FirstCoast Metropolitan Community Church OUR HISTORY

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1 FirstCoast Metropolitan Community Church OUR HISTORY The Start The Idea Interest in forming a church in St Augustine began with St Luke s MCC in Jacksonville sponsoring bible studies in the area. The first organizational meeting to form a church was held on 01/12/96 and was presided over by Rev. Ruth Jensen, the associate Pastor/Minister of Education and Outreach at St Luke s. The meeting, held at a member s home focused on how St Luke s would help the church get started. The first MCC worship service in the area was held on 02/18/96 at the Holiday Inn, St Augustine Beach. Twenty-three people attended and from then on, the group met the third Sunday of each month. Average attendance grew from 13 people the first quarter to 26 the second to 40 by the end of the year. The Takeoff 1997 The first official service of MCC St Augustine was held on 05/11 at HealthBuilders Massage School, a space Lydia Williams offered the church for free, with the group meeting weekly using hymnals and folding chairs being lent by St Luke s. On 05/31, Rev. Ruth and a small group of members met with MCC s Southeast District Committee. From this meeting, the group was granted New Work Church status. A Visioning Meeting, led by MCC s District Coordinator, Judy Davenport, on 10/04 resulted in choosing a new name for the church, FirstCoast MCC, and crafting its Mission Statement: FirstCoast MCC of St Augustine is a Christian church celebrating God s unconditional love for all people. HealthBuilders Massage School where we held services.

2 The Landing 1998 God placed 22 acres of land in the church s path. Although less than a year old, the church was given the means to purchase the largest piece of land in the denomination. FirstCoast MCC became a UFMCC Commissioned Church. The Music Ministry was expanded. The church celebrated its first anniversary with a banquet. The Growth Bible study groups called POD Principles of Discipleship formed in Keystone Heights, Interlachen, Middleburg, Palatka, St Augustine and Jacksonville. The unusable mobile home was removed from the property. A second anniversary was celebrated with the MCC churches from Gainesville and Daytona at Goldhead State Park for a picnic. Members participated in an Equality Rally in Tallahassee and the National March on Washington. By April, the church had outgrown its space at HealthBuilders and began renting space at the Limelight Theater for Sunday evening services. It also began sharing office space with NFAN, NE FL AIDS Network, which enabled having a second service on Sunday mornings. When the Limelight Theater moved to a new location in June, the church rented their old building and consolidated the office and worship space. It also enabled the church to rent to others in the community for meetings and events. They now had the space to host a series of concerts open to the public. There was a pole barn raising and cookout on the property as well as a camping and work party, a camping and spaghetti dinner, a Boy Scout campout and a New Year s party. The church hosted the very first St Johns County/St Augustine Pride Festival. The Middle Making All Things New In Worship Ministry team formed to assist the pastor. Rev. Linda Beane was Clergy on Staff JAM Jesus And Me Ministry was formed to provide study for the children in the church. We Not Me In When the Limelight Theater decided to sell their old building, the church moved back to sharing space with the Limelight at their new location. Elizabeth Forbell was hired as a full-time administrator. Numerous socials, concerts and special functions took place. Accept More In Cycle Disciples formed and rode to Biketoberfest in Daytona. FC MCC beats St Luke s MCC in a softball game. Celebrated another Pride Festival with a Flag March, Block Party, play at the Limelight and a City Commissioners Meeting. The Rev. Troy Perry, MCC s founder, blessed the property where the church would be built.

3 Our Dreams Come Alive In Modern Messengers Drama Ministry formed. Deaf POD (Bible Study Group) began Rainbow Flags flown on the Bridge of Lions in St Augustine during the Pride Festival. A Year of Faith 2006 The church celebrated Rev. Ruth s 10 th anniversary of ordination. Singles Ministry formed. Socials included Cycle Disciples Poker Run Relay for Life, bowling, a Linda Cozine house concert and an Owl Prowl at Hannah State Park. Rev Ruth s 10-year ordination anniversary was 8/1. Land loan paid off with new secured financing obtained to start the building project. GROUND BREAKING SERVICE ON May 6 th attended by MCC s Regional Elder, Rev. Elder Lilly Brock! Ground Breaking Service: Linda C, Kim Z, Mari G, Rev Ruth, Rev Elder Lillie Brock

4 Right Here Right Now 2007 Praise Band 4 Jesus (PB4J) formed. Several members attend General Conference in Scottsdale AZ. A Decade of Dreams, the church s ten-year anniversary, was celebrated with dinner and a dance that included awards and special music. Never Too Late In FC MCC s PB4J took Best All-Around Performance and Most Original at the First Coast Regional Choir Competition sponsored by the Community AIDS Coalition (CAC) of St Augustine on 11/16. Our Rainbow POD (Bible Study Group) began our church s homeless ministry by collecting and distributing food and toiletries to our Friends in the Woods. Would Jesus Discriminate? Campaign kicked off in October and was waged as a result of an amendment on the November ballot defining marriage in Florida as solely between one man and one woman. Members of FC MCC took to the streets posing that question to all people they met and had a town hall-style meeting.

