Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The Hot Summer Continues

Happy August everyone! It is amazing how quickly the month of July passed. It seems that we were just starting the month, full of all its activities, and now we're well into August.

Before we discuss our upcoming monthly activities, we had a wonderful night of FUN-draising at MCCPB Idol. Thanks to your generous donations, we raised $1,962 for the music fund. The evening's acts were wonderfully humorous and inspiring. Congratulations to our reigning MCCPB Idol 2009, Jeffrey McKee.

Now, let's discuss our current events.

This Saturday, August 15th at 7pm, our social committee will be hosting Tacky Tourist Bingo and Ice Cream Social. Put on your Hawaiian shirts, your white socks and sandals, or anything else that might make you the Tackiest Tourist! Also, we will provide the ice cream, and ask you to bring one of your favorite toppings to share with everyone. This will be a fun night that you don't want to miss.

Then at 8pm on Friday, August 21st, MCCPB is honored to welcome Jade Esteban Estrada with his one-man-show ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 3. You will be mesmorized as you watch Jade take on the roles of several LBGT historical figures. To learn more about Jade and this show, visit him on the web at www.getjaded.com. Also, this will be a freewill love offering performance, with all monies collected going to the performer!

On Friday, September 18th, we're going back in time to a 50's sock hop, with our next Dinner and a Movie. Get out your leather jackets, poodle skirts, and slick back your hair! At 6:30, dinner will be served diner-style, with Hamburgers and Root Beer Floats. Then, at 7:30, we're going to Rydell High as we sing along with the T-Birds and Pink Ladies of Grease! It will definitely be a "Summer Night" you'll want to "devote yourself to." Wop-bop-a-loo-bop; a-wop-bam-boom!

Continue to pray for our church and its leadership, and stay tuned to hear about our next step of the journey together.

Monday, July 13, 2009

July- New Season

It's time again for our monthly installment of our Blog Newsletter!

As we have started our time of transition, we are trusting in the knowledge that God has great things in store for us! Here at MCC, I believe the best is yet to be.

One of those great things, will happen on Sunday, July 26th. During worship, on that Sunday, our Provisional Pastoral Candidate, Rev. Patrick Rogers, will be with us.

Rev. Patrick Rogers' experience includes being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)/Consultant and began his journey with Metropolitan Community Church eight years ago as the Executive Director for the Sunshine Cathedral MCC in Fort Lauderdale.

Patrick was then called to pastoral ministry and obtained his Master in Divinity degree from Pacific School of Regligion (PSR) in Berkeley, California. Patrick was twice awarded PSR's Rev. Troy Perry Scholarship and was the PSR Student Representative for their Board of Trustee's Finance Committee.

He also completed Clinical Pastoral Education/training as a Hospice Chaplian and is a facilitator for MCC's Creating a Life that Matters (CLM) program.

Patrick presents workshops regarding stewardship and spiritual practices for MCC regional conferences and local churches. His stewardship workshop is titled Stewardship the Jesus Way. He most recently completed a 21 month Interim Pastor appointment with MCC of Topeka.

You will not want to miss this opportunity to experience his ministry. Following the worship service, there will be a potluck dinner, enabling all who wish to fellowship with Rev. Patrick. We are asking for donations of side dishes and desserts for potluck dinner.

Now, let's move onto Social Events!

This Friday, July 17th at 7:00pm, the music ministry will be hosting MCCPB Idol. This will be an evening of entertainment like no other. This event will feature many different types of musical acts, both secular and inspirational, and you will want to attend. The event will be a fundraiser, similar to the TV show, where someone where at the end of the night, one act will be crowned MCCPB Idol 2009 thanks to YOU! Votes will be cast by your money. The person with the most money in their ballot box will win! So, come on out for an evening of FUN-draising and bring your check books! All proceeds will support MCCPB's Music Ministry!

Do you like to play Bingo? On Saturday, August 15th, at 7:00pm, we will host an evening of Tacky Tourist Bingo and Ice Cream. Bring your favorite ice cream topping and come dressed as a tacky tourist! There will be many prizes to be won, and the more Bingo cards you have, the more chance you have to win!

