tearing down walls! building up hope!...july/august 2011july/august 2011 july/august 2011 hidden...

JULY/AUGUST 2011JULY/AUGUST 2011JULY/AUGUST 2011JULY/AUGUST 2011

HIDDEN PAST UNCOVERED FUTURE

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS

MCC-Omaha lives, proclaims, teaches, and celebrates the message of Christ’s all-inclusive love.

Tearing Down Walls! Building Up Hope!

Our tribe, as our moderator, Nancy Wilson, likes to call us (that is LGBT people, our fami-lies, children friends and allies) has always been around. We know this intuitively. It’s not like we just popped out of nowhere in the last hundred years. All of our victories for religious and civil equality have their roots in the ancient world, in women and men that changed the world. Many of whom have been forgotten.

By reaching back into the past and remem-bering, we reclaim a great truth: that we have always been in the world, that since the foundations of the world, God’s intention has included people like us. Time flies, centuries pass, names are forgotten, even hidden. In other cases, our queer foremothers and fore-fathers have been reinvented by the dominant culture to serve dogmatic, oppressiv e and narrow-minded “business as usual” theologies. Despite this, those who came before us did have an impact, did change the world, and are still changing the world. We are standing on their shoulders. Today, after thousands of years of struggle we are living in the light and freedom so many, so long ago, began to kindle.

So, I wanted to take a moment to speak some names from ages past, to uncover our hidden past, so that we might also uncover our future.

Sergius & Bacchus Saints Sergius and Bacchus were Roman

soldiers, Christian martyrs, and gay men who loved each other. They were killed around 303 in present-day Syria. Their feast day is ob-served on Oct. 7. The couple was openly gay, but secretly Christian -- the opposite of today’s closeted Christians.

The close bond between the two men has been emphasized since the earliest accounts, and recent scholarship has revealed their ho-mosexuality. The oldest record of their martyr-dom describes them as erastai (Greek for

“lovers”). Scholars believe that they may have been united in the rite of adelphopoiesis (brother-making), a kind of early Christian same-sex marriage.

A classic example of paired saints, Sergius and Bacchus were high-ranking young officers. They were tortured to death after they refused to attend sacrifices to Zeus, thus revealing their secret Christi-anity.

The men were arrested and paraded through the streets in women’s clothing in an unsuccessful effort

to humiliate them. They told their captors that women’s dress never stopped women from worshipping Christ, so it wouldn’t stop them, either. Then Sergius and Bacchus were separated and beaten so se-verely that Bacchus died. According to the early manu-scripts, Bacchus appeared to Ser-gius that night with a face as radi-ant as an angel’s. He urged Ser-gius not to give up because they would be reunited in heaven as lovers. His statement is unique in the history of martyrs. Usually the promised reward is union with God, not with a lover. Over the

next several days Sergius was tortured and eventu-ally beheaded.

Many early churches were named after Sergius, sometimes with Bacchus. They are recognized as martyrs by the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Ori-ental Orthodox churches. The pair was venerated through the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Latin America, and among the Slavs. Sergius and Bacchus continue to be popular saints with Christian Arabs and now among GLBT Christians and their allies.

Saint Thecla Although we don’t know anything about Thecla’s

sexual orientation, we can describe her as a queer woman. Like queer people today, she challenged the status quo believing that every person, regardless of gender, race or class had an equal connection to God and the right to participate in a free and loving re-created world. (continued on page 4)

CHURCH LEADERSHIP Rev. Thomas R. Emmett, Senior Pastor

[email protected]

Rev. Melissa Smithee Pastor of Congregational Life [email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Scott Bryant, Moderator

Pastor Tom Emmett, Vice-Moderator

Jim Welsh, Clerk

Carla Petersen, Interim-Treasurer

Ruth Marimo, Treasury Team

Dallas McGee, Financial Development

CONTACT: [email protected]

COUNCIL OF MINISTRIES Pastor Melissa Smithee, Moderator

Michael DeVore Deacon Liaison

Kevin Marik Minister of Community Service

Sharon Van Butsel Minister of Children/Youth


DEACONS Michael DeVore, Kevin Marik, Scott Hays, Sharon

Van Butsel, Joy Burgdorf, Carla Petersen, and Bobbi Colburn/Stevens. Deacons in Training:

Tony Harris and Kris Colburn/Stevens


SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES

9:30 AM & 11:15 AM

NUEVAS POSIBILIDADES By Pastor Tom

That means, new possibilities. In an effort to

get us used to hearing Spanish in church and to

diversify our worship, you will be seeing some Spanish rising up here and there in our worship

experience. Our goal is to get you and me used to hearing the language, to learn a few words and

songs, so in years to come, when we truly reach

out to Spanish-speaking communities, we will have a little bit of experience behind us. In the months

to come you can expect: • That the Great Thanksgiving and the Mystery of

Faith may, in part, be in Spanish (with the Eng-lish translation provided, of course).

