Welcome New Members!

Transcription

1 November 13, 2016 Sunday News Morning Edition VIBRANT INCLUSIVE PROGRESSIVE Welcome New Members! Last weekend we were so blessed to welcome 23 new members into our congregation. Here are two of their stories. All this month we ll be sharing more stories from our newest members. David: I have been coming to MCC Toronto for about 8 years and attend regularly. I have used my share of Kleenex when I m here for worship, as many times what I hear is exactly what I need. Becoming a member is my final assertion that I am home. I am home. And I am investing my time here in a great cause! Almost every Sunday you ll find me upstairs in the Social Hall running our fabulous Thrift Shop. The work I do upstairs is very fulfilling and I wish to do more. The friends that I have met and continue to meet in this place are true long term friends. David Manion MCC Toronto Antonio: I have been attending MCC Toronto for 2 years. I try to be involved in many of the social groups that are organized here. My first group experience was with Diane Hoover in her Spiritual Gathering. I liked that group a lot and have tried to be involved with many more groups since then. I recently finished my Bachelor of Nursing degree and, by attending MCC Toronto, I ve been inspired to apply for a Master of Divinity! I m very excited to start that next year. I decided that I wanted to become a member of MCC Toronto because I wanted to acknowledge God's unconditional love and celebrate the transformation that this beautiful and progressive church has made within my life and within my soul. Antonio Siracusa MCC Toronto

2 Order of Service At the symbol, please rise as you are able. Welcome Home Rev. Deana Dudley Prelude Time of Mourning Into Reconciliation Dancing Surely The Presence Call To Worship Invitation to Processional Anointing Make Me A Channel Like A River Of Tears Of Your Peace Breathe On Me, Opening Prayer Breath Of God Last Post Jesus Prayer 2 minutes of silence Offertory Reveille Bugler, Hungerin' In My Soul PO2 Delia Sinclair Gathering Our Gifts Frigault (Ret) Our Journey of Faith Anthem Holy Communion Sailing - sung by Give Us This Day Janice Gladstone & All Who Hunger Dawn Sinclair As The Deer Pants Prayers of the People Hallelujah (Cohen) Sacred Readings Because You Live Lessons for Life Benediction DIY Spirituality: And Closing Words She Can Cook Too!!! I Can See Clearly Now MCC Toronto Clergy Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, C.M. Morning Worship Pastor: Rev. Deana Dudley Evening Worship Pastor: Rev. Sandra Morris Alternative Worship Pastor: Rev. Carmen Llanos

3 First Reading Henri Nouwen Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life...if there is any concept worth restoring to its original depth and evocative potential it is the concept of hospitality. It is one of the richest biblical terms that can deepen and broaden our insight in our relationships to our fellow human beings. (Biblical) stories not only show how serious our obligation is to welcome the stranger in our home, but they also tell us that guests are carrying precious gifts with them, which they are eager to reveal to a receptive host Hospitality, therefore, means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. Second Reading Luke 14: 8-14 When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, Give this person your place, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, Friend, move up higher ; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. He said also to the one who had invited him, When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

4 October Congregational Update Senior Pastor Selection We noted the need for increased communications and in response we have confirmed our search plans moving forward including a planned March 2017 open call for interested parties to apply for the Senior Pastor position. This timing anticipates a new Senior Pastor will be commissioned between October 2016 and March This timing is consistent with Brent s initial announcement re: his retirement at a point following his 40 th anniversary as our pastor. It also allows us continue to build a stronger foundation for the incoming Senior Pastor by ensuring we have the required skills, gifts and support in place to support our mission and vision, that we have built increased financial sustainability, and we have shifted our culture to support this fundamental change. This time frame also allows the Senior Pastor Search committee to continue to seek congregational input regarding the skill set of the new individual, while preparing for the interview and selection process. Finally, it allows for a period of time post-trial and also recognizes that November, December and January are not optimal times to be launching a search for a new minister. In our meetings we have received a common inquiry in terms of why we did not choose to select an interim pastor to bridge the time before Brent and before our new permanent candidate. We have provided a response to this inquiry and will also address other questions and comments on our website. news/interim-pastor The committee (Anne Brayley, Lori Boyce and Andrew Fleming) was commissioned October 2 at the 10:50 am service. For more information, contact seniorpastorsearch@mcctoronto.com Congregational support related to the trial In recognition of the need for congregational support, the Board

5 approved a proposal by management to engage the services of the L3 Group to work with us to provide insight, skills, confidence and assistance to the congregation related to Brent s trial which is scheduled to start November 14. A team led by Joe Jamieson and includes Bentley Springer, Andrew Holmes, Rev. Sam Morris, Sandra Fontenelle, Kevin Wilcock and Liz Gildner, have worked together to provide two opportunities for church leaders to gather, share, and develop skills and confidence in the strength of our community and leadership. These sessions have offered a unique and timely team building exercise as staff, Board and key leaders have journeyed together and are building a plan that will provide support for the congregation especially during and in the aftermath of the trial. In addition, the staff and management of the church are engaged in scenario planning to ensure we have identified and addressed the impact of various outcomes. New MCC Interim Moderator Selected Reverend Rachelle D. Brown was announced as the Metropolitan Community Churches new interim moderator, details can be found at Reports to the Board We received these reports: A project charter for the Community Care Ministry, identifying an action plan to reinforce the goal of providing support to individuals experiencing episodic and ongoing spiritual questions related to life events and challenges. The ministry includes all ordained staff, clergy candidates and Deacons as well as some laity with specific related competencies and skills (e.g: social workers and grief workers). A summary of Brent s 2015 sabbatical which included a number of meetings focused on global LGBT human rights and a book he plans to write based on the Church of the Future. Contact the Board: BofD@mcctoronto.com

