401 West Monument Street

Baltimore, MD 21201
410.669.6222
www.mccbaltimore.org
Rev. Victoria L. Burson, Senior Pastor

MCC BALTIMORE E-NEWS

Week of November 8, 2015

A very big thank you to everyone who helped to make Unity Fellowship
Church of Baltimores 15th anniversary worship service on Sunday a
success! Once again, you showed your hospitality MCCB Style. A
special shout out to: Robin Gilbert for assisting with operations;
Melinda Ludy for assisting with facilities; LaTonia Newson-Lewis for
administrative assistance; Tika Gray for serving all clergy as adjutant;
Michele Weston for soundboard; Edward Mason for security; Rev. Angie
Jones-Ramirez for assisting the senior pastor and showing hospitality to
guest clergy; to the set up crew Deacon Yolanda Domneys, Jemel
Johnson, Coralis Weston, Lee Savoy, Terrell Worthington, Jay Davis,
James Wilson, Dzel McAllen, Nichol Williams, and Jo-Anne Ludy;
Roderick Hough and Pamela Griffin for freshening up the bathrooms;
and all of those other Unsung Angels who helped in any way up front,
behind the scenes, or just by your presence of being in the house.

I love you ALL!!

Lead Servant/Pastor V
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MCCB will be serving breakfast to the

homeless Veterans of Baltimore Station
on Saturday November 14, 2015 from
6:30 am - 9:30 am. The location is
1611 Baker Street, Baltimore, MD 21217.
Lets show our Hospitality to those who
have shown their Hospitality to us, and
continue to be the change we desire to see in the world. For
additional information, please contact Ministry of Outreach-Pamela Griffin (PamelaGriffin@mccbaltimore.org) to sign up
to volunteer.

The Baltimore Station is an innovative therapeutic residential

treatment program supporting veterans and others who are
transitioning through the cycle of poverty, addiction, and
homelessness to self-sufficiency. For more information, visit
http://www.baltimorestation.org/

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If you are interested in serving in Outreach, please see Ministry of Outreach-Pamela Griffin (PamelaGriffin@mccbaltimore.org).

Contact Lead Musician and Music Coordinator Lee Eudy

(LeeEudy@mccbaltimore.org) if you have a love of different types
of music and would like to have input into the music for worship.

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The Agape Praise Choir rehearsals

are on Tuesdays at 7:30pm. If you
have a love of music and singing
and would like to join Agape
Praise, contact Choir Coordinator,
Sharon Gill,
SharonGill@mccbaltimore.org.

Shekinah Glory Dance Ministry: If

you have a love to express praise
and worship through liturgical
dance, see Ministry Coordinators
Jemel Johnson or Monica Mays
before or after service or contact
Ministry of Worship--Lee Savoy
(LeeSavoy@mccbaltimore.org).
Rehearsals are held on Wednesday,
6-7pm.

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Midweek Prophetic Intercessory

Prayer On the Go
Wednesdays, 6:00-6:15am

641-715-3287, access code 614597#

PRESS *6 (OR MUTE) TO MUTE YOUR PHONE UPON ENTERING THE CALL

Meeting: Thursday, November 12th, 7pm

Graduation Celebration:
Official Sunday, November 15th

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Bible Study Remix

Date
11/11
11/18
11/25

12/2/2015

Why Am I in My Feelings?
Topic
Scriptures
Should I Forgive?
Forgiving My Debtors
Forgiving Self and
Forgiving God: Getting
Pass Shame and Guilt
I have trust issues.
What do I do now?

Matthew 5:23-24, Luke 17:34

Matthew 18:21-22, 6:14; Mark 11:25
1st John 1:9; Matthew 6:14-15;
Colossians 3:13; 2nd Corinthians
5:17; Hebrews 9:14; Ephesians 4:3132
Prov. 28:25-26, Prov. 3:5-6, Matthew
5:23-24; Galatians 6:7-10; Mark
11:25

Advent - The Coming of Christ

12/9/2015

Advent: The Coming of

Christ

Isaiah 7:14; Jeremiah 33:14-16;

Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 21:25-36

The Seven I ams

1/13/2016

1/20/2016

1/27/2016

2/3/2016

I am the Living Bread

and
I am the Light of the
World
I am the Gate and
I am the Good
Shepherd.
I am the Resurrection
and
I am the Life
I am the Vine and I am
the Way, the Truth and
the Life

