Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Ecumenical and Inter-Religious TeamTeam

Workshop for Region 3/5 Conference, July, 2009Workshop for Region 3/5 Conference, July, 2009

Stan Kimer, Team ChairStan Kimer, Team Chair

Metropolitan Community Metropolitan Community ChurchesChurches

Contents / AgendaContents / Agenda

Introductions and the teamIntroductions and the team Why is ecumenical and inter-religious ministry Why is ecumenical and inter-religious ministry

important to MCC?important to MCC? MCC’s history of ecumenical and inter-religious workMCC’s history of ecumenical and inter-religious work Practical suggestions – how to evaluate Practical suggestions – how to evaluate

opportunities and get involvedopportunities and get involved Available resourcesAvailable resources

Rev Candy Holmes will share about our relationship with Rev Candy Holmes will share about our relationship with “The Fellowship”“The Fellowship”

Conclusion – discussion - questionsConclusion – discussion - questions

Team MembersTeam Members

CURRENT MEMBERSCURRENT MEMBERS Mr. Stan Kimer (chair) Mr. Stan Kimer (chair) Ms. Lynn FarrandMs. Lynn Farrand Rev. Elder Diane FisherRev. Elder Diane Fisher Rev. Candy HolmesRev. Candy Holmes Ms. Connie MeadowsMs. Connie Meadows Rev. Elder Nancy WilsonRev. Elder Nancy Wilson Rev. Bill YoungRev. Bill Young

RETIRED MEMBERSRETIRED MEMBERS Rev. Araceli EzzattiRev. Araceli Ezzatti Rev. Robert GriffinRev. Robert Griffin

                         

Introducing the MCC Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Strategic Team

Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of MCC, has worked diligently to re-invigorate MCC's ecumenical and inter-religious work denominationally and to help MCC re-engage in this ministry in the 21st Century.  As part of this effort, the Moderator's Office has established the MCC Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Strategic Team.  Rev. Elder Wilson serves the team as guide and reference for MCC's historical ecumenical and inter-religious work. 

The MCC Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Strategic Team will work to nuture established denominational ecumenical and inter-religious partnerships and form new partnerships.  The team will also recognize and nurture local-church affiliations as invited.

PurposePurpose

MCC’s Statement of Direction challenges us “to MCC’s Statement of Direction challenges us “to proclaim a spirituality that is liberating and proclaim a spirituality that is liberating and sufficiently profound to address the issues of sufficiently profound to address the issues of our chaotic and complicated world.”our chaotic and complicated world.”

Leadership and participation in ecumenical and Leadership and participation in ecumenical and inter-religious work is a critical component in inter-religious work is a critical component in fulfilling this call.fulfilling this call.

As ecumenical/inter-religious partners, we unite As ecumenical/inter-religious partners, we unite across denominational and religious lines to across denominational and religious lines to advocate an inclusive and genuine respect for advocate an inclusive and genuine respect for the sacred worth of all people;the sacred worth of all people;

to reduce human suffering; and to establish to reduce human suffering; and to establish justice, peace and equality in the world.justice, peace and equality in the world.

God has been up to something unique with MCC God has been up to something unique with MCC

since our beginnings.since our beginnings.

We are an inclusive and diverse church for We are an inclusive and diverse church for allall people. people. We do welcome, affirm and celebrate the goodness We do welcome, affirm and celebrate the goodness

and worth of LGBT people and the Queer community. and worth of LGBT people and the Queer community. We are about tearing down walls and building up hope We are about tearing down walls and building up hope

We affirm that Metropolitan Community We affirm that Metropolitan Community

Church is a Christian Church.Church is a Christian Church. We honor and seek to follow the healing and compassionate We honor and seek to follow the healing and compassionate

example of Jesus, whom we call Christ. example of Jesus, whom we call Christ. We claim our Christian identity and respect others’ religious We claim our Christian identity and respect others’ religious

identities. identities. We believe that we are all children of God, and can work together We believe that we are all children of God, and can work together

to reduce human suffering and promote human dignity. to reduce human suffering and promote human dignity.

We are compelled to work for justice for all We are compelled to work for justice for all creationcreation

including environmental protection, peace, and the end including environmental protection, peace, and the end to poverty, racism, oppression for LGBT people etc. to poverty, racism, oppression for LGBT people etc.

much of this work involves recognizing the economic much of this work involves recognizing the economic reality of our world. reality of our world.

What does God expect of us as ecumenical/inter-What does God expect of us as ecumenical/inter-religious partners?religious partners?

How do we continue to lift up the cause of economic How do we continue to lift up the cause of economic justice and address inequalities in the world? justice and address inequalities in the world?

