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METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES GENERAL CONFERENCE 2007 July 2 - 6, 2007 Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel Scottsdale, Arizona, USA METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES GENERAL CONFERENCE 2007 July 2 - 6, 2007 Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel Scottsdale, Arizona, USA TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION CONTENT PAGE A. Welcome MCC Statement of Vision, Purpose and Direction A2 General Information A4 Hotel and Meeting Room Maps A6 Local Tourist Information A8 Featured Guests A10 Awards and Acknowledgements A17 Thanks You’s A19 B. Schedule Conference Highlights B1 Schedule of Events B6 C. Workshops and Resources Plenaries C1 Bible Study C6 Workshops At-a-Glance C7 Workshops Descriptions C9 Affinity Groups C34 Resources C36 D. Worship Worship Overview D2 Worship Team D4 E. Business Meeting Business Schedule E1 How We Are Organized E4 F. Donors and Sponsors MCC Founders Circle F1 MCC Legacy League F4 Founders 500 F6 Faithful 100 F7 Sponsors F8 G. Leadership and Staff Board of Elders G1 Board of Administration G6 Lay Ministry Council G8 Team MCC C9 H. Tribute To Don Eastman H1 WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME From the Moderator July 2, 2007 Welcome to General Conference! Whether this is your first time, or like me, your 20th General Conference (or more!) I guarantee it will be a life-changing, ministry-enhancing experience. Where else in the world can you gather with brothers and sisters from dozens of countries, from small towns and world-class cities to worship the God of love and liberation, learn, be inspired and motivated in a place of divine hospitality and community? Recently at the Board of Elders meeting, Dr. Mary Hunt shared with us the saying of a group of progressive, spiritual pioneers, who said, “Together, we are a genius!” That is how I feel about MCC. There isn’t any challenge we can’t face, there isn’t any foe we can’t love and thereby “defeat;” there isn’t any thing or any one that can take away our joy in being MCC, our joy in being together as the people of God, LGBT, straight allies, children, friends and family. We have more children and teens at this conference than ever in our history. When you see them, smile at them, tell them you love them and are proud of them! We have fabulous workshop presenters, dynamic plenaries, and a wonderful day of tribute to Rev. Elder Don Eastman, who is retiring as Vice-Moderator, and who will be honored by our Founder, Rev. Troy Perry, and many others. For the very first time, we will have daily Bible study in three languages and five locations, lead by our Elders. Health screenings, a celebrity golf tournament, and a “dive in movie” are just part of the unique mix that is General Conference. The Business sessions as well will be powerful, engaging steps in the “forward movement” that I see all around MCC. It is, after all, God’s business, and God’s movement. Have fun, this week, soak it all in so that you can take it back home with you, where it is needed the most! In Jesus name, and for Justice, Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson Moderator Metropolitan Community Churches WELCOME From the Executive Director July 2, 2007 As the executive director of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), it is my distinct privilege to welcome you to General Conference 2007 in Scottsdale, Arizona. I have anticipated this gathering of our community since the last moment of General Conference in Calgary in 2005. There is nothing more exciting or more empowering in my personal ministry than the encouragement that I receive from being with each of you as we worship and learn together. There is a quote that I think about when I think about all of the members and friends and alliance partners of Metropolitan Community Churches. It is inspired by Jewish writings. It says: “Separately, we are as fragile as reeds and as easily broken. But together, we are as strong as reeds tied in a bundle.” I think of this when I read about your many individual and collective ministries throughout the world. No matter where an MCCer is in the world, that person can be reassured that other MCCers are present in spirit. People outside of MCC notice the strength that comes from this spiritual solidarity and it influences them in positive ways. You are truly a light set on a hill for many people. I hope you are blessed beyond measure by your participation in General Conference. Please know that the Conference Co-Leaders, Carlos Chavez and Jennifer Justice and our team leaders, employees and volunteers as well as myself stand ready to assist you in any way. Blessings and Peace, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love Executive Director Metropolitan Community Churches WELCOME From MCC’s Founder July 2, 2007 Dear Saints: What a joy to be at the 23rd General Conference of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. I want to thank all of you who continue to fight the good fight that God has commanded us to be a part of. I am thankful for all the Churches who continue to make a difference in the lives of individuals worldwide. This Church has always been in a state of change. Like I have always said to people, “God calls us not to settle into cement, but to be flexible in the way we carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ into all the world.” I want to thank God for the incredible work of our Boards, Commissions, Committees and all of our local Churches who make up the Metropolitan Community Churches worldwide. I thank God for the words of Jesus when He gave us the great commission: “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20 In Christ, Rev. Dr. Troy D. Perry Founder Metropolitan Community Churches SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Conference Highlights Fundraising Golf Tournament July 2 7:00 a – 12:00 p, Fairmont Princess TPC Golf Course Join Col. Grethe Cammermeyer, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love and other Golfers to raise money for MCC’s Children and Youth in a full tournament at the Scottsdale Princess’ award winning Tournament Players Club golf course, home of the PGA tour’s FBR Tournament. Avalanche Ranch Vacation Bible School July 2 – 6 We’re introducing a new concept for Conferences to address the growing number of youth in our church. Phyllis Grubb of Exodus MCC in Abilene, Texas will be leading our first ever General Conference Vacation Bible School for children ages 3 - 12. The program includes a full week of events that are sure to keep our MCC youngsters very busy. Oral History Project As part of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Metropolitan Community Churches on October 6, 2008, a historical timeline with narrative and oral histories is under development to share many of the important events in MCC's history as a movement, ministry and community. I'm pleased to invite you to participate in this historical project documenting the amazing impact of Metropolitan Community Churches over the past four decades. If you will be at General Conference, you can schedule your oral history interview on-site for incorporation into our virtual archives on-line at www.MCCchurch.org Your oral history will be taken either by recorder or in-person by MCC staff members Angel Collie and Rev. Karla Fleshman and a team of volunteers, and then transcribed by Frank Zerilli. These person-to-person interviews will take place on July 2, 2007, from 8 AM to 5 PM, and again during the breakfast hour on Wednesday, July 4, and again on Friday, July 6. During these hours, recorders will also be available for you to enter your responses to the interview questions. If you choose to record your interview, you will be asked to fill out a short form before you begin your name, address, telephone number and e-mail. This form will be numbered. When you begin recording your interview, state your name, address and telephone number before you begin to answer questions and tell your memories. State the number on your form and then you will begin. We hope to photograph or videograph as many individuals as possible during the person-to-person interviews. Health Screening July 2 – 6, Check Schedule for Times and Locations Look for Rev. Karen Ziegler and a team of health care professionals as they provide health screenings for conference participants. You'll have the opportunity to test your own blood sugar and blood pressure. The healthcare professionals will step through a questionnaire with you and offer suggestions for a healthy diet and exercise program. Schedule of Events B1 Theological Cafés July 2 – 6, Check Schedule for Times and Locations The sessions will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during the lunch hour. The topic for Tuesday will be What do you think about what I think about Jesus? Facilitated by Rev. Robert Griffin. Wednesday session focus topic is What's all the fuss about Baptism? Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Mona West and Thursday gathering will focus on Do theological labels really work anymore? Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Jim Burns. Bible Study This year we're trying something new with daily Bible Study groups starting on July 3rd. Discussions will be held in designated rooms throughout the conference site. Our Moderator, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, has selected facilitators to host the Bible Studies each morning.
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