dialogue and cooperation both within and outside of MCC congregations; and he believes such cooperation and dialogue is crucial for promoting and implementing the various justice issues of our time—what may be interpreted by some as making the kindom of God visible in the here and now.

Danny and Richard Lofstrand, his spouse of almost 17 years, share their home with their three cats, Powder, Anthony and Cleopatra (Tony and Cleo). He is blessed to share in the family lives of Richard’s three children and three grandchildren. Danny enjoys cooking, reading, exercise, and is currently training for his first Sprint triathlon in August.

Rev. Danny’s Video submission

Rev. Peter Trabaris

Rev. Peter Trabaris

Rev. Peter Trabaris is honored to be nominated to serve on the Governing Board of MCC.  Pastor Peter as most call him, brings more than twenty-years of active Lay and Clergy ministry to the Governing Board.  Peter has served as the pastor in four MCC congregations.  He also previously served the denomination as a member of the former Great Lakes District Committee, serving variously as West Area Coordinator, Member-at-Large, and for more than six years as the Clergy Representative.  Peter was also blessed to serve MCC as a representative to the National Council of Churches of Christ USA, during the days when MCC was seeking to join that body, and working with GLBTIQ members of mainline churches helping them to organize and expand their own presence within the NCCC, and in their host denominations.  While a lay person, Peter served Good Shepherd Parish MCC, Chicago, as Lay Delegate, Board Member, and Treasurer.  Finally, in the religious sphere, Peter has also served on the Executive Boards of the Hyde Park/Kenwood Interfaith Council, the Chicago Church Federation, and the Lakeview Overnight Shelter Board, as well as co-founding the North East Lake County Clergy Network.

In the secular realm, Peter has worked for such notable firms as Baxter Healthcare Corporation, where he was hired to create the position of Customer Master Coordinator, and Grubb & Ellis Company where he rose through the ranks to become the assistant to the Senior Vice-President of Human Resources, and as such, a member of the HR Senior Leadership Team.  Peter holds a BA Degree in Organizational Management from North Park University, Chicago, IL.  Peter was trained for Pastoral Ministry by Samaritan College of MCC.  He is currently working on a Master of Arts in Theology degree from the Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA.

Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell

Rev. Dr. Carol Trissell joined Metropolitan Community Churches at Joy MCC in Orlando, Florida, in May 1995.  She became a member of the staff as the Assistant to the Pastor, the late Rev. Jimmy Brock, in August of that same year.  After being ordained, Carol served as Assistant Pastor, Interim Pastor, and was elected Senior Pastor in July 1998.  In November 2003, Carol accepted the call to serve as Senior Pastor of MCC of Greater Saint Louis and ministered there through April 2012.  Appointed to serve as Intentional Interim Pastor at MCC of Topeka in May 2012, Carol resides there with her pet family and co-parents her 14 year old son, Nathaniel.

Before joining Joy MCC, Carol served as a bookstore manager, Vice-President of Accounting at an insurance underwriting firm, Site & Unit Director with YMCA, and as manager of a small CPA firm.  Her professional degrees include a BS degree in Accounting (1980), a Masters of Divinity degree (1988), and she was conferred the degree Doctor of Ministry (2004).  Carol’s ministry project was entitled “Who is God?  Discovering Models of God in the Gay & Lesbian Faith Community”.  Professional certifications are Certified Public Accountant (1984 to 2005), MCC ordination (1997), MCC Supervising Clergy, and MCC Intentional Interim Specialist.  Carol has served as a non-profit board member with Baptist AIDS Partnership of North Carolina, Mental Health Association of Central Florida, and One St. Louis.  Her spiritual gifts are faith, leadership, and wisdom.

Rev. Carol’s Video submission

1-4 November 2013
Deadline to apply: 9 September 2013

Goals and Expectations
This retreat is designed for individuals under the age of 35 interested in serving MCC beyond the local level, as a volunteer or as a full-time vocation; as clergy or as lay leaders. The retreat will be designed to include denominational leaders and staff and will provide registrants with an opportunity for discernment about vocation on a denominational or movement level with MCC, and to really get the BIG picture about MCC globally.

