Dear Friends:

Thanks for coming back to visit us. I’m very excited to share with you video from the LEGAL wedding of my two friends Booth Iburg and Denise Williams. Since I’m living about ½ time in Cambridge, MA I was able, through the assistance of Metropolitan Community Church of Boston, to register as a clergy person to perform weddings. Thank God for Massachusetts where the right to marry is available to everybody.

Booth and Denise have been a faithful couple for almost 20 years. They had a Holy Union about 7 years ago in Florida. However, Florida continues to discriminate against our people, so the legal aspect of their wedding was missing. Massachusetts gave us the opportunity to remedy that, and after thorough preparation, we did.

I hope you will be blessed by the presence of God at this wedding. I was so honored to serve as their clergy person and as you will see on my face and hear in my words, I loved the opportunity after so many years of community activism around marriage to officiate for them.

Pray for Florida. Pray for all our queer sisters and brothers around the world who still experience oppression, discrimination, and even risk their lives just to live the way God created them. Remember God’s own words at the end of creation, “It is VERY good.”

Blessings on you and yours.

Rev. Jim Merritt

Greetings to all of you and thank you for visiting our online community at The Community Activist. I am excited to present this video today because it fulfills one of my original goals for our ministry together; to offer multilingual sermons online.

My very good friend and colleague Rev. Axel Schwaigert is Pastor of MCC in Stuttgart, Germany. Axel and I met at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, where both of us are candidates for the Doctor of Ministry degree. I will allow Axel to tell you all about his ministry in Germany, but I want you to know that I believe in what he is doing.

This week we present Axel in English as he preaches at MCC Boston. In the weeks to come we will offer his sermons in German. In the beginning we will only be able to present audio and perhaps some pictures. Soon we hope to add video.

I plan to visit Stuttgart in August of this year to meet the Saints of MCC there. We will certainly offer that sermon here.

So, watch this first installment of our German sermons. You will love Axel as much as I do, and you will be blessed by the language of God’s inclusive love in ANY language.

God Bless you as you join us.

Rev. Jim Merritt
The Community Activist.

Hello Community Activist Participants:

I’m writing from you today from seat 2A on Airtran airways from Atlanta to Orlando. I get to be home for a few hours, not even 24 before I leave for The Fellowship Conference in Dallas, Texas. I’m going for one purpose alone; to worship. I love the way Bishop Flunder’s church does worship. I like to sing and dance and shout and say amen and as my Pentecostal sisters and brothers say, “Shout my hair down.” It’s essential for all of us, especially us preachers to pay attention to our own self care. This week is about the self care of my Spirit, keeping me fired up in the name of Jesus, and preparing for the next steps and trips of our ministry.

I’m returning today from Pensacola, Florida where I was the guest of Holy Cross MCC. What a welcome! From the moment I stepped out of the airport until the moment I stepped back into it to return, the Saints of Pensacola rolled out the red carpet for me. And speaking of worship, we had worship together. The music was amazing. One woman, and I am not exaggerating one bit, could give Melissa Ethridge a serious run for her money. We sang and danced and shouted and prayed and preached and oh what a time we had worshiping in the Spirit together. I love it. And to all of you in Pensacola; I love you and I bless you, and I thank you for all that you did for me during the past several days. I hope to visit with you again soon.

While I was in Pensacola I enjoyed the opportunity to pick up some new seeds of happiness. My hosts Booth and Denise have a beautiful home and I loved so much sitting outside under the beautiful live oak trees, watching the water, listening to the birds, enjoying the flowers, and visiting with their two dogs, Maggie and Gracie. The loved me the way Jesus loves me; unconditionally. I loved the breeze from the Gulf of Mexico. I loved visiting Renfro’s Pecan store and honey did I go crazy in there. You imagine something that can be done to a pecan and they had done it. I can’t wait for that UPS delivery.

Mostly, as usual, I enjoyed the development of relationships. Booth and Denise and I are developing quite a history together. Barry and Stephen welcomed me into their home and cooked for me even thought it was late and they had JUST arrived home from work. They all embraced the vegetarian pastor who could only eat about 3 ounces of the food they joyfully prepared. All the folk at Holy Cross welcomed me with open arms and hearts and I was blessed by them. All of these became my seeds of happiness throughout my time in the area.

