22 October 2021

Greetings!


Peace and Greetings to you!

As we get into the last few months of 2021, we to enter one of the busiest seasons in the life of Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church. 

Stewardship months continues in the life of our church, as we are in the midst of our Stewardship 2022 Campaign titled: “Shining the Light Towards the Future.” As I’ve stated may times, I can’t think of a more appropriate theme than this one, as we celebrate 50 years as a Vibrant, Inclusive, Progressive, Community of Faith, right here in the Greater Milwaukee area.

While your board of directors and I have so carefully managed to the best of our ability, with all of the resources received, that we continue to work and find ways to ensure that our community of faiths remains to stay and be the vibrant, inclusive, progressive, community of faith, that you know it to be. 

As you prayerfully discern that your 2022 Pledge Giving will be, I pray that you will consider all the hard work your church does in maintaining the many programs and ministries offered to those in our church community as well as the greater community. Now is the time to start returning your pledge cards to the church, either by dropping it in the basket on Sunday morning, as well as having the ability to go to our website and complete your 2022 please virtually.

This Sunday is our Fourth Sunday Pack the Pantry Sunday. I am overjoyed with the great response we have engaged in, over the past several months, by bringing the bountiful amounts of items to help both our community partners at Vivent Health and Courage MKE. Your support and donations continue to help support and feed the many in our community who so often go without a meal.

We also continue our Courage Winter Madness Clothing Drive, now, through the end of the month. Once again we are collecting winter type clothing for our LGBTQ+ Youth, who may be homeless, out on the streets, or just in needs of warm winter clothing. Please consider joining our effort in providing our youth a warm winter. More information about our clothing drive can be found below.

In just a few weeks times, November 14th to be exact, our Annual Congregational Meeting will happen in person. This is the time that we come together as a faith community and discuss on the business matters of our congregation. This year we will have the opportunity to vote on the slate of candidates to form our board of directors. If you have an interest in being a part of the leadership of this church and would like to be a part of the board of directors, take a moment to speak with me and complete an application, to be a candidate for our board. Board Applications must be completed and returned no later than Sunday, November 7, 2021.

Plans continue, as we join forces with our siblings at Angels of Hope MCC, hosting the North Central MCC US Network Gathering the weekend of November 19-21, 2021. This gathering is not limited to just our clergy and lay delegates, but open to all of our MCC folks throughout network of churches.

Sponsorships and tickets are STILL AVAILABLE for our Annual Anniversary Fundraiser: "A Night of Cabaret!" We are excited that we will be at the fabulous SKY LOUNGE in American Family Field, with our Emcees and Hostesses with the Mostess, Karen Valentine, Maple Veneer and Dita Von on hand, helping make this the best anniversary celebration ever. I also hope you will plan to join us November 20 & 21, 2021, by getting involved through our sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, and attend our Fundraiser on Saturday, November 20th followed by a spectacular Anniversary 50th Anniversary Worship Celebration on Sunday, November 21, 2021.

Now, If all that isn’t enough to keep you busy, I invite you to join me this Sunday at 11:00am for In-Person Worship or later Sunday afternoon for our Virtual Worship Service, as we continue our stewardship series BEING GENEROUS. We continue this week with: “Being Generous with our Treasures.”

Virtual worship can continue be found on our Facebook and YouTube pages, in the later part of the afternoon on Sundays. We ask that you keep watch on these pages for when worship has been uploaded. Due to the high traffic on internet usage on Sundays, and now that all faith communities have started returning to in-person worship, uploads have been taking longer than expected.

For those in our church family, who continue social distancing, and have not returned to in-person worship, we hope you taking advantage of keeping connected through our virtual worship service that is available online Sunday afternoons. We invite you to take advantage and continue to worship with Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church virtually, until you are ready to resume with us for in-person worship. 

As always, I Invite you to take a moment to scroll down to view these announcements and the many other special announcements, connected to the life of our congregation and community, as we continue to be the vibrant, inclusive, and progressive community of faith that we are.

Regardless of how you continue worshipping with us, and as we move forward, you welcomed in our home and into our community of faith!

May God’s blessings continue to be with each of you!

In Christ!
Scripture: Romans 12:3–8 (The Inclusive Bible)

In light of the grace I have from God I urge each of you not to exaggerate your own importance. Each of you must judge yourself soberly by the standard of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members – so all of us, in union with Christ, form one body. And as members of that one body, we belong to each other. We have gifts that differ according to the grace to each of us. If your gift is prophecy, use it in proportion to your faith. If your gift is ministry use it for service. If you are a teacher, use your gift for teaching. If you are good at preaching, then preach boldly. If you give to charity, do so generously; if you are a leader, exercise your authority with care; if you help others, do so cheerfully. 
This Sunday we CONTINUE our Stewardship Series:
"BEING GENREOUS WIH OUR TREASURERS"
Over the next several weeks, we will take time to explore how, as good stewards, we can continue BEING GENEROUS with our time, talent and treasures.

