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Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church Rochester, New York
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E-Link Archive of Past E-Link Edition's Highlights from the This Weeks edition:
If you would like to subscribe to the Open Arms MCC weekly e-link newsletter.. CLICK HERE
Deacon's Corner:
Yo God:
Amen- Deacon Debbie
Pastor's Reflection:
Worship is often on my mind. For many, the first contact they have with Open Arms MCC is our Sunday worship. If that experience is a good on, they come back and can begin to experience all the other aspects of our communal life. If that experience is not pleasant, they don't ever come back. We have evolved over the last few years into a community with a clear vision of where God is leading us. Well, let me rephrase that: we have evolved into a community who knows our vision - the end point of where we want to be. The steps to get there by God's guidance are often a mystery to us. For all of us, old-timer or newcomer, worship is the glue that holds us together. It is the time when most of us are together to rejoice in each other's lives, to build each other up, to store up the spiritual strength to go out into our daily lives carrying with us the knowledge of how much God loves of us and needs us to complete the work Jesus has begun. Worship is also the pull on our heart strings that brings us back together. It is the context in which we see each other's inner beauty as evidence by the genuine smiles and hugs given during our Community Greeting. We constantly evolve as a church and constantly evolve in our worship. We leave behind what doesn't work for us and keep or add things that do. Just as we are the church alive, our worship together must be a living reality and not one stuck in form or content. There are few things that we must have for MCC worship: communion which is the sign of God's radical inclusion and an offering to make the existence and work of the church possible. Worship doesn't belong to the pastor; it is the work of the community. By this reflection, I am inviting you to reply to me with your comments and suggestions about worship: content, music, preaching, praying or anything else you have thought about. Please let me know how you feel about things and what comments or suggestions you have to make things better. I will take each one seriously and use this survey to refine our worship so that it can continue to be a beacon to newcomers and a steady light for all of us. With Love, Rev. Jim ======================================================================================================== Kudos to Jeffrey C. I received the following note from him: "i have won the Italian fulbright fellowship to which i applied! i along with another NTID graduate are the first NTID students to win a Fulbright Fellowship! it looks like i will be living in Rome working with the fulbright commission and a multimedia consulting company helping to produce media for italian deaf children." ======================================================================================================================
Can you provide lodging for a visitor from Christos MCC in Toronto? She will be visiting at the end of April or beginning of May. Contact Rev. Jim See our Website: http://www.frontiernet.net/~oamcc for the calendar listings. You can print the calendar if you wish.
Upcoming Events:
Social Justice:
Join the Gay Alliance in Albany for
Equality and Justice Day MAY 8th.
Women's Softball We will be having softball practice on Thursday night at the Henrietta Town Park at 6:00pm. If you can come lets all meet at field 1 behind the parking area. If that field is busy we will check out another one. There will also be a practice after church on Sunday at Cobbs Hill Park (12:45pm) Bring bats and balls.
If you are unable to attend and I haven't contacted you
yet our first game is on May 3rd at 6:00pm at
The clothing ministry, is coordinated by Deacon Debbie, 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30. See Deacon Debbie for details. May 11th At Asbury Church.
The Asbury Clothing Warehouse is STILL LOW on stock.. Please Check with Deacon Debbie to confirm the date !! If you have donations let us know !!! May 13 Potluck and Games night at the Church.
Bring your favorite game.
Special Events Committee:
There will be meetings of
the committee on: Thursday, May 18 -7pm at Anne & Besss home Thursday, June 15 -7pm at Anne & Besss home
To plan May 20 & 21-Gazonga Garage Sale, Pride Parade Float (Bigger & Gaudier), Fall Fund-Raiser! Turkey Party!
Garage Sale: May 19 & 20. Save the date. We are in solicitation phase for items for the sale. Please look around your home and attic and garage for items you can donate for the sale. Contact Anne T. if you have items to donate. (atischer@frontiernet.net) or call 426-0862. 25th Anniversary of Open Arms MCC is coming up in August. The pastor needs a committee to work with him on this event. Please contact Rev. Jim if you can help.