How do we continue to stand in solidarity with those How do we continue to stand in solidarity with those suffering with HIV/AIDS, particularly in places where suffering with HIV/AIDS, particularly in places where medications are not available? medications are not available?

MCC has an ecumenical calling to the whole MCC has an ecumenical calling to the whole

Christian Church.Christian Church.

We are called to help heal the church’s historical We are called to help heal the church’s historical disconnect of body and spirit, which has contributed to disconnect of body and spirit, which has contributed to the sins of exclusion, racism, sexism and homophobia. the sins of exclusion, racism, sexism and homophobia.

Our testimony and the embodiment of a new inclusive Our testimony and the embodiment of a new inclusive community can help heal the larger Christian community can help heal the larger Christian community. community.

MCC has much to learn from our Christian colleagues MCC has much to learn from our Christian colleagues

and friends.and friends.

There are churches open to partnering with MCC in There are churches open to partnering with MCC in ways that will change the world ways that will change the world

We must be willing to accept those invitations We must be willing to accept those invitations MCC churches globally must be trained to engage with MCC churches globally must be trained to engage with

churches in their communities, and refuse to be churches in their communities, and refuse to be isolated. isolated.

There is much to be done across religious traditions.There is much to be done across religious traditions.

We are connected by our humanity, concern for each other and a We are connected by our humanity, concern for each other and a desire to establish peace and equality in our world desire to establish peace and equality in our world

As we claim our rightful place in the human family, we must do so As we claim our rightful place in the human family, we must do so with an attitude of humility and respect. with an attitude of humility and respect.

This is what it means to “build bridges that liberate and unite.” This is what it means to “build bridges that liberate and unite.”

MCC’s ecumenical / inter-religious work will not be an MCC’s ecumenical / inter-religious work will not be an

attempt to convert.attempt to convert.

It must be a work that involves mutual respect so that we can hear what It must be a work that involves mutual respect so that we can hear what the other is saying even as we wish to be heard. the other is saying even as we wish to be heard.

In such an environment honest relationships are built, and friends working In such an environment honest relationships are built, and friends working together can make a significant difference in the world. together can make a significant difference in the world.

If we believe the answer to the question, “Would Jesus Discriminate?” is If we believe the answer to the question, “Would Jesus Discriminate?” is “No!”, we must live that out and be faithful participants in the global Body “No!”, we must live that out and be faithful participants in the global Body of Christ and the whole human family.of Christ and the whole human family.

Key Points from “Dwelling Together in Unity: MCC’s Approach to Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relationships”

• MCC’s Statement of Direction challenges us “to proclaim a spirituality that is liberating and sufficiently profound to address the issues of our chaotic and complicated world.”

• Leadership / participaton in ecumenical and inter-religious work is a critical component in fulfilling this calling

• We can unite across denominational and religious lines to:– Advocate an inclusive and genuine respect for the sacred worth of all people (a

link with Theologies team!)– To reduce human suffering; and to establish justice, peace and equality in the

word (a link with Justice team!)• We have something unique to offer the religious world – we are called to

heal the church’s historical disconnect of body and spirit which has contributed to the sins of exclusion, racism, sexism and homophobia

• And we have much to learn from our religious sisters and brothers – we can unite on key issues and engage instead of being isolated.

• This kind of work is what it means to “build bridges that liberate and unite.”

Some MCC Historic Milestones of Ecumenical and Inter-religious ministry

1974 Rev Nancy Wilson invited to attend the first meeting of the Commission on Women in Ministry of the US National Council of churches (US-NCC). Adam DeBaugh works in the 1970s for MCC in Ecumenical Relationships from Washington, DC office.

1976 Rev Ken Martin invited to participate in the Family Life and Human Sexuality team of the US-NCC

1979 Nancy Wilson leads the first delegation of LGBT religious leaders to meet with President Carter at the White House

1983 Colleen Darraugh becomes the first MCCer to attend a World Council of Churches Assembly

Late 1980s MCC admitted to its first US state Council of Churches (Hawaii)

1990s Rev Jeffrey Pulling serves for more than 6 years on the US NCC’s Faith and Order Commission

1991 MCC is granted observer status in the World Council of Churches (WCC)

1992 - 1993

MCC admitted to its second US State Council of Churches (North Carolina)

Some MCC Historic Milestones of Ecumenical and Inter-religious ministry (continued …)

Late 1990s

Rev. Dr. Gwynne Guibord serves as MCC’s Ecumenical staff person and serves as president of the California Council of Churches

