Mark Brown has accepted our offer to serve as our new Worship Arts Minister! Mark currently serves as Music Minister for the mother church of our denomination, MCC Los Angeles. Before coming into MCC, Mark gained invaluable experience on the worship staff of two huge churches in the northwest United States.

His first Sunday here will be July 20!

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The Moderator and spiritual leader of Metropolitan Community Churches, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, will speak at our 6:00 pm worship service on June 29.

That same weekend, Rev. Wilson will be a featured speaker at a conference here in Indianapolis sponsored by the Evangelical Ecumenical Women’s Conference.  For more about the Conference, pick up a brochure at the Info Desk or visit the website: A Place at the Table 2008.

In late August, Vivian Wyatt will begin a nine month internship here at Jesus MCC. Vivian is a seminary student at Earlham School of Religion in Richmond. She is one of a handful of Cooper Scholars, meaning she has been given a full merit scholarship by Earlham. She will be Jesus MCC’s first staff intern!
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The picture below shows Phases One and Two of our soon-to-be-installed new playground. Phase One has been ordered and will be delivered some time in June. (Phase Two was included in our design for future planning purposes, and will be added when funding is available.)

This Children’s Ministry expansion was made possible by part of the proceeds of the recent Art Auction and several special donations.

Many, many thanks go out to everyone who made the auction such a success.

We’ll be installing this playground equipment ourselves — under the direction of a supervisor provided by the equipment supplier. Watch your Weekly News for details!

It’s pretty amazing, really, that any of us are able to sustain relationships.  Yet we do.  Some of us enjoy long, meaningful, rich relationships full of love, life and aliveness.  Others of us live in cocoons where we protect our love from what we perceive as harmful forces — employers, churches, neighbors, families, and even our friends.  More of us, however, weave our way in and out of relationships seeking answers and understanding.  Searching.  Floundering.  Fearing.  Exploring.  Enjoying. Wondering. Am I meant to commit forever?  Is it possible to create life-long relationships?  Is there anyone sane out there to date?  If so, where are they?!

Join Michele O’Mara, LCSW on June 7, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm here at the church to learn some of the following important lessons about love and relationships:

• Understanding love and attraction.
• Identify the healthy stages of relationship development.
• Know your relationship vision and how to attract and keep the partner you desire.
• Develop how-to steps for your personal relationship success.

Registration
Cost is $30 per person, and scholarships are available.  To register, go to Michele O’Mara’s website, and register for Relationship Workshop 101.

If you need a scholarship, please contact Melody Merida.  This workshop is required for those who are planning weddings or Holy Unions at Jesus MCC!

For the past eight years, Dave Calvert has faithfully served as our Church’s ASL Interpreter. Dave has interpreted the 11:00 am worship service and also led our ASL Choir. Dave works as a full-time ASL interpreter in the Perry Township School System, has served as President of the State interpreters association, and has also recently launched his own private interpreting business that is growing rapidly. Given these demands, and after much prayer and thought, Dave has decided to resign as our ASL interpreter, so as to have more time to devote to both his professional and personal life. May 18 will be his last Sunday as our Interpreter.

Dave loves our Church and is excited about what God is doing here. He plans to remain an active member.

Pastor Jeff has begun dialogue with the ASL Choir and the Board of Directors to assess where our ASL Ministry stands and evaluate our future options. We will be working hard to find a new leader for our ASL Choir. We will also explore options for finding another interpreter, although the market for interpreters is extremely tight, especially for Churches.

Please be sure to express you deep appreciation to Dave for 8 years of incredible service Sunday after Sunday after Sunday!

Did you know that one person dies from malaria every thirty seconds?

We have the opportunity to help change those alarming numbers for the better. In May, we’re going to donate our time to help direct cars to parking at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. By doing that, we can raise funds to provide mosquito nets, which help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne malaria.

The money will go to support mosquito net manufacturing and distribution by the New Community Project, a nonprofit Christian organization that provides assistance to people and communities in need around the world. Representatives from NCP visited Jesus MCC in September 2007, as we began to explore ways Jesus MCC can make a positive difference for some of the neediest people around the world.

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It’s been a long time coming — but it’s finally here! The hopes and dreams of many people are being realized with the grand opening of the Jesus MCC Church Library!

Much of the initial collection was donated by Dennis and Sammy Wellman, and many others have donated books, hard work, and many hours to make this worthy project happen.