6

7

8 The Choir: Outreach The Choir sings at Wellesley Central Place Seniors Home There were many smiles on the faces of senior residents at Wellesley Central Place (160 Wellesley Street East) two Saturdays ago (November 5, 2016) as they listened to The Choir. This session was organized by Timothy Oakes his mother is a resident at the home. These outreach events have been held four times over the past two years (organized by Timothy and Kim Jones). Members from The Choir share their beautiful voices and songs with the residents at local senior homes. Earlier this year this outreach program was also held at Fudger House. Past events have been held at Belmont House and Nisbet Lodge. These sessions are truly mutual in benefit The Choir loves doing the events and engaging with the audience and the audience sings along (and might even dance) to the songs performed by The Choir and accompanist Diane Leah. IBM Canada has given The Choir a $2000 grant for these outreach events via retiree Liz Gildner and we thank them for this support.

9 MCCTCC The MCC Toronto Community Choir (MCCTCC) invites you to sing with a group of others and have fun learning in a relaxed environment. This opportunity requires a commitment of 2-3 weekly rehearsals and participating on a Sunday in morning services. Rehearsal Schedule: Wednesday evening, Nov. 23, 2016 Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, 2016 Performance Schedule: Sunday morning, Dec. 4, 2016 For more info, please contact: MCCTCC@mcctoronto.com Happening Today Thrift Shop All morning Upper Social Hall Repair Cafe All morning Lower Social Hall Blacks in Praise & Worship 12:00 p.m. Triangle C Listening Circle 12:30 p.m. Triangle A Community Dinner 5:00 p.m. Social Hall Elevation Service 7:00 p.m. Sanctuary Christmas Bake Sale The Drag n Angels dragon boat racing team will be selling fruit cakes, cherry pound cakes and shortbread cookies in the Social Hall. The cakes are $20 each and come in seasonal tins, the cookies are $8 each and come in a box. OAN Honour Roll Awards MCC Toronto will be receiving the Ontario AIDS Network Social Justice in HIV/AIDS Award during a ceremony in the Grand Banking Hall at the 1 King West hotel on Wednesday November 16 at 6:30 p.m. Board Chair Anne Brayley will be accepting the award on behalf of the church. Tickets are $35 each. For tickets contact Tara Jewal by tjewal@oan.red Happening This Week Expansive Spiritual Gathering Monday 7:00 p.m. Room 109 Rainbow Toastmasters Monday 7:00 p.m. Social Hall Grace & Gratitude (12 step) Monday 7:30 p.m. Triangle B Christmas Choir 2nd rehearsal Saturday 10:00 a.m. Sanctuary

10 Poinsettia Dedications Purchase a poinsettia to decorate the Roy Thomson Hall stage for our Christmas Eve Service and/or take one home to enjoy over the holiday season. Dedicate your poinsettia purchase in honour, memory or in celebration. Dedications will appear in Sunday News, in enews and our website. Proceeds from all purchases will help fund our Christmas Eve Service. [ ] I/we would like to purchase poinsettia(s) ($30 each) to contribute to the décor at our Christmas Eve Service at Roy Thomson Hall. [ ] I/we would like purchase poinsettia(s) ($30 each) to take home. (Order deadline is Sunday, December 11. Poinsettias will be available to pick up in the Social Hall after services on December 18.) Name: Telephone: Dedication text to appear under your name (above): Payment Options: [ ] Cash [ ] Cheque [ ] Visa [ ] MC [ ] AMEX Card #: Expiry Date: Name on Card: Signature:

11 At Roy Thomson Hall on December 24 Tickets on sale now in the Social Hall and online! Sing in the Christmas Choir We hold a Christmas Eve service at Roy Thomson Hall every year. In 2015, The Christmas Choir was comprised of 50 singers and we want to have least 70 participants this year! Alana Bridgewater (We Will Rock You), Gavin Hope (The Nylons) and Jacob MacInnis (Seussical) will be our special guests this year. All rehearsals are here at MCCT. These rehearsals are as follows: Saturday Nov. 19, 10 a.m. 1 p.m. Saturday Dec. 3, 10 a.m. 1 p.m. Thursday Dec. 15, 7 9 p.m. Saturday Dec. 17, 10 a.m. 1 p.m. Thursday Dec. 22, 7 10 p.m. If you did not attend last week s rehearsal, it s not too late to join. You must attend all the remaining practices. Please register by ing: christmas@mcctorontochoir.com

12 Newest Members On November 6 we held a New Members Reception at each of our worship services to welcome and celebrate the newest members of our community. Please greet and congratulate these individuals: Andrew Holmes David Manion Antonio Siracusa Nicola James Nicole Williams Alan Brody Adeola Abimbola Adeyi Favour Chukwuma Adewale Fakeye Blessing Garba Lynn Heath Stuart Lubin Paul Melville-Grey Bernard Mumuluh Michael Oluwo Omoniyi Opeyemi Esther Odia Peter Bartl Community Dinner Join friends and family for a buildyour-burger dinner with all the fixings and lots of salads. 5:00 p.m. Social Hall Listening Circles Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto leaders have planned a number of events and opportunities in November to provide pastoral care & support to the congregation throughout our Senior Pastor s trial. You are invited to process your experience regarding the charges and the trial in a Listening Circle on one of the following Sundays after the 10:50 a.m. service: November 13 November 20 November 27 Child care will be available. For more details visit the Information Centre in the Social Hall. Wednesday Services Join us for contemplative worship and prayer services at 7:00 p.m. on November 16, 23 & 30. All are welcome to attend these services for comfort through God s presence and prayer. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and members from our caring teams will be here to talk about your concerns. For more news & events visit our website: