CHAUTAUQUA IN KANSAS CITY

Each year Spirit of Hope MCC (Kansas City, Missouri) observes a Chautauqua during the month of August. They invite visitors to preach in order to hear different voices speaking to them about their mission as a church.

In case you are unfamiliar with the concept, Chautauqua is a time of learning, hearing different speakers and musicians, studying other cultures, traditions, and points of view. In fact, many people spend a whole summer at Chautauqua, New York, doing just that. Chautauquas were also held in small towns as guests came there to lead the experience for the townspeople.

They began the month with Joy Simpson, a student at Saint Paul School of Theology and a member of MCC Topeka (Kansas) preaching.  She recently won the Emile Townes Award for Feminist/Womanist Theology from Saint Paul.  Then last Sunday Rev. Dr. Robyn Provis will be their special guest.

This Sunday will find Rev. Susan Vogel, a friend of their community, in the pulpit. On August 22^nd Rev. Kurt Kreiger will bring the church’s 38^th anniversary message. The final speaker will be Pastor Emeritus Rev. John Barbone.

TRANSITIONS

Rev. Carol Rawlings-Chambers has resigned her position at Joy MCC (Orlando, Florida) to devote her full pastoral energies to serving as Founding Pastor at Open Circle at The Villages MCC, a church plant in central Florida.

Emerald City MCC Seattle (Washington) has moved to the chapel at University Temple Methodist across from the bookstore of the University of Washington.

Rev. Penny Davis was ordained at Crave MCC Paddington (Australia) on 25 July. Click here to view the video. Her mother was able to be present, but her father, who was ill, joined the service by Skype. He passed a week later on 2 August.

River of Life MCC (Dorchester, England) held an Open Day for people to visit their newly leased and decorated facility, which was previously the Salvation Army Hall. They offered live music, entertainment for the children, cream teas, tombola, bric a brac, raffles, and the announcement of the winner of the Arts Competition for Youth.

Christ Covenant (Decatur, Georgia) voted on 28 June to disaffiliate from MCC. The pastor is Rev. Glenna Shepherd, a former MCC Elder.

Rev. Karla Fleshman has resigned as pastor of Imago Dei MCC (Glen Mills, Pennsylvania). Their Interim Pastor will be Rev. Janice Bowker, who, with her partner Marina Laws, will be moving there from England and begin on 1 October.

FAITH IN ACTION MONTH

August is Faith in Action Month at St. John’s MCC (Raleigh, North Carolina). They began with a Faith in Action Bible Study featuring the movie Rent and their theme song “Seasons of Love”. Next was a BBQ and Chicken Plate Dinner.

Now they are focusing on their Faith in Action Service Projects … creating hygiene kits, doing trash pickup as part of the Adopt a Highway program, helping others with home improvements and landscaping needs, and distributing Lunchboxes of Love at Moore Square. And they are inviting others to join them in these service projects.

The month’s activities will culminate with their move to their new worship space at Moore Square on 29 August at 10 am. The goal this month is not to just GO to church, but to BE the church.

CONDOLENCES

Teri Banks, the Lay Delegate for Resurrection Beach MCC (Costa Mesa, California) went home to Jesus recently. She was surrounded by her closest friends, many from their congregation.

Bev Mason, the Vice Moderator at Spirit of Life MCC (New Port Richey, Florida) has entered into eternal rest. Her memorial service was on 31 July with Rev. Suzie Chamness and Rev. April Clark officiating.

Rev. John Middleton presided at the funeral for Ron Weaver, who had served on the Board of Directors and as church bookkeeper at Joy MCC (Orlando, Florida).

Rev. Caroline Redfearn, the first black woman ordained by MCC in the United Kingdom, lost her battle with cancer this week.  Up until the end she continued working on her doctorate talking of her future, and dreaming of an even better MCC.  Rev. Redfearn dialogued with many pastors in the black community who were against LGBT rights, knowing how important it was to make help them make the connections between racism and homophobia. Previously, she worked with unprotected children as a social worker in the Caribbean, providing her with a deep sensitivity to poverty and those in need.

If so, please send it to JudyDale@MCCchurch.net. Thanks!

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