Action Item's:
No entries this week
....
How can you get involved in the Capital Campaign? 1 - Join the Prayer Committee by signing up in the back of the sanctuary, near the prayer table 2 - A team of volunteers is needed to write thank-you notes to donors from outside the congregation - to volunteer, please sign up on the sheet posted in the fellowship hall at church or e-mail Sherri and Donna at: "smteaches@earthlink.net" 3 - You can ask your employer if they match charitable donations! Many employers do! (The Human Resources Dept. would have this information and any paperwork necessary.) This is a prime time to ask, because contributions given during 2005 and 2006 will both be eligible for matching funds! ...whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 Capital Campaign News There is a chart in the sanctuary showing the progress of the Capital Campaign. It very creatively uses puzzle pieces to represent each $1000. The puzzle pieces will fill the chart as we progress. Stewardship Campaign is underway. Please return your pledge forms if you have not already done so. Blank forms are available at church.
Capital Campaign will have three phases: Internal Campaign: for members and regular attendee's of Open Arms MCC began Nov. 21. External Campaign for the wider community began Dec. 1 Fundraisers will happen throughout the six months of the Campaign
Until next time, let us pray for one another (oremus pro invicem)
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Deacon's Corner:
Yo God:
Amen- Deacon Debbie
Pastor's Reflection:
I've always loved Holy Week. I've always loved the intensity of the services. As a child I seemed to spend the whole week in church. I love taking a close look at Jesus. An intense look. I look looking beyond the words of the scriptures to see Jesus and to hear him talking to me. I reflect on all the things He said and did in the brief section of his life we see in the Gospels. I wonder about all the other years. Tradition says He lived for 33 years. We really only get a glimpse into His "public" life for the last year, or two, or three of His life. What was He really like? One thing I'm sure of is that He is nothing like we've pictured Him. Even the pictures of the crucifixion are sanitized and made PG-13. How can we have gotten a picture of Jesus that is so unlike what we read in the gospels? How can the Church have evolved into an exact replica of the Temple priesthood that Jesus so clearly rejected? How can Christians have become so non-inclusive when Jesus clearly chose to associate with people the churches turn away as unacceptable? How can we have become so judgmental when we heard Jesus loudly say: "judge not lest ye be judged" in the old version or " "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults--unless, of course, you want the same treatment." in the Message. How can we have strayed so far from who Jesus is and from what Jesus taught? We always talk about following Jesus' example, about using Him as our model of faithfulness. Please spend some time in the next several days thinking about who Jesus really is to you. Please study what it means to follow His example. Please open the eyes of your heart and see what He did for you, for you. With Love, Rev. Jim Clothing Drive at Asbury PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NOT A MEETING OF THE CLOTHING DRIVE MINISTRY THIS WEEK. The next meeting is on May 11 A note from Sherri M., Chairperson of the External Capital Campaign The p zzle isn't complete without u! How can YOU get involved in the Capital Campaign?
Of the 11 congregants who have sent external solicitation letters to their personal friends, family, neighbors, & acquaintances, we have received $6,930.00 People give to people.
Nationwide, 80% of all charitable donations in the U.S. come from individuals. The single greatest, most important thing you can do to contribute to our building fund is to talk about the Capital Campaign and/or hand an external solicitation letter to someone you know personally.
The board is challenging every single congregant to commit to handing out 5 letters during the month of April! If you need letters, please see any of the board members before or after services.
See our Website: http://www.frontiernet.net/~oamcc for the calendar listings. You can print the calendar if you wish.
Upcoming Events: Easter Sunday, April 16 We will receive new members into the church during Easter worship.
Special Events Committee:
There will be meetings of
the committee on:
Sunday, April 9
at church Thursday, April 20-7pm at Anne & Besss home Thursday, May 18-7pm at Anne & Besss home Thursday, June 15-7pm at Anne & Besss home
to plan May 20 & 21-Gazonga Garage Sale, Pride Parade Float (Bigger & Gaudier), Fall Fund-Raiser! Turkey Party!