5 Blessed To Be A Blessing 2009 Green Team, Multi Media Team, Camping and Visual Arts Ministries were formed bringing the total number of ministries to 24. Another move was made in July that relocated worship services from the Limelight Theater to Temple Bet Yam and the office to Rev. Ruth and Elizabeth s home. The 1 st Annual Congregational Retreat sponsored by Excel of the Lamb was held August 15 th. FC MCC s PB4J took Spirited Performance at the First Coast Regional Choir Competition sponsored by the Community AIDS Coalition (CAC) of St Augustine on 11/13. Members attend an MCC Regional Training: Grow Your Church. In December, FC MCC participated in the St Johns County Festival of Trees at the World Golf Village which benefited The Empty Stocking Fund and United Way of St Johns County. Jackie G, Julie R, Elizabeth J-F, Michelle, Mary P, Kathy K At the Grow Your Church Training. Shirlee, Monica, Jackie, Karen Decorating the CYCLE tree!!

6 A Year of Promises 2010 Couples Ministry and Welcome Teamed formed. Rev. Ruth becomes a founding member of Jacksonville Committee for Equality. Everyone Counts Teams formed to help in building the new church: Fundraising, Landscaping, Décor, Chairs, History/Research, Time Capsule, Prayer Team, Dedication Service Team, Graphics/Publicity, Food. Volunteer labor and specific donations of items and funds during 2010 and 2011 realized a saving of$23,700. New financing obtained with Regions Bank. Several members attend General Conference in Acapulco, Mexico. Th Log Welcoming Party on September 30, 2010 at 9:30 am along with a motorcycle escort for the delivery truck bringing the cypress logs for our log cabin church.

7 A Year of New Beginnings 2011 FIRST SERVICE IN GOD S LOG CHURCH HELD ON March 6 th. Log cabin church dedicated on April 3 rd with Dr. Rev Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of MCC and many representatives of the community and other churches. Members participated in the MCC Programming Summit in St Louis MO. First Creating a Life that Matters (CLM) Class took place. FC MCC choir presents the Christmas Cantata; Mary Did You Know. Planted 37 trees and an irrigation system. Laying down 100 bales of pine straw over our grass seed. Greater Things in FC MCC Modern Messengers presented the Mission Possible Dinner Theater. Congregants volunteer at the Jacksonville Suns baseball games working a concession stand to raise money for the church. The Pride Festival in St Augustine was renamed Ancient City Pride and was held at Francis Event Field. HIV testing begins at FC MCC. Congregants participated in the MCC FL Network Gathering at Joy MCC, the Women s Conference at Trinity MCC and the Stewardship Summit at King of Peace MCC. The Cast of Mission Possible

8 Living In Faith In BoD adopt first FC MCC Standard Operating Procedures. General Conference held in Chicago with many members attending. FC MCC launches its first Stewardship Program: Seeds of Faith. Classes held at the Learning Center: Mosaic Stones and Christmas Ornaments. Two FC MCC members become graduates as part of UFMCC s first LEAD (Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship) Class. Rainbow POD (Bible Study Group) painted and donated 4 rain barrels for each corner of our building. A Year Of Renewal 2014 The 18 th anniversary was celebrated with Dancing Under the Stars. The church moved from a Pastor sized church to a Program sized church. FC MCC s Praise Band, PB4J, participated in the World AIDS Day remembrance in downtown St. Augustine on 12/01. FC MCC becomes a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation and are listed in their national registry. Saying YES to God 2015 Jacksonville Suns baseball game concession volunteers transition to working a concession at the Jacksonville Jaguars football games. FC MCC hosted a showing of the file The Committee, produced by students of UCF, which documented the activity of the John s Committee in Florida during the 50s and 60s. Rev Ruth and Elizabeth Jensen-Forbell were featured, as Rev Ruth was one of the lives changed during that time. FC MCC hosted the St Augustine Pride Celebration at the church property with a full day of entertainment and 40+ vendors. FC MCC s Praise Band, PB4J, participated in the World AIDS Day remembrance in downtown St. Augustine on 12/01.

9 Marge, Carole, Jan at a game! Thrive 2016 Rev. Ruth s last year with FC MCC. Rev Ruth s 20-year ordination anniversary was 8/1. A new ministry, Tabitha s Tasks grew out of a need to help folks in our congregation. Work begins with UFMCC to prepare for having an Interim Pastor. In July a small contingent went to Victoria, British Columbia for MCC s General Conference. Congregants continue to raise money for FC MCC by working a concession stand at the Jacksonville Jaguars football games. On 11-04, Rev Ruth s Retirement Bash was held at the St. Augustine Shores Riverview Club. Over 100 guests from all over came to say good-bye, celebrate and honor her 19+ years with FirstCoast MCC. Thy Will Be Done 2017 Rev. Ruth retires on 01/01/2017. Search for an interim Pastor began on 1/3. Regions Bank refinances our mortgage! FC MCC s Praise Band, Choir, and Chime Choir participated in the Easter Celebration. New Life Line Retreat Ministry was formed. Monthly socials include a Bon Fire, Ice Cream Social, Bunco, Pizza Party, and Movie Night. We officially moved to the Pastor Search Process on April 9 th and Pastoral Search Committee (PSC) members were elected on 5/21 and the committee had their first meeting on 5/22. New In & Out Reach Team formed to meet the needs of the current congregants and promote visibility in the communities.