THIS SATURDAY!
WOULD JESUS DISCRIMINATE? WOULD YOU?
A ONE DAY INTENSIVE STUDY
Sat. March 29
9 am - 4:30 pm
$10 for lunch and snacks
Look at issues of discrimination, privilege, oppression, domination and power in this interactive Bible Study. Five sessions will be offered in this one day intensive study. Come, learn and grow as we ask ourselves this question before we ask the larger community. Please register with the office so we may prepare materials and food.
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LAST WEEK TO ORDER TICKETS!
THIRD DAY CONCERT AND RANGERS GAME, - SAT., APRIL 12 |
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Be inspired by Third Day in a lawn concert and then share in the fun of a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays, all at The Ballpark in Arlington and all for $15! This event is being promoted by "Touchstone", a youth outreach of MCCGD, and is open to everyone. Purchase your ticket ASAP. They will go quickly! (Contact office@mccgd.org or call 972-243-0761)
Third Day: Influenced by the Southern rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other artists such as U2 and Rich Mullins, Christian rock band Third Day has produced 12 albums, garnered seven Dove Awards and three Grammy Awards. Third Day's tendency to dwell on matters of faith and relationship with God has served to create an ever-present, underlying sense of worship in their songs that audiences have been quick to connect with. |
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TOUCHSTONE PRESENTS OPEN-MIC NIGHT
Sunday, April 20 at 6 pm
This welcoming and open environment encourages musicians, songwriters, and poets to share their spiritual side in their latest creation or some past favorites. The evening will be hosted by The Mercies |
SOULFORCE PRESENTS NON-VIOLENT PROTEST TRAINING APRIL 26
Saturday, April 26 9 am
Participate in a training by Soulforce, Rev. Mel White and Rev. Jimmy Creech, in non-violent protest. Support GLBT members of the United Methodist Church and the Reconciling movement by being a "silent visible presence" at the United Methodist Church General Convention in Fort Worth. Prepare for the "Would Jesus Discriminate?" Campaign by learning from the experience of Soulforce. Save the date. More details will be announced.
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SUNDAY OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
We are looking for volunteers to help "staff" the office on Sunday mornings before worship (9-10am) and for a time after worship. Duties would include checking voice messages, answering phones, giving directions, copying and some light office duties. Please respond to office@mccgd.org or call 972-243-0761 if you are interested. |
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The celebration of Easter continues at MCCGD as we examine the appearance stories and our lives. Rev. Colleen Darraugh preaches "Living Past Our Expiration Date" and Shelly Torres-West will be the soloist. Invite a friend to join you. Remember Easter is not just one day! Every Sunday is a celebration of our risen Savior!
Special Announcement This Sunday
Plan to be at church on Sunday to hear a special announcement!
Congregational Forum - Sunday, April 6 following worship.
Hear from the Board about the first quarter's finances including decisions about our worship space lease. Also hear an update on our involvement with the Would Jesus Discriminate? Campaign. Plan to attend!
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UFMCC EASTER SEASON OFFERING
CHANGE FOR CHANGE - MISSIONS
As part of this year's 40th anniversary observance of UFMCC, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson invites us to participate in our denomination-wide Easter Offering. This year's Easter Offering is designated for MCC's life-changing, life-saving Global Justice ministries. We invite you to bring your donations including your loose change to "Change for Change" which will go to MCC Mission efforts. In the spirit of Easter, as Resurrection People, we are called to share life and bring hope and new life to all!
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of MCC, writes:
I truly believe MCC's urgent message of inclusion and justice for all God's people, and especially LGBT people, is more needed than ever!
While we've made so many advances over the past 40 years, this is the reality of our world: The forces of religious fundamentalism are aggressively promoting hate and discrimination against LGBT people in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. That's why everyday more people contact us wanting -- needing! -- our support and help than we can respond to.
Let me share some very specific places your church's Easter Offering for Global Justice Ministries will be invested in the lives and needs of people:
-- In Eastern Europe where our efforts of the last five years are bearing fruit, we now have new ministry opportunities in Russia. Our partner, Human Rights Watch, has asked us to go with them to help LGBT Russians counter the homophobic alliance of the government and the Orthodox Church - will we say yes?
-- In Jamaica and the Western Caribbean MCC is just over a year old, but is already challenging the colonial legacy of lethal homophobia by offering a fresh gospel of God's inclusive love. But even in 2008, the murders of LGBT people in Jamaica continue with so little protest from anyone in Jamaica, or in the world community -- will we continue to work and pray alongside our brave community in the Caribbean?
-- In Malaysia a largely Muslim and homophobic culture where AIDS is on the rise, a young Baptist pastor is coming out and asking to start an MCC -- can we support him?
-- In Pakistan a place where LGBT people can still be stoned to death for their sexual orientation, an underground LGBT Christian church struggles for survival as it harbors at-risk runaway youth whose lives are threatened by family and neighbors. They have been asking for more than a year for us to visit them and begin to build a relationship -- will we go?
-- In Nigeria the congregation of Rainbow House of Prayer is the powerful antidote to virulent fundamentalist Christian and Muslim homophobia -- will we support our leaders there? What about Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe and our churches in South Africa, that continue to struggle with religion-based homophobia and AIDS-phobia?
-- In Latin America progress is being made in civil rights, but the dominant Roman Catholic and Pentecostal churches continue to demonize LGBT people, tearing families apart. Will MCC be present and active, providing a positive voice of faith and hope?
-- In North America, Western Europe, Australia -- will we be on the forefront of marriage equality, transgender equality, the fight against poverty and racism, the plight of refugees and immigrants -- will we be a voice for justice and peace for all whose God-given lives are devalued and marginalized? |
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COMMUNITY CONNECTION
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO SCREENING & PANEL DISCUSSION
WHEN: Friday, March 28, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
WHERE: Community Unitarian Universalist Church
2875 East Parker Road, Plano TX 972-424-8989
The Equality Texas Foundation is pleased to announce North Texas will host a second FREE screening of Daniel Karslake's documentary film FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.Earlier this month more than 180 people attended a screening in Carrollton. All members of the community are welcome to join us in Plano.
Can the love between two people ever be an abomination?
Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross?
Is the Bible an excuse to hate?Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Seattle International Film Festival, Dan Karslakeʼs provocative, entertaining documentary brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture.
Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child.
Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech; FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.
Panelists who will lead a discussion following the film are: Patrick Price, Sr. Minister at Community; Jan Sullivan, Sr. Pastor of Grace Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Dennis Hamilton, Sr. Minister at Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church; and Bob Ivancic, Social Services Director of Youth First Texas. The moderator will be Rev. Colleen Darraugh, Sr. Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church - Greater Dallas.
Event organized by Equality Texas in Partnership with Community Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Collin County Gay & Lesbian Alliance.
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