Do you feel called to serve MCC beyond the local level, either as a leader, as a volunteer, or as a full-time vocation as clergy or lay leader? Have you wondered if you might be called to be an Elder? Or serve as part of the MCC Global Staff? Or do you want to understand more about the relationship of local church ministry and denominational/movement goals? Do you want to help shape MCC’s future?

If so, then maybe this retreat is for you!

Application
If you are interested in applying to participate in this Retreat, please submit the following information, including the short answer/ brief essay below, to the Moderator’s Office: RevNancyWilson@MCCchurch.net.

Please include the following information in your application:

• Name
• Address
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Gender Identity
• Age
• MCC church of which you are a member
• Senior Pastor’s name and email address

Short Answer/Brief Essay

1. Describe your history in MCC: maximum three pages double-spaced.
2. Define or explore your sense of calling to Global MCC: maximum five pages double spaced.
3. Explain your short term goals in leadership in MCC.
4. Articulate your long term goals in leadership in MCC.

References
Select two individuals to serve as references and ask each person to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf attesting to your qualifications to be selected to the Young Adult Leadership Mentoring Retreat. Please ask those providing references to submit letters to the Moderator’s Office by 9 September 2013. Send to RevNancyWilson@MCCchurch.net.

Anticipated Location/Costs/Application Review
Applications will be evaluated and reviewed by the Young Adult Leadership Mentoring Retreat Faculty. Only eighteen applicants will be accepted into this Retreat program.

Our expectation is that every participant will cover their travel costs. Tuition is free.

The total cost of lodging and meals is $280 for a semi-private room. In order to plan our budget, please let us know which of the following apply to you regarding the cost of room and board.

______ I can cover all of the cost of room and board and will pay $280.00.

______I will need a scholarship to cover $100 of the cost for room and board and I will pay $180.00.

______I will need a scholarship to cover half the cost of room and board and I will pay $140.00.

______I will need a scholarship to cover $200 of the cost for room and board and I will pay $80.00.

______I will need a full scholarship for the cost of room and board.

The Retreat will be held at DaySpring Conference Center in Ellenton, Florida.

Applicants should fly into the Tampa, Florida, airport no later than 1:00 p.m. EDT Friday, 1 November. The retreat ends after lunch Monday, 4 November. Please plan your departure no earlier than 3:30 p.m. EDT that day.

Deadline and Submission Format
Submit applications to the Moderator by 9 September 2013. Emailed applications are preferred at RevNancyWilson@MCCchurch.net. Applications can also be mailed to the Moderator’s Office, 3293 Fruitville Road, Suite 105, Sarasota, FL 34237.

Section 1

We invite you to submit your photos and stories for inclusion on this page.

Rev. Patrick S. Cheng, Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America

Rev. Patrick S. Cheng, Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America (1985-present)

MCC ordained, Associate Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology
Episcopal Divinity School.

“I am proud to be an Eagle Scout. I am equally proud to be an openly gay man. In fact, I attribute my many years in Scouting — first as a Webelos, then as a Boy Scout, and finally as a camp counselor — as helping me to come out, and to be honest with the world about who I am.

The first principle of the Scout Law is to be trustworthy. That means telling the truth — even if it might be uncomfortable or inconvenient — and living with integrity. By contrast, the closet, or hiding one’s sexual orientation, is the opposite of living a life of trustworthiness. “

Read the full Huffington Post article “A Scout Is Trustworthy” by Rev. Patrick S. Cheng, Ph.D.

“Second only to my union with Metropolitan Community Church, my experience with scouting has been my greatest life experience. I entered the scouting program as a Cub Scout around the age of nine. My mother served as our “den mother.”

Len Shelton, Eagle Scout and Clerk of the Board, MCC Austin

At the beginning of seventh grade I moved on to the Boy Scouts program. It so happened that the most outstanding scout troop in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas, met just a few blocks from my house. The troop was sponsored by the Rotary Club, and the scoutmaster was a very dedicated and skilled man named John Groom.