• That we may sing a handful of the most popu-

lar Latin hymns in English. These are really fun

and easy to sing songs. • You may also see some of our signs in church

in Spanish and English. Spanish-speakers

know basic words like “restroom” or

“sanctuary,” so the use of bilingual signs is about showing our intention to be hospitable,

that we are thinking, thoughtfully, about them. • So, here is the thing…Spanish-speaking people

comprise a very significant demographic in our community. If we don’t reach out to our His-

panic sisters and brothers, who will? We need

to share our message of Christ’s love with all those who need it. I am very clear that this is

God’s calling. We will move into this new opportunity, one step at a time, with thoughtful

intension and, in time, powerful results.

CONNECTIONS

MCC-OMAHA 819 S. 22nd St.,Omaha, NE 68108

402.345.2563 EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: mccomaha.org

OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday Noon-5PM

MCC-Omaha is a Christian church open to ALL

people, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

CONNECTIONS, published bimonthly, is MCC-Omaha’s

official publication. Written contributions will be published at the discretion of the Senior Pastor,

Tom Emmett, and the editor, Carla Petersen.

DEADLINE FOR THE SEPT/OCT ISSUE OF CONNECTIONS IS AUG 24.

Send articles to [email protected]

CONNECTIONS

CONNECT, EMPOWER, SERVE MCC YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE

One of the great joys of MCC Omaha is its high percentage of youth. We have been and continue to grow in our ministry to all generations. Our situa-tion is special. Most MCC’s around the US have few children and young adults in their midst. We also have a big oppor-tunity at our doorstep to improve our pro-gramming and integrate the next genera-tion into leadership and responsibility.

This same effort is happening on a denominational level. MCC is hosting its first Young Adult Conference in late July. It is set up to be for young adults and by young adults. MCC Omaha is going to be well rep-resented, sending three of its members; Cody Phillips, Jamie Borsh and Pastor Melissa Smithee. Our friends from MCC of Greater St. Louis will also be well repre-sented with Clergy Candidate Katie Hotze-Wilton attend-ing with about seven of their young adults. The Office of our Moderator Nancy Wilson and the Governing Board of the denomination have identified the young adult demographic and area of priority for the de-nomination. As a result, both Nancy Wilson and a member of the Board will be at the conference for a plenary of their vision and commitment to the young adults and to receive our ideas and feedback. There are many activities centered around getting to know each other since there will be young adults from across the U.S., and it’s important to have connection and relationship. There are also events and time set aside for growing and connecting spiritually. There will be three workshops that form the core of the conference. One of them will be led by Rev. Wes Mullins from Colorado. He will be guiding the group in creating a document or statement of what the young adults identify as our beliefs, intentions, skills and needs. The other two workshops will be co-taught by Pastor Melissa Smithee and Katie Hotze-Wilton. One of them is focused on technology and worship. It will focus both on the technical side of audio/visual and other aspects of technology as well as the ministry and theological aspect of how we can do ministry differently from how church has been done before. MCC has a long standing tradition of reintegrating spirituality and sexuality. The same will be present at this conference. Katie and Melissa will be joined by Rev. Mona West, Director of Formation and Leadership Development for MCC. This workshop will explore traditional Christian thought on sexuality, contemporary queer/Christian thought on sexuality and ask the question, “What theology of sexuality does the young adult generation want to de-velop?” If you are between 18-35, you can still register for this powerful conference. You will meet many up and coming leaders in a denomination that is actively “Tearing Down Walls and Building Up Hope,” and you will be part of form-ing what the church looks like and acts like for the next generation. Contact [email protected] for information. July 27-30. Sarasota, FL. $50 registration.

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402.333.5935402.333.5935402.333.5935402.333.5935

The MAX

THEMAXOMAHA.COM

1417 Jackson 344.4110

CHURCH SURVEY TO BE RELEASED

Please be watching for the release of a new church sur-vey. It has been quite some time since we have sought con-gregational input this way. We are asking the members of MCC Omaha to review and complete this survey. This sur-vey asks basic demographic information but not your name. This survey has been designed by one of our deacons-in-discernment. Your thoughtful and honest answers, along with your suggestions and comments on the open-ended questions, will be greatly appreciated.

The survey will take about half an hour to complete. The responses to every question will be aggregated and written analysis of the survey results will be developed. We believe the results of the survey will be very timely and useful as part of the church’s overall strategic plan as we grow our ministries into the future. We are offering you the opportu-nity to get involved! Please take the time to help us with this important project. Thanks so much.

FIVE WISHES In June Pastor Tom led two sessions of discussions

about Advanced Directives using the popular Five Wishes materials . Thirty-seven congregants participated in the pro-gram taking advantages of the opportunity to get in writing their “wishes” regarding end of life matters. Each session was combined with dinner , fellowship, and lots of questions. Several participants formed pacts with one another to en-courage each other to complete the Five Wishes form as many agreed that it was something that they had often thought about doing, but had never followed through . If you missed these sessions and are still interested, Pastor Tom has additional forms available.

