Photo Credit: Kathy Hanas

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
- Matthew 11:28
STAYING CONNECTED WITH SUNCOAST MCC, FEBRUARY 26, 2021
A welcoming, diverse and active community. We share God's love in a spiritual environment offering truth, trust and transformation!
Sunday Worship Information
Did you know we are holding In-Person Worship Services on Sundays on our Church Grounds Outdoors?
All Are Welcome.
Please join us at our in-person outdoor Worship Services.

We miss seeing everyone and are enjoying social distant Worship Services each Sunday!

The music, messages and fellowship are wonderful and uplifting.
"O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt Our Creator's name together."-Psalm 34:3
Rev. Vickie Miller
Rev. Nancy Wilson
Sr. Co-Pastors
SunCoast MCC
Registration Required for the Sunday Outdoor Services
(also live-streamed)

Register in advance so we are able to properly plan for a safe and socially distanced Service.
Our Next Worship Service is on
Sunday, February 28 at 10AM

Holy Vessels: Safe Keeping
(Community Health) 
In this second Sunday in Lent, we hear the wonderful anthem, “Love Can Build a Bridge,” between your heart and mind! 

We need many bridges to be built in our country, literally, and symbolically! Our infrastructure, things that hold us together, seem to be crumbling!

There are growing gaps in income equality. Young people today face an uncertain future in terms of employment and opportunity. All this is made worse by racism and the fact that for some reason, we are willing to accept a level of hunger and poverty in our country that is unlike any other developed democracy in our world. Why?

What did Jesus say and do about this? What is our role, as a church of love, healing and compassion? How do we connect across boundaries and model the change we want to see?

Scripture: Matthew 8: 5-13
Inclement Weather: If the outdoor service is cancelled due to inclement weather, we will Live Stream so you can join us at 10AM for a live service. If you have difficulty with the Live Stream, the recorded Service will be available on the website and YouTube at 4PM on Sunday.
SunCoast MCC Virtual Choir
Take a moment to enjoy a beautiful performance from our Virtual Choir and prepare your heart for Worship
Join the SunCoast MCC Virtual Choir
The Choir will be rehearsing and recording "God Is We."

If you would like to take part, please let Dr.Katz know by THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28.
Here is our recording and rehearsal schedule:

  • Sunday, March 7 at 7:00 p.m.--Rehearsal on Zoom (Link will be sent later)
  • Wednesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m.--Record Part 1
  • Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m.--Record Part 2
Join Us for our Lent Series
Advance Registration for our Lent Series is Required!
Sign up in advance either online (using the links below) or by calling the church office.

In-Person Outdoors Small Groups (limited to 10 people per group):


Tuesday, March 2 at 2PM                         
Sign up by February 28 

Monday, March 8 at 2PM                        
Sign up by March 5 

Thursday, March 18 at 10AM                 
Sign up by March 15

Virtual Session:
Use the Link Below to Join the Group
Thursday, March 25 at 7PM  

Meeting ID: 811 6073 1125
Passcode: 292001

Each of us is created as a precious and holy vessel of embodied love. We have been through a harrowing time since last Lent that has shattered our sense of wholeness–body, mind, and spirit–like a glass vessel fractured into pieces. In this Lenten “season of recovery” for our physical, communal, mental, intellectual, and environmental health, we will explore the healing narratives of Jesus that tell of divine solidarity with human suffering and remind us that we can begin a journey toward making something beautiful from that which is seemingly broken. Beach glass offers us a multifaceted symbol of this transformative process.
We encourage everyone in the congregation to take on this 40-day Lenten practice: 

  1. Read the daily devotion and
  2. Commit to attending one small group discussion/gathering. 
Bible Mystery: Who was the Beloved Disciple?
Save the Date!!! March 9, Tuesday at 7PM Zoom
Tradition says that the Beloved Disciple, who the Gospel of John says, “lay on the breast of Jesus” during the last supper, was John.

But was it? And, why does it matter?

There are other theories about who the Beloved Disciple might have been . . .

Join Rev. Nancy and others for time of fellowship and sharing of this mystery that comes up during Lent every year. Bring your Bible and an open mind!


Celebrate Black History Month
Did you know that Martin Luther King, Jr.'s mother was also assassinated while she was serving her church and community? In 1974, Alberta Williams King, was killed as she played the organ during Sunday services at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
Profiles in perseverance
"You may not know their names. But these courageous Black Americans changed history."
Published February 1, 2021
Every Black History Month, we tend to celebrate the same cast of historic figures. This year CNN has a series of articles for each day of the month focusing on 28 Black people who have made a significant impact and who most people have never heard of or know about their contributions to our country and use the link below to see each of those being honored throughout the month.

Source: CNN (Link Below to view entire article).
Celebrating the Work of
Rev. Carolyn J. Mobley-Bowie
Rev Carolyn was ordained as a Christian Minister in 1995 by the General Conference of Metropolitan Community Churches, held that year in Atlanta, Georgia.  

