Metropolitan Community Church
Encyclopedia
The Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) or The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) is an international Protestant Christian denomination
. There are 250 member congregations in 23 countries, and the Fellowship has a specific outreach to lesbian
, gay
, bisexual
, and transgender
families and communities.
The Fellowship has Official Observer status with the World Council of Churches
. The MCC has been denied membership in the US National Council of Churches
, but many local MCC congregations are members of local ecumenical partnerships around the world and MCC currently belongs to seven state-wide councils of churches in the United States.
on the historic creeds of the Christian Church such as Apostles'
and Nicene
creed. Every church is required to celebrate the Eucharist
at least once a week, and to practice open communion
, meaning that recipients need not be a member of the MCC or any other church to receive the Eucharist
. Beyond that MCC allows its member churches independence in doctrine
, worship
, and practice. Worship styles vary widely from church to church.
MCC sees its mission being social as well as spiritual by standing up for the rights of minorities, particularly those of lesbian
, gay
, bisexual
, and transgender
people (LGBT). MCC has been a leading force in the development of Queer theology.
Many local churches are also involved with other national and international campaigns, including Trade Justice
and Make Poverty History
Among its social justice
works, MCC has a strong commitment to marriage equality
for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. MCC's founder, the Revd Elder Troy Perry
, performed the first public same-sex marriage in the United States in Huntington Park, California
in 1969. In 1970, he filed the first lawsuit in the U.S. seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriages. Perry lost that lawsuit but launched the debate over marriage equality in the U.S. Today, MCC congregations around the world perform more than 6000 same-sex union/marriage ceremonies annually.
The Reverend Brent Hawkes
and the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
were key players in the legal action that ultimately brought same-sex marriage
to Canada.
A notable aspect of MCC's theology is its position on homosexuality and Christianity
where it fully embraces and welcomes lesbian
, gay, bisexual
and transgender
people. Indeed, the majority of members are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, with many clergy being openly LGBT. MCC fully affirms the ministry of both men and women, seeing them as equal, and the recent election of the Revd Elder Nancy Wilson
as Moderator makes MCC one of a small number of communions with female senior leadership.
by the Reverend Troy Perry
in 1968, a time when Christian attitudes toward homosexuality
were almost universally negative. The MCC has grown since then to have a presence in 23 countries with 250 affiliated churches. The largest presence is found in the United States, followed by Canada. The denomination continues to grow: In 2010, El Mundo reported that the first MCC congregation in Spain would be established in Madrid in October. It would be the first church to recognize and perform religious same-sex marriages in the country, as the Roman Catholic Church (the former state church) refuses to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies or adoptions.
Perry served as moderator of the Fellowship until 2005, when Nancy Wilson was elected moderator by the General Conference; she was formally installed in a special service at the Washington National Cathedral
in Washington, D.C. on October 29, 2005.
The denomination has had a few news-making controversies. In 2002 it was revealed that the Black Hills MCC congregation had knowingly hired convicted child molester
James A. Forsythe, a former Catholic priest who had ministered with MCC from the early 1990s on the condition that he was forbidden from working with minors. The denomination claims it did not ask for Forsythe to resign, as he was neither accused nor charged with any crime in Black Hills other than failure to register as a sex offender, which he did after the story broke and which was then treated by authorities as an oversight. Nevertheless, Forsythe chose to leave the church, having lost his two day jobs as a result of the story's publication and knowing the MCC could not support him financially and wishing to spare them negative publicity.
In 2003, a scandal occurred involving the flagship of the church, as well as the largest gay church in the world, Cathedral of Hope
when former board member Terri Frey accused Rev. Michael S. Piazza
of financial impropriety, an accusation that prompted the UFMCC to open an investigation. However, the investigation ended when the Cathedral's membership voted to disaffiliate from UFMCC with 88% support. The split cost UFMCC 9% of its membership, and 7% of its annual operating budget. Church members, including copastor Mona West, claimed that the vote was less about the investigation and more about the congregation's long-simmering frustration with the denomination, including the opinion that the denomination was focused too much on gay issues and hampered their desire to reach out to Dallas residents disaffected by conservative churches; as church member Michael Magnia explained: "The tie with MCC was more about gays and lesbians. You're going to have a difficult time getting even progressive heterosexuals to come to a church that is anchored to a gay and lesbian church."
, mission
development, and Christian witness. The Board of Administration is made up of up to seven members appointed by the Board of Elders and is the legal corporate board
of the denomination, handling responsibility for financial
and fiduciary matters. The two boards are assisted by a small permanent staff.