FOLLOWING JESUS DISCIPLESHIP 101

SoulShift: Equipping the Emerging Church 2-4 PM, Starting Thurs, July

21 In the lessons that make up the Discipleship

101 and 102 class, one will encounter seven building blocks, each represented by one of the blocks below. The building blocks help us to practice the presence of Christ. It’s an interest-ing idea, an interesting activity, practicing the presence of Christ. Discipleship 101 focuses on two of the building blocks: discipleship and quiet time, blocks D and Q. The remaining five blocks are covered in Discipleship 102: Thriving in Christian Community.

The 101 course focuses on two questions: What does it really mean to be a follower of Je-sus? And What does it look like to live in Chris-tian community?

This course was developed at what was for-merly Jesus MCC in Indianapolis, Indiana, by a congregation of LGBTQ Christians, led by Rev. Jeff Miner. It was used by our first home group started last January and is being used with a second home group that is starting in July about the same time as this class will start.

Each of the two classes is 10 weeks in length and will be held at MCC. To register for the class, contact the church office. There is no charge for the class; how-ever, everyone participating will be encouraged to attend regularly and to have adequate time in their schedule for the “homework.” Leading the Thursday classes will be Carla Petersen, deacon.

So, what do you think the remaining letters represent? C—could it be Community? Caring? Commitment? S—Singing? Solitude? Ser-vice? Sanctity? Sacrifice? G—Grace? Godliness? Goodness? Giving? Gener-osity? W—Wealth? Well-ness? Wisdom? Worship? ?—Now that’s a real tough one! Guess by now you figured out there’s one sure way to know…. Join us for class. First class is Thursday, July 21, 2:00 PM.

CONNECTIONS

(continued from page 1) Saint Thecla The Acts of Paul and Thecla is part of an ancient tradition that

provided apostolic blessing for women's leadership roles in the church. Although the events related in the Acts are legendary, a real Thecla may have lived in Asia Minor. An orthodox Christian, probably from Asia Minor, penned the Acts of Thecla between 160-190. The book circulated in several languages, and for a time was included in the New Testament.

Although Thecla's adventures were popular, particularly in Asia Minor, the stories angered some of the church's best known oppo-nents to women's leadership. She became "venerated from the shores of the Caspian almost to the shores of the Atlantic. In the fourth century, a church in Antioch of Syria was dedicated to Thecla.

In modern times, virginity is viewed as a conservative value, but in early Christianity, abstention from sex empowered women in new ways. They became the "feminists" of their day, no longer participat-ing in the traditional hierarchy of the household where the patriarch was in charge and woman's primary role was childbearing. For exam-ple, one way the ascetic women prophets in Corinth celebrated their new life in Christ was through ecstatic prayer and prophesy. In Christ there was no male or female; all were of equal status.

NOTE: The paragraphs on Sergius & Bacchus originally appeared in www.trinity stores.com. The paragraphs on Saint Thecla were written by Nancy Carter, Union Theologi-cal Seminary. Edited by Pastor Tom

UPDATE Twenty-three MCCers are currently filling the rotating schedule of

six games per month that we committed to back in March. Our earn-ings to-date have been just over $2,500 for 10 games. (Remember how cold and rainy those first games were and how small those crowds were!) Now we have record crowds and sales are booming! Our last game is Sept. 1. New volunteers are always welcome to join the teams who work the concessions! We work six games per month. Sometimes we work week nights; sometimes it’s weekends! Once in awhile it’s a Sunday afternoon game! A basic uniform of black shoes/socks and black slacks or shorts (knee-length) are required. That’s about it. Some folks run a cash register; some folks simply pour so-das and serve nachos and hot dogs, basic concession food like that! We are past the halfway mark in our commitment for 2011 season and only have 12 games to go. But in those 12 games we can earn $3,000-$4000 for MCC Ministries!

THANK YOU Pastor Tom would like to thank every single person who has vol-

unteered with Storm Chasers concessions. Not only has this en-deavor provided funding for our church’s ministries, but it has also allowed those who have volunteered to get to know each other. If you would like to get involved it’s not too late. Contact Pastor Melissa to learn more. Again, thank you to everyone who has been part of our concessions booth.

CONNECTIONS

Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha will repeat the highly successful Neighborhood Night Out Celebration on Tuesday, August 2 from 5 – 8:30pm.. This celebration will be part of the National Neighborhood Night Out Event which has brought neighborhood groups together on the first Tuesday in August for the last 20 years. Once again MCC will invite the neighborhood to enjoy music, food, games, entertainment and a give away of school supplies for neighborhood children.

We will again invite police officers, fire fighters and their fire truck to make an appearance and we will rent a “Big Bouncy” for the children’s entertainment. There will be free hot dogs, chips, cookies, soda and water and this year barbeque sandwiches. Professional clowns will en-tertain with juggling, balloon animals, and slapstick humor.

Volunteers are welcome and sign up sheets will be available in the church office beginning in the middle of July. We also need donations of school supplies, food items, soda, water and cash to buy these items.

The next Planning Committee Meeting will be held following the 11:15 Worship Service (approximately 12:30) on July 17 in the Social Hall at MCC. All interested parties are welcome!

For more information, contact SharonV@mccomaha.

