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| Download CAFE's monthly newsletter CAFE Lately July 2007 .pdf format |
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Metropolitan Community Churches
PO Box 1374 w Abilene, Texas 79604
Web: www.MCCchurch.org ~ Email: info@MCCchurch.net
PO Box 1374 w Abilene, Texas 79604
Web: www.MCCchurch.org ~ Email: info@MCCchurch.net
March 22, 2007
MCC's HIV & AIDS Mission To South Africa and
Zimbabwe Begins This Week
A Call To Prayer + The MCC Team's First Day Blog
A Message from
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
MCC Moderator
MCC's HIV & AIDS Mission To South Africa and
Zimbabwe Begins This Week
A Call To Prayer + The MCC Team's First Day Blog
A Message from
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
MCC Moderator
Dear MCC Friend:
On Tuesday, March 20, an MCC Team led by Joshua Love and
Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd departed for South Africa and
Zimbabwe. While there, they will continue MCC's ministry of
support and respite to children and adults living with HIV/AIDS in
areas where there is limited health care and support.
I'm pleased to share two items with you related to this trip:
First, I have authored "A Prayer for Africa," which you will find
below. I invite you to use this in your public worship services and
small group studies, as well as in your personal devotional time,
over the next two weeks.
Second, Joshua Love will be writing a daily blog of this MCC
ministry trip as a wonderful way for you to keep up to date with the
Team's ministry and to share in their accomplishments. The very
first installment – written by Team Leader Joshua Love -- is
included below.
I encourage you to read Joshua's words -- and to hold this Team
within your hearts and in your prayers.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
www.MCCchurch.org
____________________________________________________
God, who is the God of all Creation, who is gentle and good,
we pray for all who are traveling to Zimbabwe and South
Africa over the next few weeks. We pray for safe travel, and
for your grace and mercy to be abundant and real all through
the journey.
We pray for the delegation from MCC and from the UCC, and
other guests taking part in this ministry. We pray for all that
will be given and received by everyone – the children, the
guests, and those who work at the orphanage. We bless
Mother Jean, and her life-saving work with the children. We
ask for your abundant blessings to be poured out in that
place and on that work, which is Your work.
We also pray for our MCC Churches in South Africa, that
they, too, will be blessed and offer blessings in this visit from
their new Regional Elder and MCC staff. May your Holy Spirit
be poured out abundantly in worship and in times of learning
and planning.
May all return safely, and may the seeds that are planted grow
into an abundant harvest for your people everywhere,
especially in your beloved Africa.
____________________________________________________
Day One Report
Journal Entry: Metropolitan Community Church HIV/AIDS Social
Transformation Ministry Kairos Mission to Zimbabwe & South Africa
Dateline: Tuesday, March 20, 2007, 3 PM
Location: London, UK
Status: Awaiting Flight to Africa
Author: Joshua Love, Program Director HIV/AIDS
This is the first entry in the log of our journey to Zimbabwe and
South Africa. Our team is assembling in London today and we will
soon be enroute to South Africa. This is our second trip in our
outreach to Zimbabwe to provide compassionate services to
children and adults as well as respite for workers at a very special
orphanage that cares for many children with HIV and AIDS. This
year we are returning with a larger team and we will also travel
with Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd to MCC congregations in South
Africa.
We chose the familiar Greek word, Kairos, for MCC's mission
outreach this year. The New Testament term kairos, according to
Robert McAfee Brown, refers to a "time of opportunity demanding
a response: God offers us a new set of possibilities and we have
to accept or decline….As Christians we affirm an understanding
that mission is not something we do if (or when) we have a little
extra time in the week. It is not just another program of the church
or some special outside agency. No, mission is integral to what it
means to be the church of Jesus Christ."
This thought is in my heart as we await our flight to Africa: "The
church exists by mission, just as fire exists by burning. Every
church is a mission station and every Christian a missionary."
(Eric Bruner as cited in Donald E. Messer, Breaking the
Conspiracy of Silence: Christian Churches and the Global AIDS
Crisis)
As we prepare to embark for Africa, I feel this fire burning in the
midst of our team. God is calling Metropolitan Community
Churches into a new era of global social justice and Christian
advocacy. This is our "kairotic moment," a chance to speak a
resounding 'yes' to God and to the people of Africa most deeply
impacted by the AIDS pandemic.
It is an amazing thing to see MCC take its radical and inclusive
ministry the next step into our next 40 years of Christian service.
We renewed our commitment to HIV/AIDS ministry at MCC's
General Conference and World Jubilee in Calgary, Alberta,
Canada. In worship, conference gatherings, and on the streets of
Calgary members of our community stood in solidarity and
compassion with people living with HIV/AIDS around the world.
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski and I had the privilege and blessing of
calling on our Fellowship for a time of rebirth and restoration in
our long history as first responders to the AIDS pandemic. At that
conference, members of Metropolitan Community Churches' faith
communities from around the world gave generously to support a
new mission project in Africa working to save and improve the
lives of children orphaned by and infected with HIV/AIDS.
The orphanage that MCC supports grew from a prophecy that
specifically called for a place to be built that would offer
succor and comfort to the children of Zimbabwe, celebrate
the power of faith in Christ, and welcome all who needed rest
and healing.
Mother Jean and her sister, Stella, as dedicated people of faith,
pursued this vision to the site of a former leprosy settlement on
the side of a mountain that is known by a native word that means
"cut off." They prayed, worked on the land, and allowed the word
to spread that they would help children in need, and that no child
with HIV/AIDS would be turned away.
Over time, children were brought to this growing community from
the surrounding villages, near and far. In each child, Mother Jean,
Stella, and the people who joined their mission saw the possibility
of a revitalization and resurrection for the people of Zimbabwe. If
good nutrition, clean water, medication, tender loving care - and
most importantly, prayer - could be given to these children then
with God's help there was a chance to make a difference.
Their community has grown from a kernel of faith into a place
that abundantly teaches about how to love one another and
earnestly pursue the teachings of Jesus. They suffered many
hardships along the way and managed to hold true to their cause.
On the side of the mountain they have lost many children
because the limited supply of AIDS medications that could be
brought in were too few or not strong enough to reverse the
progression of the disease.
Over time the orphanage has been able to grow its mission. In
addition to the 200 children they serve, they have a clinic
that offers free medical care and support to the surrounding
villages. Their supplies of medications are very limited but in
partnership with a doctor from Oakland, California, they have
brought a massive amount of direct care to this rural region.
During MCC's trip last year, we served by their sides at the clinic
with this doctor, who saw more than 400 patients with AIDS, and
many who were also infected with other serious illnesses, such as
tuberculosis.
In partnership with other faith groups, including churches and
leaders in the UCC, MCC began to build a relationship that has
become one of the central programs of Metropolitan Community
Churches' HIV/AIDS Social Transformation Ministry.
On MCC's trip last year, we started a journaling process so we
could share the experience with Metropolitan Community
Churches throughout the world. This is the continuation of that
commitment.
We also produced a DVD documentary, We Who Are One Body,
that has been widely distributed as a result of World AIDS Day. It
tells the story of our experience and gives an intimate view of the
lives of the children and the people who care for them. It is an
uplifting story in spite of the hardship and losses they experience.
We learned so much from their witness. The people of the
orphanage sang to us when we arrived, while they worked, for fun
and celebration, and for worship. The sounds of their voices
joined in hope and love filled all of us with hope and an
understanding of what it means to make a joyful noise. To sing
praises to God and welcome to friends, in the face of near
unending adversity, is a powerful spiritual gift.
