Dreaming Forward Continued:

Resurrection MCC Embraces Digital Ministry and Discipleship

I can’t wait to share some good news with you!

We are growing our church following online in leaps and bounds. This is a segue for our church into the future of worship and we are making strides. We are taking your vision from the November 2022 Dreaming Forward sessions and making ministry happen.

In December of 2022, a group of us envisioned a barrier-free, inclusive, online church community open 24/7, and available globally. We followed direction from the Nona Jones book “From Social Media to Social Ministry”. Nona has a highly followed and influential church ministry and is Head of Faith-Based Partnerships at Facebook. It's her job to teach faith communities how to stay connected and engaged through social media.

Resurrection MCC got on board! You can watch the RMCC virtual series From Social Media to Social Ministry about the “Why” and the “How” of creating this ministry for the RMCC community on YouTube HERE

While church membership for in-person worship may be challenging at times, we are creating momentum for our global audience with streaming services, virtual classes and social connecting.

Here is what we are working hard on for you:

Live streaming services: Churches are now live streaming their services online so that people who are unable to attend in person can still participate. For Resurrection, this includes LGBTQ+ people looking for a safe space to worship and a spiritual connection where an inclusive physical church doesn’t exist for them. This ministry also meets people where they are, shut-ins, those traveling, and those with mobility issues, and other physical challenges, with 24/7 accessibility - not just on Sunday at 11 am.

RMCC LiveStreams each Sunday at 11 am CST, with replays available on:

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDnLJ6BtBsnqCk8aI0MfTDEskZJ3A5XNL

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ResurrectionMCC/

Online sermons: Churches are also posting their sermons online, so that people can listen to them at their convenience. In addition to the 50-70 live streaming weekly viewers (up 172% since 2021), Resurrection has over 200 post-service views of our service each week on YouTube.

Here are the statistics you should know about. 740 people have SUBSCRIBED to our YouTube channel meaning they are guaranteed to get our content each week - because they asked for it. Our 2023 video views are up 15% over 2022. And our numbers are increasing every week!

Watch Here and Subscribe:

YouTube Replay Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmDzq6s0C_7fSfTwlQ_T5QQ

Social media: Churches are using social media to connect with people in their community and to share information about their church. The RMCC Facebook page has over 7.2k followers and our 1 year-old Online Church Community on Facebook has 340 members and is multiplying thanks to volunteers like Sandy Hardwick-Pettis our Online Sunday Social Media Moderator (from Costa Rica), Carol Kiesling (RMCC Ministry Intern from New Mexico) developing Online Church programming, Laura Seifert (Online Deacon), myself Suzette Cotto – Program Development and Social/Technical Support  and… most importantly, pastoral support from Rev. Denise, Rev. Mona, Rev. Vicki and Pastor Candace. Here's a link the the Resurrection MCC Online Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1708269556183327

Websites: Churches are also using websites to provide information about their church, its ministries, and its beliefs and values. We are proactively growing and managing the RMCC website and integrating it with our online communities. resurrectionmcc.org

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The Resurrection MCC Online Community and social media streams are powerful global connectors. If we feed people in the right ways, often enough, consistently, we will grow and we will prosper as a congregation.

It Takes a Village

If you want to join the Social Media Ministry Team, we need video editors, videographers, content writers, social posting schedulers and more. The plan for 2024 is to educate - and I promise that will start with me and our Leadership Team.

As the Lenten Season begins tonight with Ash Wednesday, we look forward to seeing you in our pews and online.

To view last week’s service, please visit HERE

We are (I am) blessed beyond measure. Let’s share that wealth! Come Grow with Us!

Love in Christ,

Suzette Cotto

Online Communications and Digital Ministry

Find me here: Email: Suzette@resurrectionmcc.org

PS: Happy Valentine’s Day 💓

PSS: Thank You and Big Love to our AV Team who works quietly behind the scenes to make our streaming and recorded ministry possible: Leon, Ken, Taylor, Fred, Connie, Bradley💓

Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday, Feruary 14th, 2024

At 7:00 P.M.

WATCH LIVE HERE

Campus Care Day

The Campus Care Team is responsible for assessing the condition of the facilities and site. The team meets monthly to plan and execute maintenance projects around our campus. The team also plans and participates in our monthly All Church Work Days. Meetings held on the First Tuesday monthly from 6:00- 7:00 pm in the Conference Room. 

Campus Care Day is usually the 3rd Saturday of each month. Times are for 3 hours and scheduled seasonally.

REGISTER HERE

ASL training Tuesday evenings at 7 pm - 8:30 pm beginning March 12 - April 9. Basic American Sign Language (ASL) training for individuals who want to learn sign language and communicate more effectively with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Ricky Harris and Zee Broussard will be reviewing/teaching beginning signs and moving into advanced signs.