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT OUT The following items are needed in order to make our

Neighborhood Night Out a success! Information on where to bring donated items will be available in Angel Wings or by calling the church office after July 11.

VOLUNTEERS TO DONATE 1 – 6 HOURS ON TUESDAY AUGUST 2.

Sign Up Sheets will be in the office beginning July11 SCHOOL SUPPLIES

TO GIVE TO NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN Does anyone have a source for 200 good quality back-

packs? Free, of course Does anyone have a source for 200 good quality calcula-

tors? Free, of course We need LOTS of Spiral Notebooks

Markers, Crayons Pencils, Pens, Erasers Rulers Pencil Boxes 2 Pocket Folders

WATER AND SODA Cases of bottled water 12 packs of canned soda – when it’s on sale at 4/$10 Coke, Pepsi (Diet and Regular) Lemon-Lime (7up, Sprite, Sierra Mist – Diet & Reg) Orange, Root Beer, Dr Pepper, Mountain Dew.

DON’T WANT TO SHOP? CASH DONATIONS ARE WELCOME. WE’LL DO THE SHOPPING FOR YOU.

MCC WILL HOST 2ND ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT OUT PARTY TUESDAY, AUGUST 2

Musica Music

ComidaComidaComidaComida FoodFoodFoodFood

ActividadesActividadesActividadesActividades para los ninospara los ninospara los ninospara los ninos Activities for Activities for Activities for Activities for ChildrenChildrenChildrenChildren

5-8:30 PM

Among the Activities Being Planned:

Face Painting

Clowns Games Bouncey

School Supply GiveAway Fire Truck Police Car

Balloon Animals Free Food

Free Water & Soda Get to know our neighbors!

Let our neighbors get to know us! Fun in the August sun!

CONNECTIONS

J u lyJ u lyJ u lyJ u ly

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 OFFICE CLOSED

MCC Serves NAP

Lunch 12 Noon

4:30 PM Sanctuary

Decorating

10PM Miracles NA

2 10 AM Maid

by God Cleans

Church

3 9:30 & 11:15AM Wor-

ship 10:15 Fellowship Time

12:45 PM Lunch & Learn

4 PM Storm Chasers Con-

cession

6 PM Julie Schurr Concert

4 OFFICE

CLOSED

Bulletin &

Angel Wings

Deadline

5

6:30 PM Home #2

Group Meets

6

5:15PM Rhythm

Circle

7 PM ReCharge

Service

7 6PM LifeSong

6:30 Praise Sing-

ers Rehearse

2 1/2 Bagels Pick

Up Panera

8:45PM

8 OFFICE CLOSED

Noon—NAP Lunch

Here

10PM Miracles NA

9 10AM Cleaning

Commandoes

Clean Church

5PM Ecumeni-

cal Catholics

Meet Here

10 9:30 & 11:15AM Wor-


11 6 PM Council

of Ministries

Meets

6PM Home

#1 Group

Bulletin &

Angel Wings

12 5:50 PM Worship

Team

6:30 PM Home #2

Group Meets

13

7 PM ReCharge

Service

14 6PM LifeSong

6:30 Praise Sing-

ers Rehearse

Dough Boys Pick

Up Panera 8:45

PM

15 OFFICE CLOSED

Noon—NAP Lunch

Here

4:30 PM Storm

Chaser Concession

10PM Miracles NA

16 9AM Dust

Eagles Clean

Church

17 9:30 & 11:15AM Wor-


12:30 PM Neighborhood

Night Out Planning Meeting

18

Home Group #3

Meets at Pastor

Tom’s 6 PM

Bulletin &

Angel Wings

Deadline

19 6:30 PM CLM

Dinner & Class

20 5:15PM

Rhythm Circle

7 PM ReCharge

Service

7:30PM Deacons Mtg

7:30 Class “Thecla:

Girl Power in Early

Christianity

21 2-4 PM Discipleship 101

6PM LifeSong 6:30

Praise Singers Re-

hearse

Bread Rollers Pick Up

Panera 8:45PM

22 OFFICE CLOSED

Noon—NAP

Lunch Here

4:30 PM Storm Chasers

Concession

10PM Miracles NA

23 11AM Dust

Bunnies Clean

the Church

1PM Board of

Directors Mtg.

24 /31 9:30 & 11:15AM

Worship 10:15 Fellowship

Time

12:30 Property Team Meet-

ing

25 Home Group #3

Meets at Pastor

Tom’s 6 PM

Bulletin &

Angel Wings

Deadline

26 6:30 PM CLM

Dinner & Class

4:30PM Storm Chasers Conces-sion

27

7 PM ReCharge

Service

28 11 AM NU Mtg.

