Sex, Bodies, Spirit – The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 3)


This is part of an ongoing informational and discussion series by Metropolitan Community Churches that advance this topic among clergy and churches from any denomination.   All are invited to attend!

Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline and Malachi Grennell are the authors of an exciting blog about sex, bodies, and spirit (sexbodiessspirit.net), and they are bringing their passion and expertise to a monthly gathering on Adobe Connect that will address issues of sex and spirit, in order to further advance this concern and educate all of us around the ongoing need for our churches.

Watch the Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christian Part 3

Sex, Bodies, Spirit – The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 2)


mcc-webinar-sex-bodies-spirit

This is part of an ongoing informational and discussion series by Metropolitan Community Churches that advance this topic among clergy and churches from any denomination.   All are invited to attend!

Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline and Malachi Grennell are the authors of an exciting blog about sex, bodies, and spirit (sexbodiessspirit.net), and they are bringing their passion and expertise to a monthly gathering on Adobe Connect that will address issues of sex and spirit, in order to further advance this concern and educate all of us around the ongoing need for our churches.

Watch the Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 2)

 

Sex, Bodies, Spirit (Metropolitan Community Churches)


mcc-webinar-sex-bodies-spirit

Over the past year, MCC has witnessed a renewal regarding the intersection of sexuality and spirituality. First, they enjoyed the online symposium in fall 2015, followed by monthly discussions, and then they experienced a stimulating workshop at the MCC General Conference 2016.

They are now delighted to announce an ongoing informational and discussion series that will advance this topic among clergy and churches from any denomination.   All are invited to attend!

This is also opportunity for MCC clergy to fulfill the continuing education requirement for annual licensure.

Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline and Malachi Grennell are the authors of an exciting blog about sex, bodies, and spirit (sexbodiessspirit.net), and they are bringing their passion and expertise to a monthly gathering on Adobe Connect that will address issues of sex and spirit, in order to further advance this concern and educate all of us around the ongoing need for our churches.

The group will meet on the third Thursday of each month from 3:00 to 4:00 PM Eastern Time (generally 7:00 – 8:00 pm UTC), and will qualify for continuing education credits for MCC clergy (.5 units per session).

This is open to all people, whether clergy or lay. This opportunity is offered free of charge.

 


View past sessions on-demand:

August 2016: The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 1)

September 2016:  The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 2)

October 2016:  The Roots of Sex Negativity in Western Christianity (part 3)

January 2017: Sacred, Not Secret (Part 3): Beyond the Norm (Kink/BDSM)

February 2017:  Sacred, Not Secret (Part 4): Non-Monogamy


 

Justice and Love in Action: Anti-racism Strategies for Preaching and Worship (Metropolitan Community Churches)


mcc-webinar-justice-love-action

In view of ongoing unrest in the world, including but not limited to racialized violence in the U.S., as well as the distress many felt during and after the MCC General Conference, especially as it may have reflected the continuing power of white privilege/supremacy, misogyny, and U.S. domination/imperialism, the need to help clergy address racism in preaching and liturgy seems more acute than ever.

Utilizing presentations and discussion, this two-part webinar series began with the importance of self-reflection and awareness. Anti-racism resources and strategies utilized in MCC congregations were presented, along with how this work impacts pastors and the congregation. Participants gained skills for facilitating conversations about racism and white privilege. Specific resources were identified. These webinars were facilitated by Rev. Dr. Robin Gorsline and Rev. Dr. Elijah C. Nealy and can be viewed by clicking on the links below.

Watch Part 1 of Justice and Love in Action

Watch Part 2 of Justice and Love in Action

 

Book Study: Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God (Metropolitan Community Churches)


MCC-Book-Study-Stand-Your-Ground

The book Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God (Orbis Books, 2015) was written by Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas (Episcopal priest and professor at Goucher College, Maryland) as one black mother’s response to the killing of Trayvon Martin and others. She goes back into the history of the United States and its colonial origins to demonstrate that white privilege and entitlement have been part of the American “DNA” since the inception of our republic.

After situating the current context historically, Douglas then offers some theological thoughts about how the Justice of God intersects with the treatment of black bodies. Her discussion is provocative yet measured; she is not a radical voice calling for anarchy or revolution in the streets, but rather a mother wondering if her son will return to her alive when he goes out for an evening with his friends.

