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The late Rev. Vickey Gibbs said on our road trip to Montgomery, Alabama, in January of 2020 that being an ally is a step, but that she needed co-conspirators, actual accomplices, in the work together for justice. I remembered this as I browsed the banned book The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph. The epilogue of his book is titled "In the End: We Don’t Need Allies; We Need Accomplices".
Joseph clarifies, “This is the difference between someone who is hoping for change and someone who is trying to make change. An ally versus an accomplice.” His book has just been banned by the board of Spring Branch ISD. This began when one of our members, Teri Hay, was alarmed that the SBISD board was considering anti-trans action and attended their board meeting. She called me, and I put the word out to members of our congregation and sister churches in the area. She also joined a parents’ activist group and was informed about the book banning.
RMCC board member Cathleen Sheil-Hopper, Spring Branch resident, spoke at the next board SBISD meeting. She shared, “Unfortunately, the board voted to restrict access to the book, despite overwhelming public opinion and despite the recommendations of their own professionals.”
That is part of the journey—act, fail, act, fail, organize, act, make progress, act, fail, act, win, repeat. I’m thankful to see Teri and Cathleen take action. Last Sunday, I shared about my journey through being paralyzed to shifting into action as an ally and continuing living into being a co-conspirator. I believe it is a disciple’s challenge who takes Jesus seriously to co-create God’s kindom on earth as it is in heaven.
Over and over again,
Rev. Troy
PS: Join us this Saturday for the church-wide deep cleaning Campus Care Day, 7:30-11:30am. You can come for all or a portion of the morning. We will be gardening, window cleaning, and deep cleaning the sanctuary and gathering places. Many hands make light work!
Watch last weeks service HERE
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Gospel Ensemble's Annual Concert
The Journey to Hallelujah!
Celebrating an era of music that is still changing the lives of all people one soul at a time. The concert will be in-person and live-streamed. Join us for a night of uplifting and soulful Gospel music.
February 25th 2023
5:00 PM
RMCC Sanctuary
PLEASE REGISTER
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Volunteers Needed for Church-Wide Campus Care Day!
Volunteers needed for Spring cleaning our campus and preparing for the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce's Crawfish Festival to be held on our parking lot on March 4th!
Activities will include, but not limited to, gardening, window cleaning and deep cleaning the sanctuary and gathering places. Come on out and help us shine!!
Lunch will be provided.
REGISTER HERE
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Ash Wednesday Service, 7pm, Sanctuary Ash Wednesday is the hinge moment between the celebration of Mardi Gras and the preparation of Lent. With reflection and introspection, we prepare during the 40 day season of Lent to be ready for Easter for the risen Christ. Join us as we trust God to work within our ashes to rise again.
Ushers to guide for ashes and communion; and to host. Music to weave service together.
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On March 4th, the Heights Chamber of Commerce is utilizing the Resurrection MCC parking lot to hold its Annual Crawfish Festival. This is an excellent opportunity to foster community and showcase our church and our people to our neighbors.
The Chamber is seeking volunteers for the event. If you are interested in being a volunteer, please register here: https://tinyurl.com/crawfishvolunteer or contact the Chamber at 713.861.6735.
Volunteer Areas
Band Support
Beautification Team
Breakdown Support
Crawfish Attendee Support
Idol of the Heights
Kids World
Set Up Support
Vendor Booth Check In
Volunteer Support
Parking
Greeter
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Resurrection is having a booth in the VIP area, and we want to staff this awesome PR opportunity with representatives from our different church ministries. Please contact Suzette@ResurrectionMCC.org for more information on taking an hour time slot for our booth. We would like 2 people per hour from 11 am - 6 pm or 14 individuals. We will have a planning session scheduled via the Church App in the weeks following up to the event.
We are expecting 6,000 visitors to have crawfish, enjoy Zydeco music and entertainment.
Volunteers will get a ticket for a free crawfish plate!
Register!
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Equality Texas Advocacy Training
March 11th, 2023
Gathering Place
Join us in welcoming Equality Texas to our Resurrection MCC campus for Legislative Advocacy Training in preparation for the 88th Texas Legislative session. There already have more than 50 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been filed. The time for engagement is NOW.
This training will provide attendees with:
– Update on the current state of LGBTQ+ equality in Texas and at the Texas Legislature;
– Training and tips for providing testimony at the Capitol;
– Training on how to meet with your lawmakers;
– Ways to plug in to advocacy actions at the Capitol no matter where you live.
Houston organizer Miranda Wood will be leading this training and anyone interested in helping fight bad bills at the Capitol is encouraged to attend.