We continue the series this Sunday with:
"BEING GENEROUS WITH OUR TREASURERS"

REMEMBER ...
You can also connect with us for Virtual Worship on our Facebook Page or YouTube Channel,
Sunday afternoons through our
links below to our Facebook and YouTube pages.
Join us Saturday November 20, 2021
for
"A Night of Cabaret"
Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church's
Annual Fundraiser & Silent Auction
There is still opportunities to get tickets and/or to sign-up to do a sponsorship!

We are excited to announce that we are having our Annual Anniversary Fundraiser "A Night of Cabaret" on Saturday, November 20, 2021, this year being held at the fabulous SKY LOUNGE inside AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD!

This year Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church will also be celebrating
our 50th Anniversary as a Vibrant, Inclusive, Progressive Community of Faith, here in the Greater Milwaukee area. Being an important anniversary celebration for Milwaukee MCC this year, additional plans are being made to continue the celebration on Sunday morning, November 21, 2021, also in the SKY LOUNGE for our Anniversary Worship Celebration followed by a No-Host Brunch also to take place at the Sky Lounge following worship.

Complete details and information to obtain sponsorships and tickets for this awesome event can be found by clicking:
DON'T FORGET TO HELP Pack the Pantry THIS Sunday October 24, 2021
Remember, every Fourth Sunday of the month has been designated as
PACK THE PANTY SUNDAY.

Pack the Pantry Sunday is a time for
you, the people of the church to come together and help support our partnered organizations Food Pantries.

Our Pack the Pantry donations will go towards supporting:
VIVENT Health Care Food Pantries & Courage House MKE

Bring your items THIS SUNDAY and place them on the pantry table
in the Narthex.

Don't have time to shop? No worries! Make a monetary donation toward
Pack the Panty and we'll do the shopping for you!

If you forget to bring something this Sunday, you can bring your items on any other Sundays as well! You can
also make arrangements to drop things off at the church by contacting the church office to set a drop-off time!

Click below to obtain a list of Pack the Pantry items:
Order and Shop with SCRIP and Make it a WIN-WIN for Both You and Our Congregation!
Continue to shop with SCRIP, making it simple and easy to shop virtually.

By purchasing and shopping with SCRIP Cards, you can continue to shop in your normal way, whether in person or virtually, while continuing to support Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church.

Order forms can be obtained by clicking below on the SCRIP ORDER FORM LINK below. You can mail your payment to the church by using one of your tithing envelopes or going online and using our online giving portal, noting in the comments that your payment is for SCRIP Cards. SCRIP Orders will be mailed to you once received.

Our NEXT ORDER DEADLINE is:
Sunday, October 24, 2021

Drop your forms and payment in
the basket on Sunday mornings, or you can send them in the mail to
the church.
Courage Winder Madness Clothing Drive 2021
NOW through October 31st help us
by bringing winter clothing items
for the Courage Winter Madness
Clothing Drive 2021

Each year we collect athletic socks, gloves/mittens, hand warmers, hats and scarves, as we help our homeless LGBTQI+ Youth keep warm during the cold winter Milwaukee months.

Don't have time to shop? No worries! Make a monetary donation toward
our clothing drive and we'll do the shopping for you! Let's out do last year's efforts!

HELP US KEEP OUR
HOMELESS LGBTQI+ YOUTH WARM THIS WINTER!

Your items can be dropped off in the Narthex on the Courage Winter Madness Drive Table!
2022 Stewardship Campaign is Happening

This we have decided to build our Stewardship theme on: “Shining Our Light Towards the Future.”

Through your continued gifts of time, talent and treasure have not only blessed our church, but the local community, and the wider world, for the last 50 years. It has been through the generosity of those who have made and make pledges commitments each year, that we have been able to extraordinarily expand our effectiveness as a community. We have been able to reach out in new ways with the radically inclusive good news of Jesus’ love, literally in Milwaukee, and around the world.

We invite you to think just what might be possible if everyone of us made our financial pledge as an act of faith and how much more your gift if able to do when we come together, just like the early disciples who responded to those who were naked, hungry, and imprisoned without counting the cost.

Your pledge is one, that is of your time, talent, and treasure, and we invite you to make your 2022 pledge starting Sunday, October 3rd through Sunday, November 28th.

You can complete your 2022 pledge card in person at church or for faster access you can do you pledge online by clicking on:
Calling ALL Potential
Board of Directors Candidates
Applications are now available for those individuals in our congregation who may be interested in serving in leadership as a member of our Church Board of Directors.
 
Applicants must be a good standing member. In you're interested being a part of our leadership, information and further qualifications, along with receipt of an application can be obtained by contacting Rev. Tory or any church board of directors member.
North Central MCC US Network Gathering
November 19-21, 2021
Our MCC Network Churches haven’t met together (in-person) in over
two-years, and we felt it was time
to reconnect the Network Family
back together again.