On Friday, August 21st at 7:00pm, we are welcoming back Jade Esteban Estrada, to perform his one-man show, ICONS: The Lesbian and Gay History of the World, Vol. 3. The performance will be no charge, however, a free-will love offering will be taken. For more information on Jade Esteban Estrada and this one-man show, you can visit his website at www.getjaded.com.

Lastly, I ask for your continued prayers for our church and it's leaders, as transition into this season full of life and newness. Remember this one thing; as our church sign has said for a few weeks now: Patience is trusting in God's timing!

MCC, the best is yet to be!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

June-- Summer Lovin'

Summer has finally come and with all our activities, there will be many opportunities to have a blast as is sung in the movie, Grease.

This coming weekend, June 12-14, you are invited to attend our Regional Conference held at Sunshine Cathedral MCC in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The theme for this conference is OUTfitted to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Guests will include Rev. Dr. Mona West, and our Regional Elder, Rev. Lillie Brock. Saturday's events will be filled with worship, devotion, workshops, meetings and much more. Also, Saturday, two of our very own, Shawn and Jeremiah, will be part of a panel discussion on Music and Worship for a Younger Generation. If you haven't yet registered for conference or to find a more detailed schedule of events, visit www.mccchurch.org/region7conference.

June also marks the start of our summer socials, and the Social Committee has planned many events worth attending:

On Wednesday, June 17th, at 6:30pm, we will be hosting the Pride Business Alliance mixer. This event is sponsored by Compass, the local Gay and Lesbian Community Center, and provides a monthly networking opportunity for gay and gay-friendly businesses, groups and individuals throughout the Palm Beaches. Come on out and help spread the word about our church to the community. For more information about this event, check out Compass' website at www.compassglcc.com.

Friday, June 26th, come to the church for a Friday Night Dinner and a Movie. At 6:30, we'll start the evening off with a well-rounded Italian meal: spaghetti, salad, garlic bread,and dessert. Then at 7:30, warm up your voice, kick off your shoes, and get ready to be a Dancing Queen as we sing-a-long to the Blockbuster movie music, Mamma Mia!, inspired by the music of ABBA. Don't miss this evening of food and fun!

On Friday, July 17th, at 7:00pm, come participate at MCCPB Idol, a fundraiser to support the music ministry. This will be a night of diverse entertainment, with countless idols, from both inside and outside the church. And you will have the opportunity to determine who will leave, having earned the title of MCCPB Idol 2009. We are looking for numerous acts: individuals and groups, that will offer their talents and abilities to make this event possible. To participate, there is a sign up sheet on the church's bulletin board or you can email jeremiah@mccpalmbeach.org.

Lastly, make plans to attend worship on Sunday, June 28th at 10:30am, as we recognize the ministry of Rev. Paul and send him forth to his new call as Pastor of MCC London in London, Ontario, Canada. Following worship, you are invited to bring finger foods as we share in a time of food, fellowship, and giving our warmest wishes for his next step in professional ministry.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

April---Showers of a busy season!

Well, most of us have now experienced the first major rain of the Spring Season. And I do believe that it has come right on time. With Easter around the corner, we need the rain so that we are promised the greenest grass and lilies...pretty enough to make you want to dive back into your childhood and have an Easter egg hunt.

With Easter just in front of us, there will be many activities going on everywhere, but make sure to leave time to celebrate in the new life given through Christ's resurrection.

To help with that, we have many activities going on here at MCCPB during Holy Week.

First, with our Better Together Groups coming to an end for this season, we will be honoring Passover. Each group will be participating in a Seder meal. If you've never participated in the Seder, this is the opportunity that you don't want to neglect. Everyone is invited to participate. The Lake Park group will host their meal on Wednesday, April 8th. The Jupiter and Lake Worth/Boynton Beach groups will host their meals on Thursday, April 9th. All meals to begin respectively at 7pm.