2-4 PM Discipleship 101

4:30 PM Storm Chasers

Concession

6PM LifeSong 6:30

Praise Singers Rehearse

Bread Masters Pick Up Panera 8:45PM

29 OFFICE CLOSED

Noon—NAP

Lunch Here

7:05 PM MCC at

Storm

Chasers Game 10PM Miracles NA

30 10 AM Maid

by God Cleans

Church

PROGRAMMING SUMMIT AUGUST 26-27

ST. LOUIS

STEWARDSHIP SUMMIT SEPT. 9-10

MINNEAPOLIS

$40 for 1-6 from a church $25 for 7 or more

Contact Church Office for more details

A NOTE ON BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

Effective July 1, MCC Omaha will no longer publish birthdays and anniversaries in Angel Wings and

Connections. As the church continues to grow,

groups and ministries within the church will be encouraged to remember one another’s birthdays and

to provide mutual support as we build a church we know Christ is proud of.

This change will allow our valuable all-volunteer

office workers to engage in new and important

support work that will grow our ministries which serve our members and community.

CONNECTIONS

Au g u s tAu g u s tAu g u s tAu g u s t

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 6 PM Home

Group #1

Home Group #3

Meets at Pastor

Tom’s 6 PM

6PM Council of Ministries

2 Neighborhood

Night Out Party

in MCC Yard

3 5:15PM Rhythm

Circle

7 PM ReCharge

Service

4 2–4 PM Disciple-

ship 101 Meets

4:30 Storm Chasers

Concession

6PM LifeSong 6:30

Praise Singers 2 1/2 Bagels Pick Up

Panera 8:45 PM

5 OFFICE CLOSED

4:30 Storm

Chasers Concession

Noon MCC serves

NAP Luncheon 10PM Miracles NA

6 10AM Clean-

ing Commandoes

Clean Church

6:35 PM MCC

attends Faith &

Family Night at

Werner Park

7 9:30 & 11:15AM Wor-

ship 10:15Fellowship Time

Storm Chasers Concession 2:30 PM

8 6PM Home

Group #1

Home Group #3

Meets at Pastor

Tom’s 6 PM

Bulletin & Angel Wings Deadline

9 6:30 PM

Home Group #2

5:50 PM

Worship Team

6:30 PM CLM

Dinner & Class

10

7 PM ReCharge

Service

11 2–4 PM

Discipleship 101

Meets

6PM LifeSong

6:30 Praise

Singers Re-

hearse

12 OFFICE CLOSED

NAP Lunch Noon

10PM Miracles NA

13 9AM Dust

Eagles Clean

Church

5PM Ecumenical

Catholics

9:30 PM MCC

Show at FLIXX

14 9:30 & 11:15AM Wor-


15 Home Group #3

Meets at Pastor

Tom’s 6 PM

Bulletin & Angel

Wings Deadline

16

6:30 PM CLM

Dinner & Class

17 5:15PM Rhythm

Circle

7 PM ReCharge

Service

7:30PM Deacons

Meeting

18 2–4 PM

Discipleship 101

Meets

6PM LifeSong 6:30

Praise Singers Re-hearse

Bread Rollers Pickup

Panera 8:45PM

19 OFFICE CLOSED

NAP Lunch Noon

10PM Miracles NA

20 11AM Dust

Bunnies Clean

Church

11:30 AM Community Meal

at 1st Baptist

1PM Board of

Directors Meeting 4:30 PM Storm

Chaser Conces-

21 9:30 & 11:15AM Wor-


11:30 AM Storm Chaser

Concession

22 Home Group #3

Meets at Pastor

Tom’s 6 PM

Bulletin & Angel

Wings Deadline

23

6:30 PM CLM

Dinner & Class

24 CONNECTIONS

DEADLINE 7 PM ReCharge

Service

7:30 Class “The Love

Story of Jonathan

and David

25 2–4 PM

Discipleship 101

Meets

6PM LifeSong 6:30 Praise Singers Re-

hearse

6PM Membership

Class Bread Masters

Pickup Panera

8:45PM

26

OFFICE CLOSED

NAP Lunch Noon

10PM Miracles NA

27

10AM Maid by

God Cleans

Church

28 9:30 & 11:15AM Wor-


29 Home Group #3

Meets at Pastor

Tom’s 6 PM

4:30 Storm Chasers Concession

Bulletin & Angel

Wings Deadline

30

6:30 PM CLM

Dinner & Class

31

7 PM Healing

Service

WORSHIP SUMMIT HOUSTON, TX

NOV. 11-12 $40 Reg. for 1-6 from a church

$25 for 7 or more Contact the Church Office for more details

NETWORK GATHERING $25

MCC OF THE ROCKIES DENVER, CO

SEPT. 16-18

Contact the Church Office for more details!

Programming Summit In St. Louis

———————–———-—-Rendezvous in Wyoming———————————

CONNECTIONS

PAD CONFERENCE By Ruth Marimo

The PAD (People of African Descent) Conference for me was an eye opening, earth shaking and heartwarming ex-perience. I guess one way to describe it would be nurturing because each service, each workshop and each person I met either fed me with information, cuddled me with com-passion, encouraged me with love or uplifted me spiritually. It was as if the spirits of people like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King where present in every speaker who spoke, their messages where not only empowering but also inspir-ing. In the very first service I attended on Friday evening upon my arrival Rev. Joseph Tolton from Rehoboth Temple CCC NYC delivered a simple but striking message in which he used an analogy of the journey he had taken by train from New York to Washington DC, he made it clear that while on his journey the train made many stops in cities like Baltimore and Philadelphia but he remained on the train be-cause those cities where not to be his final destination. He went on to say that most of us are getting off the train too soon on our spiritual journeys. Some of us get off the spiri-tual train at being Justified, some sit longer and get off the spiritual train at being Sanctified, but we all need to have the patience and faith until we get to the destination of being Glorified. We are often impatient in our faith and we are not allowing ourselves to experience God's glory in our lives.