25th Anniversary of Open Arms MCC is coming up in August. The pastor needs a committee to work with him on this event. Please contact Rev. Jim if you can help.
The clothing ministry, has begun it is coordinated by Deacon Debbie, 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30. See Deacon Debbie for details. April 13th At Asbury Church.
The Asbury Clothing Warehouse is LOW on stock.. Please Check with Deacon Debbie to confirm the date !! If you have donations let us know !!!
The Artsy-Fartsy Film Group next outing on April 15 a matinee, We will meet on Saturday at the Little Theater 20 minutes prior to the matinee. To read more about the film's, go to www.little-theatre.com and click on the Coming Soon link. If you have questions, please email Paul or Deb M. All are welcome to attend.
Saturday, April 15 The Artsy-Fartsy Film group will meet for a matinee at the Little Theater. We will meet at 1:40pm for a 2pm film. Animal sacrifice, orgies, a commune for hippies. Fact or fiction? Get the dirt on what really happened. Join the Artsy Fartsy group for The Real Dirt On Farmer John this Saturday at the Little Theatre.
**** please note this is a Date Change .. not the usual 3rd Saturday of the Month ****
Open Arms MCC will host Pano Tawa Unity Fellowship Church as we share Good Friday Service at 7pm on 4/14.
Deacons' Council will meet after church on Sunday, April 23. There will be an Easter potluck brunch after church on Easter, April 16 - sign up sheet in the Fellowship Hall GARAGE SALE: May 19 & 20. We are in the solicitation phase. Listen for announcements about donating items for the sale.
Deacon's Corner:
Yo God:
II
didn't mean to turn away but the pain was just too much. Amen- Deacon Debbie
Pastor's Reflection:
Once again, I am going to let another speak instead of me in this e-link. I am inserting our Moderator's voice.
"God, In
Your Grace, Transform The World"
This sermon by The Reverend
Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, contains
reflections on MCC's participation in the Ninth Assembly of the World
Council of Churches.
Sermon
Delivered on March 6, 2006 by The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson, MCC Moderator SERMON TEXT:
"When
he returned to
"Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak thus? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thus in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, Your sins are forgiven, or to say Rise, take up your pallet and walk. But that you know that the Son of Humanity as authority on earth to forgive sins" -- he said to the paralytic -- "I say to you, rise, take up your pallet ad go home." And he rose, and immediately took up the pallet and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed and glorified God saying, "We never saw anything like this!" (Mark 2: 1-12) __________________________________________
This was the Scripture
lesson that was read in the church service many of us from MCC attended on
Sunday, February 19, 2006, in
It was about half way through our World Council of Churches experience. We had spent the week handing out MCC literature and running out of MCC literature in three languages at our booth, which had been handsomely decorated in purple by Paul Fairley and Diane Fisher, complete with the MCC logo and draped in beautiful fabric.
The MCC booth in the Mutirao
(Portuguese for "community gathering place,") was our
gathering place at the
On Friday of the Assembly,
we had listened to President Lula of
It was democracy at work!
There were huge crowds, and
at one point MCCs
organizer in
There had been worship services, intense conversations on Human Sexuality (a first for the WCC) and hundreds of conversations with attendees, some of whom had walked past MCC's booth five or even ten times before stopping! And the great moment of coming together was when the Dalits of India (the untouchable people, mostly Christians) organized a mid-day parade through the conference hall. When our MCC folks saw the Palestinian Christian Youth group join them, they joined in too - the queers, the young Palestinian Christians and the Dalits -- what a parade! Jesus would have loved it!
A group from
Eventually we also met a
young theologian from
But back to Sunday...