After fifteen years of service as the Associate Pastor at Resurrection MCC in Houston, Texas, she returned briefly to her native Florida, where God first anointed her as a singer, whose voice and love for God has often inspired others to respond to the love of God.  

She has served our denomination and movement as staff, supporting the Clergy Connection Program, as an Interim Pastor in Tulsa, OK, in Richmond, VA, and in Waterford, MI. 
 
While living in Richmond, Rev. Carolyn and her life-partner, Rev. Adrain were legally married, twenty plus years after their original Service of Holy Union. Presently she serves as Co-Leader of the North Central US Network of MCC.
Celebrating March Birthdays and Anniversaries
‌
01-Sonny Molina
08-Maryellen Bradley
08-Chris Shelger
10-Scott Swonger
13-Renee Worthington
22-Terrie Bennett
23-Ryan Clapham, Jr.
24-Vicotria Lesko
26-Richard Plummer, II
28-Pat McGowan
28-Piper Singeisen
28-Gene Wolfgang
30-John Greene
30-Paula Jacobson
01- Charlene & Liz Bisordi
Important Updates and Reports from Your Board of Directors
Weekly Financial Report
Weekly Offering

Thank you for your continued support and generosity, especially in light of these challenging times. Based on our new monthly mortgage, we are updating the weekly expense needed to $4,800. For the weeks ending February 14th and February 21, we collected $4,919 for the General Fund* and $1,860 for Pillars**.

Together, let’s keep our General Fund and Pillars accounts liquid.

*Funds the church's operating expenses (i.e., utilities, salaries, maintenance of property, worship/multi-media expenses, bank fees, internet, copier, office supplies, tithe, etc.)

**Funds the church's mortgage, insurance & taxes.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
-1 Peter 4:10
Your Board at Work

On Saturday, February 20, the Board of Directors gathered by Zoom and held a three hour retreat to review our role and purpose for serving SunCoast MCC.

We discussed the spirituality of leadership and spent time getting to know the gifts and talents that each of us brings to the Board. We analyzed our progress and accomplishments of this past year and what was learned from this unique time.

After much brainstorming, the following goals were developed for 2021:

  1. Strategic Planning - Create and complete a three year strategic plan prior to the 2021 annual meeting.
  2. Finances - Create a plan to increase our financial resources in order to fulfill our mission.
  3. Facilities - Analyze and prioritize all building and grounds needs.
  4. Communication - Create a plan to expand communication methods with the congregation during these challenging times.

Even though the Board continues to meet twice a month, this time was dedicated to renewal and future plans. It was a very meaningful and productive one.

Your Board misses you and would love to hear from you.

You can contact us at:
From Your Pastoral and Congregational Care Team
Your need for comforting and lifting prayers are important to us. We ask everyone to join us in prayer for:

Dave W • Laura M • Darwin B •
Bill B • Joe • Greg H •
Tim H • Joe D • .
Doug B • Micki H • Julia G •
Randy M • 
Sharon F • Tammy R-N. • 
 Carla P • Maggie B •
Remembering Bruce O'Neill, SunCoast MCC Member
On Sunday, February 21, 2021, Bruce O'Neill's family honored him by placing his name on the SunCoast MCC Tree of Life

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”- Revelation 14:13
From the Reopen Team
If you are not feeling well, or have symptoms of COVID, please do not come into the church building or to our outdoor events until you have quarantined for 14 days or test negative.  

If you have tested positive for COVID, please do not enter the church building until you have tested negative for the virus. Also, do not come to our outdoor events if you are positive and until you have tested negative.
  • Registration is required. Attendance will be taken when you arrive.
  • Maintain 6 feet distancing and wear a mask at all times.
  • Follow instructions by Ushers.
  • Do not move the chairs. They have been sanitized and properly spaced.
  • Restrooms are available on a limited basis.
  • Use designated containers to dispose your empty communion cups when you exit.
From the Programming Team
Trivia is on hiatus until March 15th.

Bragging Rights for February 22nd:
  • 1st place tie Cindy and Cindy; Terrie, Lisa and Audrey
  • 2nd place - Mary and Maryellen
Support Your Church
Luck of the Irish Raffle
Win half of the pot!

Limited tickets for sale at $20 each. Purchase your ticket online or call the church office to arrange for an in-person purchase.

The pot already has $660 (extended from last year's postponed St. Patrick's Day raffle).  Let's keep the pot-growing!  

Drawing on March 21 during worship
It is time to update our records and make sure we have the most current information from our members, families and friends.

Please take a minute to complete the contact information form that can be found using the link below.

This information will not be shared in the directory without your permission.
MCC Update
You are not going to want to miss this.
The entire service is now available on video for you to watch and celebrate.
We Care: We are here to support you! Click on the links below to contact these ministries.
3276 E. Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34292
(941) 484-7068
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 10AM to 3PM