Celebrate Father's Day

As was the case with Mother's Day, Father's Day is going to feel a bit different this year. For those who are accustomed to doing something special with their Dad on Father's Day, some traditions may have to change this year. For those who have lost their dads or have no relationship with their dad, this might be a year where the pain of that loss is particularly close.

During worship on Sunday, we will be having a special blessing for our fathers and for the fatherly figures in our lives. We invite you to bring photos of your father(s) or fatherly figure(s) to the space in which you worship. We will ask you to hold or touch the picture(s) during the blessing -- or, if you prefer, simply close your eyes and draw on your memories of your dad.

We encourage you to think about inviting your dad to share worship with you on Sunday, or take a picture and send it to your dad or fatherly figure, and let them know your church prayed for them on this special day.

MCCGSL Celebrates Landmark Supreme Court Ruling

Today, in the hallowed halls of the U.S. Supreme Court, history was made. After decades of work by activists, lobbyists, and everyday folks marching in the streets or simply talking to family members, it is now illegal to fire someone because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Human Rights Campaign president Alphonso David said this decision is a "landmark victory for LGBTQ equality."

Supreme Court analyst and University of Texas law professor, Steve Vladeck said, "Today's decision is one of the court's most significant rulings ever with respect to the civil rights of gay and transgender individuals. On its terms, the decision is only about discrimination in the workplace, but it inevitably opens the door to a host of other challenges to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status on the ground that it, too, is impermissible based upon sex. In that respect, only the court's 2015 ruling recognizing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage may be equally as significant."

Currently, we are facing so many adversities and challenges to human rights: the imperiled lives of Black Americans, the coronavirus, and growing anxieties over the looming election season. So while there remains much work to be done, today is a day to truly pause and celebrate. This ruling represents a tidal shift in the way America recognizes the inherent dignity of trans* and queer people of all types. In the 51 years since Stonewall, we have come out and proven our worth. Today, the Supreme Court honors what God always knew...what MCC has always taught...that every part of the rainbow, LGBTQIA+, is beloved, precious, and a part of the image of God that we call humanity.

Today, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we keep working to ensure that every life, especially Black Lives, are held and treated as sacred.

Black Lives Matter

Jesus left for us the work of reconciliation, justice, and renewal. In our community, this includes dismantling white supremacy and confronting systematic racism. We must start with ourselves and our community, so join us for upcoming programs to educate ourselves and one another. See our programming page on our Web Page for available programs.

Celebrate Pride This Month

This month, we will be focusing on LGBTQ liberation and how our liberation is wound up with the liberation of all people -- especially our BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) family. Throughout the month, we will explore people, movements, and ideas that have shaped the movement for LGBTQ inclusion and equality.

On Thursdays we Queer the Bible with Pastor Wes and Dr. Teresa O'Flynne. Join us as we de-code passages used against LGBTQ people and highlight positive stories of queer folk in the Bible.

On Sunday, we support Moms Demand Action Day Against Gun Violence by contemplating non-violence with Rev. Pressley Sutherland. Orange is the color of gun violence awareness, so consider wearing orange on Sunday and taking a photo of yourself to show your support.

Next Monday, think about joining our Book Club, celebrating the young voices in the LGBTQ movement by reading Rainbow Briefs by Kira Harp.

Continue looking for ways we will celebrate Pride in worship, films, and discussion all month. At the end of the month, we will continue our liberating work by turning our focus to ways we can use what we know to fight for the liberation of our BIPOC family.

Don't Give Up!

Last week, I shared one of my favorite poems: Wild Geese by Mary Oliver. Recently, Adrrie Kusserow wrote her own version of this poem.

As you read, think about how you might rewrite this poem during these times. What message do you have for yourself? What message do you have for the world? What might you let go of and what might you remind yourself of?

Mary Oliver for Corona Times
(Thoughts after the poem Wild Geese)
by Adrie Kusserow

You do not have to become totally zen,
you do not have to use this isolation to make your marriage better,
your body slimmer, your children more creative.
You do not have to “maximize its benefits”
by using this time to work even more,
write the bestselling Corona Diaries,
or preach the gospel of ZOOM.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body unlearn
everything capitalism has taught you,

(That you are nothing if not productive,
that consumption equals happiness,
that you are at your best when you resemble an efficient machine).

Tell me about your fictions, the ones you’ve been sold,
and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world as we know it is crumbling
Meanwhile The News barks at you, harsh and addicting.

Meanwhile a new paradigm is composing itself in our minds,
could birth at any moment if we clear some space
from the same tired hegemonies.
Remember, you are allowed to be still as the white birch,
stunned by what you see.

Even if your life looks nothing like the Sabbath,
your stress boa-constricting your chest.
Know that your antsy kids, your terror, your shifting moods,
your need for a drink have every right to be here,

remind yourself over and over,
all the swells and storms that run through your long tired body
all have their place here, now in this world.
It is your birthright to be held
deeply, warmly in the family of things,
not one cell left in the cold.

May you know that you are enough no matter what your days look like in these times. Remember to reach out to friends, family, and your pastors if you are wanting some company or are in need of being reminded of your importance in our family.

Just Be Your Own Beautiful Self

One of my favorite poets is Mary Oliver. Every morning, Oliver would go outside to welcome the sunrise, listen to the birds, and wake up alongside the natural world. She disciplined herself to writing every day, her observations of nature guiding her poetry. One of her most famous poems is Wild Geese, a poem that she says just came to her one still morning. Today, read this poem and let it seep into your soul. What comfort do you find in these words today? What challenges you? What gives you hope?

Wild Geese, Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

May you find peace, and grounding this day and this weekend. May you find assurance that you are a unique expression of God and you have an important place in the family of things.

Celebrate Mother's Day

This year, Mother's Day will feel different in every way. For those who are accustomed to taking their mom out on Mother's Day for a special meal or going out to do something fun together, you are probably planning something online or at a distance. For those who have lost their moms or have no relationship with their mom, this might be a year where the pain of that loss is particularly close.

So, during Worship on Sunday, we will be having a special blessing for our mothers or for the motherly figures in our lives. We invite you to bring photos of your mother(s) or motherly figure(s) to the space in which you worship. We will ask you to hold or touch the picture(s) during the blessing -- or, if you prefer, simply close your eyes and draw on your precious memories of your mom. After the blessing, you may wish to lay a flower next to the pictures as a remembrance of this special time.

Think about inviting your mom to share worship with you on Sunday. This might be a unique year you can worship together. Or, take a picture and send it to your mom or motherly figure, if feasible, and let her know your church prayed for her on this special day.