During our 2006 stay at the orphanage, one of the tiny babies,
Little Anthony, passed away in the night. Like many children in
Africa, by the time he was brought to the orphanage, he was
beyond the point that he could be restored to full health. There is
a children's cemetery at the orphanage that has almost a hundred
stories like his to tell. We were honored to be able to share in
Little Anthony's funeral and to offer up our prayers to God on his
behalf. When a child dies, every member of the community stops
what they are doing and gathers to mourn the loss, honor the
passage, and celebrate the marriage of life and death.
A year has passed since we were invited to place ourselves in
the very heart of this mission and the power of the
experience to educate, awaken, and inspire has not
diminished. It still glows bright as we being this new journey to
join them again. We have been in contact with Mother Jean over
the course of the year and we were blessed to share time with
Mother Jean in-person when she visited the United States. She
has expressed such deep gratitude to all members of the
Metropolitan Community Churches' faith communities who have
given of themselves to help keep the mission alive. She has
committed her life to God and to this work for as long as she is
able to continue, as has her sister, Stella.
Part of my work as the MCC Program Director is to support my
team and traveling companions. I want you to know who they are
and pray for them in this work. They are: Rev. Glenna Shepherd,
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski, Christy Ebner and Jack Miller. I'll tell you
more about them in the following paragraphs. I want you to
visualize us personally as you pray for us, and so you will
have the best context for MCC's global work with HIV/AIDS.
Part of my MCC ministry is also to raise awareness and help
generate resources to create a sustainable support structure for
this mission in Zimbabwe. I am coordinating the Kairos Mission this
year and continue to learn and receive guidance and spiritual
direction from experienced leadership.
I want to thank those churches that have invited me to lead
workshops and preach about my own journey with HIV/AIDS, drug
addiction and recovery - and about MCC's work in Africa. Many of
you have taken "love offerings" to help support this ministry and
many of you are supporting the work at the Orphanage directly. I
hope you will continue to "pay it forward" by telling people in
your home communities about this project. More and more
people are joining this effort who are not members of MCC and
this helps us spread the good news even more broadly. If you
haven't seen the documentary, please order a copy now; I know
the story of this work will bless you. (For ordering information,
please write to BillHooper@MCCchurch.net for details.)
Now, let me tell you about team member Christy Ebner. She is
the Program Assistant to the Metropolitan Community Churches'
HIV/AIDS Social Transformation Ministry and Confidential
Assistant to Rev. Elder Diane Fisher. Christy grew up in the
Methodist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas. She worked with local
youth organizations and credits her brother and adoptive parents
with instilling in her the importance of service and compassion.
She has always experienced a strong spiritual call to be of service
to others.
Christy's volunteer work has ranged from Young Life, the
American Heart Association, tennis camps for youth, and Home
Refurbishing Ministries for people in Dallas, Texas and worship
support at the Cathedral of Hope, mission work in the Dominican
Republic with members of Metropolitan Community Churches'
from the US and Canada. The mission trips to the Dominican
Republic really shaped and inspired Christy's spiritual and
professional life. She served in all aspects of the creation of the
MCC of Greater Dallas and has now begun to serve the fellowship
at the Regional and Global levels. Her passion for mission work
and volunteerism made her an ideal addition to the Metropolitan
Community Churches' HIV/AIDS Social Transformation Ministry.
She is a gifted photographer and will be serving as the MCC co-
archivist for the "Kairos Mission" to Zimbabwe and South Africa
2007.
Another team member who is a volunteer is John "Jack" Miller.
He grew up in the Assemblies of God. His father was a minister
with a strong passion for mission work. As a family, they worked to
support local at-risk youth through a variety of outreach centers
and church ministries. They moved a lot as a family, which gave
Jack a strong sense that there were many different ways that
people lived in the world. Jack lived in 11 states in the US and
traveled throughout western and eastern Europe, the US, Mexico,
Central America, and Canada. In both high school and college,
Jack went abroad to study in Germany. The combination of his
childhood experiences of ministry and work with youth and his
later travel and study abroad instilled in him a passionate desire
to know more about the people of the world and to offer a hand of
support wherever possible.
Jack has a lifelong commitment to service and volunteerism. He
has served on the boards and volunteer teams of organizations
such as Easter Seals in Mexico, Howard Dental Clinic, a
comprehensive dental care program for people living with
HIV/AIDS in Denver, Colorado, Civitan, and the Active 20/30. In
early 2006, Jack, his partner Mike, and I were sharing a meal after
my return from the orphanage visit, when Jack felt a call to begin
helping children in Africa. Over the course of the year he, his
partner, Mike, and I discussed the orphanage mission. When the
DVD documentary, We Who Are One Body: A Spiritual Walk
With AIDS, was released in November, Jack found the focus for
his new call. He reached out to me to ask if there were specific
needs at the orphanage that he and Mike could work to support.
We discussed the options for giving and Jack immediately knew
he wanted to build a building at the orphanage.
Together, they launched a project called AfricaJack.com to host
fundraising events, raise awareness, and partner with
Metropolitan Community Churches' HIV/AIDS Social
Transformation Ministry on fundraising for the Africa missions. To-
date Jack has reached his initial goal to raise enough funds to
complete the work on the visitor's quarters at the orphanage and
he continues to receive pledges and offers of donations for
toothbrushes, school supplies, and other needed items. His work
on this mission has helped him to redefine the direction of his
professional life, too. As of the end of March, the AfricaJack
Foundation will receive US government recognition as a non-
profit, tax-exempt organization and Jack will serve as the
Executive Director, raising money for this project and others on
the highly impacted continent of Africa.
Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd is the newly elected Elder serving
Region 4 which includes Western Europe and Africa. She recently
relocated to the UK with her spouse, Kermie. Prior to her election,
Rev. Elder Shepherd served as Senior Pastor to the church in
Portland in the United States.
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski is the Elder serving Region 2 and holds
the portfolio responsibility for HIV/AIDS. Rev. Jim is not on the trip
this year due to his U.S.-based schedule. He was with us last year
and you can hear his perspective about this work in the DVD.
I'm in the the process of setting up a blog on the Internet where
we can share this kairos experience together. I'll be juggling that
project during our travel and initial set-up time in Africa; you will
be hearing more about the blog soon on the MCC website at www.
MCCchurch.org.
Please pray for us and know that we are praying for you. You are
such an important witness to all of us as you sustain and grow
your local ministries.
Joshua Love
On Tuesday, March 20, an MCC Team led by Joshua Love and
Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd departed for South Africa and
Zimbabwe. While there, they will continue MCC's ministry of
support and respite to children and adults living with HIV/AIDS in
areas where there is limited health care and support.
I'm pleased to share two items with you related to this trip:
First, I have authored "A Prayer for Africa," which you will find
below. I invite you to use this in your public worship services and
small group studies, as well as in your personal devotional time,
over the next two weeks.
Second, Joshua Love will be writing a daily blog of this MCC
ministry trip as a wonderful way for you to keep up to date with the
Team's ministry and to share in their accomplishments. The very
first installment – written by Team Leader Joshua Love -- is
included below.
I encourage you to read Joshua's words -- and to hold this Team
within your hearts and in your prayers.
