Metropolitan Community Churches

1. Metropolitan Community Churches Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Team Workshop for Region 3/5 Conference, July, 2009 Stan Kimer, Team Chair

2. 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

3. Team Members • CURRENT MEMBERS • 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

4. Introducing the MCC Ecumenical and Inter-Religious 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.

5. 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.”

6. Leadership and participation in ecumenical and inter-religious work is a critical component in fulfilling this call.

7. 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;

8. to reduce human suffering; and to establish justice, peace and equality in the world.

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. What does God expect of us as ecumenical/inter-religious 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?

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.”

16. MCC’s ecumenical / inter-religious work will not be an attempt to convert. • 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.

17. Key Points from “Dwelling Together in Unity: MCC’s Approach to Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relationships” • 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!) • 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.”

18. Some MCC Historic Milestones of Ecumenical and Inter-religious ministry

19. Some MCC Historic Milestones of Ecumenical and Inter-religious ministry (continued …)

20. Ecumenical / Inter-religious involvement can be at many levels • 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

21. Governance Process

22. Criteria for Involvement

23. Where to find the Ecumenical and Inter-religious page Here under “Program and Initiatives”

24. And what is available on the Ecumenical and Inter-religious page? • Our statements • History • Partners • Resources • Latest News • Our Team

25. Current (denominational) Partnerships • California Council of Churches • Colorado Council of Churches • Conference of Churches of Aoteara New Zealand (Observer Status) • Danske Kirkers Rad (Danish National Council of Churches) • Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon • The Fellowship • HRC – Religion and Faith Program • Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement (UK) • NGLTF – Religious Roundtable • North Carolina Council of Churches • Other Sheep • The Center for Progressive Christianity • The Institute for Welcoming Resources • World Council of Churches (Observer Status)

26. Current available online resources • The MCC Ecumenical and Inter-religious Strategic Team Purpose (English and Spanish versions) • MCC Ecumenical and Inter-religious Overview Presentation • Small Group Discussion and Study Guide • Ecumenical and Inter-religious Governance Process • Our relationship with the United Church of Christ in the USA • Our relationship with “The Fellowship” • Criteria for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Involvement • Ecumenical Team Report to the BOE, August, 2008

27. MCC’S Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Team Psalm 133:1 Micah 6:8 Thank you! Rev Bill Young Stan Kimer Rev Robert Griffin Rev Elder Nancy Wilson Lynn Farrand Connie Meadows Rev Elder Diane Fisher Rev Candy Holmes Rev Araceli Ezzatty