Metropolitan Community Churches

1. Metropolitan Community Churches Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Team Update for Board of Elders, August 7, 2008 Stan Kimer, Chair

2. Contents / Agenda • Introduction and the team • Accomplishments • Details on some of the areas • Ongoing work and work in progress • Key challenges – and how the Elders can help

3. 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.

4. 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 Araceli Ezzatty

5. Two face-to-face working meetings Feb 2007 and Feb 2008 One hour conference calls approx once every 2-3 months Created foundational document “Dwelling Together in Unity: MCC’s Approach to Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relationships” Documented alignment of this work to MCC’s statements of vision, direction and strategic priorities Surveyed churches and leadership about ecumenical and inter-religious activities Launched and continue to update web pages on mccchurch.org (a big thank you to Melanie Martinez) Presented a powerpoint summary at a “Listening Post” session at General Conference 2007 Information added into the MCC clergy training materials Created a Governance model for approving “official” ecumenical relationships at different levels within MCC (approved by BoE March, 2008) Increased involvement and dialogue with many ecumenical and inter-religious groups (US National Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, The Fellowship…) Accomplishments More details on following charts

6. 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.”

7. Summary of survey results • Over 200 responses!! • MCCers and congregations currently involved in over 250 ways • Organization membership • Participation in one time events • Representing the "faith element" in GLBT organizations • Pastors involved in ministerial associations • Many churches incorporate ecumenical and inter-religious elements into worship services and the life of the church • Handful of negative backlash due to involvement; much larger number of positive / welcoming experiences • Help desired: information, coordination, stories/news of involvement, training / inspiration, funding (for membership) • Over 80 people identified with a heart for this ministry

8. This is the "Ecumenism and Inter-Religious" Web Page within mccchurch.org "Programs and Initiatives" Section http://www.mccchurch.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

9. Ecumenical / Inter-religious involvement can be at many levels – so now we have a denominational governance model • 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

10. On-going conference calls to continue work of multiple action items assigned to team members Refreshing and enhancing the web pages every 2-3 months Translation of initial purpose document Developing a documented process for churches and the denomination to use to discern and decide when to get ecumenically involved. Contacting other denominations to get benchmarking information in terms of size of ecumenical staffing and budget as part of the denomination budget Working with various churches to facilitate MCC involvement in various ecumenical bodies (including funding) Develop a workshop for 2009 Regional Conferences and/or 2010 General Conference Insert appropriate Ecum / IR materials into the Lay Ministry Certification work Continue orderly management of ongoing key denominational-wide alliances – current and potential (US Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, etc.) Continuing research of a handful of key partnerships Ongoing work and work in progress

11. Key Challenges – and how the Elders can help • Continued affirmation that this work is important and strategic amidst so many other priorities and needs facing MCC • Look for the intersections in all your other work as elders • Personal involvement as needed in key relationships • Support of clergy and laity in your region involved in ecumenical and inter-religious work. • Even challenge people to get involved! • Feel free to call on people by name to serve in this area • Include the importance of ecumenical and inter-religious work as you preach, teach and work within your regions • Support appropriate level of budget and staff support • Never hesitate to call on me or others on our committee • Assistance with any questions • To recommend someone for involvement • Ideas Thank You! I already know from interactions with you in the past that you support and affirm this ministry