Grace and peace,
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
www.MCCchurch.org
____________________________________________________
God, who is the God of all Creation, who is gentle and good,
we pray for all who are traveling to Zimbabwe and South
Africa over the next few weeks. We pray for safe travel, and
for your grace and mercy to be abundant and real all through
the journey.
We pray for the delegation from MCC and from the UCC, and
other guests taking part in this ministry. We pray for all that
will be given and received by everyone – the children, the
guests, and those who work at the orphanage. We bless
Mother Jean, and her life-saving work with the children. We
ask for your abundant blessings to be poured out in that
place and on that work, which is Your work.
We also pray for our MCC Churches in South Africa, that
they, too, will be blessed and offer blessings in this visit from
their new Regional Elder and MCC staff. May your Holy Spirit
be poured out abundantly in worship and in times of learning
and planning.
May all return safely, and may the seeds that are planted grow
into an abundant harvest for your people everywhere,
especially in your beloved Africa.
- - authored by Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, MCC
____________________________________________________
Day One Report
Journal Entry: Metropolitan Community Church HIV/AIDS Social
Transformation Ministry Kairos Mission to Zimbabwe & South Africa
Dateline: Tuesday, March 20, 2007, 3 PM
Location: London, UK
Status: Awaiting Flight to Africa
Author: Joshua Love, Program Director HIV/AIDS
This is the first entry in the log of our journey to Zimbabwe and
South Africa. Our team is assembling in London today and we will
soon be enroute to South Africa. This is our second trip in our
outreach to Zimbabwe to provide compassionate services to
children and adults as well as respite for workers at a very special
orphanage that cares for many children with HIV and AIDS. This
year we are returning with a larger team and we will also travel
with Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd to MCC congregations in South
Africa.
We chose the familiar Greek word, Kairos, for MCC's mission
outreach this year. The New Testament term kairos, according to
Robert McAfee Brown, refers to a "time of opportunity demanding
a response: God offers us a new set of possibilities and we have
to accept or decline….As Christians we affirm an understanding
that mission is not something we do if (or when) we have a little
extra time in the week. It is not just another program of the church
or some special outside agency. No, mission is integral to what it
means to be the church of Jesus Christ."
This thought is in my heart as we await our flight to Africa: "The
church exists by mission, just as fire exists by burning. Every
church is a mission station and every Christian a missionary."
(Eric Bruner as cited in Donald E. Messer, Breaking the
Conspiracy of Silence: Christian Churches and the Global AIDS
Crisis)
As we prepare to embark for Africa, I feel this fire burning in the
midst of our team. God is calling Metropolitan Community
Churches into a new era of global social justice and Christian
advocacy. This is our "kairotic moment," a chance to speak a
resounding 'yes' to God and to the people of Africa most deeply
impacted by the AIDS pandemic.
It is an amazing thing to see MCC take its radical and inclusive
ministry the next step into our next 40 years of Christian service.
We renewed our commitment to HIV/AIDS ministry at MCC's
General Conference and World Jubilee in Calgary, Alberta,
Canada. In worship, conference gatherings, and on the streets of
Calgary members of our community stood in solidarity and
compassion with people living with HIV/AIDS around the world.
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski and I had the privilege and blessing of
calling on our Fellowship for a time of rebirth and restoration in
our long history as first responders to the AIDS pandemic. At that
conference, members of Metropolitan Community Churches' faith
communities from around the world gave generously to support a
new mission project in Africa working to save and improve the
lives of children orphaned by and infected with HIV/AIDS.
The orphanage that MCC supports grew from a prophecy that
specifically called for a place to be built that would offer
succor and comfort to the children of Zimbabwe, celebrate
the power of faith in Christ, and welcome all who needed rest
and healing.
Mother Jean and her sister, Stella, as dedicated people of faith,
pursued this vision to the site of a former leprosy settlement on
the side of a mountain that is known by a native word that means
"cut off." They prayed, worked on the land, and allowed the word
to spread that they would help children in need, and that no child
with HIV/AIDS would be turned away.
Over time, children were brought to this growing community from
the surrounding villages, near and far. In each child, Mother Jean,
Stella, and the people who joined their mission saw the possibility
of a revitalization and resurrection for the people of Zimbabwe. If
good nutrition, clean water, medication, tender loving care - and
most importantly, prayer - could be given to these children then
with God's help there was a chance to make a difference.
Their community has grown from a kernel of faith into a place
that abundantly teaches about how to love one another and
earnestly pursue the teachings of Jesus. They suffered many
hardships along the way and managed to hold true to their cause.
On the side of the mountain they have lost many children
because the limited supply of AIDS medications that could be
brought in were too few or not strong enough to reverse the
progression of the disease.
Over time the orphanage has been able to grow its mission. In
addition to the 200 children they serve, they have a clinic
that offers free medical care and support to the surrounding
villages. Their supplies of medications are very limited but in
partnership with a doctor from Oakland, California, they have
brought a massive amount of direct care to this rural region.
During MCC's trip last year, we served by their sides at the clinic
with this doctor, who saw more than 400 patients with AIDS, and
many who were also infected with other serious illnesses, such as
tuberculosis.
In partnership with other faith groups, including churches and
leaders in the UCC, MCC began to build a relationship that has
become one of the central programs of Metropolitan Community
Churches' HIV/AIDS Social Transformation Ministry.
On MCC's trip last year, we started a journaling process so we
could share the experience with Metropolitan Community
Churches throughout the world. This is the continuation of that
commitment.
We also produced a DVD documentary, We Who Are One Body,
that has been widely distributed as a result of World AIDS Day. It
tells the story of our experience and gives an intimate view of the
lives of the children and the people who care for them. It is an
uplifting story in spite of the hardship and losses they experience.
We learned so much from their witness. The people of the
orphanage sang to us when we arrived, while they worked, for fun
and celebration, and for worship. The sounds of their voices
joined in hope and love filled all of us with hope and an
understanding of what it means to make a joyful noise. To sing
praises to God and welcome to friends, in the face of near
unending adversity, is a powerful spiritual gift.
During our 2006 stay at the orphanage, one of the tiny babies,
Little Anthony, passed away in the night. Like many children in
Africa, by the time he was brought to the orphanage, he was
beyond the point that he could be restored to full health. There is
a children's cemetery at the orphanage that has almost a hundred
stories like his to tell. We were honored to be able to share in
Little Anthony's funeral and to offer up our prayers to God on his
behalf. When a child dies, every member of the community stops
what they are doing and gathers to mourn the loss, honor the
passage, and celebrate the marriage of life and death.
A year has passed since we were invited to place ourselves in
the very heart of this mission and the power of the
experience to educate, awaken, and inspire has not
diminished. It still glows bright as we being this new journey to
join them again. We have been in contact with Mother Jean over
the course of the year and we were blessed to share time with
Mother Jean in-person when she visited the United States. She
has expressed such deep gratitude to all members of the
Metropolitan Community Churches' faith communities who have
given of themselves to help keep the mission alive. She has
committed her life to God and to this work for as long as she is
able to continue, as has her sister, Stella.
Part of my work as the MCC Program Director is to support my
team and traveling companions. I want you to know who they are
and pray for them in this work. They are: Rev. Glenna Shepherd,
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski, Christy Ebner and Jack Miller. I'll tell you
more about them in the following paragraphs. I want you to
visualize us personally as you pray for us, and so you will
have the best context for MCC's global work with HIV/AIDS.