PLEASE REGISTER
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Devotional & Prayer Facebook Group
Every Sunday and Wednesday
New Facebook Devotional Discussion Group: "Called Out"
The experience of growing up "different," having one's identity and relationships questioned or downright rejected, shapes the faith of LGBTQ Christians in ways those outside the community cannot fully understand. LGBTQ Christians need spiritual resources that speak to the unique joys and challenges of their journey.
E. Carrington Heath offers one hundred devotions on such topics as trauma, and more to nurture the faith of our LGBTQ siblings and help friends, family, and allies grow in understanding and faith.
Each Sunday and Wednesday, a new devotion from the book will be posted and discussed online. Join the group for notifications of devotion posts.
Join Our Facebook Devotional Community & Discussion Group
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Conversations around the Disciples of Christ with the use of the book "Twelve Ordinary Men," by John Macarthur. A six week class beginning 02.22.23 and ending on 04.05.23 giving an extra week if needed during Lent. We will not only look at who these men were, also examine, actions, inactions, beliefs, and background information (available), taking two each week. 02/22/23 - 04/05/23
Registration is requested, there is a book and a workbook if so desired. I would request a couple of copies of the book in the bookstore. While books are not required, they will help not only prompt conversations but also guide us through our discussions. I will send a separate email with additional information on the book.
Facilitator: Rev. Vicki Sheil-Hopper
PLEASE REGISTER
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Imani Vida Drum Circle
Imani means Faith in Swahili, and Vida means Life in Spanish. We are a group of diverse individuals of the Greater Houston Area who love to come together in community and make music together. We make music through all sorts of percussion instruments...hand drums, shakers, rain sticks and even the sound of foot-stomping music. Drummers of all skill levels are welcome. No prior drumming experience is required to participate in our circle. Dancers are welcome too! We only ask that you bring your desire to be apart of our community drum circle. Meets 1st Saturday of the Month at Resurrection MCC at 1:30 pm.
For more information, please visit https://www.meetup.com/drummingcircle/
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Invitation to Join Bell Choir
You are invited to learn and practice playing the chime instruments. It's an opportunity of delightful celebration in musical expression. Rehearsals are held most Sundays after church from 12:30 to 1:30 pm in the Worship Arts room. It's helpful if you can read music but not necessary; just as long as you can count & tap your foot simultaneously.
Come with an open heart and a willing spirit!
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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3rd Friday Game Day - Friday February 17, 2023
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
The OWLS will gather for games and snacks on the 3rd Friday of the month, January-October for GAME NIGHT from 7:30 pm-9:30 pm
PLEASE REGISTER
Please note: the 1st Saturday Game Day for March 4th is at George’s house,
7910 Feather Springs Drive as the church campus is in use for the Crawfish Festival.
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Weekday Devotional and Prayer is held every weekday at Noon on Zoom. During these virtual gatherings, we participate in a daily devotional, scripture readings, prayer, and a time to check-in with our church family.
Click HERE to launch Zoom at Noon on weekdays.
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You'll never know what you're missing until you do it! We have a place for you in our volunteer ministries. What are you good at? What makes you happy? Do you have a skill or talent that will benefit others? Visit our Connect page on the website and learn more about our volunteer opportunities and how to join us!
VISIT THE CONNECT PAGE HERE
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Joining a choir is like getting a caged bird to sing! You know you love to sing, but worry if you are good enough to sing in a church choir. God thinks so, and so do we! Our choirs and musical groups are more than singing songs. We build deep friendships and a network of others that love doing what you love doing. Join us!
Sanctuary Choir - Traditional church music, more secular and familiar.
Gospel Ensemble - Woven with Gospel music and traditional African themes
Resurrection Choir - Combines modern and traditional music, and sacred genres, combining membership from both Sanctuary Choir and Gospel Ensemble
Practice:
Tuesday evenings 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm for Sanctuary Choir and Gospel Ensemble, and 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm for Resurrection Choir.
Choirs alternate weekend service performances.
For Dance, Theater, and other performance-based ministries, reach out directly to Cassandra White via email.
Contact Cassandra White, Worship Arts Coordinator HERE for more information.
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Cold Drinks, a Snack, Books, and More!
The bookstore is open before and after each Sunday church service. Our books are carefully curated to fuel your spirit.
Come on in and say hello. We are happy to have you.