Sunday was the day WCC
Assembly guests were to find our way to local Brazilian churches, who were
getting ready for us. Because our own Araceli Ezzati is also a Methodist
pastor in
But, after a very long,
exhausting Saturday, we found, slipped under our hotel room doors, an
invitation to a
So, taking the path of least
resistance, we walked across the street to the little
As it turns out, this was a
church planted by the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, USA. Their
denomination does not practice an open communion. They did not even have
communion with the other Lutherans in
The church was quaint German Lutheran architecture, a sweet building that would barely hold 150 people. There were more than 100 visitors that morning. It is impossible to convey all that happened, or that we felt, but I will summarize: 1) We were warmly greeted, by church members, in English (most Brazilians do not speak English), and handed a bulletin that contained the entire liturgy and all the songs in English, which was the primary language spoken at the Assembly. Darlene and I did our best to sing in Portuguese! 2) We were welcomed from the front of the church by a translator, who explained that for the regular members the words would be in Portuguese on their PowerPoint in the front. 3) There were not enough seats, so about half or more of the members stood outside or in the narthex throughout the service, leaving seats for us to find. 4) The sermon was from todays text, found in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 2. The pastor preached in Portuguese, ably translated for those us who were visitors. The young pastor beamed as he spoke about sin and forgiveness. (He was a Lutheran, after all!) He told a touching story about a dearly beloved member who was at deaths door. He did not preach to us, specifically, he preached to all of us together. We were invited into their congregations reality, and to hear the gospel as a gathered community that day. 5) At communion time, the pastor made an emotional and special announcement - that on this day they would serve an open communion. He took some time to express to us what that meant, but basically, we were to self-select as "believers in Christ," with no litmus test. We had no idea at the time, what an incredible stretch this was for that church, who had never even dared share communion with the Lutheran church down the street! But here we were - from every continent, and many denominations, straight, LGBT and everything else - sharing a common loaf and cup.
6) Before the service ended,
they welcomed us again and invited people to bring greetings. The Canadians
were very emotional in their thanks - some of their denominations brought
gifts to give. The lesbian pastor of a
7) As we left, the pastor
greeted each of us warmly, and those of us from MCC and the European LGBT
group were photographed. A lot. Especially by young people at the church! It
was a big day for this little church in the southernmost city in
For me, this experience was a parable. I thought of how easy it is for us to take an open communion for granted, among other things. I thought of what the equivalent of that Lutheran service would be in our local MCC churches - what would it mean to print our bulletins in a language most of us did not speak, just to make newcomers feel welcome and at ease and not lost in the service? What would be the moral equivalent of that in your church? Who of us would be willing to stand outside, offering others our seat, perhaps lifting them through the roof? What would it mean to preach in a way that met the needs of our "regulars" but also spoke to those who were new or very different? How might we not take our open communion for granted, but find new ways to make it fresh and inviting, and full of Jesus style of innovation and imagination. What might be our equivalent "leap of faith and inclusion" that they took on our behalf that day? And are we willing to let first timers voice their identity, needs and thanksgiving? Risky business!
A few days later, at morning
worship, I just "happened" to sit next to a man from
I am holding his promise in my heart -- will you hold it with me? -- for our LGBT sisters and brothers in India? I was deeply impressed with the generosity and genuine holiness I felt in that little Lutheran church -- a church that does not ordain women and normally does not open its communion table. I was touched and humbled by those lay members who gathered around the grieving family of a dying man, as would be done in every good church everywhere. Even in the midst of great assemblies, life and death still go on just across the street. P Later in the week, we would hear sounds coming, every night, from that little church -- a band practicing, a choir singing, a mid-week service. The sounds were all of joy and praise and gospel power. I am sure they will talk for a long time about the strangers in their midst who worshiped with them, brought them gifts, let them take pictures, challenged them, and gave them an opportunity to make history for themselves. Can they ever go back to a "closed" communion without remembering us? I hope not.
by The Reverend
Nancy L. Wilson
Metropolitan Community
Churches
With Love, Rev. Jim Paul and Deb M. have been coordinating the Artsy Fartsy Film group since its beginning. They plan to retire from this ministry at the end of May. We need two people who are willing to take over this ministry which runs from September through May each year. Please see Paul or Deb M. or the pastor ============================================================ See our Website: http://www.frontiernet.net/~oamcc for the calendar listings. You can print the calendar if you wish.