Part of my MCC ministry is also to raise awareness and help
generate resources to create a sustainable support structure for
this mission in Zimbabwe. I am coordinating the Kairos Mission this
year and continue to learn and receive guidance and spiritual
direction from experienced leadership.
I want to thank those churches that have invited me to lead
workshops and preach about my own journey with HIV/AIDS, drug
addiction and recovery - and about MCC's work in Africa. Many of
you have taken "love offerings" to help support this ministry and
many of you are supporting the work at the Orphanage directly. I
hope you will continue to "pay it forward" by telling people in
your home communities about this project. More and more
people are joining this effort who are not members of MCC and
this helps us spread the good news even more broadly. If you
haven't seen the documentary, please order a copy now; I know
the story of this work will bless you. (For ordering information,
please write to BillHooper@MCCchurch.net for details.)
Now, let me tell you about team member Christy Ebner. She is
the Program Assistant to the Metropolitan Community Churches'
HIV/AIDS Social Transformation Ministry and Confidential
Assistant to Rev. Elder Diane Fisher. Christy grew up in the
Methodist Church in Wichita Falls, Texas. She worked with local
youth organizations and credits her brother and adoptive parents
with instilling in her the importance of service and compassion.
She has always experienced a strong spiritual call to be of service
to others.
Christy's volunteer work has ranged from Young Life, the
American Heart Association, tennis camps for youth, and Home
Refurbishing Ministries for people in Dallas, Texas and worship
support at the Cathedral of Hope, mission work in the Dominican
Republic with members of Metropolitan Community Churches'
from the US and Canada. The mission trips to the Dominican
Republic really shaped and inspired Christy's spiritual and
professional life. She served in all aspects of the creation of the
MCC of Greater Dallas and has now begun to serve the fellowship
at the Regional and Global levels. Her passion for mission work
and volunteerism made her an ideal addition to the Metropolitan
Community Churches' HIV/AIDS Social Transformation Ministry.
She is a gifted photographer and will be serving as the MCC co-
archivist for the "Kairos Mission" to Zimbabwe and South Africa
2007.
Another team member who is a volunteer is John "Jack" Miller.
He grew up in the Assemblies of God. His father was a minister
with a strong passion for mission work. As a family, they worked to
support local at-risk youth through a variety of outreach centers
and church ministries. They moved a lot as a family, which gave
Jack a strong sense that there were many different ways that
people lived in the world. Jack lived in 11 states in the US and
traveled throughout western and eastern Europe, the US, Mexico,
Central America, and Canada. In both high school and college,
Jack went abroad to study in Germany. The combination of his
childhood experiences of ministry and work with youth and his
later travel and study abroad instilled in him a passionate desire
to know more about the people of the world and to offer a hand of
support wherever possible.
Jack has a lifelong commitment to service and volunteerism. He
has served on the boards and volunteer teams of organizations
such as Easter Seals in Mexico, Howard Dental Clinic, a
comprehensive dental care program for people living with
HIV/AIDS in Denver, Colorado, Civitan, and the Active 20/30. In
early 2006, Jack, his partner Mike, and I were sharing a meal after
my return from the orphanage visit, when Jack felt a call to begin
helping children in Africa. Over the course of the year he, his
partner, Mike, and I discussed the orphanage mission. When the
DVD documentary, We Who Are One Body: A Spiritual Walk
With AIDS, was released in November, Jack found the focus for
his new call. He reached out to me to ask if there were specific
needs at the orphanage that he and Mike could work to support.
We discussed the options for giving and Jack immediately knew
he wanted to build a building at the orphanage.
Together, they launched a project called AfricaJack.com to host
fundraising events, raise awareness, and partner with
Metropolitan Community Churches' HIV/AIDS Social
Transformation Ministry on fundraising for the Africa missions. To-
date Jack has reached his initial goal to raise enough funds to
complete the work on the visitor's quarters at the orphanage and
he continues to receive pledges and offers of donations for
toothbrushes, school supplies, and other needed items. His work
on this mission has helped him to redefine the direction of his
professional life, too. As of the end of March, the AfricaJack
Foundation will receive US government recognition as a non-
profit, tax-exempt organization and Jack will serve as the
Executive Director, raising money for this project and others on
the highly impacted continent of Africa.
Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd is the newly elected Elder serving
Region 4 which includes Western Europe and Africa. She recently
relocated to the UK with her spouse, Kermie. Prior to her election,
Rev. Elder Shepherd served as Senior Pastor to the church in
Portland in the United States.
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski is the Elder serving Region 2 and holds
the portfolio responsibility for HIV/AIDS. Rev. Jim is not on the trip
this year due to his U.S.-based schedule. He was with us last year
and you can hear his perspective about this work in the DVD.
I'm in the the process of setting up a blog on the Internet where
we can share this kairos experience together. I'll be juggling that
project during our travel and initial set-up time in Africa; you will
be hearing more about the blog soon on the MCC website at www.
MCCchurch.org.
Please pray for us and know that we are praying for you. You are
such an important witness to all of us as you sustain and grow
your local ministries.
Joshua Love
| Rev. Nancy L. Wilson MCC Moderator |
| Call to Vigilant Prayer and Action on Behalf of Jamaica's LGBT Community |
| Public Statement by the Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches |
| Remarks by The Rev. Nancy L. Wilson MCC Moderator |
May 2, 2007
Just days ago I wrote to you from Jamaica, where I was visiting one of Metropolitan
Community Churches' newest congregations, meeting with leaders of the developing gay
community there, and conducting many interviews with a press corps hungry for information
about who we are and what our lives are really like.
During the course of my visit, I traveled to the gravesites of those whose lives have been
lost to the hatred and violence that is directed every day against the gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender community in Jamaica. These travels were, I imagined, like the early
pilgrimages of believers tracing the Stations of the Cross.
Everyone in the gay community of this tiny island nation knows someone who has
been murdered. Like the earliest disciples mourning the death of their friend, Jesus, the
grief in the Jamaican gay community is personal and runs deep.
Not one day passed without a newspaper article, or radio or television broadcast addressing
what to me seems to be the birthing of a Stonewall-like movement. Like the beginnings
of other gay rights revolutions in lands near and far, it is those most targeted -- gay men
labeled "effeminate" -- who are stepping to the forefront to act up and fight back. The heart
of the gay community in Jamaica is young, bold, and ready for a new day. They will not be
content to settle for less than full equality, and our call as people of faith and goodwill is to
support that quest in any and every way we can.
In the face of violence, Jesus called his earliest disciples to love as he had loved. We cannot
ignore that call now. As people of faith, we must demonstrate our care and concern for
our brothers and sisters in Jamaica. Their courage in contending with the constant threat
of violence and the repeated violation of their rights as human beings must become our
inspiration to join in the battle to provide responsible public education and anti-violence
campaigns.
The courage and progress against all odds made by gay Jamaicans impressed me
deeply. Conversely, I was deeply disturbed by the accounts of hostile mobs feeding on
ignorance and misguided faith; mobs that used religious conviction to justify violence with
machetes and cricket bats, stoned innocent people, and attacked funerals and churches.
The sole reason police intervened Easter day when a mob attacked the funeral of Kurt
Lester, himself the victim of an unsolved homophobic murder, was because some brave gay
men decided enough was enough and took a stand.
I later had the privilege of meeting with Pastor Amos Campbell at the Church of God in
Mandeville, where the violent anti-gay attack broke out. I was able to thank him and the
members of his congregation for their courage in opening their doors to gay mourners.
