I am Rev. Tory Topjian and I am contacting you on behalf of the North Central MCC US Network Team in regard to our forthcoming Network Gathering, taking place November 19-21, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
We are excited that we are having this gathering the same weekend that both our Wisconsin congregations are celebrating milestone anniversaries. Milwaukee MCC will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary and Angels of Hope will be celebrating their 35th Anniversary.
Our network time together will be focused on looking at what and how worship can look like moving forward, coming out of the COVID scenarios that we all have faced. We will look at what challenges we all have faced both with the style of worship to ways of trying to get our numbers built back up again. We will also take a look at various options of how we can continue to include music within worship and the various opportunities that are available. A look at how licensing plays a big part in live-streaming and/or premiering our services on social media, with pointers and helpful tools that will help make producing worship more streamlined and effectively. Lastly, we will also throw in ways of promoting and building your programs and ministries within our congregations. A majority of the group sessions will be an interactive experience.
Additionally, I would be honored, if you are planning to attend the gathering, to stay through Sunday, and be a part of worship on Sunday morning. It would be a joyous occasion bringing together those of us who are able, to partake in worship, as we help both Milwaukee MCC and Angeles of Hope MCC, celebrate and commemorate their milestone anniversaries.
I am honored that Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow will be our guest and featured preacher for Anniversary Sunday. Both congregations are also excited to share that they will be honoring and memorializing two of their past ministers, Rev. David Callentine and Rev. Lewis Broyles, with an honorary Minister Emeritus.
Also, hotel accommodations for $90/night plus tax have been arranged at the: Fairfield Inn & Suites West Milwaukee. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel: 414-645-2800. Ask for the MCC 50th Anniversary Rate when booking. You can also book directly online at:
We kindly ask that Registration and Hotel arrangement are made by October 31, 2021, to ensure rates.
Please see below our proposed schedule for the weekend:
Friday, November 19, 2021 7:00pm
Dinner and Social Gathering – to be held at Milwaukee MCC, 1239 West Mineral Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204. We will also show the wonderful documentary Call Me Troy, as a reminder of where we’ve come from and where we’re heading.
Saturday, November 20, 2021 - Daytime
We will gather in the Sky Lounge at American Family Field (Home of the Milwaukee Brewers), 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53214. The days schedule will be as noted:
8:00am – 9:00am Registration, Continental Breakfast and Social Time
9:00am – 10:15am First Session – Looking at the Nuts and Bolts
10:15am – 10:30am Short Break
10:10am – 11:30am Second Session – Starting to put things in perspective
11:30am – 12:30pm Lunch Break
It is the hope that all clergy in attendance can connect for some preliminary discussion prior to the afternoon session.
12:30pm – 2:30pm Third Session – Wrapping up all the loose ends and connecting the dots
2:30pm – 3:00pm Worship – We will end with a short communion service
Saturday, November 20, 2021 – Evening 6:00pm
Join us back at American Family Field and attend Milwaukee MCC’s Annual Fundraiser “A Night of Cabaret” Ticket information can be found in the registration form here
Sunday, November 21, 2021
10:00am All Network Worship – This will be held at American Family
Field in the Sky Lounge
12:00pm Brunch with the Clergy – Join us following worship in the Sky Lounge for a No Host Brunch sponsored by Milwaukee MCC. Stick around for some good food and conversation, while getting to say your good-byes to your fellow MCC’ers.
You can register online at this link Network Gathering if you would like to attend or download a flyer and registration form here.
Should you have any questions, or are needing additional information, please feel free to contact me at my church email: revtory@milmcc.org or you can call me via my cell at 323-384-3587.
We look forward to hosting you and those from your congregation.
