Weekly Newsletter for May 3, 2013

So often I will hear someone say to be, I am trying to be "strong" in the midst of my grief and sorrow. What they really mean is tears are a sign of weakness and I am not weak even in my grief and if I cry I may be judged weak. Where did such a belief come from? Why would we buy into such an unhealthy and untrue statement?

Do you cry? Have you mastered control over such emotions? What sort of messaging did you receive as a child about crying? Do you have a deeply held judgment about it today, for yourself, for others? May of us were raised with the understanding that crying was reserved for females. Why? If we all have tear ducts and have the capacity to be emotionally impacted by the events and circumstances in our lives why so much pressure when it comes time to express grief or love. Of course human emotion and reaction runs across a spectrum, but the truth remains in this county that tears are in many instances a sign of weakness.

Washington Irving re-frames the emotional response of tears as messengers. I have given a great deal of thought into the expression of tears throughout my life, but I have never thought of tears as messengers. Maybe this reflection means very little to you and your position on crying works just fine and maybe this is an opportunity for you to sit with the messages of your youth regarding crying and see if those messages really allow you to express overwhelming grief and unspeakable love. May you always, and in all ways, be at peace with your emotional response to include tears in those moments of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love.

Abundant blessings,

Phyllis's Signature

Reverend Phyllis E. Hunt

Upcoming Events

BOOK CLUB - Starts Wednesday, May 15th, 7pm - 9 pm

The Shack by William P. Young is a story about Mack, a man whose daughter is brutally murdered. A few years after her murder, Mack receives an invitation from God to meet him at the shack where they found his daughter's bloody clothes. Mack goes and works through the meaning of suffering as he spends the weekend with the Trinity. Join the MCC Book Club on four consecutive Wednesdays to discuss and reflect the book, The Shack. A copy of The Shack can be obtained @ Amazon.com for $6.38 for paperback or $5.30 on Kindle. Stop at the Education Ministry's table in the back of the church to register for the book club. Ten books have been pre-purchased and are available.

CONGREGATION APPRECIATION PARTY - Saturday, May 4th, 7pm - 9pm

Join us as we "Dance thru the Decades" with hits from the 60's, 70's and 80's by D.J. Mac. There will be homemade Chicago Style Pizza along appetizers & desserts by Melissa & Dave. Everyone is welcome. This is a FREE event!

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY MEETING - Postponed, New Date TBA

There will be a Children's ministry meeting for parents, children and anyone interested in working in our children's ministry. Lunch will be provided for everyone at this meeting. Please plan to attend.

MEMBERSHIP CLASS - Saturday May 4th, 9:30am - 12:00pm

Considering membership? Want to learn more about MCC Tampa? Want to transfer your membership from another church? Come and Claim your Birthright, Grow in Wisdom, Serve in Gratitude, and Share God's Love. For more information call the church office at 813-239-1951.

FOLLOWING WYNTER - 2 SHOWS - MAY 31 & JUNE 1 - 7:00pm

Another comedy play by best selling writer Todd Kachinski-Kottmeier with Steve Hammond. There will be a dessert social following the performance. Tickets are on sale now for $20 in advance, $25 at the door. All phone orders will be held at will call. For more information call 813-239-1951.

WALKING CLUB- Come and join the MCC Walking Club. We will be walking together on Thursdays at 6:00 pm on a designated course through beautiful historic Seminole Heights.

Church Happenings

MONTHLY MEETINGS - The monthly board meetings have been moved to Tuesdays at 6:15pm. The workshop is now the 1st Tuesday of the month and the board meeting is the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Both meetings are open to the congregation.

ANNIVERSARY COOKBOOK SALE - These will make great gifts for family, friends, teachers, co-workers, etc.. Buy your cookbooks for just $5.00 each!!! Call the church office at 813-239-1951 to order yours today.

LIVING GREEN MINISTRY - MCC Tampa's recycling ministry has a new item to collect. The pop top tab from aluminum cans. We will donate them to the Shriners Hospital to help with children's medical needs. Remember we also collect all paper and light cardboard, ink & toner cartridges, cell phones (no chargers please) and aluminum cans. Thank you for helping keep our environment green and support MCC Tampa in the process.

BOARD OPPORTUNITIES - We have several board openings. If you are a member for at least six months in good standing and are interested in serving on the board of directors, please contact Tammy Rabon, Director of Opporations at dirop@mcctampa.com

OUR FACEBOOK PAGE - Follow MCC Tampa on our new Fan Page. Go to MCC Tampa, under church and organizations to "Like" and "Share" with your friends. Also spread the word about upcoming events and invite your friends to join us.

MCC GENERAL CONFERENCE 2013 - On July 1-5, 2013, you are invited to Chicago, IL for MCC's General Conference XXV. This is an opportunity to fellowship and worship with individuals from all over the world who belong to MCC. For more information and to register go to http://believe.mccchurch.org/

Social Justice

HYGIENE KITS FOR HOMELESS COALITION STAND DOWN 2013 - MCC Tampa is accepting donations of personal hygiene items to make 50 kits for the Homeless Coalition Stand Down Event at Hyde Park United Methodist Church on June 7th. Please bring in items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush and paste, feminine products, razors etc. Items can be dropped off at the church office through Sunday, June 2nd.

TAMPA DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP REGISTRY - Is open for business at the City Clerk's office at 315 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL. The fee is $30.00 (cash or check payable to the City of Tampa). A Driver's License or Class 1 ID is required for each person. Both partners must be present at the same time to register.