There are others across Jamaica -- seminary professors, lawyers, elected officials, members
of the police department -- people of goodwill who know and believe that the way of faith, the
way of decency, the way that best honors our common humanity is the way of love and non-
violence, not judgement and condemnation.
While in Jamaica, I met with more than 30 denominational leaders, pastors, counselors and
teachers who are willing to learn more about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people,
about homosexuality and the Bible, and about theology and sexuality. They are willing to
break their silence and speak up for justice and acceptance. They are willing to join their
voices to those of countless others around the globe who are working to dispel the myths of
prejudice and fear, and spread the Good News of love and peace.
There are plenty of people who know and believe in their heart of hearts that the time to act
on behalf of equality and acceptance for all Jamaicans is now. If you are a reporter, a radio
broadcaster, a TV commentator, I say to you today: God has called you into the public
eye for such a time as this.
I told my own story and the story of Metropolitan Community Churches over and over during
my five-day visit. More public voices are needed. I call upon people in the media to
make this possible. And I call upon the families and friends of gay people in Jamaica to
speak out against all speech and actions that are rooted in homophobia and hate, and
to come out in defense of your gay children and loved ones. Do not allow anyone to
blame the victims of homophobic hate crimes. Encourage the Public Defender, Earl Witter,
to insure that those who perpetrate such hate crimes against lesbian and gay people will be
arrested and prosecuted. In meeting with Mr. Witter, I am convinced that he is a good
person who wants to do the right thing. He needs our support and encouragement.
The progress that has already been made toward true equality for gay people in Jamaica is
nothing short of miraculous. We must continue to work together, both within Metropolitan
Community Churches as well as with leaders of other communities of faith, public officials in
Jamaica and political leaders across the globe, until at last all who seek to live under the
reign of God's inclusive love are free to do so.
On the final day of my visit, I preached at the service of Sunshine Cathedral Metropolitan
Community Church of Jamaica to more than 100 people, some of whom came from
Mandeville and others who had traveled many hours in cramped buses from as far away as
Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. As I heard the testimonies, listened to the voices of the choir,
and broke bread with the saints, I remembered the words of the Sacred Meal we observe
each Sunday, "This is my body given for you." All of our bodies need to be on the line for
our LGBT Jamaican brothers and sisters, all of our voices need to be raised, all of our
hands need to be uplifted in solidarity so that no more bodies are sacrificed to
mindless bloodshed and needless sorrow.
Today, I ask you that you take a stand on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Jamaica by
taking these three steps:
ACTION STEP ONE:
If you have already emailed the Prime Minister of Jamaica asking her to publicly call for an
end to the violence directed against our people, do so again. Write to The Honorable
Portian Simpson Miller her at HPM@opm.gov.jm. If you have yet to make your voice heard,
now is the time.
ACTION STEP TWO:
People of goodwill must join together in keeping the pressure on the religious and political
leadership of Jamaica. Write to the Jamaican Council of Churches and ask them to call
on clergy across the island to use their pulpits to spread good will not more violence. Write
to them today at jchurch@cwjamaica.com.
ACTION STEP THREE:
Do not cease storming the gates of heaven with your prayers. Remember our brothers
and sisters in Jamaica in both your public and personal prayers. Let us follow the words
of Scripture and "pray without ceasing."
Many miraculous things have already happened in Jamaica. Many more are on the way.
+Nancy
The Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
__________________________________
Jim Birkitt
MCC Communications Director
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.net
Web: www.MCCchurch.org
Just days ago I wrote to you from Jamaica, where I was visiting one of Metropolitan
Community Churches' newest congregations, meeting with leaders of the developing gay
community there, and conducting many interviews with a press corps hungry for information
about who we are and what our lives are really like.
During the course of my visit, I traveled to the gravesites of those whose lives have been
lost to the hatred and violence that is directed every day against the gay, lesbian, bisexual,
and transgender community in Jamaica. These travels were, I imagined, like the early
pilgrimages of believers tracing the Stations of the Cross.
Everyone in the gay community of this tiny island nation knows someone who has
been murdered. Like the earliest disciples mourning the death of their friend, Jesus, the
grief in the Jamaican gay community is personal and runs deep.
Not one day passed without a newspaper article, or radio or television broadcast addressing
what to me seems to be the birthing of a Stonewall-like movement. Like the beginnings
of other gay rights revolutions in lands near and far, it is those most targeted -- gay men
labeled "effeminate" -- who are stepping to the forefront to act up and fight back. The heart
of the gay community in Jamaica is young, bold, and ready for a new day. They will not be
content to settle for less than full equality, and our call as people of faith and goodwill is to
support that quest in any and every way we can.
In the face of violence, Jesus called his earliest disciples to love as he had loved. We cannot
ignore that call now. As people of faith, we must demonstrate our care and concern for
our brothers and sisters in Jamaica. Their courage in contending with the constant threat
of violence and the repeated violation of their rights as human beings must become our
inspiration to join in the battle to provide responsible public education and anti-violence
campaigns.
The courage and progress against all odds made by gay Jamaicans impressed me
deeply. Conversely, I was deeply disturbed by the accounts of hostile mobs feeding on
ignorance and misguided faith; mobs that used religious conviction to justify violence with
machetes and cricket bats, stoned innocent people, and attacked funerals and churches.
The sole reason police intervened Easter day when a mob attacked the funeral of Kurt
Lester, himself the victim of an unsolved homophobic murder, was because some brave gay
men decided enough was enough and took a stand.
I later had the privilege of meeting with Pastor Amos Campbell at the Church of God in
Mandeville, where the violent anti-gay attack broke out. I was able to thank him and the
members of his congregation for their courage in opening their doors to gay mourners.
There are others across Jamaica -- seminary professors, lawyers, elected officials, members
of the police department -- people of goodwill who know and believe that the way of faith, the
way of decency, the way that best honors our common humanity is the way of love and non-
violence, not judgement and condemnation.
While in Jamaica, I met with more than 30 denominational leaders, pastors, counselors and
teachers who are willing to learn more about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people,
about homosexuality and the Bible, and about theology and sexuality. They are willing to
break their silence and speak up for justice and acceptance. They are willing to join their
voices to those of countless others around the globe who are working to dispel the myths of
prejudice and fear, and spread the Good News of love and peace.
There are plenty of people who know and believe in their heart of hearts that the time to act
on behalf of equality and acceptance for all Jamaicans is now. If you are a reporter, a radio
broadcaster, a TV commentator, I say to you today: God has called you into the public
eye for such a time as this.
I told my own story and the story of Metropolitan Community Churches over and over during
my five-day visit. More public voices are needed. I call upon people in the media to
make this possible. And I call upon the families and friends of gay people in Jamaica to
speak out against all speech and actions that are rooted in homophobia and hate, and
to come out in defense of your gay children and loved ones. Do not allow anyone to
blame the victims of homophobic hate crimes. Encourage the Public Defender, Earl Witter,
to insure that those who perpetrate such hate crimes against lesbian and gay people will be
arrested and prosecuted. In meeting with Mr. Witter, I am convinced that he is a good
person who wants to do the right thing. He needs our support and encouragement.
The progress that has already been made toward true equality for gay people in Jamaica is
nothing short of miraculous. We must continue to work together, both within Metropolitan
Community Churches as well as with leaders of other communities of faith, public officials in
Jamaica and political leaders across the globe, until at last all who seek to live under the
reign of God's inclusive love are free to do so.