As of 2009, the current Board of Elders includes Nancy Wilson
(Moderator), Lillie Brock
, Diane Fisher, Darlene Garner
, and Ken Martin. Since this current structure was adopted in 2002, four elders have left office before the scheduled end of their terms.
MCC divides the world into seven regions (originally nine, then reduced to eight then further reduced to seven) each served by an elder (broadly similar to a bishop
- although the use of this term is controversial within the denomination) who has authority to affiliate and disaffiliate churches, appoint regional staff and spend funds from the regional budget. Since the resignation of the Reverend Jim Mitulski, their former regions have no dedicated elder and is served by other elders working together. They have no direct control over the permanent election of pastors or the day-to-day operation of congregations, instead their role is to support the pastors and local congregations.
, following which the conference is expected to meet tri-annually from 2010.
of income to UFMCC, currently set at 13% of income, although many larger MCCs delay payment of these dues. Each local church elects its own pastor from the roster of MCC credentialed clergy
.
Each local congregation is free to determine matters of worship, practice, theology and ministry providing they meet certain basic requirements involving open access to communion and subscription to the traditional Christian creeds. Styles of worship include liturgical, charismatic, evangelical, traditional and modern — diversity is an important part of MCC.
A recent innovation has been for some MCC congregations to explore multi-denominational affiliation. New Spirit Community Church in Berkeley, California
was an outreach of MCC San Francisco and, in addition to MCC affiliation, has affiliated with the United Church of Christ
and is In Care with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
movie Prayers for Bobby
.
Christian denomination
A Christian denomination is an identifiable religious body under a common name, structure, and doctrine within Christianity. In the Orthodox tradition, Churches are divided often along ethnic and linguistic lines, into separate churches and traditions. Technically, divisions between one group and...
. There are 250 member congregations in 23 countries, and the Fellowship has a specific outreach to lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, gay
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, bisexual
Bisexuality
Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially with regard to men and women. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the...
, and transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
families and communities.
The Fellowship has Official Observer status with the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
. The MCC has been denied membership in the US National Council of Churches
National Council of Churches
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA is an ecumenical partnership of 37 Christian faith groups in the United States. Its member denominations, churches, conventions, and archdioceses include Mainline Protestant, Orthodox, African American, Evangelical, and historic peace...
, but many local MCC congregations are members of local ecumenical partnerships around the world and MCC currently belongs to seven state-wide councils of churches in the United States.
Beliefs and practices
MCC bases its theologyTheology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
on the historic creeds of the Christian Church such as Apostles'
Apostles' Creed
The Apostles' Creed , sometimes titled Symbol of the Apostles, is an early statement of Christian belief, a creed or "symbol"...
and Nicene
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
creed. Every church is required to celebrate the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
at least once a week, and to practice open communion
Open communion
Open communion is the practice of Christian churches that allow individuals other than members of that church to receive Holy Communion...
, meaning that recipients need not be a member of the MCC or any other church to receive the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
. Beyond that MCC allows its member churches independence in doctrine
Doctrine
Doctrine is a codification of beliefs or a body of teachings or instructions, taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system...
, worship
Worship
Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity. The word is derived from the Old English worthscipe, meaning worthiness or worth-ship — to give, at its simplest, worth to something, for example, Christian worship.Evelyn Underhill defines worship thus: "The absolute...
, and practice. Worship styles vary widely from church to church.
MCC sees its mission being social as well as spiritual by standing up for the rights of minorities, particularly those of lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, gay
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, bisexual
Bisexuality
Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially with regard to men and women. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the...
, and transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
people (LGBT). MCC has been a leading force in the development of Queer theology.
Many local churches are also involved with other national and international campaigns, including Trade Justice
Trade justice
Trade justice is a campaign by non-governmental organisations lobbying for changes to the rules and practices of world trade so that poor people and the environment benefit...
and Make Poverty History
Make Poverty History
Make Poverty History is the name of a campaign that exists in a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Denmark , Finland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain and Ireland...
Among its social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
works, MCC has a strong commitment to marriage equality
Marriage Equality
Marriage Equality USA is an organization working for marriage equality for all non-heterosexual couples. The group works by doing public education and outreach, media campaigns and holding visibility events. Marriage Equality, Inc...
for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. MCC's founder, the Revd Elder Troy Perry
Troy Perry
Troy Deroy Perry Jr founded the Metropolitan Community Church, a Christian denomination with a special affirming ministry with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, in Los Angeles on October 6, 1968.-Early life:...