We’ll be open for the first time on Sunday, May 18, between the morning services and after the 11:00 am service, and at 5:00 pm, before the evening service. Join us in celebration!

Watch your bulletin for opportunities for service in the library, and a list of needed books and resources.

In January, Becca Huttsell, a member of Jesus MCC’s Missions Board, took a two-week trek to the country of Sudan, Africa. She went at the invitation of New Community Project (NCP), a nonprofit Christian organization that provides assistance to people and communities in need around the world.

David Radcliff is the Founder and Director of NCP. He visited Jesus MCC in September 2007, as we began to explore ways Jesus MCC can make a positive difference for some of the neediest people around the world.

Becca says about her trip, “What I learned is that the people in southern Sudan require continued aid, protection and humanitarian assistance due to injustice and atrocities. They have suffered in silence and invisibility for too long. I pray that we, the congregation of Jesus MCC, will find a way to help bring hope to the people in this troubled land.”

New Community Project has found a way to be the hands and feet of God in action. Heads are now raised that once bowed low.

After we have gathered enough information, the Missions Board will prepare a proposal for how we can help. Continue reading for Becca’s complete report.

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Childhood Memories — Adult Dreams!

That’s the theme for our 2008 Art Auction, and you won’t want to miss it! This Auction will raise funds for our Children’s and Missions Ministries.

This Auction is not just a fundraiser, it’s an event! We’ll have an over-the-top extravaganza beginning with the art preview and amazing food at 6:00 pm.

We will bring back fond memories of childhood, with a gourmet twist on favorite foods from another era. We’ll be entertained by a magician, a balloon artist and a face painter, then the auction will begin at 7:30 pm.

Kids under 13 are admitted free — but please let us know they’re coming, so we can make arrangements.

Tickets are on sale at the church on Sundays for $20, or patron packages of 10 tickets for $150. To reserve tickets or to advertise in the auction program, please email us.

Exciting news! The brand new Family Oasis that kicked off last month with a three week trial was a smashing success. We had an average of 15 adults and 8 children each week! Those families who joined us on this brave new adventure have decided to continue meeting every other Wednesday as the Family Oasis.

We will be starting fresh this Wednesday, February 27 with the study of a wonderful book, On Being a Gay Parent by Brett Webb-Mitchell. This book deals with complicated issues such as coming out to your kids, navigating the school system and the challenges your children might face there, surviving the holidays, and much more. The best part — it’s written with a Christian perspective.

For more info, contact Melody Merida at (317) 722-0000 or mmerida@jesusmcc.org, or just join us on Wednesday evening.

Devotions for Holy Week: During Holy Week, we’ll offer several special devotionals as part of Be Still and Know.

Easter Egg Hunt, March 15, 11:00 am to noon. All kids are invited to join us for cool games, exciting prizes and lots of eggs to find!

Palm Sunday Service, March 16, 9:30 am, 11:00 am, and 6:00 pm, to mark the start of Holy Week.

Maundy Thursday Service, March 20, 7:00 pm. We will gather to celebrate a traditional Jewish Seder meal, which marks the start of Passover. This is the meal Jesus would have shared with his followers the night before his death. Maundy Thursday is a “hands on” way to connect the Old Testament stories with the New Testament resurrected Christ.

Good Friday Service, March 21, 7:00 pm. A somber, contemplative service with stunning music and drama.

Have you ever thought about what Jesus’ disciples thought and felt when their Master was betrayed and crucified? That will be the focus of our powerful Good Friday Service.

We’ll hear from John and Peter about what appeared to be the loss of their dreams. They will show us what that group of Jesus followers experienced as that Passover weekend unfolded. Their lives would be altered forever, as their dreams were nailed to the cross with their Messiah. Join us for The Loss of a Dream.

Easter Services, March 23, 9:30 am, 11:00 am, and 6:00 pm. Join us as we celebrate together the power of resurrection!

Sunday February 24, at all 3 worship services — A Celebration of Black History!

• Gospel Choir
• Praise Dance Team
• Deacon Robert Ferguson will be preaching.
• Soulfood Potluck after the 11:00 am service (bring a side dish to share).
• Catered Fried Chicken Dinner after the 6:00 pm service.

Invite your friends!

Where do you fit in?  What is your hope?  Where do you find love?  Where does God fit into your life?  Here is the place to come to feel safe from the world and to open your heart.  Express — Live — Discover.  Together let’s find that wonderful person within.

