Transcript Metropolitan Community Churches

Metropolitan Community
Churches
Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Team
Workshop for Region 3/5 Conference, July, 2009
Stan Kimer, Team Chair
Contents / Agenda
 Introductions and the team
 Why is ecumenical and inter-religious ministry
important to MCC?
 MCC’s history of ecumenical and inter-religious work
 Practical suggestions – how to evaluate
opportunities and get involved
 Available resources
 Rev Candy Holmes will share about our relationship with
“The Fellowship”
 Conclusion – discussion - questions
Team Members
 CURRENT MEMBERS
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Mr. Stan Kimer (chair)
Ms. Lynn Farrand
Rev. Elder Diane Fisher
Rev. Candy Holmes
Ms. Connie Meadows
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson
Rev. Bill Young
 RETIRED MEMBERS
 Rev. Araceli Ezzatti
 Rev. Robert Griffin
Introducing the MCC Ecumenical and InterReligious Strategic Team
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of MCC, has worked diligently
to re-invigorate MCC's ecumenical and inter-religious work
denominationally and to help MCC re-engage in this ministry in the
21st Century. As part of this effort, the Moderator's Office has
established the MCC Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Strategic
Team. Rev. Elder Wilson serves the team as guide and reference
for MCC's historical ecumenical and inter-religious work.
The MCC Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Strategic Team will work
to nuture established denominational ecumenical and inter-religious
partnerships and form new partnerships. The team will also
recognize and nurture local-church affiliations as invited.
Purpose
 MCC’s Statement of Direction challenges us “to
proclaim a spirituality that is liberating and
sufficiently profound to address the issues of
our chaotic and complicated world.”
 Leadership and participation in ecumenical and
inter-religious work is a critical component in
fulfilling this call.
 As ecumenical/inter-religious partners, we unite
across denominational and religious lines to
advocate an inclusive and genuine respect for
the sacred worth of all people;
 to reduce human suffering; and to establish
justice, peace and equality in the world.
God has been up to something unique with MCC
since our beginnings.
 We are an inclusive and diverse church for all people.
 We do welcome, affirm and celebrate the goodness
and worth of LGBT people and the Queer community.
 We are about tearing down walls and building up hope
We affirm that Metropolitan Community
Church is a Christian Church.
 We honor and seek to follow the healing and compassionate
example of Jesus, whom we call Christ.
 We claim our Christian identity and respect others’ religious
identities.
 We believe that we are all children of God, and can work together
to reduce human suffering and promote human dignity.
We are compelled to work for justice for all
creation
 including environmental protection, peace, and the end
to poverty, racism, oppression for LGBT people etc.
 much of this work involves recognizing the economic
reality of our world.
What does God expect of us as ecumenical/interreligious partners?
 How do we continue to lift up the cause of economic
justice and address inequalities in the world?
 How do we continue to stand in solidarity with those
suffering with HIV/AIDS, particularly in places where
medications are not available?
MCC has an ecumenical calling to the whole
Christian Church.
 We are called to help heal the church’s historical
disconnect of body and spirit, which has contributed to
the sins of exclusion, racism, sexism and homophobia.
 Our testimony and the embodiment of a new inclusive
community can help heal the larger Christian
community.
MCC has much to learn from our Christian
colleagues and friends.
 There are churches open to partnering with MCC in
ways that will change the world
 We must be willing to accept those invitations
 MCC churches globally must be trained to engage with
churches in their communities, and refuse to be
isolated.
There is much to be done across religious
traditions.
 We are connected by our humanity, concern for each other and a
desire to establish peace and equality in our world
 As we claim our rightful place in the human family, we must do so
with an attitude of humility and respect.
 This is what it means to “build bridges that liberate and unite.”
MCC’s ecumenical / inter-religious work will not
be an attempt to convert.
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It must be a work that involves mutual respect so that we can hear what
the other is saying even as we wish to be heard.
In such an environment honest relationships are built, and friends working
together can make a significant difference in the world.
If we believe the answer to the question, “Would Jesus Discriminate?” is
“No!”, we must live that out and be faithful participants in the global Body
of Christ and the whole human family.
Key Points from “Dwelling Together in Unity: MCC’s Approach to
Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relationships”
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MCC’s Statement of Direction challenges us “to proclaim a spirituality that is
liberating and sufficiently profound to address the issues of our chaotic and
complicated world.”
Leadership / participaton in ecumenical and inter-religious work is a critical
component in fulfilling this calling
We can unite across denominational and religious lines to:
– Advocate an inclusive and genuine respect for the sacred worth of all people (a
link with Theologies team!)
– To reduce human suffering; and to establish justice, peace and equality in the
word (a link with Justice team!)
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We have something unique to offer the religious world – we are called to
heal the church’s historical disconnect of body and spirit which has
contributed to the sins of exclusion, racism, sexism and homophobia
And we have much to learn from our religious sisters and brothers – we can
unite on key issues and engage instead of being isolated.
This kind of work is what it means to “build bridges that liberate and unite.”
Some MCC Historic Milestones of Ecumenical and Interreligious ministry
1974
Rev Nancy Wilson invited to attend the first meeting of the
Commission on Women in Ministry of the US National Council of
churches (US-NCC). Adam DeBaugh works in the 1970s for
MCC in Ecumenical Relationships from Washington, DC office.