This gathering is open to ALL
MCC Folks throughout our network and beyond.

Join us for a Spirit-filled weekend as we reunite in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as we are hosted by Milwaukee MCC & Angels of Hope MCC Events and Gatherings will take place at both Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church and the Sky Lounge at American Family Field.

We are excited to have Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow (Senior Minister at
MCC Detroit), and out other Network Clergy who will lead the programming side of our gathering.

For complete details and registration information you can click on this link:
Join us for IN-PERSON & ONLINE for our next
Theology-on-Tap
November 4, 2021 at 6:30pm
Join us for IN-PERSON & ONLINE for our next
Theology-on-Tap
November 4, 2021 at 6:30pm
This gathering will be hosted in a Hybrid Fashion

Join us in-person at:
Hamburger Mary's
Hunty's Social Club
(the old Arcade bar)
734 South 5th Street, Milwaukee
starting at 6:30pm

~ or ~

Join us via ZOOM at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86055363676

As in the past, if you're attending in person, the first beverage is on us along with some munchies to feast on, while we gathering. If you're joining us online, then grab your favorite beverage and some snack type foods and join in on the awesome discussion. 

For questions and more information, feel free to contact the church office by calling 414-383-1100
or by email at info@milmcc.org
POZ SPIRIT Gathering
for those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS every Second Tuesday of Each Month
Our Next Gathering will be Tuesday, October W, 2021
7:00pm to 9:00pm

POZ SPIRIT is a monthly gathering for those infected with HIV/AIDS providing a safe, respectful and supportive environment Friendship, Networking, Resources, Peer Support Education and Spiritual Support. This gathering is open to all men who identify as HIV/AIDS positive. 

The group meets the first Tuesday of each month from 7PM to 9:00PM in the Community Room at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church. Light snacks are served, and reservations requested but not required.

Contact the church office
(414-383-1100) or send an email to hivministries@milmcc.org email by the Monday before each gathering!
A REMINDER ABOUT OUR CURRENT MASK PROTOCOL AT MILWAUKEE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH
In keeping with our commitment to inform you with the current protocols and decisions that are and have been made in relationship to the CORONAVIRUS, DELTA VARRIANT and MASK PROTOCOL.

As you’re aware, the DNA our congregation is comprised of many different variants. We have many who are older in their years, as well as those who have compromised immune systems. At the same time, we have folks who have had other illnesses that have affected their bodies in one form or another.

The board of directors and pastor have been in close communication over the past several weeks and after careful consideration, that beginning August 15, and until further notice, anyone attending any event (including worship) at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church, will be asked to wear a mask.

While we know that this may be an imposition to some, the board and pastor have the obligation of looking after the best interest of each and every congregant in our congregation, along with the responsibility or providing a safe and healthy environment.

For those who forget to bring a mask, one will be provided as you enter the building. We appreciate your sensitivity and respect to other individual’s personal wishes. If you aren’t feeling well, we ask you to please stay home. This includes fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

As hospitalizations due to the coronavirus and delta variant begin to start increasing again in Wisconsin, we wish to take every added precaution in order to keep everyone at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church safe and well.

We thank you in advance for respecting the decisions that have been made. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with any board member of our pastor.
If you auto-give, through your financial institution, or already give online, we THANK YOU. But, if you have typically placed your gifts in the offering plate each Sunday, we also offer other options when giving to the church.

There are several ways YOU can make either a one-time donation or even a recurring donation. Here are the ways you can make that happen:
  1. Through our Secure Online Giving Portal, or either of our two PayPal links. You can go to our Secure Online Giving Portal and/or our PayPal Giving Link for your regular offering or one time giving. You can also go through our regular PayPal Link if you’re wanting to start and set-up a recurring monthly giving for your offering. Click on either of the links below to make that happen.
  2. You can mail your offering via check or credit card by using one of the pre-printed offering envelopes that have been distributed to all our members. Simply insert your check in the envelope or complete the information on the inner flap, should you choose to donate by credit card, and return it by mail. If you are in need envelopes, please contact the church, either by leaving us a message or emailing us at info@milmcc.org. We will be happy to send some to you.
  3. You can send your offering via check in a regular addressed envelope to: Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church, 1239 West Mineral Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204.
  4. You can go to our website at www.milwaukeemcc.org/giving to do your giving.
Click link above to do a regular
offering or one time gift through our Secure Giving Portal
Click link above to do a regular
offering or one time gift
Click link above to set up a monthly recurring gift
As a board, we are praying with you, and for you. We look forward to the day when we can once again gather and worship together. In the meanwhile, please continue to follow the social distancing guidelines outlined by health officials to keep you and your family safe.

Please prayerfully consider making a gift to support your church, so that we can continue to meet the needs of the congregation.

Peace and Blessings,
Milwaukee MCC Board of Directors
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