I know, yet another newsletter! There are a few things that I’d like to share with you and will be out of date by the time the next newsletter comes out. A reminder that Mary is hosting a wonderful spiritual gathering for women, that there’s a new place online to express yourself if you identify as an LGB or T poet; and that Andrew, (who often joins us for worship from the USA)  is hosting a multi-faith meditation that looks really interesting.

There’s even a new calendar of queer saints that’s absolutely amazing!

I pray that you are well. be safe out there. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

Love and blessings
Rev. Michael.

Are you a secret Poet?

My name’s Sam and I’m a queer poet and mental health practitioner based in Brighton. During the recent pandemic, I became part of Unheard Poetry, a small but growing organisation with a simple belief: poetry is for everyone.

Sadly, many people never have the confidence or the space to share their poetry. That is where we come in: we want to make poetry more accessible to all through translating it into multi-media formats and bringing poets, artists, and communities together.

For example, this is a poem we produced in our first series:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p5eodtYaIo&t=1s

One of our aims is to champion underrepresented perspectives and currently, we are curating a series that focuses on LGBTQ+ voices. Given that Pride could not go ahead in its usual form this year, we have chosen the theme ‘Pride and Protest’ to keep its spirit going.

We want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to engage with the project. This could be through submitting a poem, creating artwork in response to one, or audio-recording poems for us. All contributors have the option of being credited or remaining anonymous if they prefer.

Sending solidarity and best wishes,

Sam and Leo

You can contact Sam at sam.p.oliver@gmail.com

Over the weeks you will have noticed special music in our Sunday service. Offerings of music continue to come in and I’m so grateful for everyone who is contributing. If you’d like to have something considered for inclusion please email me and let me know! Pastor@thevillagemcc.org. Thank you.

Worship with us on facebook HERE

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP YOUR CHURCH REACH OUT THEN PLEASE SHARE THE SUNDAY SERVICE ON FACEBOOK!

Keeping up to date with MCC Internationally

Calendar of LGBTQ Saints:
A work in progress

Q Spirit covers saints, milestones in LGBTQ history, Christian liturgical seasons and other occasions of special interest to LGBTQ people and allies.

Saints without links are still under consideration for future articles. Most saints are listed on the date of their death (and entry into eternal life), in keeping with church tradition. This calendar is a work in progress that will continue to grow and change.

Articles were written by Kittredge Cherry for the LGBTQ Saints series at Q Spirit. Visit the saints calendar page here.

❤  Pastoral Care  ❤

Your pastoral Care team are the deacons, (Isla, Wendy, Charlie). 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 give them a call. All pastoral care is offered confidentially and information is only shared outside the team when we consider someone to be in imminent danger. Information is shared within the team on a need to know basis so that we can coordinate care. Much love – Rev. Michael.

A little note from Keith – The Village MCC treasurer

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.