There are always concerns about one situation or another. I’m concerned for Al who is in the middle of tests on his heart. Please pray for him. I’m concerned about my mom who became sick with a very high temperature right after I was with her last week. Please pray for her. And at the same time, I recognize at this moment that everything is as it should be.

Landing now…gotta go. Thanks for reading.

Blessings and Love,

Rev. Jim Merritt

Massachusetts Governor's daughter, 18, says she is a lesbian
Email| Text size – + June 12, 2008 11:53 AM
By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

Governor Deval Patrick's 18-year-old daughter announced this morning that she is a lesbian, calling it a source of pride that she is ready to share with Massachusetts.

"As private of an issue as it is, we've sort of had to come to terms with the fact that we are a public family and there you give a part of yourself away," Katherine Patrick told the gay newspaper Bay Windows in an article published today. "And we also ... wanted people to know that it's not only something that we accept, but it's something that we’re very proud of. It's a great aspect of our lives and there's nothing about it that is shameful or that we would want to hide."

Katherine, who attended St. Andrew's School in Delaware and is planning to attend Smith College in the fall, told the paper that she came out to her parents on July 3, 2007, as the family prepared for a picnic by the pool at their home in the Berkshires.

She recounted walking into the kitchen, asking her parents to stop what they were doing, and asked her aunt to leave the room.

When her parents turned to her, she said, "I’m a lesbian."

"And I'll always remember the first thing my dad did," Katherine said. He "wrapped me in a bear hug and said, 'Well, we love you no matter what.'"

Katherine had already come out to her friends, her sister, Sarah, and a maternal aunt with whom she is close, Lynn Prime.

The governor later quipped, "Why the hell did she tell her aunt before she told me?"

"It was a nonevent in the sense that there wasn't any tension," Diane Patrick told Bay Windows. "I was just happy for her that she knew who she was and that she was comfortable with who she was."

The article said the Patricks reluctantly agreed to the interview with Bay Windows because they wanted to avoid a "gotcha" story that would imply the family was not supportive of Katherine. The interview took place at the headquarters of MassEquality, where Katherine has been an intern for three months.

At one point during the interview, the governor started to tear up.

"Don't cry, Dad," Katherine said as she recounted her emotions as he led the fight to quash an antigay marriage amendment last year, not knowing at the time his daughter was gay. "He's done some good things. I appreciate it. Want a tissue? Oh, God. He's a crier."

"First of all, we’ve had so many people in our lives whom we love who are gay or lesbian, so that’s not that unfamiliar to us," the governor said. "You know, I can still -- because we live in Massachusetts -- I can still imagine what Katherine's wedding is going to be like."

Then, as he lowered his voice, he added, "How much it's gonna cost."

The governor said his first inkling that his daughter might be gay came when she started watching a show on Showtime that depicts a close-knit group of lesbians who live in Los Angeles.

"I think when Katherine started to memorize all the episodes of 'The L Word,' there was some hint that maybe she was sending us," Patrick said.

The governor has since offered to watch an episode or two with her.

"I love you," Katherine responded, laughing. "But there's certain things, there's certain lines."

Katherine said she began feeling attracted to women during the summer between her sophomore and junior years of high school, but it wasn't until after joining her father in last year's Boston Pride Parade that she became comfortable calling herself a lesbian.

Patrick and his daughter are planning to march in that same parade together on Saturday.

"Definitely, I’ve come into my own since then and I feel much more comfortable with myself," Katherine told the paper. "And I’ve been closer to my parents since coming out than any other time, I think."

Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, preached at MCC Boston on Sunday June 8, 2008. Rev. Elder Wilson's sermon marked the beginning of Boston Pride week for members of MCC.

We tried hard to capture this event on video, but had scheduling problems with our partners in Boston. Therefore, we offer this audio version. I hope you'll feel the love that permeates the presence of Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson. She embodies the vision of so many of us in MCC. She is one of the key spiritual mentors in my life and I'm very pleased to share this sermon with you.

Whether your Pride is this week, later in the summer, or during a completely different part of the year, from all of us at The Community Activist; HAPPY PRIDE!