What an uplifting message that was, but it was only one of many I took away from this Conference. I had the oppor-tunity of not only meeting some of our church leaders the likes of our Moderator Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, Rev Elder Darlene Garner and her spouse Rev. Candy Holmes, Rev. Pat Bumgardner but really getting to connect and share and even dance with these leaders. When people approached me they did so with an 'are you Ruth Marimo from MCC Omaha, Nebraska?' which made me realize that I was not only at this Conference representing myself but also repre-senting my Church home MCC Omaha and I couldn't have been more proud.

I had countless conversations regarding the vision for LGBT people everywhere, our leaders wanted to know how they can be there for us not just in our small communities about even on a Global scale. The knowledge I gained, con-nections I've made, relationships I've been introduced to and the overall experience I acquired at the 2011 PAD Confer-ence in Washington DC is something I'll cherish for a life-time. I have so much gratitude for everyone who encour-aged me to go on this trip, for everyone who put their money where their hearts are to make this trip possible for me and for the many blessings and prayers from everyone here at MCC it is comforting to know that no matter where life may take me I have a place to call home right here at MCC Omaha. In closing Rev. Elder Darlene Garner put it best when she said, "We Loved ourselves into Liberation". Thank you all.

OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN A HOME GROUP

When: Monday Nights, 6-8pm Where: MCC Omaha Curriculum: Discipleship 101/102 Leader: Tom Emmett

When: 1st two Mondays of the Month, 6-8pm Where: In member's homes Curriculum: Holy Conversations Leader: Shared leadership from group members

When: 1st two Tuesdays of Month, 6:30-8:30pm Where: In member's Curriculum: Holy Conversations Leader: Shared leadership from group members

MCC Omaha launched the idea and practice of Home Groups in January and the first group is successfully fin-ishing the Discipleship 101 and Discipleship 102 programs from Jesus MCC this month.

Beginning in July, a second Home Group will form and both groups will start a wonderful curriculum entitled "Holy Conversations".

Home Groups will continue to form as interest and leaders rise. Contact Pastor Melissa to get involved.

Are YOU interested?

CONNECTIONS

BASEBALL OUTINGS Rain and cold weather spoiled MCC’s plans to sit in

the stands at Werner Park for opening night with the Omaha Storm Chasers. Instead on night two, we found ourselves working the Omaha Steaks Concession and wondering if we would ever see the “light of day” or the end of the line of people who wanted a hamburger! We did get to see the fireworks! That is one of the perks of working the concession!

July 29 we finally will go to see out “make-up” game for missing opening night at the ball park! It’ll be great to sit in the stands and watch the game for a change! Of course, we did that on Diversity Night back in May. It sure felt good!

August 6 we’ll do it again! Faith & Family Night is coming up! We’ve got 40 tickets for a block of MCC folks. It ought to be a great night. The concert is always a good time! Check with Kevin Marik to see if there are any tick-ets left.

BUDGET TEAM FORMING By Carla Petersen, Treasurer

As treasurer, the task I am most passionate about is the one that is now approaching: Preparing the Budget. I think I have a great passion for this task because it falls into direct alignment with my gift of faith. You see I be-lieve that it is our task to prepare a budget that reflects the vision of the church. That is exciting! That is renewing! That is refreshing! That is challenging!

Working on the budget requires one to walk to the edge. It will requires a person to take a step off of the edge. We honestly believe we will fall.

So….are you prepared to take that step? Do you have a knack for numbers? Are you detail oriented? Perhaps the Budget Team is for you! July is when we form the Budget Team for the upcoming year! Maybe you have a passion for the ministries you’ve seen here at MCC, and you want to learn more about how they all fit together. The Budget Team is open to members and friends of MCC. Interested? Contact Carla Petersen. We will begin our work no later than July 15! If you’ve read this far, you really should consider serving on the team. Call me……. 402-319-3544 or email me at [email protected].

CONNECTIONS

TEENS EXPERIENCE GOD’S SPIRIT

Youth Sunday School Coordinator Tim Mohr is leading the PreTeen and Teen Sunday School Group in an explo-ration of what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit. This Study begins July 3 with a review of Acts 2 – the story of the birth of the Christian Church at the celebration of Pen-tecost and will continue through October, culminating with our second “Youth Sunday” when our young people of all ages come together to present the Sunday Worship Ser-vice which will focus on how God’s Holy Spirit is at work in our church.

If you know a young person ages 11-17 who would be interested in learning more about God’s Holy Spirit in a warm, welcoming environment bring them to experience the high energy worship service and introduce them to Tim Mohr. Youth Sunday School classes are held during the 11:15 service on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. All youth are welcome!