John 6:51
John 8:12
John 10:9
John 10:11
John 11:25-26

John 14:6 and John 15:5

Lent: 40 Days of Wilderness

2/10/2016

Ash Wednesday No
Bible Study

2/17/2016

Lent: 40 Days of
Wilderness

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Isaiah 58:1-12;

Psalm 51:1-17; Matthew 6:1-6, 1621; 2nd Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Join us on Wednesdays 7-9pm; we will open with Intercessory Prayers, 7:007:15pm.For more information, contact Christian Education and Development-Vennece Fowlkes at VenneceFowlkes@mccbaltimore.org
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New members who

completed new
Seekers class and/or
those individuals who
have been baptized
will receive certificates
on Official Sundays,
which is the third
Sunday of the month. Please see Pastoral Staff if you have not
received your certificate. Just as there are many parts to our
bodies, so it is with Christs body. We are all parts of it, and it
takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have
different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each
needs all the others. Romans 12:4-5 (The Living Bible)
MCC Baltimores Childrens Ministry
has Childrens Church for youth
ages 4-12 every Sunday during our
10am Worship Encounter.

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black and white
Theyre precious in his sight
Jesus loves the children of the world

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Board of Directors
Meeting:
Tuesday,
November 17th,
7pm
Executive Session,
(Board members
only)

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Come out and radically praise God with our youth and young
adults, better known as Generation FIRE, for special worship
encounter services every fourth Sunday of the month! Our
next Youth and Young Adult Sunday will be NOVEMBER 22nd.
It is also Jeans Sunday and we are asking everyone to wear
their favorite pair of jeans!!
If you are between the ages of 13-35, and would like to keep
up with events geared toward the youth and young adults,
please see Ministry Coordinators LOreal Likourgos or Coralis
Weston or contact Ministry of WorshipLee Savoy
(LeeSavoy@mccbaltimore.org), so that you can keep up to
date on the awesome forward movement of the Youth and
Young Adults Ministry.
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November 25
7-8pm

MCC Baltimores Femininity Sunday

November 29

Speaker: Michael-Sean Adams

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Church Chat
Information Sharing and Updates

Sunday, November 29th

immediately following service

Friends and Allies

are welcome!

Annual
Congregational
Meeting

ALL MEMBERS
should be in
attendance (even if
you have not
completed new
Seekers class)

Election of Board of Directors Members

and Voting on 2016 Budget

Sunday, December 13th

immediately following service

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YOUR voice and

vote is needed!!!

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Soundboard Ministry: Do you desire to serve

the Lord, but do it from behind the scenes?
Have you considered working with the Sound
Ministry? The Sound Ministry is looking for
committed volunteers to work with sound
system. Please contact Communications
Leader, Sharon Redd
SharonRedd@mccbaltimore.org.

Weekly Announcements: Please

submit all weekly announcements to:
announcements@mccbaltimore.org.
Announcements should be received at
least two weeks prior to an
event. Please remember that all
announcement requests are due on
Fridays before noon. Late
announcements will be held until the
next week.

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Ministry of Outreach is sponsoring a Winter Coat Drive to help the

homeless in our community. Please donate new or clean, gently used
items.
**NEW**Coat donations will be accepted from now until
Sunday, November 22nd.
The Ministry of Outreach is also sponsoring a canned goods food drive
to help families in need for Thanksgiving. Pick up extra canned goods
on your next grocery shopping trip! You may also donate $1 toward
the purchase of canned goods.
Please contact Ministry of Outreach--Pamela Griffin
(PamelaGriffin@mccbaltimore.org) for more information
on these activities.
Your donations are tax deductible; please see Clerk Robin Thomas
for a donation letter.