Very quickly I took to the camping, swimming, knot tying, canoeing, as well as leadership opportunities. I was selected as the patrol leader of the “Stag” patrol, and soon learned some strong leadership skills. Summers were filled with trips to Lake Corpus Christi to attend week long summer camp at Camp Karankawa. One of the major events at Camp Karankawa was the “Battle of the Flour.” I soon developed a repetition for being a fearless thrower of “flour bullets”….that would be small paper sacks filled with four.

Other summers I attended camp at the H.E.B. Foundation camp on the Frio River in the Texas hill country. One summer our troop attended camp at the Philmont Scout Ranch in Northeastern New Mexico. Another summer it was my good fortune to be able to attend the National Jamboree held at Valley Forge, Pa., with Boy Scouts from all over America.

As the years passed I moved up the scouting ranks until I reached my Eagle Scout Award as well as my Silver Explorer and twenty-eight merit badges. About this time I was honored to be chosen to represent the South Texas scouting programs along with seven other scouts to the “Governor’s Award” ceremony held at the state capital in Austin.

After graduating high school I never again served as a scout, but have been very proud to see my nephew and great nephew follow me as they attained their Eagle Scout Award.”

---

John E. Plumadore (right), Retired Scout Executive and MCC Toronto member

John E. Plumadore, Retired Scout Executive and MCC Toronto member.

Bryan Parker, Eagle Scout and MCC Governing Board member.

Bryan Parker, Eagle Scout and 2013 MCC Governing Board member.

“The award that is shown in Nancy’s article is the God and Country award.  I was the first Boy Scout in Michigan to earn the Protestant version of the award (there was a Scout that earned the Catholic version a year before me).  So as a historical side note it was this GAY Protestant Scout that earned the God and Country award in Michigan first and also became an Eagle Scout at the very early age of 13.  By the time this gay Eagle Scout finished his scouting years at the age of 18 he was a member of Order of the Arrow (an elite honors division of the BSA) and earned his silver, gold and bronze palms.  This are additional awards given to Eagle Scouts that continue to earn merit badges beyond those required to obtain Eagle. They go in that order because most only earn the silver and gold – very few get the additional merit badges after becoming an Eagle Scout to earn all three so being an Eagle Scout with a bronze palm is considered the highest honor in BSA.”

En 2013, la Iglesia Universal se encuentra a sí misma en una situación de disminución de participantes sin precedentes.  Hoy más que nunca, ICM está llamada a ser un nuevo tipo de iglesia en un mundo nuevo.  El Consejo de Obispas y Obispos no tiene ninguna duda de que ICM puede SER ESA IGLESIA y debemos siempre apoyarnos y dejarnos guiar por el poder del Espíritu de Dios.

En ese espíritu, queremos invitarlos a unirse a nosotros en esta jornada durante los próximos 30 días en los siguientes puntos:

1. Hacer la oración cada día.  Pedir a las personas de sus iglesias que se unan a nosotros.  ”Orando sin cesar” para que el Espíritu de Dios se derrame de nuevo sobre ICM mientras nor reunimos alrededor del mundo.
2. Junto con la misma oración de cada día, queremos pedirles que se unan a una intensión específica cada día.  La lista de cada intensión también se muestra en el enlace.
3. Determinar cómo podemos ayunar de una forma que podamos enfocarnos a nuestras mejores intenciones y oraciones para presenciar el milagro de la infusión del Espíritu de Dios en nosotros.  Puede que decidan ayunar dejando de comer por cierto tiempo (incluso solo una comida), ayunar de ver televisión, ayunar de salir a comer fuera, ayunar de dejar de comprar, etc.

El Consejo de Obispas y Obispos estará realizando estas tres cosas y creemos que la oración colectiva y las intenciones del pueblo de Dios harán posible el futuro que Dios tiene prefigurado para ICM.