CHILDREN LEARN THE PARABLES OF JESUS

“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” “The Parable of the Lost Sheep” “The Wise and Foolish Builder” “The Par-able of the Good Samaritan” These are the lessons that our children, ages 4 – 10 will be learning during the next two months. Jesus used parables to teach lessons about how to live our lives. And our team of Sunday School teachers will be using these stories along with music, games, and crafts to teach our children the lessons about living wisely and about forgiveness; about how much God loves us; about putting our resources into what is impor-tant and laying strong foundations; and about who is really our neighbor. These are all lessons that we can all use in our daily lives, and each week the children will bring home a summary of what they learned in class that day.

Beginning in September our children will begin learn-ing about the Holy Spirit so they can be prepared to par-ticipate in Youth Sunday on November 13 when all ages participate in putting on the Sunday worship service. If you know a child, ages 4 – 10, who would like to learn more about Jesus, bring them to church and let them ex-perience God’s love. Sunday School for the 4-10 year old age group is held during the 11:15 service on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month.

ACTIVITY DAY FUN! Twelve children ages 4-10 participated on June 11 at

MCC. At 10 AM they met in the Sanctuary to began with singing and drumming. From there they heard the story of the shepherd and the lost sheep and went outside to play a game searching for the lost sheep. We had some juice as we curled up on sleeping bags down in Social Hall to watch a movie telling stories of Jesus’ life. After that we painted a picture related to the story. A lunch of pizza and hot dogs followed. Then we watched another movie. Out-side we went for fun on a slip and slide. Then we chalked the walks, & it was time to go home. Seven adults helped.

RENDEZVOUS wyoming pride aug 3-7

Rendezvous is a five day campout in Medicine Bow National Forest, between Cheyenne and Laramie. The event provides a safe, friendly GLBT environment for eve-ryone from everywhere. Pitch a tent or borrow an RV. It is an experience you will not forget! For more information go to www.wyomingpride.com

PASTOR TOM’S WORK

BEYOND MCC OMAHA You may have noticed over the past few months that

Tom has been out of the pulpit several times. Tom wants to thank everyone who has preached in his place over the past few weeks allowing him to represent MCC Omaha be-yond our walls. Here is a summary of some of his impor-tant work:

Tom is the Treasurer of the Denomination’s Pension plan. This modest plan provides for a little bit extra for clergy when they retire. In community with other members of the Board, Tom is working to reinvent this plan to make MCC more competitive as a denomination.

As many of you know, Pastor Tom is also very passion-ate around the need, the necessity, to reach out to the Spanish-speaking communities within in North America. He has been appointed by the leader of the MCC move-ment, Nancy Wilson, as a member of the North American Hispanic Church Plant Initiative. His work, learning, advo-cacy and education in these issues will help to keep MCC Omaha a cutting edge, flexible church that can serve the needs of Spanish-speaking LGBT people and our allies as well.

Recently, the city of Joplin Missouri was cut in half by a tornado with winds that reached 200 miles per hour. As many of you know, the church in which the MCC Joplin church met was destroyed. Pastor Melissa lead a team of first responders in the days following the storm. Pastor Tom is resourcing with that Pastor and Board of the Joplin church to help them plan for their future.

Tom is also a member of the Board of Servants (Directors) for Neighbors United which is a local interfaith group that focuses on serving people in the Park Avenue Corridor. To date, Neighbors United has served over 30,000 meals to those in need, has allowed congregations to worship together and has planned a number of commu-nity events. Tom is helping the group to reorganize with shifting priorities and needs.

CONNECTIONS

I am not Harvey Milk, I do not hold public office, and I will not be the first openly gay person to do so, but in 1978 Harvey Milk was. He opened up his ‘Hope Speech' at the San Fran-cisco Gay Freedom Day Parade by say-ing "My name is Harvey Milk, and I’m here to recruit you." It was a po-litical joke he used

many a time, and yet some 33 years later, a lesbian girl born two years after that speech was made in a small Afri-can country called Zimbabwe now stands at the Douglas county court house steps quoting those words. I don’t think even Harvey Milk himself realized at the time that he was indeed giving a voice and recruiting a multitude of people who had been voiceless, with his courage and his life he showed the world that our rights are not just Gay Rights but Human Rights.

I have lived in Omaha for the past 12 years and proudly call myself a Nebraskan, and I am certain I now bleed Corn Husker red. I stand before you today because I have been a witness to the positive change for LGBT Equality in our City of Omaha. Last year I was present at the Candle Light vigil held in memory of LGBT teens who committed suicide across this nation due to intolerance and bullying. It is nec-essary that our younger generation know that they are not alone, even here in this small City of ours. In October of

last year I took part in a debate over the proposed ordi-nance that would have allowed LGBT persons to sue busi-nesses if they were discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender expression. Though that measure failed, I would like to thank Councilman Ben Gray and all those working behind the scenes for their efforts and their support and for lending a MUCH NEEDED voice to our Community. In the same Hope Speech of 78” Har-vey Milk said "Unless you have Dialog, unless you open the walls of dialogue, you can never reach to change peo-ple’s opinions". This was dialog that is long overdue in our City, and I am hopeful that the next time this ordinance is introduced it will have a different outcome. Just last week over 150 Clergy from the Heartland signed a Proclamation declaring that being gay is neither a sin, a birth defect nor a choice and that yes even churches should be completely inclusive and welcoming to all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression… What a His-toric stance for our City to take. We applaud you Clergy of the Heartland.