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Amazing things happen when we pray for one another in times of grief and celebrate together in times of joy. Send Requests online here: COMPLETE ONLINE FORM or by texting the word RMCCPRAY to 97000. We hope this electronic method will make it quick and easy to communicate the struggles and triumphs you are experiencing in a way that can provide our Pastoral Care Ministers with the information they need to support and encourage you along your journey. The form allows you to provide your name, contact information, the information about your prayer request or celebration, as well as an easy way to request a contact from a Pastoral Care Minister (only if you indicate you'd like a contact). Based on your preferences we can communicate by text, phone, video chat, or even in-person visits when necessary. We want to hear from you! | |
If you haven't downloaded the church app, it's important that you do! Each time you attend a service in person or virtually, please CHECK IN so we know you were here. Using the church app is easy! You can find detailed instructions here. We hope you will download it and stay connected! | |
Pride Charities, our partner agency which operates the food pantry at Resurrection MCC, relies on donations and financial support for the food needed to help the 175 families we assist each month. Please consider picking up a few extra extra bags of rice, beans, cereal, Vienna sausages, canned chicken, canned spam/lunch loaf, canned corn, canned green beans, canned peas, or any of the items found on this list. We are now accepting clothes at this time. To keep you, our volunteers, and our community safe, please place your donations in your trunk or back seat, pull up outside the pantry, stay in your vehicle, and our volunteers will remove the items from your vehicle. Volunteers will also be working inside the Clothes Closet this Saturday from 9 - Noon If you'd like to help sort, hang, and organize clothes, please be sure to wear a face mask. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided to you. | |
Text Giving is a great way to give electronically. The first time you'd like to give in this way, just text the word GIVE to 281-346-9444. You'll receive a text back asking for the amount of your donation. After you've entered that, you'll receive a link to provide your name, email address, as well as your debit/credit card or bank account information. That's it! And the next time you'd like to give, all you need to do is text a dollar amount to that same phone number, hit send, and you're done! If you'd like to contribute to a special fund, send a text with the words GIVE LIST to 281-346-9444 and you'll receive a reply asking how much you'd like to give, and then another text asking to which of our special funds you'd like your donation applied (i.e. General Gifts & Tithes, Foundation First Activities Building Fund, Texas Winter Storm Relief, Pride Charities Food Pantry, La Casa de Todos). | |
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Narcotics Anonymous is every Tuesday at 7:00 pm on our campus as well as on Zoom. This Twelve Step recovery program offers hope and freedom from active addiction in a safe space for the LGBTQ community. This support group meets regularly in order to help one another learn a new way of life through sharing experiences, strength, and hope. All are welcome to come and learn more. For more information, please contact Patrick at 281-908-9729.
Narcóticos Anónimos (en español) es todos los miércoles a partir de las 8:00 pm en la Capilla Resurrection MCC. Asegúrese de usar una máscara cuando esté en el campus de la iglesia. Es un grupo de recuperación de 12 pasos que ofrece esperanza y libertad de la adicción activa en un lugar seguro para las personas LGBT. Estos grupos se unen para ayudarse mutuamente a aprender una nueva forma de vida, compartiendo su experiencia de fortaleza y esperanza.
re:MIND Depression & Bipolar Support Groups in-person meetings are now on Fridays at 12:00 pm in the Chapel. Online meetings are available at www.supportgroupscentral.com/reMIND. Click ‘Not Yet a Member’ and set up a free user account. Find a meeting and click ‘Register’ to sign up. Please note: If all spots are filled, click ‘Join the Waitlist’. You will receive an email reminder the day before and 15 minutes before your scheduled meeting. Please confirm or cancel. Meeting dates will be updated monthly. If you need assistance signing up please call (888) 799-0907 ext. 2 or email info@remindsupport.org. Spaces are limited so sign up today! Spanish Support Groups are available here.
Overeater’s Anonymous meets Saturdays at 9:30 am in the Chapel and will still offer the zoom meeting on Saturdays at 9:30 am on Zoom. Meeting ID: 402 391 084, Password: 176233. Phone in option (use same Meeting ID as above): +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston).
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Toastmasters is every Monday, from 6:30 - 8 pm online on Zoom. Impress your clients, your boss, or even a potential employer during your next job interview. Speak with confidence in one-on-one situations and in presentations for groups of 20 to over 200. Surprise yourself by becoming a member of Toastmasters and see how your personal goals will come true. With Toastmasters you will learn by doing as you improve your public speaking skills in a super supportive environment. Join us for our very own Toastmaster Club right here at Resurrection MCC. Contact Horacio Rodriguez at 954-662-4926 or Toastmasters@ResurrectionMCC.org for details. www.toastmasters.org | | | | |