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Capital campaign: We have a goal of

$10,000 to raise to help with the
balloon payment that will be due on
our mortgage in June 2016. To date,
we have raised 20 percent of our goal,
with approximately $2,000 raised
through your faithfulness in your
generosity. Please prayerfully consider and take an envelope (or two) and donate
the preprinted amount on the envelope. If all the envelopes are taken and
returned with the amounts designated, we will reach our goal. Please return
your donation preferably by the following Sunday, but prayerfully within 30
days.
Our totals for the month of October are:
10/4 = $432.00
10/11=$748.00
10/18=$222.00
10/25=$589.00
Total = $1,991.00

Each Sunday, we are accepting donations of loose change

to go toward our benevolent fund. As a church, we are
charged to take care those who are in need. To do this,
we ask that you save your loose change throughout the
week and drop it into the loose change jar during the
collection of tithes and offerings. Folding money is also
accepted!!
Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of
the church as an expression of fellowship], for such
sacrifices are always pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 (Amplified Bible)

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November 11 is Veterans Day, an annual U.S. federal holiday honoring military

veterans. The date is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in
other parts of the world and commemorates the ending of the first World War in
1918.
November 11 marks the beginning of Diwali (the festival of lights), celebrated by
Sikhs, Hindus, and Jains. The holiday is observed with decorating homes with lights
and candles, setting off fireworks, and distributing sweets and gifts.
November 12 is the Birth of Bahaullah, a day on which members of the Bahai
faith celebrate the birthday of the founder of the Bahai religion.
**NEW** November 16 is International Day of Tolerance, an international day
serving as a reminder for governments and their people to counter fear, hate, and
extremism with peaceful dialog, mutual respect, and universal understanding.
November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance, established in 1998 to
memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia and raise
awareness of the continued violence endured by the transgender community.
November 22 is Feast of Christ the King, the last holy Sunday in the western
liturgical calendar. This day is observed by the Roman Catholic Church, as well as
many Anglicans, Lutherans, and other mainline Protestants.
**NEW** November 24 is Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Sikh
commemoration of the martyrdom of ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.
**NEW** November 25 is International Day for the Elimination of Violence
Against Women. This is the UN observed day to remember and counter global
violence against women and girls.
**NEW** November 26 is Day of Covenant. Members of the Bahai faith
celebrate the covenant of Bahaullah; also celebrates the life of Abdul-Baha on
this day.
**NEW** November 29: Advent begins. Christians prepare to celebrate the birth
of Jesus. The Advent seasons begins on the Sunday nearest to November 30th and
ends on December 24th. Advent is the beginning of the Christian worship year.
**NEW** November 30 is Saint Andrews Day. It is celebrated as a national
holiday in Scotland and recognized around the world as the feast day of the Patron
Saint Andrew.
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November 13 | #worldkindnessday
Practice Random Acts of Kindness

But the Holy Spirit produces

this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness . . .

Galatians 5:22 (New Living Translation)

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Professional Symposium
Friday, November 13, 2015
The Professional Symposium is dedicated to helping medical, legal,
mental health, social service, faith-based, and education
professionals better understand and serve transgender and genderexpansive children and youth. Join local and national leaders for indepth exploration of best practices for ensuring every young person
is safe and supported, regardless of gender identity or expression.
Family and Youth Day
Saturday, November 14, 2015
The Family and Youth Day will
feature a broad array of workshops
and supportive spaces for parents;
separate programming for teens,
tweens, and kids; various
community-building opportunities;
and numerous resources to help
attendees support the gender
diversity of all children and youth. There will be an optional Family
Meet & Greet the evening of November 13 for families and youth
arriving early.
To learn more about our gathering, please
visit www.GenderConferenceEast.org or email us
at info@genderconferenceeast.org.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
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On Sunday, November 15th, MCC Baltimore will honor the

memory of our transgender brothers and sisters who have lost
their lives.

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Sermon Title: When Less

Is More

It is not what or how much

you give, but how you give

Speaker: Rev. Angela JonesRamirez

In the natural eye, we see

poverty as a problem.

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Giving is an act of worship
Give with an attitude of
gratitude.
Give from a place of sacrifice,
devotion to our Creator
Give your all to God

In the spirit, it is a source of

our power, letting go of power
and control.
Jesus saw the actions of the
widow as they prefigured his
actions. Jesus was going to the
cross, giving his all for us as
she did.

Need a little midweek refresher sermon? To order your copy of the sermon CD,
please see Communications Ministry Leader Sharon Redd
(SharonRedd@mccbaltimore.org) The CD will be delivered upon confirmation of
receipt of payment.
***NEW***Check out the videos of sermons on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mccb+soundboard or search
mccb soundboard.