, performed the first public same-sex marriage in the United States in Huntington Park, California
Huntington Park, California
Huntington Park is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 58,114, down from 61,348 at the 2000 census.- History :...
in 1969. In 1970, he filed the first lawsuit in the U.S. seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriages. Perry lost that lawsuit but launched the debate over marriage equality in the U.S. Today, MCC congregations around the world perform more than 6000 same-sex union/marriage ceremonies annually.
The Reverend Brent Hawkes
Brent Hawkes
Brent Hawkes, is a Canadian clergyman. Since 1977, he has served as senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto for LGBT parishioners, and is one of Canada's leading gay rights activists....
and the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto
The Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto is a congregation of the worldwide Metropolitan Community Church movement located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and is an welcoming congregation openly affirming lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual and transgender people...
were key players in the legal action that ultimately brought same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
to Canada.
A notable aspect of MCC's theology is its position on homosexuality and Christianity
Homosexuality and Christianity
Christian denominations hold a variety of views on the issues of sexual orientation and homosexuality, ranging from outright condemnation to complete acceptance. In accordance with the traditional values of Abrahamic religions, most Christian denominations welcome people attracted to the same sex,...
where it fully embraces and welcomes lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, gay, bisexual
Bisexuality
Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially with regard to men and women. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the...
and transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
people. Indeed, the majority of members are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, with many clergy being openly LGBT. MCC fully affirms the ministry of both men and women, seeing them as equal, and the recent election of the Revd Elder Nancy Wilson
Nancy Wilson (religious leader)
The Reverend Elder Nancy L. Wilson is an American cleric who serves as the current Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches ....
as Moderator makes MCC one of a small number of communions with female senior leadership.
History
The first congregation was founded in Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
by the Reverend Troy Perry
Troy Perry
Troy Deroy Perry Jr founded the Metropolitan Community Church, a Christian denomination with a special affirming ministry with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, in Los Angeles on October 6, 1968.-Early life:...
in 1968, a time when Christian attitudes toward homosexuality
Homosexuality and Christianity
Christian denominations hold a variety of views on the issues of sexual orientation and homosexuality, ranging from outright condemnation to complete acceptance. In accordance with the traditional values of Abrahamic religions, most Christian denominations welcome people attracted to the same sex,...
were almost universally negative. The MCC has grown since then to have a presence in 23 countries with 250 affiliated churches. The largest presence is found in the United States, followed by Canada. The denomination continues to grow: In 2010, El Mundo reported that the first MCC congregation in Spain would be established in Madrid in October. It would be the first church to recognize and perform religious same-sex marriages in the country, as the Roman Catholic Church (the former state church) refuses to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies or adoptions.
Perry served as moderator of the Fellowship until 2005, when Nancy Wilson was elected moderator by the General Conference; she was formally installed in a special service at the Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
in Washington, D.C. on October 29, 2005.
The denomination has had a few news-making controversies. In 2002 it was revealed that the Black Hills MCC congregation had knowingly hired convicted child molester
Child sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
James A. Forsythe, a former Catholic priest who had ministered with MCC from the early 1990s on the condition that he was forbidden from working with minors. The denomination claims it did not ask for Forsythe to resign, as he was neither accused nor charged with any crime in Black Hills other than failure to register as a sex offender, which he did after the story broke and which was then treated by authorities as an oversight. Nevertheless, Forsythe chose to leave the church, having lost his two day jobs as a result of the story's publication and knowing the MCC could not support him financially and wishing to spare them negative publicity.
In 2003, a scandal occurred involving the flagship of the church, as well as the largest gay church in the world, Cathedral of Hope
Cathedral of Hope (Dallas)
The Cathedral of Hope is a predominantly LGBT congregation located in the Oak Lawn area of Dallas, Texas . The Dallas Cathedral of Hope is said to be the world's largest inclusive "liberal Christian church with a primary outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons", with a...
when former board member Terri Frey accused Rev. Michael S. Piazza
Michael S. Piazza
Michael S. Piazza is a spiritual visionary, author, and social justice advocate who currently serves as senior pastor of Virginia-Highland Church in Atlanta, Georgia, a congregation dually affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists and the United Church of Christ...
of financial impropriety, an accusation that prompted the UFMCC to open an investigation. However, the investigation ended when the Cathedral's membership voted to disaffiliate from UFMCC with 88% support. The split cost UFMCC 9% of its membership, and 7% of its annual operating budget. Church members, including copastor Mona West, claimed that the vote was less about the investigation and more about the congregation's long-simmering frustration with the denomination, including the opinion that the denomination was focused too much on gay issues and hampered their desire to reach out to Dallas residents disaffected by conservative churches; as church member Michael Magnia explained: "The tie with MCC was more about gays and lesbians. You're going to have a difficult time getting even progressive heterosexuals to come to a church that is anchored to a gay and lesbian church."