POP TOPS FOR SHRINERS HOSPITAL - MCC Tampa's recycling ministry is now collecting the pop top tabs from aluminum cans. We will donate them to the Shriners Hospital to help with children's medical needs.

TAKE THE TEST & LEARN YOUR STATUS! - When was your last HIV test? Has it been a while? If so, its not too late! Metro Wellness & Community Centers will be providing confidential HIV testing services at MCC Tampa. The next date is May 19th from 9:00am -10:00am. Test results provided within 20 minutes!

OUR FOOD PANTRY NEEDS YOUR HELP - Emergency food requests have increased.　Please help us stock our food pantry.　We need: peanut butter, jelly, any non-perishables with pop-top lids, rice, cereal, pasta, spaghetti sauce, shelf milk, tuna fish, Vienna sausages, etc... - anything that is non-perishable.　You can drop of items at MCC Tampa at 408 E. Cayuga St, Tampa - office hours are Tues-Thurs 10:00-3:00. Thank you for all that you do.

In the Life of Our Church

Ministry Opportunities

Please consider becoming "one of the many ministers in the life of this church." You've been longing to become active and involved in your church, so here are some of the many ways you can do so in life of your church.
Below is a list of ministries and contact people. Please see them, visit the church website: www.mcctampa.com or call the church office at 813-239-1951 for more information.

MINISTRY Contact Person

Board of Directors Ginny Walker

Children's Ministry                                                Bennett Thompson
Congregational Care                                            Vacant
Creating Sacred Spaces                                      Ross Scudder

Deaf Interpreters Ministry Steve Hammond

Education Ministry Dave Lindsay

Eucharistic Ministry Robert Krebs
Food Pantry Z Velazquez

Hospitality Melissa & Dave Greene

Lectors Ministry                                                   Kevin Klahr
Living Green Ministry                                           Vacant
Multimedia Ministry                                               Vilia Corvison
Music Ministry                                                      Vacant
Newcomers Ministry                                            Vacant

Office Angels Robert Krebs
Sacred Grounds Mac McGowan

Ushers Laura Henzler
Welcome Ministry George Summers

CONGREGATIONAL CARE TEAM AVAILABLE FOR YOU

We want to remind you that if you, or someone you know, is in the hospital, becomes homebound or is in need of some congregational care - Please let us know. We now have a very active Congregational Care Team, and they are here to serve your needs. The team is available every Sunday before and after worship service.

If you need special prayers, have concerns you would like to discuss, need someone to talk with, or would like a call, then visit our Congregational Care Ministry Table in the foyer, or E-mail us at congcare@mcctampa.com or call the us at 813-230-1542

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BECOME A CREATIVE FINANCIER FOR MCC TAMPA

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR FAITH COMMUNITY:
In addition to making your own commitment-use others' money to grow that commitment and ensure MCCT's financial security.

Tithes and Offerings: It's not too late to make a pledge that makes a difference.

Ministry Volunteers: Feel your passion and join a ministry team that nurtures you as you fulfill your commitment to "Serve in Gratitude."

Fundraisers: Please support church efforts to nurture you and your friends and family at our special events throughout the year. Watch for announcements on upcoming events.

AND NOW, FOR THE FREE $$$:

Corporate Matching Gifts: Give to MCCT without spending a dime-your employer may be one who matches giving to a 501c-3 (nonprofit) organization. Check with your Human Resources office to see if you can double your giving at no cost to you but with great benefit to MCCT.

Travelers and Social Butterflies Website: Book through http://ytbtravel.com/mcctampaor go to www.mcctampa.com and click on "travel." Either way, making travel arrangements (air, sea, land), sending flowers, buying theater and other event tickets benefits MCCT through commissions.

Recycling: The Living Green Ministry can use your help with greening MCCT while raising money from recyclables. Bring in newspapers (complete with slicks),cardboard, phone books, magazines, basically anything paper that tears. Aluminum cans (soda/beer), printer cartridges, cell phones (no chargers) and junk vehicles. Please recycle your plastic bottles at home at your curbside. LETS' KEEP IT GREEN!! and greener $$$$$$$$$

Surf the Web at www.goodsearch.com and MCCT receives one cent for every search. What could be easier and more helpful? It's the search that keeps on giving. How about getting a surfing team together that raises $20 each month? How about challenging others to do the same?

Shop online at www.iGive.com and more free $$$ comes back to MCCT.

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Recurring Credit Card Donations
We are now able to offer automatic debit withdraws for tithes and offerings. These forms are available on the table in the lobby. Once you have completed the form, the church office will process your information and you will receive a confirmation of when the first payment will be processed. You may choose what day of the month you would like the withdraw to occur and you may cancel recurring donations at any time; however, we ask that you notify us 10 days prior to the date of your next donations so that we can process your cancellation in a timely manner. If you have any questions concerning this process, please feel free to talk with a member of the Board of Directors or contact the church office.
The church office can also process one time donations from credit cards. If you would like to make a one time gift, please see the church office for the one time authorization form. Your gifts and offerings have a direct impact in the life of MCC Tampa and continue to make a difference in our church and our community. Thank You!

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To learn more about what is happening in the MCC Fellowship, visit their Website at:
www.mccchurch.org
or
Sign Up for the MCC Churches Newsletter!

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