Click Here To Listen

Rev. Jim Merritt
The Community Activist

MCC ACTION ALERT

LGBT ACTIVISTS IN UGANDA
URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP TODAY!

Take Action! Make Your Voice Heard!

A Message from Rev. Nancy Wilson, MCC Moderator

June 6, 2008

The international movement of Metropolitan Community Churches today condemned the arrest of three young LGBT activists in the East African nation of Uganda. The three activists were arrested on Wednesday in Uganda's capital city of Kampala at the 2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers Meeting. The meeting is organized by international groups, including UNICEF, UNAIDS, and the World Bank.

While the three activists were released from jail today, the charges were not dropped.

Metropolitan Community Churches joins SMUG (Sexual Minorities in Uganda) and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in expressing our deep concern for the safety of the three arrested.

It is important that the Ugandan government hear from people everywhere urging that the rights and safety of these activists be protected. Below you will find two steps you can take to help today.

But first, let me share this background information...

Onziema Patience, Valentine Kalende and Auf, all in their 20's, were taken into custody by the Ugandan Police Force while peacefully protesting that government's refusal to provide HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention funding for men who have sex with men. Despite an HIV infection rate of more than 26% among gay males in that area, the government of Uganda has never provided funding for treatment for gay males.

"For several years, there has been a pattern of harassment and arrests of LGBT activists in Uganda," said Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches. "I am deeply concerned that this ongoing pattern may be evolving into an escalating pattern."

"In some cases, Ugandans have been arrested simply for disseminating basic information about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention, the government claiming it to be an 'affront to basic morality,'" added Rev. Wilson. " As people of faith, we believe that basic morality demands education and prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, along with fair and adequate treatment of those who are infected."

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

STEP 1: Please pray for:

- Those who have been arrested and now released. Pray for their safety and for their families, friends and community;

- For MCC activists who are in Uganda at the conference serving global AIDS agencies and who were eyewitnesses of the arrests.

Step 2: Please immediately send a brief email to The Honorable Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda. Demand that he protect the rights and safety of the activists. Let him know the world is watching his actions this week. Send your message to Uganda's President in care of Uganda's ambassador to the United Nations at francisbutagira@ugandamissionunny.net.

I urge you to act now!

May our prayers and our actions bring justice to these three Ugandan activists.

The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches


______________________________________

NOTE: This Action Alert prepared in conjunction with MCC's Global Justice team, Rev. Pat Bumgardner, chair.

______________________________________


The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson

MCC Moderator




















Metropolitan Community Churches
P.O. Box 1374
Abilene, Texas 79604
Phone: 310-360-8640
Email: info@MCCchurch.net
URL: http://www.MCCchurch.org

In the language of my church of origin, my friend Rev. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey went home to be with Jesus this morning.
I fell in love with Rev. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey the first time I met her. She came to preach at Church of the Trinity in Sarasota when I was a transfer clergy candidate there. I was so drawn to her when it was time for prayer I went forward and knelt at her feet. She said, “You’re on the right track.” I believed her. Later she invited me to participate in a healing service with her. She said, “You’ve got the gift.” I was honored by her invitation and affirmation. It was my deep honor to serve as one of the Prayer Ministers in that Upper Room healing service in Calgary. I will never forget that experience. When I was with her at Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson’s installation as Moderator, she drew me close to her and quietly said to me, “It’s up to you now to make sure what we do continues in MCC.” I know she made that statement to several of us. I am blessed to have received the love Jeri Ann Harvey shared with so many. I am blessed to have sat with her and Gill in their home, in the hospital, in our churches, around our Fellowship and in our home. When it is time for me to cross over, I hope she will be one of the ones who comes to greet me and guide me into Heaven. She will always live in my heart. Gill, I love you and I bless you and we are here for you if you need us. Thank you, Jesus, for the life and love of Rev. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey!

"May the choirs of Angels come to greet you, may they lead you into Paradise. May God's arms enfold you with God's mercy, may you find eternal life."

Click Here To Watch

Al and I took a walk through Boston Public Garden today. I thought I'd share some of the images for you to use in your own mediatation. Remember to breathe in deep as you enjoy the fruits of God's creation. Bless you this Sunday and every day.

Rev. Jim

Pictures from the EDS Graduation Ceremony where I recieved my MDiv.

