As we celebrate LGBT+ history month in the UK we also celebrate 50 years of LGBT visibility. It was 50 years ago, 1972, when the first Pride march took place. The theme was “The personal is political”.
Over the last half century the UK has come a long way, and life is now very different to way it was 50 years ago. Not that there’s not still a ways to go; Ensuring that discrimination cannot be legitimised because someone slaps a religious label on it. Support for the rights of our trans and non-binary siblings. And there’s a way to go before neurodivergence is universally understood, and celebrated, rather than always being seen as a problem to fix.
And worldwide so much more change is needed. Last week, in Iran, two young men were executed for being gay. Two young women in Mexico were brutally raped, tortured, and murdered for being lesbian. If we in the West do not speak up for those with no voice, then who will?
In our weekly bible study we’re looking at some of the bible’s characters. So far we’ve looked at Esther, who works with the eunuchs in order to gain power and then help her people; and King David, who grows from pretty boy shepherd to warrior king. This week we’re looking at Deborah, who’s story throughout the ages has been victim to the kind of patriarchal misogyny that has hidden many of God’s people from history. Deborah is a judge and a prophet. Even the military leader, Barak, won’t go to war unless she’s there with the army. The oldest passage in scripture, penned around the 12th century BCE, is a poem about Deborah. And yet Rabbi’s and Theologians have historically focused, not on her role, but on who her husband might have been. As if she needed one!
The theme for Pride this year is: The arc is long – from Dr Martin Luther King’s famous speech where he said that “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice”. I think that the saying is true, but after 50 years of Pride I’m just beginning to see how long that arc truly is.
I hope you have a wonderful LGBT+ history month, and that I get to see you soon!
Much love
Rev. Michael
If you’d like to contact me you can do so by emailing me at pastor@thevillagemcc.org.
Thank You!
A big ‘Thank You’ to Robert Douglas, who has agreed to step into the role of Lay Delegate until our next annual Church meeting. The role of the Lay Delegate is to ensure that healthy communication flows between the Denomination (MCC), the clergy (Michael), and the Laity, (church members and friends). If you have any questions, or queries, then he’d be happy to talk to you. Thanks again Robert!
Sunday February 6th in-person worship service at
Dorset gardens Methodist Church – 6pm.
The service is recorded and then, when available, posted on Facebook.
On the Sundays when the church is not meeting in-person, please join us for ‘Sunday Connection’ on Zoom at 6pm
The events are recorded and then, when available, posted on Facebook.
Recordings are all available on our Facebook page.
Zoom : 504 390 105, code 2020
Community Prayers.
Lord, we lift Wendy as she recovers from surgery. We are saddened to hear that she needs further surgery and pray that her operation will be scheduled sooner rather than later. Please be with her family as they support her.
We lift all those recovering from Cancer, and those who are still shielding. The world is a scary place with Covid still a danger to health. Please be with us all as we navigate these difficult times.
Many of us are lonely Lord, help us to reach out for comfort and support. Many of us are grieving Lord, help us to not feel alone. Many of us are frightened Lord, be with us as we face our fears. Help us to to help others who may need comfort and support too.
Be with our church as we continue to find ways in which we can be Christ in the world when so many of us are in need ourselves. Help us all to look after ourselves, so we can look after others. Be the Grace that warms our hearts and draws us into your love. In your name Lord. Amen.
If you would like to add a prayer to the newsletter then please email me at pastor@thevillagemcc.org. – Michael x
The 2021 Northern Lights Photographer of the year.
Yes, I know, hardly church stuff, but I’ve always found the Northern Lights to be mystical in nature, a phenomena that reminds us how small and vulnerable we all are, and how sacred and precious we all are too. These photographs are beautiful, and I’ve popped the link in HERE so you can have a look if you like.
General Conference 2022
Read about all the wonderful plans for this summer
click HERE
Keeping up to date with MCC Internationally
Do you receive emails from the MCC denomination? There are updates on the way churches around the world are meeting this crisis, along with prayers, support, and much much more. If you would like check out what newsletters are available then please email:
Sarah Barber is our Lay Delegate, and a link with the denomination. Please contact her at the church email address if you would like to know more about how The ‘Village’ MCC fits into the International Church.
Pasto
ral Care Team – 07476 667353
Pastoral care continues. Call or text the church mobile and leave a message, and someone will get back to you. When the pandemic first broke we tried to reach out to everybody at least once a month. As time has gone on we have reduced our pastoral care calls to those who have either requested them or are at high risk. Of course we don’t want to miss anybody out so if you would like to connect then please let us know
Would you like to give a gift to aid the work of the Village MCC?
Giving to The Village MCC.
‘The Village MCC’ is self-financing, we do not receive any central funding. If you would like to support the work we do, there are a number of ways to do so.
Regular giving:
If you would like to set up a regular monthly Payment to The “Village’ Church, which is the best way for us to budget for our work, Please email the treasurer at; thevillagemcc@outlook.com, you will then be sent the details of how to do this.
Single donation
If you wish to make a single donation You can send a direct payment from your bank account using the following details From the UK:
• Lloyds Bank
• sort code 77-91-29
• account number 40361660
• account name The Village MCC
• Please use the reference ‘Collection’
Please also email the Treasurer at thevillagemcc@outlook.com to let them know to expect a payment. • There is also a donate button on the Church Website at thevillagemcc.org if bank transfer is not possible. If you do not have access to the internet, you can still make a donation with your debit card. Please email the Treasurer at; thevillagemcc@outlook.com to arrange a phone call to make this payment.