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On Sundays, Be Sure
To . . .
Sign weekly attendance Sheet
Take advantage of the swipe for
e-giving before serviceno
waiting in line.
Fill out a prayer request card.
Check Welcome Table for
upcoming events and information
from the denomination.
Pick up a copy of Gay Life and
Baltimore Outloud.
Check bulletin board in hallway
for Board of Directors updates,
meeting minutes, and MCC
Baltimore coming events.
Update changes to your contact
information; see BOD Clerk Robin
Thomas.
Fill out an Image Release Form
and give to BOD Clerk, Robin
Thomas.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE

**NEW** THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (BOD)
IS LOOKING FOR COMMITTED PEOPLE TO
ASSIST WITH THE BUSINESS OF THE
CHURCH. TO SERVE ON THE BOD, YOU MUST
BE A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING AND
HAVE COMPLETED NEW SEEKERS CLASS.
PLEASE SEE ANY BOARD MEMBER FOR
MORE INFORMATION OR IF YOU ARE
CONSIDERING SERVING ON THE BOARD.
**NEW** THE BOD WILL BE PUTTING
TOGETHER A FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR
2016. IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH QUICK
BOOKS, ACCOUNTING, FILING, AND
COUNTING EXPERIENCE, PLEASE SEE VICE
MODERATOR ROBIN GILBERT OR PASTOR
BURSON.
**NEW** THE BOD IS ALSO PUTTING
TOGETHER A CHURCH BYLAWS COMMITTEE
FOR 2016. IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN
WRITING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
GOVERNING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS,
PLEASE SEE VICE MODERATOR ROBIN
GILBERT OR PASTOR BURSON.
MELINDA LUDY IS NOW SERVING AS
FACILITIES MANAGER, FINISHING THE TERM,
WHICH ENDS DECEMBER 31, 2015.
CORALIS WESTON IS IN TRAINING TO SERVE
AS CLERK, FINISHING THE TERM OF
CURRENT CLERK ROBIN THOMAS, WHICH
ENDS DECEMBER 31, 2016.

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Whenever you are at the church, whether it is on Sundays or

during the week, daytime or evening, please secure your vehicle,
dont leave items visible in the car or in the trunk, including
disability placards hanging from rearview mirrors, close windows
and sunroofs completely, and dont leave your car unattended
with the engine running. This is especially important since the
days are getting shorter and the sun sets earlier. Be aware of
your surroundings. Lets be safe and watch out for one another!!

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MCC BALTIMORE LEADERSHIP CONTACT INFORMATION

Pastor and Board of Directors

Ministry Team

Senior Pastor/Moderator
Rev. Victoria L. Burson
SeniorPastor@mccbaltimore.org

Lead Servant
Rev. Victoria L. Burson
SeniorPastor@mccbaltimore.org

Vice Moderator
Robin Gilbert
RobinGilbert@mccbaltimore.org

Community Life Ministry Director

Rev. Angela Jones-Ramirez
AngelaJones@mccbaltimore.org

Clerk
Robin Thomas
RobinThomas@mccbaltimore.org

External Ministries Leader

Pamela Griffin
PamelaGriffin@mccbaltimore.org

Coralis Weston (Clerk in Training)

coralisweston@outlook.com

Internal Ministries Leader

Lee Savoy
LeeSavoy@mccbaltimore.org

Treasurer
Terrell Worthington
TerrellWorthington@mccbaltimore.org
Risk Management
Dee Mullinix
DeeMullinix@mccbaltimore.org
Facilities Manager
Melinda Ludy
MelindaLudy@mccbaltimore.org
Member at Large
Yolanda Domneys
YolandaDomneys@mccbaltimore.org
Lay Delegate
Vacant

Fellowship Ministries Leader

Robin Gilbert
RobinGilbert@mccbaltimore.org
Ministerial Resource Leader
LaTonia Newson-Lewis
LaToniaNewson-Lewis@mccbaltimore.org
Communications Ministry Leader
Sharon Redd
SharonRedd@mccbaltimore.org
Christian Education Ministry Leader
Vennece Fowlkes
VenneceFowlkes@mccbaltimore.org
Music Ministry Leader
Lee Eudy
LeeEudy@mccbaltimore.org
Ministry of Care/Deacons
Vanessa Nichols-Holmes
VanessaNicholsHolmes@mccbaltimore.org

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Prayers of Healing and Concern

