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More than 350 persons gleefully gathered on Saturday evening for Drag Bingo, helping us raise just over $13,000 for our ministries at Resurrection. They ate everything our kitchen could produce until we ran out of food. They were generously tipping the performers, who were excellent. These Drag Queens and Drag Kings were not lip-synching but belting out songs with sass and style using their own voices. We are so grateful for all the volunteers in the kitchen, on the stage, coordinating, selling bingo cards, inviting friends, everyone—you did a great job!
I was pleased to be able to introduce the LGBTQ Liaison for the Houston Police Department to you – Officer Jo Jones. She had been on alert, paying attention to the chatter, and assisted in getting the overwhelming police support we had in preparation for the protesters who showed up. She was blown away by the much-deserved standing ovation you gave her. This is the first time since I have been your pastor that we have had protesters come to our campus for anything. But with our current political climate having hyper-focus in the Texas Legislature against all things that bend rigid gender stereotypes (72 anti-trans pieces of legislation attempted last session), we had protestors.
It is ironic to me since drag queens, worn out and ticked off from mistreatment and harassment, launched the current LGBTQ equality movement with the protests that are known as the Stonewall Uprising, which lasted for days. Drag Queens are just one of the many identities finding a home within the transgender umbrella. Our protestors charged that allowing gender-diverse persons around children was child abuse, similar to what the Texas Legislature keeps repeating while they scare parents who are prayerfully trying to support their own kids. Sometimes drag humor is sharp and biting, born out of the violence and marginalization of a community that is being attacked. Sometimes it is frivolous and haughty, sharing a barb with a wink. Drag, at its core, is a protest and always will be.
Recently on All Saints Day, as part of a litany of saints, we included “Saint Simeon Bachos the Ethiopian eunuch, who was welcomed by the early church as part of God’s creative diversity, pray for us.” I’ve always appreciated Luke’s placement in the journey of the early church, the Ethiopian eunuch, who was a flamboyant official for Queen Candace, front and center. The early church, this Jesus protest movement, expanded to Samaritans first, then the gender-diverse with Saint Simeon, even before Saul’s conversion to Paul and any outreach to Gentiles.
This upcoming season in the Texas Legislature looks to be as misinformed, challenging, and just downright hateful of our transgender siblings. Perhaps it’s time to remember the early church's priority on inclusion and ensure we are faithful allies amid these attacks.
For all the children,
Rev. Troy
PS: Need a lift? Experience last week’s worship service HERE.
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Thanksgiving Day Lunch, November 24, 2022, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
All are welcome to the Thanksgiving Day Lunch
November 24th from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
Thanksgiving Day Lunch, Food, and Volunteer Sign-Up for November 24, 2022
Registration for food items and volunteer sign ups will be before and after church October 30, November 6, November 13 and November 20 in The Gathering Place and online.
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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From Social Media to Social Ministry
6 Week Instructional Course on using digital marketing as discipleship for churches wanting to grow their virtual membership.
A pre-COVID study released a stat of the church report ranking "online church" as the last concern of church leaders. Three weeks later, COVID-19 closed the doors of every church on earth, forcing them online. Now church leaders everywhere are asking - what does digital ministry look like?
Curriculum:
From Social Media to Social Ministry - A Guide to Digital Discipleship
Available in the Church Bookstore or on Amazon
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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The Empty Chair
Dealing with grief and loss is a unique experience for each individual. If you are looking for ideas to help you process your grief or simply want to be in community with others to share stories, and explore feelings in a safe environment, then join us.
Saturday, November 12, 2022, and November 19
10 am - 12 pm
Tammy Garner, who hosted several grief seminars at Resurrection MCC in the past,
will facilitate both grief support sessions.
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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Low: An Honest Advent Bible Study
This Bible study will incorporate the birth accounts of Jesus in the Gospels and explore what was most important to each Gospel community. We will also encourage a daily devotional discipline using John Pavlovitz's book Low: An Honest Advent Devotional which is available in Inspirations Bookstore for $8. This conversation will be Wednesday's 7 pm-8:30 pm on November 30, and December 7, 14, and 21 in the Gathering Place. Bring your Bible and let's get low together.
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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As we approach the season of restoration and renewal, let us do so by exploring ways the Psalms help to rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits. The Book of Psalms are not just songs of praise, but food for our souls.
Jeffrey Campbell will facilitate this discussion of select psalms, using “Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation,” a book written by Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes, published during the heart of the pandemic. Participants will reflect on the words of the psalms and discuss how the psalms can be a refreshing source for healing, hope and freedom.
Thursdays, December 8th - January 19th
Virtual
Check Planning Center for Full Schedule
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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Service of Remembering and Healing, Thursday, December 1, at 12 noon in the Sanctuary Prayer Corner. Led by Rev. Elder Troy Treash, this service will include the lifting of names, the lighting of candles, and our own stories for healing.
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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Do I Stay Christian?
This six-week group will look at what it means to be Christian. What is the most important part of what we believe? Who is allowed to be a part of the group? Why do we believe what we believe? Are you disillusioned or disappointed with your religious identity? Do you or have you doubted what you believe?
This group brings us the newest book by Brian D. McLaren, "Do I Stay Christian?" as we look at these questions and more.
Wednesday evenings from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
October 26-November 30, 2022
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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ACT - Acceptance, Committment, Therapy
Mindfully moving through and beyond life’s painful experiences This workshop will focus on learning skills we can use to work through trauma, address relationship obstacles and issues, and become intentional about how we live our life.
REGISTRATION REQUESTED
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BRUNCH BUDDIES
Join us for continued fellowship after service. November 20th, 12:30 PM Brunch Buddies is at Arandas, 920 N. Shepherd Dr. Join Us! Menu
PLEASE RSVP
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VIRTUAL BRUNCH BUDDIES
Join us online each Sunday for Virtual Brunch Buddies. Each week we visit the same restaurants online with our in-service friends. Zoom starts at 12:30 PM Join us here
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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!
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Deep and Wide Daily Devotionals is by Resurrection MCC family member and author, Dr. Larry Ponder, who provides us with a year's worth of inspiring messages of God's inclusive love. Each daily meditation explores how we can live our personal goals of love in action - meant to be shared. Want to know more? Watch Dr. Larry's YouTube video HERE. There are books available in the Resurrection book store.
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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! | |
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. | |
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!
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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). | |
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
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