This book group will be conducted in six installments and facilitated by Rev. Dr. Tom Bohache and Rev. Elder Diane Fisher on Tuesdays from 4 October through 8 November, 2016, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM US Eastern Time (8:00 – 9:30 PM UTC) in Adobe Connect.

Registration is limited to 15 and at a fee of $50 USD.

Click here to register. Continuing education credit applies for clergy, but this is open to all. The book is available at Amazon.com in both paperback and electronic formats.

Mentoring Matters for MCC (Metropolitan Community Churches)


Mentoring-Matters-for-MCC

Many, many of us have been fortunate enough as leaders to have good mentors along the way, those more experienced people who have supported, guided, counseled, encouraged, and challenged us to stretch and grow.

This webinar lead by Rev. Lisa Heilig understands that mentoring can happen in a variety of settings and in a number of ways. The commonality is that mentoring is about relationships.

If you want to learn more about mentoring, feel like you may be called to be a mentor, or you want to enhance the mentoring you already do, please join Lisa for this two-part series by clicking on the links below:

Mentoring Matters for MCC Webinar, part 1

Mentoring Matters for MCC Webinar, part 2

 

MCC Emerging Church Training – Part 1 in Four Modules (Metropolitan Community Churches)


mcc-online-course-emerging-churches-training-program

Goals of the Training Program:

  1. Orientation to MCC and the Emerging Church Program
  2. Tools to create diverse and inclusive MCC churches
  3. Build organizational skills directly related to not-for- profit formation
  4. Learn how to inspire and empower small groups and volunteers
  5. Increase personal awareness as a ministry leader
  6. Form a Proposal or Action Plan for a specific Emerging Church
  7. Build a cohort of colleagues engaged in MCC Emerging Church Development

Part 1 will focus on Goals 1-4

Training Program Format:

The Emerging Churches Training program is offered in two parts, four (4) modules for each part, designed as a collaborative experience with synchronous and asynchronous learning activities and specific tasks to equip the Church Developer. The hybrid presents modes of engagement to meet various learning styles.

Part 1, is an On Demand self-guided mixture of online readings, videos, toolkits and reflection questions.  After each of the four (4) modules, participants are offered a syncronous touch point.

Part 2 adds webinars and cohort conversations to the readings, videos, and toolkits, Those who complete Part 1 are eligible to enroll in Part 2.

 

Part One 

Four modules with video, readings, toolkit and reflection questions for each module that is engaged On Demand at the participants pace. This is an asynchronous approach that allows for consultation following each module.

  1. Orientation to MCC in the 21st Century – In this session, participants with, or without, previous MCC experiences can engage materials and reflect upon what ministry, mission, community, and church may mean as the 21stcentury unfolds
  1. Introduction to the MCC Emerging Church Models – The landscape of new church development includes multiple models and in this session many methods and models are discussed including options for MCC Emerging Churches.
  1. Building through Diversity – Intersections of race, orientation, gender identity, class, ability, theology, culture, and language all form a unique community of faith. These intersections affect each community and are building blocks for an effective MCC Emerging Church.
  1. Core Team and Small Group formation – exploring dynamics and leadership skills to form a Core Team and then Small Groups in order to create a new church.

Cost for Part 1 is $40.  Click here to register.   After payment has been made you’ll be able to view all materials.


 

Module 1 – Orientation

Readings  (PDF on Google Drive)

  1. Welcome to MCC
  2. Strategic Plan Brochure
  3. MCC Statement of Faith Full Report
  4. Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson – LMR Lecture 2014
  5. A church visit Epiphany
  6. What does it take to be an MCC church developer

Videos

  1. Modern vandalism of an MCC, August, GA, USA
  2. MCC in the 21st century – Video by Rev. Rachelle Brown

Optional:  Movie “Call Me Troy” download in English and with Spanish subtitles

Assignment – Submit Module 1 Reflection Questions document (Word doc in Google Drive)

 

 

Module 2  Intro to MCC Emerging Church Program

Readings  (Available on Google Drive)