Then, on Good Friday, April 10th, at 7pm, here at the church, we will offer a Tenebrae Service. This dramatic remembrance of the death of Christ, will be emotionally moving and compelling. It's important to remember that before we can celebrate in the resurrection on Easter, we must first experience the events that led to the death, which made the resurrection possible.

On Easter Sunday, April 12th, our Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Marion Harrison, has invited you to attend a Sunrise Service, which he will be participating in, at Kelsey Park on US 1, followed by a $5 Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by St. John Evang. Lutheran Church. For more information on the worship or breakfast tickets, please see Pastor Marion.

Then, our morning worship service will move to 10:30am through September, as we celebrate in the knowledge that Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Our choir will be performing the musical presentation Worthy! The Song of Ages as well as an exciting Easter sermon by Rev. Paul. Also, we will be taking up a special offering on Easter for the MCC's Global Outreach Fund.

Next, as it is the second Sunday of the month, we will offer our Contemporary Worship service at 6:37pm, where the theme will be New Life.

Also, this week will be your last opportunity to give donations towards the purchase of Easter Lilies, for Easter morning.

Since it is April, we know that Rainbow Ball is rapidly approaching. This year, as Rainbow Ball celebrates its 8th anniversary, Rainbow Ball Goes Hollywood. If you haven't done so just yet, mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25th at 7pm. This fundraising event, held at the beautifully renovated Crowne Plaza Hotel, will be the hottest show in town. The evening will include an elegant dinner, silent auction, live Oscar model, red carpet walk, dancing and entertainment by National Recording Artist Shawn Thomas (www.shawnthomasonline.com). Tickets for this event are $115 per person and can be purchased following worship service or by visiting the Rainbow Ball website at www.rainbowball.com. Also, we are still looking for sponsors for this event!

We realize that not everyone can afford the ticket price for this event, but, thanks to some of the members there may be purchased tickets that can be made available to those unable to pay the full price. You can visit the Rainbow Ball table after worship to learn more about this.

To help raise money for more of these tickets, Sandi MacManus will be having a yard sale this Saturday, April 4th at her house. If you have any items that you would like to donate for this cause, you can call Sandi at 561-358-2552 and arrange for drop off. Also, if you don't have items, she said she will accept cash donations!!!

Two more things and I'll let you go! On Saturday, April 4th, from 10am-2pm, we will be offering a seminar on Homosexuality and the Bible. Everyone is invited to attend, but there will be a $5 lunch fee, as it will be provided. Even if you have attended a similar class before, this will be done in a different way, and you can always take something new from it!

Lastly, MCCPB now has an online store! If you go to www.cafepress.com/mccpb, you can order from a variety of items including T-Shirts, Ball Caps, Tote Bags, and many more...each having the MCCPB logo! This is your chance to promote your church family!

Until next time, remember you are welcome at MCC of the Palm Beaches!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

February--Lent Begins

It is almost time to SPRING FORWARD! Saturday, March 7th is Daylight Savings Time. Don’t forget to move your clocks forward one hour at midnight!

Wow! God has done so many amazing things already this year in the ministry of MCCPB, and as we begin our Lenten journeys, we are given the opportunity to experience God in so many more ways, as we worship and fellowship with each other.

On Sunday, March 8th, our Regional Elder, Rev. Lillie Brock, will be with us for many events throughout the day. In morning worship, she will be bringing us the Word. Then at 5:00pm, we will be hosting a Question and Answer Meet-n-Greet in the sanctuary, followed by an ice cream and dessert social in Harrison Hall. Then, Rev. Brock will be participating in our Contemporary Worship service at 6:37pm where the theme is Taking It To The Streets.

In preparation for her visit, this Saturday, February 28th, at 8:30am, we will be having a church wide yard clean up, and we need your help. Many hands make light work, or so they say…There are many things to be done, the more help, the quicker we can make it happen. Then, after we complete the yard work, stay around for a Hot Dog and Hamburger Cook out.

Another MCC family member will be making a visit to the Palm Beach area on Friday, March 6th. The United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns will be hosting singer/songwriter Marsha Stevens in concert at 7:30pm at Union Congregational United Church of Christ. This church is located at 5088 Summitt Blvd in West Palm Beach. For more information on the ministry of Marsha Stevens and Union Congregational UCC, visit the church’s website at www.unionucc.net.