Leadership
MCC is led by a Board of Elders (BOE) and a Board of Administration (BOA). The Board of Elders consists of a Moderator and six regional elders (one of whom is appointed vice-moderator). The BOE has responsibility for leading the Fellowship on matters of spiritualitySpirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
, mission
Mission (Christian)
Christian missionary activities often involve sending individuals and groups , to foreign countries and to places in their own homeland. This has frequently involved not only evangelization , but also humanitarian work, especially among the poor and disadvantaged...
development, and Christian witness. The Board of Administration is made up of up to seven members appointed by the Board of Elders and is the legal corporate board
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of the denomination, handling responsibility for financial
FINANCIAL
FINANCIAL is the weekly English-language newspaper with offices in Tbilisi, Georgia and Kiev, Ukraine. Published by Intelligence Group LLC, FINANCIAL is focused on opinion leaders and top business decision-makers; It's about world’s largest companies, investing, careers, and small business. It is...
and fiduciary matters. The two boards are assisted by a small permanent staff.
As of 2009, the current Board of Elders includes Nancy Wilson
Nancy Wilson (religious leader)
The Reverend Elder Nancy L. Wilson is an American cleric who serves as the current Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches ....
(Moderator), Lillie Brock
Lillie Brock
Rev Elder Lillie Brock is an elder in the Metropolitan Community Church and has served the denomination in throughout Western Canada, South America and the Central-Western United States. As of August 2009, she serves as the denominational Elder for Region 7....
, Diane Fisher, Darlene Garner
Darlene Garner
Darlene Garner is an American clergyperson and LGBT activist, and a co-founder of the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays . She was the first African American elder in the Metropolitan Community Church and she helped create the denomination's biannual Conference for People of African...
, and Ken Martin. Since this current structure was adopted in 2002, four elders have left office before the scheduled end of their terms.
MCC divides the world into seven regions (originally nine, then reduced to eight then further reduced to seven) each served by an elder (broadly similar to a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
- although the use of this term is controversial within the denomination) who has authority to affiliate and disaffiliate churches, appoint regional staff and spend funds from the regional budget. Since the resignation of the Reverend Jim Mitulski, their former regions have no dedicated elder and is served by other elders working together. They have no direct control over the permanent election of pastors or the day-to-day operation of congregations, instead their role is to support the pastors and local congregations.
General Conference
Internationally, the government of the UFMCC is vested in the bi-annual General Conference, subject to the provisions of the Fellowship Articles of Incorporation, its bylaws, or documents of legal organization. The General Conference is authorized to receive the reports from the various boards, committees, commissions and councils of the Fellowship. Throughout its history the General Conference has met both in and outside of the continental United States, in places such as Sydney, Australia and Toronto and Calgary, Canada. The last General Conference in 2007 was held in Phoenix, ArizonaPhoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, following which the conference is expected to meet tri-annually from 2010.
Local congregations
Each affiliated member church of MCC is a self-governing, legally autonomous body, is vested in its congregational meeting which exerts the right to control all of its affairs, subject to the provisions of the UFMCC Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, or documents of legal organization, and the General Conference. An ordained pastor provides spiritual leadership and administrative leadership as the moderator of a local church administrative body. In the United States and Canada the local church administrative body is usually called "board of directors". Each local congregation is required to send a titheTithe
A tithe is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash, cheques, or stocks, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural products...
of income to UFMCC, currently set at 13% of income, although many larger MCCs delay payment of these dues. Each local church elects its own pastor from the roster of MCC credentialed clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
.
Each local congregation is free to determine matters of worship, practice, theology and ministry providing they meet certain basic requirements involving open access to communion and subscription to the traditional Christian creeds. Styles of worship include liturgical, charismatic, evangelical, traditional and modern — diversity is an important part of MCC.