On the final day of my visit, I preached at the service of Sunshine Cathedral Metropolitan
Community Church of Jamaica to more than 100 people, some of whom came from
Mandeville and others who had traveled many hours in cramped buses from as far away as
Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. As I heard the testimonies, listened to the voices of the choir,
and broke bread with the saints, I remembered the words of the Sacred Meal we observe
each Sunday, "This is my body given for you." All of our bodies need to be on the line for
our LGBT Jamaican brothers and sisters, all of our voices need to be raised, all of our
hands need to be uplifted in solidarity so that no more bodies are sacrificed to
mindless bloodshed and needless sorrow.
Today, I ask you that you take a stand on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Jamaica by
taking these three steps:
ACTION STEP ONE:
If you have already emailed the Prime Minister of Jamaica asking her to publicly call for an
end to the violence directed against our people, do so again. Write to The Honorable
Portian Simpson Miller her at HPM@opm.gov.jm. If you have yet to make your voice heard,
now is the time.
ACTION STEP TWO:
People of goodwill must join together in keeping the pressure on the religious and political
leadership of Jamaica. Write to the Jamaican Council of Churches and ask them to call
on clergy across the island to use their pulpits to spread good will not more violence. Write
to them today at jchurch@cwjamaica.com.
ACTION STEP THREE:
Do not cease storming the gates of heaven with your prayers. Remember our brothers
and sisters in Jamaica in both your public and personal prayers. Let us follow the words
of Scripture and "pray without ceasing."
Many miraculous things have already happened in Jamaica. Many more are on the way.
+Nancy
The Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
- This statement prepared through the auspices of MCC's Global Justice Team, Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
__________________________________
Jim Birkitt
MCC Communications Director
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.net
Web: www.MCCchurch.org
MCC Global HIV/AIDS Ministry
| P. O. Box 1374 Abilene, Texas 79604 Phone: (214) 325-7017 Fax: (214) 295-5487 info@MCCchurch.net |
| Tearing Down Walls! Building Up Hope! |
| August 2007 |
MCC General
Conference Review
Conference Review
1. Global Justice Day
2. HIV/AIDS Breakfast
with Rev. Elder Freda
Smith
3. Rev. Robert Griffin
honored at HIV/AIDS
Breakfast
4. HIV/AIDS Plenary
with Rev. Elder Hong
Tan and Thriving With
HIV Panel
5. AIDS and the
"Kairotic Moment"
Workshop
6. Inspired Leadership
7. Upcoming Events
____________________
2. HIV/AIDS Breakfast
with Rev. Elder Freda
Smith
3. Rev. Robert Griffin
honored at HIV/AIDS
Breakfast
4. HIV/AIDS Plenary
with Rev. Elder Hong
Tan and Thriving With
HIV Panel
5. AIDS and the
"Kairotic Moment"
Workshop
6. Inspired Leadership
7. Upcoming Events
____________________
God is calling
Metropolitan Community
Churches into a new era
of global social justice
and Christian advocacy.
This is our ‘kairotic
moment,’ a chance to
speak a resounding ‘yes’
to God and to the people
around the world most
deeply impacted by the
AIDS pandemic. In this
time, we take a
revolutionary leap into
our next 40 years of
Christian service by
advocating and teaching
the sacred balance
between healing and
social justice.
Metropolitan Community
Churches into a new era
of global social justice
and Christian advocacy.
This is our ‘kairotic
moment,’ a chance to
speak a resounding ‘yes’
to God and to the people
around the world most
deeply impacted by the
AIDS pandemic. In this
time, we take a
revolutionary leap into
our next 40 years of
Christian service by
advocating and teaching
the sacred balance
between healing and
social justice.
Joshua L. Love
Metropolitan Community
Churches
Program Director
Global HIV/AIDS Ministry
Drug Literacy Program
MCC Global HIV/AIDS Ministry
___________________________
Metropolitan Community
Churches
Program Director
Global HIV/AIDS Ministry
Drug Literacy Program
MCC Global HIV/AIDS Ministry
___________________________
| Joshua L. Love |
The second half of 2007 began
as fast as the first half ended!
General Conference was filled
with wonderful experiences and
opportunities to meet new people
whose hearts are filled with
passion.
Joshua's travels begin as a
facilitator of a retreat weekend
Aug 3-5 held at Open Door
Center for Spirituality in
Boyds, MD followed by
facilitating the Men's Retreat at
Wichita Falls MCC in Wichita Falls,
TX. You can read more about
these retreats below.
The remainder of 2007 is:
September 7-10
MCC Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
September 21-24
Exodus MCC
Abilene, Texas
October 3 - 15
Melbourne, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Travel with Reg 1 Elder
Rev. Elder Ken Martin
October 19 - 21
MCC Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
November 2 - 5 (TBA)
Minneapolis, MN
MCC Drug Literacy Program /
Pride Institute
November 30 - December 2
World AIDS Day Week
NOVA MCC
Fairfax, VA;
New Covenant MCC
Columbia, MD;
Vision of Hope MCC
Lancaster, PA
We are building the 2008
calendar for MCC's HIV/AIDS
Global Ministry. If you would like
to find out about open dates,
please contact Christy Ebner at
ChristyEbner@MCCchurch.net or
(214) 325-7017.
___________________________
as fast as the first half ended!
General Conference was filled
with wonderful experiences and
opportunities to meet new people
whose hearts are filled with
passion.
Joshua's travels begin as a
facilitator of a retreat weekend
Aug 3-5 held at Open Door
Center for Spirituality in
Boyds, MD followed by
facilitating the Men's Retreat at
Wichita Falls MCC in Wichita Falls,
TX. You can read more about
these retreats below.
The remainder of 2007 is:
September 7-10
MCC Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
September 21-24
Exodus MCC
Abilene, Texas
October 3 - 15
Melbourne, Australia
Sydney, Australia
Travel with Reg 1 Elder
Rev. Elder Ken Martin
October 19 - 21
MCC Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
November 2 - 5 (TBA)
Minneapolis, MN
MCC Drug Literacy Program /
Pride Institute
November 30 - December 2
World AIDS Day Week
NOVA MCC
Fairfax, VA;
New Covenant MCC
Columbia, MD;
Vision of Hope MCC
Lancaster, PA
We are building the 2008
calendar for MCC's HIV/AIDS
Global Ministry. If you would like
to find out about open dates,
please contact Christy Ebner at
ChristyEbner@MCCchurch.net or
(214) 325-7017.
___________________________
"From
Isolation to
Inspiration"
Isolation to
Inspiration"
August 10-11
Wichita Falls MCC
2007 Men's Retreat
Wichita Falls, Texas
Join us for WFMCC's very first
Men's Retreat: From Isolation
to Inspiration.
We are going to have a great time
getting to know one another, and
we are going to share together
about the challenges of living as
gay and bisexual men in Wichita
Falls. We will be talking about
things like:
* Isolation and the need for
community,
* Spirituality and Sexuality
* Sexual Health and Wellness
* Loving Ourselves and Others
There is no charge to attend and
all those who identify as men are
welcome to participate. We will
begin Friday Aug. 10 at 6:30 pm.
Dinner is provided. Saturday
Aug. will begin at 9:00 breakfast
provided.
Please contact Rev. Lea Brown
at lbrown@wichitafallsmcc.org
or (940) 322-4100 by Thursday
Aug. 9.
For more information please
clickhere .