The spirit of people like Harvey Milk is very much alive in this City and without realizing it, we extend and pass it on to far and distant places like Africa, Asia and the Middle East where LGBT people still face persecution and even death for simply being themselves. Omaha when it comes to ensuring that sooner rather than later all people are treated Equality regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression then I too say to you, My name is Ruth Marimo, and I am here to recruit you! Thank you!

MY NAME IS RUTH MARIMO, AND I AM HERE TO RECRUIT YOU!

UNITED IN PRIDE MCC Omaha would like to give a shout out to Re-

becca Sluiter who chaired the Pride Committee for both the Festival Booths and their activities. She did a great job of organizing volunteers and managing merchandise and sales. Our “Spiritual Fruits Not Religious Nuts” shirts were a huge hit. People we stopping by the booth to purchase them before the parade was even over.

We also want to say thank you and job well done to Alan Barcus, Committee Chair for both the Candle Light Vigil and our Float. MCC’s parade entries included Pam Burright driving her convertible with Pastors Tom Emmett and Melissa Smithee. Eric Hays-Strom pulled our float, which hosted LifeSong performing Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” live! We had it decorated with rainbow balloon tow-ers and brick walls with our slogan, “Tearing Down Walls, Building Up Hope,” which won the Best Float Award. We extend gratitude and celebrate the great job Karla Oliver did pulling together the music and the band for this event. After the Parade, folks from MCC were involved on the Main Stage as well. Susie Brenner from Brenner-Beckstead Ministries was booked to sing and did a great set with her band and Heather Wilhelm & Karla Oliver to back her up musically. Linda Beckstead entertained the afternoon crowd as one of the emcees. Lincoln Pride will be coming up in July so keep your eye on Angel Wings for more information about MCC’s participation there. Join us is sharing the good news that God is love and everyone is welcome in God’s house of prayer and worship.

20 MCCer’s PARTICPATE IN HARVEY MILK MEMORIAL

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TO OPEN 2011 PRIDE CELEBRATION AT

DOUGLAS COUNTY COURTHOUSE

www. Youtube.com.

P.O. Box 3173

Omaha, NE 68103

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Omaha, NE

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CONNECTIONS

MCC OMAHAMCC OMAHAMCC OMAHAMCC OMAHA

Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.

Sunday WorshipSunday WorshipSunday WorshipSunday Worship CelebrationCelebrationCelebrationCelebration

9:30 & 11:15 AM9:30 & 11:15 AM9:30 & 11:15 AM9:30 & 11:15 AM

Children/Youth Sunday SchoolChildren/Youth Sunday SchoolChildren/Youth Sunday SchoolChildren/Youth Sunday School During 11:15AM ServiceDuring 11:15AM ServiceDuring 11:15AM ServiceDuring 11:15AM Service

WednesdayWednesdayWednesdayWednesday ReCharge ServiceReCharge ServiceReCharge ServiceReCharge Service

7 PM7 PM7 PM7 PM

Invitation, Love,Invitation, Love,Invitation, Love,Invitation, Love, Appreciation, & TrustAppreciation, & TrustAppreciation, & TrustAppreciation, & Trust

• INVITATIONINVITATIONINVITATIONINVITATION Is welcoming and encouraging faces that are Is welcoming and encouraging faces that are Is welcoming and encouraging faces that are Is welcoming and encouraging faces that are new, diverse, and familiar to share in the journey.new, diverse, and familiar to share in the journey.new, diverse, and familiar to share in the journey.new, diverse, and familiar to share in the journey.

• LOVELOVELOVELOVE is creating space to live our commitments is creating space to live our commitments is creating space to live our commitments is creating space to live our commitments with one another with patience and forgiveness.with one another with patience and forgiveness.with one another with patience and forgiveness.with one another with patience and forgiveness.

• APPRECIATIONAPPRECIATIONAPPRECIATIONAPPRECIATION Is giving respect, praise, and recognition.Is giving respect, praise, and recognition.Is giving respect, praise, and recognition.Is giving respect, praise, and recognition.

• TRUSTTRUSTTRUSTTRUST Is acting with good intentions, recognizing Is acting with good intentions, recognizing Is acting with good intentions, recognizing Is acting with good intentions, recognizing the good intentions of others, and being accountable the good intentions of others, and being accountable the good intentions of others, and being accountable the good intentions of others, and being accountable for our actions.for our actions.for our actions.for our actions.

tearing down walls! building up hope!...july/august 2011july/august 2011 july/august 2011 hidden...

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