This new Oasis begins Sunday, February 3, at 3:00 pm. All are welcome!  This Oasis is open to

• Anyone living as a transgender person,
• Those whose interests and expressions are outside of typical cultural norms for their birth gender, and
• Those seeking to better understand.

Do you like working with people from different cultures? Are you fulfilled when you can help others to help themselves? Do you realize how blessed we are, and would you like to share those blessings with others? If so, you may be interested in a new Ministry Team that is being formed — The Navajo Nation Ministry Team.

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On Sunday, January 20, we’re kicking off an exciting program for sixth- to eighth-graders! The group will meet at 11:00 am on Sundays, plus there will be plenty of social, service, and retreat outings. Using outstanding resources and a variety of texts, this program will be honest, relevant, and fun.

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You are cordially invited to a dinner to be held at our Church on Thursday evening, January 24, at 7:00 pm. The dinner is free and will provide a wonderful opportunity for getting acquainted and building friendships. The menu will feature homemade Ravioli (both meat and cheese). After dinner, Pastor Jeff will share:

• An assessment of our strengths and weaknesses as a Church;
• Proposed church-wide goals for 2008; and
• Existing and proposed church staff structure.

After the briefing, Pastor Jeff and the Board will ask for feedback, questions, and comments. The information shared at the dinner will help us prepare fully for our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 27, at 12:30 pm. Make sure you’re in the loop! You must RSVP if you plan to attend the dinner — either fill out the form in Sunday’s bulletin, or email the church office.

Being a parent can be the most thrilling, heart wrenching, and rewarding experience you’ll ever have. But the truth is, parenthood is the easy part — all you need to do is to have a child. Parenting calls for real soul searching and a willingness to ask difficult questions. Parenting demands a clear understanding of what we’re doing and why. It’s not for the faint of heart!

Beginning Wednesday, January 30 at 6:00 pm, and continuing on February 6 and 13, we will kick off our Family Oasis program with a three-week exploration of parenting to understand the ways your family history shaped you and how that history affects you as a parent. We will develop a perspective on parenting that allows us as parents to make intentional choices about the kind of family life we want to have. Those who hope to become parents are also welcome.

And there’s something for the kids too! We will offer nursery care for the younger children, and fun and exciting children’s group activities for children between kindergarten and 5th grade. We will have dinner together as a group and then disperse into our smaller groups. Dinner will be free.

Register today for your family’s spot in this exciting new program, and take a positive step toward building a strong family. To register, fill out the form in Sunday’s bulletin, or email Melody Merida or call her at (317) 722-0000.

Thank you for your incredible generosity! Because of you, many people have had a brighter Christmas.

Through our Giving Tree tradition, 175 gifts were given to Indiana Youth Group and clients of the Damien Center.

And on December 15, our Homeless Ministry served breakfast and gave gifts and treats to our homeless neighbors at Horizon House. The Team served 150 hearty breakfast casseroles, which were purchased at cost from a caterer, using funds from the Homeless Ministry budget and some special donations. They also distributed 200 vouchers for free meals that were donated by McDonald’s, and 160 goodie bags filled with candy and cookies.

It’s pretty amazing, really, that any of us are able to sustain relationships. Yet we do. Some of us enjoy long, meaningful, rich relationships full of love and life. Others of us live in cocoons where we protect our love from what we perceive as harmful forces such as employers, churches, neighbors, families, and our friends. No one knows our love exists. Yet it does. More of us, however, weave our way in and out of relationships seeking answers and understanding. Searching. Floundering. Fearing. Exploring. Enjoying. Wondering… Am I meant to settle down, to commit forever? Is it possible to create life-long relationships? Is there anyone sane out there to date? If so, where are they?

Join Michele O’Mara, LCSW, on January 19 from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm here at the church to learn some of the following important lessons about love and relationships:

• Understand love and attraction and the impact of body chemistry on love,
• Identify the natural and healthy stages of relationship development,
• Know your personal relationship vision and how to attract and keep the partner you desire, and
• Develop basic how-to steps for your personal relationship success.

Registration
Cost is $30 per person, and partial scholarships are available. To register, go to Michele O’Mara’s website and register for Relationship Workshop 101.

If you need a scholarship, please see Melody Merida, or contact her at mmerida@jesusmcc.org or (317) 722-0000.

This workshop is required for those who are planning weddings or Holy Unions at Jesus MCC in 2008!