Enlace al Documento: Jornada de 30 Días de ayuno y oración

Atentamente,

Consejo de Obispas y Obispos de ICM

Rev. Obispa Dra. Nancy Wilson

Rev. Obispa Lillie Brock

Rev. Obispa Darlene Garner

Rev. Obispo Hector Gutierrez

Rev. Obispo Ken Martin

Governor Padilla’s actions followed on the heels of those of the Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital city, when earlier this month she mandated that police in the city provide equal protection and access to support services regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“While some religious leaders mounted a vigorous campaign to defeat these legislative efforts completely,” said The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, “I want to lift up and celebrate the courage and conviction of Governor Padilla in announcing as he presented the new laws, he felt he had done his duty as a Christian.”

“While a coalition of faith leaders was successful in eliminating clauses that would have more fully guaranteed equality in commercial accommodations, rentals and public transportation,” she continued, “I and the members and friends of ICM Cristo Sanador, our MCC congregation in San Juan, believe with all our hearts that there is much rejoicing in heaven today, for the good news that the Creator’s plan of universal human dignity and equality has taken another step forward in our lives.”

The Rev. Jorge Delgado Rivas, member of The Moderator’s Public Policy Team and the Global Justice Institute, expressed his gratitude to the members and friends of MCC in Puerto Rico have long witnessed and worked for this day.  “I am sure,” he said, “many of us remember well the days not  that long ago when crimes committed against LGBT people were not even listed as hate crimes in Puerto Rico.  I want to lift up the memory of people like George Steven Lopez Mercado, targeted as a teenage gay rights activist, and brutally slain.  The police investigator in that case told us that ‘people who lead this life style need to be aware that this will happen.’  Today my brother, Steven, your work on behalf of our people has proved fruitful and those of us born LGBT have taken a huge step forward n reclaiming our rightful place among the human family.  I thank you for praying for us, Steven, and I salute the Governor for keeping his word to us.”

Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico remains an unincorporated territory of the United States.  While Puerto Ricans elect their own Governor and legislators, many aspects of life in the island nation remain under the auspices of the Congress of the United States.  The first federally funded survey to determine the future of the island as either a state or a commonwealth has been promised.

Metropolitan Community Churches applauds the leadership of the Puerto Rican Governor and legislature, as well as the vision of its citizenry, in working for the fundamental equality of all God’s children.

This statement prepared in conjunction with the Global Justice Institute,

The Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair.

For more information about Metropolitan Community Churches, contact Ann Craig at craignewyork@gmail.com.

For more information about MCC’s Public Policy Team or the Global Justice Institute, contact The Rev. Jim Merritt at RevJim@RevJim.org.

Daily Prayer:

God of the prophet Joel, as we gather in Chicago as your Pentecost people we ask for a fresh outpouring of your Spirit. We claim, great God of wind and fire, the gifts of the Holy Spirit for Metropolitan Community Church. We open ourselves to their unique manifestation among us so that we might boldly proclaim a gospel of Christian salvation, Christian community and Christian social action for the 21st century. As on that first day of Pentecost, may we experience at this General Conference not only a miracle of clear speech but also a miracle of hearing each other deeply, bringing new life to our shared dreams and visions.

read the full article on the washington post website http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-faith/wp/2013/05/22/prepared-for-change-there-have-always-been-gay-boy-scouts

23 May 2013 — Today the 1400 member national council of the Boy Scouts of America, meeting in Texas, voted to allow openly gay youth to join the Scouts effective January of 2014, while continuing to ban openly gay Scout leaders.  Council spokespersons said that while people have differing opinions on this policy revision, most agree that youth are better off because of their involvement in Scouting troops and activities.

While we applaud the decision to welcome gay scouts, we believe the amended policy sends a mixed message to youth seeking to integrate their sexual orientations and gender identities into their full personhood as they grow and mature.

Children are not better off when they are left without strong role models who represent the deepest truest parts of who they are as people of God, a truth sadly reflected in the scores of LGBT youth who suffer greater rates of homelessness and bullying than their non-gay peers.

As people of faith we call on the Boy Scouts of America to remedy the confusion youth will experience because of their new policy, and act to include all  youth and adults who seek to participate in Scouting, help other people, and keep themselves mentally awake and on a path of moral integrity.

This statement published by the Public Policy Team
of Metropolitan Community Churches.