Hello Community Activists, Family and Friends:

I'm graduating from EDS with my M Div. this week. Tonight was our Commencement Eucharist. Here are a few pictures. Come back tomorrow for pictures from the graduation which takes place at 2:00PM. I'll be returning to EDS to begin work on my Doctor of Ministries degree beginning in June. Enjoy.

Rev. Jim

We recently attending the graduation of Al's niece, Katie Meehan, from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Although the weather gave us a run for our money, we had a wonderful time. We're very proud of Katie for her graduation with highest honors. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

A C T I O N A L E R T





Urgent Time Value Urgent * Time Value




Safety, Lives of LGBT Moldovans Under Immediate Threat; Action Needed Now!

The safety and human rights of LGBT people in the Eastern European nation of Moldova are under threat right now.

The government of Moldova is threatening to arrest Rev. Elder Diane Fisher and Eastern European LGBT activist Florin Buhuceanu if they hold worship services for the LGBT community this weekend.

And they are refusing to provide police protection, despite numerous death threats made against Diane and Florin and the LGBT community there.

The government is also refusing police protection for this weekend's LGBT Pride March in Moldova's capital city of Chisinau, where members of the International Lesbian and Gay Association of Europe and Romania's human rights organization, ACCEPT, are also gathered. All legal procedures were followed to obtain the appropriate permits, and despite early promises, the mayor of Chisinau has withdrawn approval for the march permits.

At last report, the government will allow a maximum of 50 LGBT people and their supporters to march -- but will allow an unlimited number of anti-gay protestors to gather -- all without police protection.

Moldova's government urgently needs to hear -- NOW! -- from people of goodwill around the globe!

Your e-mails will help to protect LGBT Moldovans and their supporters who are taking the first bold steps toward forming a community and seeking equality under the law.

And your e-mails can help stop the threats of arrest and harassment made against Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, activist Florin Buhuceanu, and Moldova's growing, fledgling LGBT community.

Here are four steps you can take to make an immediate difference:

1. Write a brief e-mail to the Moldovan government. Ask them to honor their nation's laws and to allow the peaceful gathering of LGBT people and their supporters. Ask that the rights of LGBT people be protected. Let them know the eyes of the world are focused on Moldova this week.

2. Send your e-mail to as many of the following contacts as possible:

-- Moldovan Ministry of Justice -- secretariat@justice.gov.md

-- Moldovan Ministry of Social Protection -- lucia.gavrilita@mpsfc.gov.md

-- Moldovan Advocate for Human Rights -- cpdom@mdl.net

-- Moldova's Embassy in Washington, DC -- washington@mfa.md

-- Chisinau City Hall (Moldova's Capital City) - primaria@pmc.md

3. Forward this Action Alert to friends, LGBT groups, and listservs.

4. All people of faith are encouraged to hold LGBT Moldovans and their supporters in your prayers, and to pray for a breakthrough from the Moldovan government.

The situation is critical. Time is of the essence. Your help can make a difference. Please, please take action now.

From the MCC Global Justice Team
The Reverend Pat Bumgardner, Chair


CONTACT:

Moldovan Ministry of Justice -- secretariat@justice.gov.md

Moldovan Ministry of Social Protection -- lucia.gavrilita@mpsfc.gov.md

Moldovan Advocate for Human Rights -- cpdom@mdl.net

Moldova's Embassy in Washington, DC -- washington@mfa.md

Chisinau City Hall (Moldova's Capital City) - primaria@pmc.md








METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES

PO Box 1374 • Abilene, Texas 79604 • Phone: 310-360-8640 • Fax: 325-690-6328

Dear Community Activists:

This is the final project for my Master of Divinity degree at Episcopal Divinity School. I took this course with Dr. Richard McCall hoping to learn about the connections between art and spirituality. It was wonderful. I hope you will take 5 quiet minutes and experience the spirit through music and images in this piece. I'd love to hear from you when you've finished.

Special thanks to John Munera for putting this together in it's final form for me. Also, thanks to Evan Goldman for the use of his artwork in the Modern Images section. You can check him out at www.evangoldman.com. I love his work.

Blessings to you and yours for a safe and happy summer filled with seeds of happiness.

Rev. Jim Merritt
The Community Activist