  1. MCC Emerging Church Process Folder
  2. Emerging Church Development Guide
  3. Glossary
  4. Modern Church Movements
  5. Modern Church Movements & MCC (PowerPoint)
  6. Dear Church – Article
  7. Churches Could Fill Their Pews – Article
  8. Modern Church Movements Select Bibliography

Toolkit (Review – download for future referrals)

  1. MCC Emerging Church Process Folder
  2. Emerging Church Development Guide
  3. Glossary
  4. Partnership Covenant

Video (Available on Google Drive)

Module 2 Models  – Video by Rev. Rachelle Brown

Assignment – Submit Module 2 Reflection Questions document (Word doc in Google Drive)

 

Module 3 – Diversity

Readings (Available on Google Drive)

  1. Multicultural Readings Folder
  2. Diversity and Inclusion Working Definitions
  3. 3 things you might not have considered about Multiculturalism
  4. Doehring – Introduction
  5. Post Colonial Theology Folder
  6. Postcolonialism.Kwok
  7. Cheng -Rainbow Theology Ch 6-7
  8. Postcolonialsm and Liberation

Toolkits for Ministry (Review – download for future referrals)

  1. Be Inclusive – Gender Identity
  2. Be Inclusive – Language Training
  3. Be Inclusive – One Sheet Handouts

Video (Available on Google Drive)

Module 3 – Diversity and Inclusion – Video by Rev. Rachelle Brown

Assignment – Submit Module 3 Reflection Questions document (Word doc in Google Drive)

 

 

Module 4 – Core Team and Small Group Formation

Readings (Available on Google Drive)   Module 4 

  1. Core Team Formation Folder
  2. 7 proven insights for Leading Volunteers – Article
  3. Innovate – Leadership Article
  4. Moving from Leadership 1-0 to 2-0
  5. 7 tips for planting a New community – Marketing article
  6. Chapters – Expotential by Ferguson
  7. MCC Confidentiality Agreeement
  8. Small Group and Ministry Team Formation Folder
  9. Guidelines for Dialogue
  10. Introduction to Ministries and Teams development
  11. Welcome Team Formation
  12. Sample – Thank you for attending – template

Toolkits – Small Group Resources (Review – download for future referrals)

Films and Books

Holy Conversation Series

Video (Available on Google Drive)

Module 4 – Core Team and Small Groups – Video by Rev. Rachelle Brown

Assignment – Submit Module 4 Reflection Questions document (Word doc in Google Drive)

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Employment Law (Insurance Board)


Are you concerned that your Church may have exposures as a result of what it is doing and not doing with respect to its paid employees? Are you aware of the potential exposure to you and your Church due to the utilization of unpaid workers in teen, youth, and children’s ministries? Join us for a fast-paced one-hour on-demand webinar to learn what you need to know about these and other issues.

View this on-demand webinar (Adobe Connect required)

 


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over the online courses or online offerings provided on this site. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with online offerings. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or online offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or online offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.

Revolutionary Christmas Carols: Luke’s Advent Story (Ched Meyers)


Source: Ched Meyers

Learn more about this religious on demand webinar

 


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over the online courses or online offerings provided on this site. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with online offerings. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or online offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or online offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.

Jerusalem: The Holy City: A History of Jerusalem from Ancient Canaan to Modern Israel (UCLA)


Source: iTunes U

The content of this on-demand course will focus on the transformation of sacred space as reflected by literary and archaeological evidence by examining the testimony of artifacts, architecture, and iconography in relation to the written word. We will study the creation of mythic Jerusalem through event and experience.

Instructor: Robert R. Cargill, Ph.D.

Watch this on demand course (iTunes req.)

 

 


Disclaimer: Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL) seeks to provide individuals with information about religious, spiritual, or faith-based online resources from a variety of sources. Sacred Space Online Learning does NOT claim ownership over this online course or online offering. Sacred Space Online Learning is also NOT responsible for the accuracy of the materials, the content, the way they are advertised or taught, or the costs associated with this online course or offering. The views and opinions expressed in this online course or offering are those of the creators and/or the persons appearing in the online class or offering. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of SSOL, the OFLD, or MCC. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the creator(s) of the given online course or online offering.