Pastor Burson and Prophet Anding

LaTonia Newson-Lewis and Mother

Tanae, Jay and Family

Nioca Limerick and Diane Eure

Carol Coates, Janelle Butler and Family

Deacon Yolanda

Edward Mason

Barbara Andrade

Arnetta Dedmond, Yvette James and

Family

Damani Epps-Hologram

Helena Hologram and Family

Rev. Delores Berry and Judy

Charles Dixon and Mother

Family of Chaplain Skip (Father

Edward "Skip" Koritzer)

Sharon Gill and Mother

Melinda Ludy
Coralina Jones-Ramirez

Minister Cheryl Bragg and Jackie

Our Church building, Finances, MCC

Leadership
President Obama and his
Administration

CONTACT DEACON VANESSA NICHOLS-HOLMES

(VanessaNichols-Holmes@mccbaltimore.org) IF YOU ARE SICK AT HOME
OR IN THE HOSPITAL AND DESIRE A PHONE CALL OR VISITATION.
ALL INFORMATION IS KEPT CONFIDENTIAL!
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Chaplain Skip was a longtime former

member of MCC Baltimore. He often
would be seen at our church
photographing various events for the Gay
Life and Baltimore Outloud newspapers.
He was at the first Pride Festival in
Baltimore 40 years ago, and was integral to
successful Prides in many of the following
years. Chaplain Skip was President of the
Interfaith Fairness Coalition of Maryland,
and had a strong commitment to the most inclusive concept of Interfaith work
possible.
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**NEW** This year, on Tuesday,

1 December 2015, Metropolitan Community
Churches is participating in #GivingTuesday, a
global day dedicated to giving. For more
information on the background of Giving
Tuesday, visit http://www.givingtuesday.org/.
**NEW** Laity Empowered for Active Discipleship
(L.E.A.D.): The purpose of L.E.A.D. is to offer lay
leaders of UFMCC (MCC) an opportunity to deepen
their spiritual growth, develop their existing skills and
furnish them with additional leadership tools so that
they may be effective leaders in the church and the
world. To learn more about the L.E.A.D. Program, visit
http://ofld.mccchurch.org/programs-what-we-do/l-ea-d-program-plan/.
MCC Launches Contemporary, Diverse Online
Learning Center: The Office of Formation and
Leadership is proud to officially announce the launch
of Sacred Space Online Learning (SSOL).
http://www.sacredspaceonlinelearning.com/
For more information and to register for the 2016
General Conference, visit http://emerge.mccchurch.org/

**NEW** https://www.facebook.com/MCCchurch/?fref=ts Moderator Rev. Elder

Dr. Nancy Wilsons statement, MCC Moderator Speaks Out as Equal Rights
Protections is Voted Down in Houston
Stay Connected: Subscribing to e-newsletters from the denomination. Visit
www.mccchurch.org , click on the Connect Now! Tab.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/MCCeasternNetwork/ for
information on the Eastern Network, of which MCCB is a part.
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Affirmation for all Believers

Today my goal is to align myself with the greatness God
already prepared for me,
For I have full access to Gods grace and abundance.
I am wealthy in Gods love.
My life is a gift from God - therefore, I will live in Gods
overflow.
I no longer live in my yesterday, I live in the NOW!
I am filled with unspeakable joy, excited with passion and
loaded with purpose, and pumped about Gods promises.
I sit in expectation and anticipation of Gods glory to reign in
my life,
For, I am a seed of Abraham and Co-heir to the Kingdom of
God.
Though I cannot trace God, I do trust God.
For God is good all the time and all the time God is GOOD!
Pastor Victoria L. Burson Lead Servant

AND . . .
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Prophetic Prayer Nugget

In the name of Jesus, I break every stronghold and all
the assignments of the enemy against my life, family
and finances. I break the curse of poverty, lack, and
debt in the name of Jesus. I render the enemy useless
and ineffective over my life. I bind my mind to the
mind of Christ - I bind my will to the will of God over
my life; for I am a GOD-Seeker. Therefore I will seek
first the Kingdom of God and God's righteous for I
know everything else will be added to my life. Wealth
and riches are in my house. I'm the seed of Abraham
and his blessings are mine. I am a child of the Most
High God Jesus became poor that I might become rich,
For he came that I might have life and have it more
abundantly. Amen!
Prophet Theresa Anding

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