Prayer Requests:
For those who grieve For those with life-threatening illnesses For the worker bees in our congregation For the lonely For those who are sick in body, mind or soul For our troops
For the leaders of our
country that they will hear God calling them to justice and peace
The Terry's are working on this years Church Directory. If you would like to be in it, please see Terry K. to get your picture taken before or after worship and to fill out an information form.
Upcoming Events: Membership Classes April 9 from 1-4pm
Rev. Jim will deliver a lecture on grief tomorrow, Wednesday, April 5, at the Library at Monroe Community College
The Artsy Fartsy Film group will meet on April 15 for a matinee. Movie to be determined. Paul and Deb are retiring from this ministry after the May gathering. If you are interested in carrying it on, please see Rev. Jim
Special Events Committee:
There will be meetings of
the committee on:
Sunday, April 9
at church Thursday, April 20-7pm at Anne & Besss home Thursday, May 18-7pm at Anne & Besss home Thursday, June 15-7pm at Anne & Besss home
to plan May 20 & 21-Gazonga Garage Sale, Pride Parade Float (Bigger & Gaudier), Fall Fund-Raiser! Turkey Party!
25th Anniversary
of Open Arms MCC
is coming up in August.
The pastor needs a committee to work with him on this event. Please contact
Rev. Jim if you can help.
On April 8, a womens potluck supper will be held at the home of Sue W. & Linda S.. That same night, a mens potluck will be held at Pete F. home. All men & women are invited.
The clothing ministry, has begun it is coordinated by Deacon Debbie, 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30. See Deacon Debbie for details. April 13th At Asbury Church.
The Asbury Clothing Warehouse is LOW on stock.. Please Check with Deacon Debbie to confirm the date !! If you have donations let us know !!!
The Artsy-Fartsy Film Group next outing on April 15 a matinee, hopefully to see The Davinci Code, We will meet on Saturday at the Little Theater 20 minutes prior to the matinee. To read more about the film's, go to www.little-theatre.com and click on the Coming Soon link. If you have questions, please email Paul or Deb M. All are welcome to attend. **** please note this is a Date Change .. not the usual 3rd Saturday of the Month ****
Open Arms MCC will host Pano Tawa Unity Fellowship Church as we share Good Friday Service at 7pm on 4/14.
There will be an Easter potluck brunch after church on Easter, April 16 - sign up sheet in the Fellowship Hall Action Item's:
No entries this week
....
How can you get involved in the Capital Campaign? 1 - Join the Prayer Committee by signing up in the back of the sanctuary, near the prayer table 2 - A team of volunteers is needed to write thank-you notes to donors from outside the congregation - to volunteer, please sign up on the sheet posted in the fellowship hall at church or e-mail Sherri and Donna at: "smteaches@earthlink.net" 3 - You can ask your employer if they match charitable donations! Many employers do! (The Human Resources Dept. would have this information and any paperwork necessary.) This is a prime time to ask, because contributions given during 2005 and 2006 will both be eligible for matching funds! ...whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 Capital Campaign News There is a chart in the sanctuary showing the progress of the Capital Campaign. It very creatively uses puzzle pieces to represent each $1000. The puzzle pieces will fill the chart as we progress. Stewardship Campaign is underway. Please return your pledge forms if you have not already done so. Blank forms are available at church.
Capital Campaign will have three phases: Internal Campaign: for members and regular attendee's of Open Arms MCC began Nov. 21. External Campaign for the wider community began Dec. 1 Fundraisers will happen throughout the six months of the Campaign
Until next time, let us pray for one another (oremus pro invicem)
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> This page Last updated/ reviewed on: April, 2006 By: Martha K. |