1976
Rev Ken Martin invited to participate in the Family Life and
Human Sexuality team of the US-NCC
1979
Nancy Wilson leads the first delegation of LGBT religious leaders
to meet with President Carter at the White House
1983
Colleen Darraugh becomes the first MCCer to attend a World
Council of Churches Assembly
Late 1980s MCC admitted to its first US state Council of Churches (Hawaii)
1990s
Rev Jeffrey Pulling serves for more than 6 years on the US NCC’s
Faith and Order Commission
1991
MCC is granted observer status in the World Council of Churches
(WCC)
1992 1993
MCC admitted to its second US State Council of Churches (North
Carolina)
Some MCC Historic Milestones of Ecumenical and Interreligious ministry (continued …)
Late
1990s
Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord serves as MCC’s Ecumenical staff
person and serves as president of the California Council of
Churches
1998
MCC sends a delegation to the WCC meeting in Zimbabwe and
participates in several sessions and worship services
2004
MCC partners with several secular groups as a religious participant
in LGBT civil rights issues (HRC, NGLTF, National Black
Coalition…)
2006
MCC sends a delegation, lead by Moderator Nancy Wilson to the
WCC meeting in Brazil
2007
The Moderator’s new Ecumenical and Inter-religious team meets in
Sarasota, Florida
2008
MCC is admitted to it’s first National Council of Churches
(Denmark)
2009
MCC formalizes its partnership with the Fellowship and names Rev
Candy Holmes our official liaison to the group
2009
After serving as 3rd and 2nd Vice President, MCC lay leader Stan
Kimer is elected First VP of the North Carolina Council of Churches
Ecumenical / Inter-religious involvement can be at many levels
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Global (ex: World Council of Churches)
Regional / Multi-country (ex: pan-European bodies)
State / Province Level
Local
Involvement can be
• official membership
• dialogue
• one-time event
Governance Process
Type of Relationship
Responsible
(A) Denominational / Judicatory relationships
(A-1) Major global or cross-regional bodies (i.e.
World Council of Churches, US National Council of
Churches, Pan-European bodies…)
MCC Moderator with full BoE agreement. Supported
by the Ecum/IR team
(A-2) US State bodies (i.e. State Council of
Churches), Provincial bodies and country (other than
US) bodies
Applicable Regional Elder(s) with support from the
Ecum / IR team and local churches
(A-3) Regional (large city, county) bodies with 2 or
more MCCs in territory
Local churches with Regional Elder approval /
Support
(A-4) Bodies requiring denominational relationship
but only 1 MCC in territory
Local church recommend but Regional Elder
approval needed since it is a denominational
commitment
(A-5) Denominational / Movement Relationships and
Affiliations (i.e. with The Fellowship, UCC…)
MCC Moderator with BoE involvement
(B) Individual church relationships
(B-1) Any global / national group other than dual
affiliations that takes individual church memberships
(i.e. Center for Progressive Christianity)
Local church. However, Ecum / IR team can provide
a recommended list and church can ask Regional
Elder for opinion / support.
(B-2) Local groups that take individual church
involvement
Local church. Recommend informing “around the
fellowship” as a vehicle to inform MCC of
involvement and activities
Criteria for Involvement
Denominational Involvement
Local Church Involvement
Support MCC vision, direction, strategic
priorities
Consistent with local church strategy,
goals, ministry priorities
Healthy two-way relationship?
Healthy two-way relationship?
Do we have the denominational level
financial and human resources to
participate?
Does the local church have the necessary
financial and human resources to
participate?
Theology and beliefs consistent with
MCCs? Will they be welcoming?
Theology and beliefs consistent with local
church? Would they be open and
affirming?
Is there an upcoming conference or event
where we can participate – contribute or
learn?
Is there a local event or conference where
the church can participate – and contribute
or learn?
Is there a key social justice issue for us to
collaborate on?
Is there a key social justice issue in the
community we can collaborate on?
So you have the support from the
appropriate Elder(s) / Moderator /
Ecumenical and Inter-religious team?
Do you have the necessary board and / or
pastor and/or ministry committee approval
and support?
Where to find the Ecumenical and Inter-religious page
Here under
“Program and
Initiatives”
And what is available on the Ecumenical and Inter-religious page?
• Our
statements
•History
•Partners
•Resources
•Latest News
•Our Team
Current (denominational) Partnerships
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California Council of Churches
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Colorado Council of Churches
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Conference of Churches of Aoteara New Zealand (Observer Status)
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Danske Kirkers Rad (Danish National Council of Churches)
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Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
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The Fellowship
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HRC – Religion and Faith Program
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Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement (UK)
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NGLTF – Religious Roundtable
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North Carolina Council of Churches
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Other Sheep
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The Center for Progressive Christianity
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The Institute for Welcoming Resources
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World Council of Churches (Observer Status)
Current available online resources
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The MCC Ecumenical and Inter-religious Strategic Team Purpose
(English and Spanish versions)
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MCC Ecumenical and Inter-religious Overview Presentation
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Small Group Discussion and Study Guide
•
Ecumenical and Inter-religious Governance Process
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Our relationship with the United Church of Christ in the USA
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Our relationship with “The Fellowship”
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Criteria for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Involvement
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Ecumenical Team Report to the BOE, August, 2008
MCC’S Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Team
Psalm 133:1
Thank you!
Micah 6:8
Rev Bill Young
Rev Robert Griffin
Connie Meadows
Rev Elder
Nancy Wilson
Stan Kimer
Lynn Farrand
Rev Elder
Diane Fisher
Rev Araceli Ezzatty
Rev Candy
Holmes