___________________________
Wichita Falls MCC
2007 Men's Retreat
Wichita Falls, Texas
Join us for WFMCC's very first
Men's Retreat: From Isolation
to Inspiration.
We are going to have a great time
getting to know one another, and
we are going to share together
about the challenges of living as
gay and bisexual men in Wichita
Falls. We will be talking about
things like:
* Isolation and the need for
community,
* Spirituality and Sexuality
* Sexual Health and Wellness
* Loving Ourselves and Others
There is no charge to attend and
all those who identify as men are
welcome to participate. We will
begin Friday Aug. 10 at 6:30 pm.
Dinner is provided. Saturday
Aug. will begin at 9:00 breakfast
provided.
Please contact Rev. Lea Brown
at lbrown@wichitafallsmcc.org
or (940) 322-4100 by Thursday
Aug. 9.
For more information please
clickhere .
___________________________
Tell the Story
Metropolitan Community
Churches, at our heart, hold a
sacred balance between healing
and justice. Wherever these two
elements converge in the world,
it is likely that our calling from
God will be put to good use.
AIDS is not the only social justice
work we do. Yet, in a critical
sense, if we had not been
first-responders, saturated to a
person by AIDS, then we might
never have matured into the
passionate advocates we are
today.
After 25 years of service to
people living with HIV/AIDS,
Metropolitan Community
Churches received a renewed
call from God. This era of rebirth
expands our vision to one of
global awareness. While our
hands do not yet reach into
every community affected by
AIDS, our prayers and our love,
assuredly, do. Through the
combination of local church
ministries, regional initiatives, and
global outreach, Metropolitan
Community Churches Global
HIV/AIDS Ministry serves as a
voice of ethics in public
healthcare and research, a
provider of respite and care to
those affected by this disease,
and as educators on the cutting
edge of wellness.
In this time, we emerge into the
global AIDS pandemic as
survivors, as advocates, as
spiritual leaders, and as learned
voices for ethics and equity in
the care and treatment of all
human beings. In all the many
ways that God has blessed us
as a people with healing and
restoration from HIV/AIDS, we go
forward to serve others who
now stand in the fire of this
pandemic.
___________________________
___________________________
Metropolitan Community
Churches, at our heart, hold a
sacred balance between healing
and justice. Wherever these two
elements converge in the world,
it is likely that our calling from
God will be put to good use.
AIDS is not the only social justice
work we do. Yet, in a critical
sense, if we had not been
first-responders, saturated to a
person by AIDS, then we might
never have matured into the
passionate advocates we are
today.
After 25 years of service to
people living with HIV/AIDS,
Metropolitan Community
Churches received a renewed
call from God. This era of rebirth
expands our vision to one of
global awareness. While our
hands do not yet reach into
every community affected by
AIDS, our prayers and our love,
assuredly, do. Through the
combination of local church
ministries, regional initiatives, and
global outreach, Metropolitan
Community Churches Global
HIV/AIDS Ministry serves as a
voice of ethics in public
healthcare and research, a
provider of respite and care to
those affected by this disease,
and as educators on the cutting
edge of wellness.
In this time, we emerge into the
global AIDS pandemic as
survivors, as advocates, as
spiritual leaders, and as learned
voices for ethics and equity in
the care and treatment of all
human beings. In all the many
ways that God has blessed us
as a people with healing and
restoration from HIV/AIDS, we go
forward to serve others who
now stand in the fire of this
pandemic.
___________________________
___________________________
Global Justice Day
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Sunday, July 1, 2007
- Healing and Social Justice: A Sacred
Balance Grows from Our Experience
During the Global Justice Day, a prelude offering to
the 2007 MCC General Conference, of worship,
HIV/AIDS Ministry presented an hour and a half workshop/spiritual study on
MCC's emerging Global HIV/AIDS Ministry. In that brief session Joshua
opened a dialogue with the attendees on where strengths and gifts have
grown from our longstanding work as first-responders to the AIDS pandemic
as well as envisioning next steps in our cultural and programmatic expansion
into the future. Participants joined in a lively discussion, held in three
languages; Portuguese, Spanish, and English, on how to expand the voices
we hear, celebrate, and learn from in our Global HIV/AIDS Ministry. There
were young new leaders, mature leaders, couples, singles, men, women,
transgender people, and a variety of ethnicities present. The beautiful
conversation that grew from this diverse collective brought forth truthful
questions about how to grow our ministry authentically, with respect to our
gifts and talents, and in true partnership with people affected by and infected
with HIV/AIDS around the globe.
The participants crafted the following purpose statement on July 1, 2007 --
MCC's Global Justice Day -- to call our communities to action:
"We the people of Metropolitan Community Churches around the
globe, commit to tell the truth that HIV/AIDS remains one of the most
urgent issues facing the world today. We accept the sacred
responsibility to speak prophetically about HIV/AIDS and use our
multicultural and pluralistic experiences to grow and develop this
ministry."
HIV/AIDS Workshop/Spiritual Study Participants
Special thanks to Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Senior Pastor, MCC New York and
Chair of the Global Justice Team; Rev. Nancy Wilson, Moderator Metropolitan
Community Churches; Bradley Curry, Assistant to Rev. Pat Bumgardner
including staff support for Global Justice Team; Rev. Elder Diane Fisher,
coordinating MCC Ministry in Region 5 including the Eastern Europe Initiative;
Connie Meadows, Assistant to the Moderator and member of the Multi-
Cultural Task Force; Rev. Fernando Frontan, pastor Casa de Luz ICM,
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and Latin America activist; Rev. Jide
Macaulay, pastor, House of Rainbow, Lagos, Nigeria; Rev. Boon Lin Ngeo,
serving with MCC New York and coordinating MCC Ministry in Malaysia; Rev.
Robert Griffin, serving as Academic Dean of Light University with Sunshine
Cathedral and coordinating Ministry in Jamaica; Joshua Love, MCC Program
Director for Global HIV/AIDS Ministry and Drug Literacy Program for their on-
going work in bringing awareness to Global Justice needs and initiative at this
year's Global Justice Day of the General Conference and World Jubilee.
Additional thanks to all the Global Justice Day presenters, volunteers and
attendees.
To stay in touch with current Global Justice and Human Rights news and
events please visit the Justice Page of the Moderator's Corner.
_____________________________________________________________
HIV/AIDS Breakfast with Guest Speaker
Rev. Elder Freda Smith
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Rev. Elder Freda Smith
Thursday, July 5, 2007
- The Early Activist Years of MCC
Rev. Elder Freda Smith
Photo by Mark Hahn
At the HIV/AIDS Breakfast held during the 2007 MCC
General Conference and World Jubilee a large
gathering of people from around the world joined
together to commemorate our history, acknowledge
our leaders, and imagine our dedicated future. Rev.
Elder Freda Smith, a pioneer of the MCC movement
AIDS crisis. She called on us to remember our history and to tell our stories
before they are forgotten. Her insightful analysis drew a line from the personal
struggle of our founder, Rev. Troy Perry, to the people who formed the
seedling of MCC as a "gay church." From that era of gay liberation she called
us forward through the tension and growth of becoming a church that could
serve gay men and lesbians, the "inclusive language and feminist church."