A recent innovation has been for some MCC congregations to explore multi-denominational affiliation. New Spirit Community Church in Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
was an outreach of MCC San Francisco and, in addition to MCC affiliation, has affiliated with the United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
and is In Care with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Popular culture
MCC was featured in the 2009 Lifetime TelevisionLifetime Television
Lifetime Television, often referred to as Lifetime TV, or most commonly, Lifetime, is an American cable television specialty channel devoted to movies, sitcoms and dramas, all of which are either geared toward women or feature women in lead roles. The cable network is owned by A&E Television Networks...
movie Prayers for Bobby
Prayers for Bobby
Prayers for Bobby is a 2009 television film that premiered on the Lifetime network on January 24, 2009. It is based on the book, Prayers for Bobby: A Mother's Coming to Terms with the Suicide of Her Gay Son, by Leroy F...
.
Notable clergy
This list includes notable present and former clergy associated with MCC.- Troy PerryTroy PerryTroy Deroy Perry Jr founded the Metropolitan Community Church, a Christian denomination with a special affirming ministry with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities, in Los Angeles on October 6, 1968.-Early life:...
(founder) - Nancy WilsonNancy Wilson (religious leader)The Reverend Elder Nancy L. Wilson is an American cleric who serves as the current Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches ....
(Moderator as of 2009) - Arlene Ackerman
- Delores P. Berry
- Lillie BrockLillie BrockRev Elder Lillie Brock is an elder in the Metropolitan Community Church and has served the denomination in throughout Western Canada, South America and the Central-Western United States. As of August 2009, she serves as the denominational Elder for Region 7....
- Sharon Ferguson (Chief Executive of Lesbian and Gay Christian MovementLesbian and Gay Christian MovementThe Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement describes itself as "a UK-based international Charity who are praying for an inclusive church".The Gay Christian Movement was founded in 1976 with the Revd Richard Kirker as its first General Secretary...
) - James FerryJames FerryJames Ferry is a priest of the Anglican Church of Canada. In 1992 he was removed from his parish after it was revealed that he was gay and in a relationship with another man....
- Darlene GarnerDarlene GarnerDarlene Garner is an American clergyperson and LGBT activist, and a co-founder of the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays . She was the first African American elder in the Metropolitan Community Church and she helped create the denomination's biannual Conference for People of African...
- Chris GlaserChris GlaserRev. Chris Glaser, M.Div., has been an activist in the movement for full inclusion of LGBT Christians in the Presbyterian Church , or PCUSA, for over 30 years. He is currently a minister in the Metropolitan Community Church, or MCC.-Education:...
- Bob GossBob GossRev Dr Robert E. Shore-Goss, Bob Shore-Goss is a theologian and author.Goss was brought up in a devout Roman Catholic family and felt called to the priesthood, being ordained as a Jesuit in 1976.He left the Jesuits in 1978 going on to receive a Th.D...
- Brent HawkesBrent HawkesBrent Hawkes, is a Canadian clergyman. Since 1977, he has served as senior pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto for LGBT parishioners, and is one of Canada's leading gay rights activists....
- Cindi LoveCindi LoveCynthia "Cindi" Love is an American businesswoman, academic administrator and clergymember who served for four years as the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Community Church , a denomination run predominantly by and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people...
- Rembert S. TruluckRembert S. TruluckDr. Rembert S. Truluck was a gay theologian, Bible teacher, preacher, writer and pastor who served in Metropolitan Community Churches in Atlanta, San Francisco, and Nashville between 1988 and 1996...
- Jean WhiteJean WhiteThe Rev Elder Jean White was the founding pastor within the Metropolitan Community Church in London.She received her training as a State Registered Nurse at the London Teaching Hospital, Whitechapel, London...
- Mel WhiteMel WhiteJames Melville "Mel" White is an American clergyman and author. White was a behind-the-scenes member of the Evangelical Protestant movement through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, writing speeches and ghostwriting books for televangelists such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and Billy Graham...
See also
- Queer Theology
- LGBT-welcoming church programsLGBT-welcoming church programsLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender affirming religious groups are religious groups that welcome LGBT members and do not consider homosexuality to be a sin. They include entire religious denominations, as well as individual churches and synagogues...
- Lesbian and Gay Christian MovementLesbian and Gay Christian MovementThe Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement describes itself as "a UK-based international Charity who are praying for an inclusive church".The Gay Christian Movement was founded in 1976 with the Revd Richard Kirker as its first General Secretary...
External links
- Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches — official website