12 August 2022
Greetings!

Peace and Greetings to you!
 
I invite you to join us this Sunday for worship at 11:00am, at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church, as we come together for worship. This Sunday we CONTINUE our Series titled: STORY TO LIVE. Come engage with us as we consider the journey into your own story, within the overarching story of our whole lives are individual story, defining moment which make up an entire life. Join us as we think through our own stories, past but especially the present, defining the Hero (You as the Hero), the Problem, the Guide, the Plan, the Call, the Consequences and the Decision.
 
There have been so many reports of Monkey Pox going around and it’s now here in Wisconsin. The various health departments now have available for those who qualify in our LGBTQI+ community on a first come first serve basis. Please take a moment to read the information below with the prayers and hope that you are taking care and being responsible for yourself with both Covid and now Monkey Pox spreading through our communities.
 
I’m not one to usually promote frivolous holidays, but I couldn’t resist and share, that this Sunday marks Gay Uncles Day, or as we like to call it in our community GUNGLE’S DAY! Gay Uncles Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in August, and It’s a day to celebrate and increase the visibility of gay people to encourage more people to come out. With the long history of discrimination against the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community in the country. Gay Uncles Day or Guncles Day is an important celebration of the confirmed bachelors in our families. It is also a way for gay people to receive important validation from their families, which they may have been denied since they came out. It is also a day to celebrate the continued presence of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ relatives among families, despite social and familial pressures. So, take a moment this Sunday to celebrate the Guncles in our lives.

Continue to SAVE THE DATES of SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2022, which will be our KICK-OFF SUNDAY & Potluck, along with, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2022, which will be the Citywide Interfaith Picnic being held at Humbolt Park. This year we will honor our First Responders and remember all those that were lost during 9/11. And of course, save SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2022, where we will once again come together for our 7th Annual Anniversary Gala “A Night of Cabaret!” This year’s event will be held at the spectacular Milwaukee Domes. More information will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead as plans get underway.
 
As always, please take a moment to scroll down for these announcements and the many other special announcements, in the life of our congregation and community, as we continue to be the vibrant, inclusive and progressive community of faith that we are.

In Christ,
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

As regards love for other believers, there is no need for me to write you. God already has taught you to love one another, and this you are doing toward all the sisters and brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we exhort you to even greater progress. Make it a point of honor to lead a quiet life and attend to your own affairs. Work with your hands as we directed you to do, so that you’ll be a good example to outsiders and not be dependent on anybody.
Join us for IN-PERSON WORSHIP
this Sunday 11:00am

We CONTINUE our Series:
This Sunday we CONTINUE our Series STORY TO LIVE.
Engage with us as we consider the journey into your own story, within
the overarching story of our whole lives are individual story, defining moment which make up an entire life. Join us as we think through
our own stories, past but especially the present, defining the Hero
(You as the Hero), the Problem, the Guide, the Plan, the Call, the Consequences and the Decision.

Join us this Sunday as we continue our series with:
"THE LOVE WE HAVE"

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.
Money Pox Vaccines Now Available for the LGBTQI+ Community
With the high outbreak and reported cases of Monkey Pox in the State of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) currently
recommends vaccination for people with known exposure to someone with monkeypox, and people with certain risk factors who are more likely to be exposed to the monkeypox virus. 

Vaccine is open to individuals 18 years and older who live or work in Wisconsin and meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • People who had skin-to-skin contact with an individual diagnosed with monkeypox in the past 14 days.
  • People who attended an event or venue where there was known monkeypox exposure in the past 14 days.
  • Gay, bisexual, trans, and any other men who have sex with men, who had multiple sexual partners in the past 14 days.  
 
If you do not meet these criteria, please do not make an
appointment as you are not eligible to be vaccinated at this time.

Monkeypox can spread person-to-person through:
  • Close physical contact (e.g., hugging, kissing, cuddling, massage)
  • Sexual or intimate contact (including oral, anal, and vaginal sex)
  • Touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox

Monkeypox does not spread person-to-person through:
  • Walking past someone with monkeypox
  • Casual conversation with someone who has monkeypox

You are not eligible for the vaccine if you have any of the following symptoms:
  • Fever or chills
  • Swollen glands
  • New skin rash or lesions

If you have symptoms of monkeypox, call your healthcare provider even if you do not think you had contact with someone who has monkeypox.

You can register and check for appointments at either of the two sites below:
Join us for
BRUNCH WITH THE PASTOR

Sunday, August 21, 2022
following worship at CENTRAAL Grand Café
& Tappery

Join Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church,
every THIRD Sunday of the month at 12:30pm, as we gather at
Centraal Grand Café & Tappery
2306 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue
Milwaukee 53207

Mark your calendars and remember to join us at our next brunch
Sunday, August 21, 2022.
Join us for some good food,
exciting conversations and awesome
fellowship with one another.

A reminder that Centraal Café has parking across the street from the restaurant or on the street.
Join us for IN-PERSON
as we kick-off the new programming year at Theology-on-Tap
September 1, 2022 at 6:30pm

Join us for IN-PERSON
for our next
Theology-on-Tap
September 1, 2022 at 6:30pm

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

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
Don't Forget to CELERATE Your GUNCLES
AUGUST 14, 2022 for GAY GUNCLES DAY!
Gay Uncles Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in August and takes place on August 14 this year.

It is a day to celebrate and increase the visibility of gay people to encourage
more people to come out. With the long history of discrimination against the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community in the country.

Gay Uncles Day or Guncles Day is an important celebration of the confirmed bachelors in our families. It is also a way for gay people to receive important validation from their families, which they may have been denied since they came out. It is also a day to celebrate the continued presence of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ relatives among families, despite social and familial pressures.
DON'T FORGET TO HELP Pack the Pantry
Sunday, August 28, 2022

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 SUNDAY, August 28th 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.

This month's ORDER DEADLINE is:
Sunday, August 28, 2022

Drop your forms and payment in
the basket on Sunday mornings, or you can send them in the mail to
the church.
POZ Spirit Gathering
Saturday September 3, 2022
12:00pm

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 now meets the first Saturday of each month from 12PM to 1:30PM in the Community Room at Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church. A light lunch is 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!
Research Study on LGBTQI+ Inclusion be Conducted

Are you an adult (18 years or older) who identifies as LGBTQ+ and attends an open, welcoming, and affirming church? If so, please consider participating in a research study. The purpose is to learn about LGBTQ+ people who have found a home in an inclusive, LGBTQ+ affirming congregation, because most other research on this topic has examined LGBTQ+ people who have left churches due to experiences with sexual prejudice.

Participation involves an online questionnaire, which includes an essay (a spiritual autobiography). You will be offered a $15 honorarium for your participation in this survey.

To learn more about the study, please go to https://tinyurl.com/3B3SRWAY
for a video introduction, or to https://tinyurl.com/2P93XY5T for a written description. This project has been approved by the Dickinson College IRB (protocol #1050)

If you have any questions, please contact Megan Yost (she/her), Associate Professor of Psychology and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA) at yostm@dickinson.edu or leave a message at (717) 798-0036.
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
From our Denomination
Our denomination is doing vital work around the world.
Check out some of the ways you can get connected.
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