With compassion and precision she gently guided us into the time when a
disease moved among us and began to take our beloved community from us,
killing swiftly without medications or solutions, the days when we became
known as the "church with AIDS." She challenged us to be a church that
remembers our past tells our stories with pride and respect. She called on us
to rally our memories into a ministry of presence that honors our ancestors,
our lost family, and our beloved pioneers. Rev. Elder Freda's speech served
as a powerful start to an amazing day of the MCC General Conference,
focused on HIV/AIDS and healing.
The manuscript of Rev. Elder Freda's talk will be made available in the near
future through the MCC Global HIV/AIDS Ministry pages at www.MCCchurch.
org/HIV .
_____________________________________________________________
Rev. Robert Griffin Honored at HIV/AIDS Breakfast
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
- Joshua L. Love and Rev. Robert Griffin
Photo by Mark Hahn
- Rev. Robert Griffin led MCC's denominational HIV/AIDS effort,
during the late 1990's, partnering with Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski and
MCC. When advances in medical science and treatment options in the United
States slowed the death and dying of many in our churches an unexpected
side-effect was generated, public discourse on HIV/AIDS began to slow and
quiet. Those years saw many people who had lived in anticipation of the end
of their lives needing to reconstruct their lives, careers, and relationship to
longevity. Rev. Robert took seriously the needs of people who, at times, felt
they were losing their voices and needed pastoral care and leadership to
regain their relationship to life. The MCC Global HIV/AIDS Ministry honored
Rev. Robert Griffin for his excellence in ministry, service, support, and
activism on behalf of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS at the
HIV/AIDS Breakfast of the 2007 General Conference.
_____________________________________________________________
Rev. Elder Hong Tan and "Thriving with HIV"
Plenary Panel
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Plenary Panel
Thursday, July 5, 2007
- From left to right: Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski,
Rev. Alejandro Escoto, Rev. Elder Hong Tan,
Rev. John Magisano, Rev. Nokuthula Dhladhla,
Rev. Dr. Karen Ziegler and Joshua L. Love
Photo by Mark Hahn
Rev. Elder Hong Tan served Metropolitan Community Churches as a member
of our Board of Elders for ten years. He was the first Asian ordained in
Metropolitan Community Churches and the first indigenous European to serve
as a District Coordinator. Rev. Elder Hong founded MCC of North London and
served as its pastor during the time he also served as an Elder. His work with
Metropolitan Community Churches brings passionate advocacy to members of
our Asian/Pacific Islander communities and people living with and affected by
HIV/AIDS around the world. He is currently the first Sexual Health Program
Director for the National Health Service in London , England .
Rev. Elder Hong brought a poignant message to the HIV/AIDS Plenary of the
2007 General Conference and World Jubilee. He illustrated the global impact
of HIV/AIDS through touching personal testimony and analysis of the public
health response that has shaped much of the discourse about HIV/AIDS for
the last two and a half decades. He said, "the global impact of HIV is that HIV
touches us all, surprises us all whether we live with or are affected by HIV or
not."
Rev. Elder Hong reminded us that while there has been progress made in
medical options in portions of the world, and while HIV prevention methods
have improved, and while there are ongoing public health efforts to reduce
new infections, AIDS is still the greatest health challenge in the world. He said
that there have been many advances but they are not making it to enough
people around the world. People are getting infected and dying of AIDS all
over the world because they do not have access to these improvements. This
failure to save lives and distribute much-needed resources, "is a sin," stated
Rev. Elder Hong.
His message covered a variety of voices and methods being employed in this
work and challenged us to grow our perspectives on HIV/AIDS ministry. Rev.
Elder Hong was joined by a panel of respondents who shared perspectives on
his message; Rev. John Magisano, New York , New York , USA; Rev.
Nokuthula Dhladhla, Johannesburg , South Africa; Rev. Alejandro Escoto, Los
Angeles , California , USA; Rev. Dr. Karen Ziegler, Durham , North Carolina ,
USA .
Rev. Elder Hong rallied our spirits with examples of successful work being
done all over the world to connect people living with HIV/AIDS to one another
and to necessary medical, spiritual, and social support.
He inspired us to keep our longstanding commitment to work in HIV/AIDS and
to remember that each of us has a role to play in this lifesaving ministry. Rev.
Steve Pieters closed the gathering in prayer.
The manuscript of his talk will be made available through the MCC Global
HIV/AIDS Ministry pages at www.MCCchurch.org/hiv in the near future.
_____________________________________________________________
AIDS and the "Kairotic Moment" Workshop
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Thursday, July 5, 2007
- Joshua L. Love, MCC's Program Director and
Facilitator for AIDS and the "Kairotic Moment"
Workshop
Photo by Mark Hahn
- Joshua L. Love joined a panel of exciting people
from around the Metropolitan Community Churches
global community; Rev. Paul Mokgethi of
Johannesburg, South Africa, Eve Plews of Sarasota,
Gutierrez, Monterrey, Mexico, Rev. Alejandro Escoto, Los Angeles, California,
USA and Nessette Falu , New York, New York, USA, to discuss emerging
perspectives on a global response to HIV/AIDS. This workshop dialogue
shined a light on the work needed to move beyond a USA-centric approach to
HIV/AIDS Ministry and proposed some next steps in the partnership between
healing and social justice. The presenters spoke from their own perspectives
about the need for new visions in the areas of storytelling, nutrition, theology,
multi-lingual ministry, ethics, and connections to the Black Churches of the
USA . The message that came forward was overwhelmingly one of hope,
vision, and a future that is co-created across the lines that have historically
served to separate people and weaken ministries.
_____________________________________________________________
Inspired Leadership: Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
- Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski
Photo by Mark Hahn
- In a pivotal moment at the 2005 General Conference
and World Jubilee in Calgary , Alberta , Canada ,
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski helped Metropolitan
Community Churches to collectively shine a light on
our past journey with HIV/AIDS while also calling us
to action for the future.
Rev. Elder Jim showed us that Metropolitan Community Churches had a new
call to HIV/AIDS ministry in this day and time…that there was a sacred
marriage, a partnership between healing (both of the self and of the world)
and social justice. It can be an inconvenient responsibility to recognize
because it means that we are as responsible for those suffering and surviving
AIDS around the globe as we are for the experience of AIDS in our own
bodies and communities. Rev. Elder Jim reminded us with his leadership, his
passion, and his astute analysis that we are a Church called into places that
are not always convenient and easy. He challenged us to rise to new levels of
commitment.
He revealed to us the possibility of a partnership with the Y. A. Flunder
Foundation to support work being done with children and women in Zimbabwe
.
He also inspired a moment of long overdue healing on behalf of the unsung
heroism and dedication of women who had worked tirelessly in the justice
efforts to stop the spread of AIDS and acquire healthcare and support for
those people, largely men in the early AIDS crisis in Metropolitan Community
Churches, who became ill and all too often died.
Attendees of the 2005 General Conference in Calgary wore t-shirts with
"HIV+" printed on the front around the city and at the Conference to show
solidarity and offer strength to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS
around the world.
He took a risk to open up a conversation in a new way with both new and old
voices at the table in the hope that collectively Metropolitan Community
Churches would choose to respond from our spiritual and ethical core.
We did!
The last two years have been a journey of finding AIDS in the here and now.
The Global HIV/AIDS Ministry of Metropolitan Community Churches thanks
and honors Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski for his inspired leadership and prophetic
challenge.
| Christy Ebner MCC Program Assistant Global HIV/AIDS Ministry and Drug Literacy Program ChristyEbner@MCCchurch.net (214) 325-7017 or (214) 295-5475 |