1998 MCC sends a delegation to the WCC meeting in Zimbabwe and participates in several sessions and worship services

2004 MCC partners with several secular groups as a religious participant in LGBT civil rights issues (HRC, NGLTF, National Black Coalition…)

2006 MCC sends a delegation, lead by Moderator Nancy Wilson to the WCC meeting in Brazil

2007 The Moderator’s new Ecumenical and Inter-religious team meets in Sarasota, Florida

2008 MCC is admitted to it’s first National Council of Churches (Denmark)

2009 MCC formalizes its partnership with the Fellowship and names Rev Candy Holmes our official liaison to the group

2009 After serving as 3rd and 2nd Vice President, MCC lay leader Stan Kimer is elected First VP of the North Carolina Council of Churches

Ecumenical / Inter-religious involvement can be at many levels

Involvement can be• official membership• dialogue• one-time event

• Global (ex: World Council of Churches)• Regional / Multi-country (ex: pan-European bodies)• State / Province Level• Local

Governance Process

Type of Relationship Responsible

(A) Denominational / Judicatory relationships

(A-1) Major global or cross-regional bodies (i.e. World Council of Churches, US National Council of Churches, Pan-European bodies…)

MCC Moderator with full BoE agreement. Supported by the Ecum/IR team

(A-2) US State bodies (i.e. State Council of Churches), Provincial bodies and country (other than US) bodies

Applicable Regional Elder(s) with support from the Ecum / IR team and local churches

(A-3) Regional (large city, county) bodies with 2 or more MCCs in territory

Local churches with Regional Elder approval / Support

(A-4) Bodies requiring denominational relationship but only 1 MCC in territory

Local church recommend but Regional Elder approval needed since it is a denominational commitment

(A-5) Denominational / Movement Relationships and Affiliations (i.e. with The Fellowship, UCC…)

MCC Moderator with BoE involvement

(B) Individual church relationships

(B-1) Any global / national group other than dual affiliations that takes individual church memberships (i.e. Center for Progressive Christianity)

Local church. However, Ecum / IR team can provide a recommended list and church can ask Regional Elder for opinion / support.

(B-2) Local groups that take individual church involvement

Local church. Recommend informing “around the fellowship” as a vehicle to inform MCC of involvement and activities

Criteria for Involvement

Denominational Involvement Local Church Involvement

Support MCC vision, direction, strategic priorities

Consistent with local church strategy, goals, ministry priorities

Healthy two-way relationship? Healthy two-way relationship?

Do we have the denominational level financial and human resources to participate?

Does the local church have the necessary financial and human resources to participate?

Theology and beliefs consistent with MCCs? Will they be welcoming?

Theology and beliefs consistent with local church? Would they be open and affirming?

Is there an upcoming conference or event where we can participate – contribute or learn?

Is there a local event or conference where the church can participate – and contribute or learn?

Is there a key social justice issue for us to collaborate on?

Is there a key social justice issue in the community we can collaborate on?

So you have the support from the appropriate Elder(s) / Moderator / Ecumenical and Inter-religious team?

Do you have the necessary board and / or pastor and/or ministry committee approval and support?

Where to find the Ecumenical and Inter-religious page

Here under “Program and Initiatives”

And what is available on the Ecumenical and Inter-religious page?

• Our statements•History•Partners•Resources•Latest News•Our Team

Current (denominational) PartnershipsCurrent (denominational) Partnerships

• California Council of Churches

• Colorado Council of Churches

• Conference of Churches of Aoteara New Zealand (Observer Status)

• Danske Kirkers Rad (Danish National Council of Churches)

• Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon

• The Fellowship

• HRC – Religion and Faith Program

• Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement (UK)

• NGLTF – Religious Roundtable

• North Carolina Council of Churches

• Other Sheep

• The Center for Progressive Christianity

• The Institute for Welcoming Resources

• World Council of Churches (Observer Status)

Current available online resourcesCurrent available online resources

• The MCC Ecumenical and Inter-religious Strategic Team Purpose (English and Spanish versions)

• MCC Ecumenical and Inter-religious Overview Presentation

• Small Group Discussion and Study Guide

• Ecumenical and Inter-religious Governance Process

• Our relationship with the United Church of Christ in the USA

• Our relationship with “The Fellowship”

• Criteria for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Involvement

• Ecumenical Team Report to the BOE, August, 2008

MCC’S Ecumenical and Inter-Religious TeamMCC’S Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Team

Thank you!Thank you!

Connie Meadows

Rev Robert Griffin Rev ElderNancy Wilson

Rev Candy Holmes

Rev Bill Young

Rev ElderDiane Fisher

Stan Kimer

Lynn Farrand

Psalm 133:1 Micah 6:8

Rev Araceli Ezzatty