REGISTER HERE

Walk To End HIV | AIDS Walk Houston

2024 Walk To End HIV Fundraiser benefiting the RMCC AIDS Benevolence Fund. 

The 2024 Walk to End HIV raises funds for Allies in Hope, an organization with a mission to end the HIV epidemic in the greater Houston area. Donation will go towards providing testing kits, supportive housing, therapy to clients, camp hope support, lab testing, and so much more. Together, we can ensure that individuals living with HIV have access to the resources they need to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Let's work together to end the HIV epidemic. Donations excepted HERE

REGISTER HERE

Don't Stop Dancing

You don’t stop dancing, because you grow old, you grow old, because you stop dancing!” RMCC, get ready for your very own LINE DANCE class starting February 15 from 7:15 – 8:30 pm in the activities building. The instructor is the line dancing King himself, Marco Greer. Get ready to twist, turn, sailor, slide to the left and slide to the right to the latest catchy tunes. Classes are held on Thursdays weekly through April 18. 

REGISTER HERE

Weekly Online Devotions - "On the Wings of Prayer”

Daily Prayers

by Dr. Kathy Culmer

If you want to connect to our Online Church, join our weekly devotional series on Facebook beginning February 14, 2024! We are embarking upon a new prayer and devotional series that is bound to be both refreshing and reflective of our spiritual values. Written by Dr. Kathy Culmer, On the Wings of Prayer: Daily prayers, thoughts and meditations to lift your spirits, will offer us hope and comfort during a time when so much in our world can make us feel challenged and estranged.

This is a Facebook group dedicated for those individuals who want to connect online for weekly devotions and spiritual connection. The first devotion will be released Wednesday February 14, 2024, and thereafter, a new post will be released weekly through February 2025.

Be sure to access the devotions on Facebook, where you can leave a comment about how each devotion has inspired and encouraged you for the week.

JOIN THE GROUP HERE

GOD TALK

Feb 8th - March 21

Virtual

Theology, or “God Talk”, is used to describe how we think and talk about God. Many LGBTQ+ people have been hurt by oppressive or toxic theology, the kind of messaging that describes God as condemning and cruel. This is a trauma than leaves scars on souls. Resurrection MCC strives to build community to heal those wounds and liberate people into the joy and freedom of a faith walk with a different kind of understanding about God, the God of Love. 

In this group we will discuss our imaginings of the Divine in our lives; we will hear from people whose partnering with God brings meaning and hope into their lives, and we will explore ways to expand or reframe our thinking to bring healing and liberation to each other. 

In 2024 our conversations move into how these belief systems guide us in navigating the world around us.  

This week's discussion is about how your faith affects/affected your "coming out" experience.

REGISTER

4th Friday Night Out - Houston

Juanita's Mexican Kitchen

11550 Louetta Rd

Feb. 23rd | 7 pm - 9 pm

PLEASE REGISTER

Grounded Virtual Book Discussion

Virtual Book discussion on Grounded by Diana Butler Bass. The author brings her deep understanding of Christian spirituality to an exploration of the diverse ways people today practice their faith, recounting stories of her own and others’ spiritual journeys. 

Meets 7 Wednesday evenings (1/31, 2/7, 2/21, 2/28, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20/24) No meeting on 2/14, Ash Wednesday. 

Facilitators: Cathleen Sheil-Hopper, Rev. Vicki Sheil-Hopper

REGISTER HERE

Resurrection MCC's Social Justice Ministry is about celebrating the diversity within our church family, giving a voice and outlet of supported advocacy for, and on behalf of members inside our MCC community and the community at large. 

This is achieved through specific ministry campaign development in areas where a need has been identified under the overall scope of Social Justice Ministry.

Current Campaigns include:

• Voting & Legislative Engagement
• Civil and human rights issues
• Local Civic Engagement
• Advocating for the Marginalized and Oppressed
• Immigrant Justice
• Creation Care & Environmental Sustainability
• Protecting and advancing the rights, dignity and freedom of the LGBTQ community
• Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities  

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/

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. Rehearsal times vary. 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! Email Teri@resurrectionmcc.org for more information.

PLEASE REGISTER

Board of Directors News

Your Board of Directors has been elected by you, the congregation of RMCC, to assure that the business of the church is conducted legally and ethically and that the church’s mission and purposes are supported to the best of our ability. The Board oversees management of the church’s finances and assets. It advises and consults with the Pastor on strategic planning, personnel appointments, and other administrative business.

The Board meets monthly, with additional meetings being called if needed.

You are welcome to attend the monthly Board meetings and to be informed about the church’s business. Beginning this month, we will publish the dates of the monthly meetings in the Mobilizer and provide you with a link to the proposed agenda. Following each meeting, we will publish a summary. All are welcome to attend and listen. For further information, please contact the Board’s Clerk, Cathleen Sheil-Hopper, at cathleen@resurrectionmcc.org.

Click Here for the summary of the January 22, 2024 meeting

Next Monthly Board Meeting:

Monday, February 26, 2024, 6:30 PM in the Conference Room.

Meeting notes will be available in the Mobilizer following that month's meeting.

Join us after service for in-person Brunch Buddies, Sunday, February 18th, 12:30 pm at Barnabys, 1936 Fountain View Dr.

View MENU

Join us for virtual Brunch Buddies on Sunday at 12:30 pm at the same restaurant venue as in-person.

Join the Zoom here at 12:30 pm

Toastmasters is every Monday, from 6:30 - 8 pm in the Gathering Place. 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 FindYourVoiceToastmaster@gmail.com for details. Toastmasters.org

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.

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

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.

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).

Rainbow of Hope 🌈Narcotics Anonymous is every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on our campus in the Gathering Place. 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.

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).