The End of the Ghettoized Church: Together We are stronger

The End of the Ghettoized Church: Together We are stronger

MCC (Metropolitan Community Church)  in the Valley, originally part of the denomination founded by Rev. Troy Perry in 1968, has moved to become a UCC (United Church of Christ) and a MCC Church.   Rev. Dr. Bob Shore Goss observed that there was a time when there was a need for LGBT folks needed a safe space to discover a welcoming place within a church that would accept them for who they were.  More than 20 years ago, Rev Goss penned these words in his book, Jesus ACTED UP:   “Christianity itself is not the enemy. Rather, institutional forms of Christianity continue to oppress gay and lesbian people.”  But things have dramatically changed from period of AIDS.  The LGBT baby boom and the movement to create families sparked the marriage equality movement in the US.  No one would have imagined that openly gay/lesbian citizens would serve honorably in our armed services and that over eighteen states, with some five cases pending appellate decisions in a number of others, would achieve marriage equality.

There has been a dramatic decline in LGBT churches, except in geographically conservative states. Many Christians are searching for more integrated and welcoming congregations where all are celebrated as children of God.

MCC in the Valley, founded in 1972 in North Hollywood and the only “green” MCC church, has undergone a year long discernment process to become even more inclusive as a church.  The congregation has voted 92% affirmative with 8% abstaining to affiliate with the United Church of Christ, a progressive social justice and environmentally involved church, as dual affiliated church—both United Church of Christ and Metropolitan Community Church.  The congregation believes that together our churches better serve God’s people.

Rev. Joseph Shore-Goss the Pastor of Congregational Care and Spiritual Life says; “I have dreamt of something like this since my days in seminary.  That I may be involved in a community actively attempting to live out the prayer; ‘That they may all be one.’ (John 17:21) ‘In essentials–unity, in nonessentials–diversity, in all things–charity,’   I pray that through the united and uniting efforts of the UCC we may bring a true Message of God’s all inclusive love.”

There will be an acceptance of MCC into the United Church of Christ in May 10th at the Central Association Meeting of the UCC and an installation service on Sunday May 18th at 3 PM.