Our Better Together small group program is both fun and educational. We encourage all of our church friends and members to participate in this year’s Lent series. The theme is Choosing Joy for Lent, which is an introduction to spiritual life and gifts.

We will hold these groups in three locations:
The Central group will meet in Lake Park starting Wednesday, March 4th at 7pm.
The North group will meet in Jupiter starting Thursday, March 5th at 7pm.
The South group will meet in Lake Worth/Boynton Beach starting Thursday, March 5th at 7pm.

For more information or to sign up for one of these groups, you can call the church office or check out the Bulletin Board!

Choir is back under way, in preparation for Easter. If you like to sing or want to be a part of this ministry, we meet in the sanctuary on Tuesdays at 7pm.

Our 8th annual Rainbow Ball is on April 25th at the beautifully renovated Crowne Plaza Hotel, with your chance to walk the red carpet as the “Rainbow Ball Goes Hollywood.” For information on tickets, sponsorships, and silent auction, go to www.rainbowball.com, or visit the table in the lobby on Sunday.

Lastly, start marking your calendars now! Starting Easter Sunday, April 12th, we will be moving our worship time to 10:30am, through September! You won’t want to be late!

Monday, January 26, 2009

January- New Beginnings

What a year this has been so far?!

The theme for the first contemporary evening worship service was New Beginnings and that rings true in our nation as we see new leadership in our new President and his cabinet, however, it also is a very true statement with our church. January has ushered in many changes in leadership. At the start of the month, we welcomed our new Music Minister/Church Administrator Jeremiah Cummings and his partner, Jeffrey. Then at our annual congregational meeting, we elected three new board members: Sharon Reichard, Mjay Sanders, and Michael Trueblood. We are very excited to welcome them as they take their new positions on the Board of Directors.

January was also a month where we saw several individuals show their commitment to MCCPB and become members. As of January 18th, we now have a membership tally of 99 members. God is definitely doing an amazing thing, thus far, in this new year at MCC of the Palm Beaches.

Nearing the start of the second month of this year, we have many things to look forward to in the coming months.

February marks the time for our first fundraising event of the year…the church yard sale. Our church yard sale will be held on Saturday, February 7th, and you can help us out in many ways. Michael Trueblood is looking for people to set up, tear down, and to work this event. Plus, we can’t have a yard sale without items to sell. Now is the time to clean out your closets, garages, attics, basements and donate those things that are in good condition or even brand new that are simply taking up room. Items can be brought into the sanctuary following the worship service! And if you have big items or furniture, you can bring those the morning of…or if you need help getting them to the church, you can contact Jeremiah, via the church office.

In February, Pastor Paul will hold a Lay Ministry training program, starting Saturday, February 21st, and Jeremiah will begin preparation for the Easter celebration, with the re-convening of the church choir with Tuesday night rehearsals, starting February 17th.

In March, in combination with Lent, our Better Together Small Groups program will begin meeting again. The three locations will be Jupiter, Lake Park, and Boynton Beach/Lake Worth. Then, the weekend of March 7-8, our Regional Elder, Rev. Lillie Brock, is scheduled to be with us, both in Saturday workshops and Sunday worship. At the end of the month, we will participate in the annual PrideFest, as we declare with much pride how much God loves all of God’s children.

Our 8th annual Rainbow Ball is on April 25th at the beautifully renovated Crowne Plaza Hotel, with your chance to walk the red carpet as the Rainbow Ball Goes Hollywood. For information on tickets, sponsorships, and silent auction, go to www.rainbowball.com, or visit the table in the lobby on Sunday.

Lastly, be sure to take a few minutes and check out our updated church website, www.mccpalmbeach.org. Shawn has taken many hours of his own time to update all the information and calendar of events, to make it as current as possible.

So there are many things to look forward to within the next few months, and so many more as we continue this new year, declaring God’s message of truth and love.