MCCLA News and Events: March 13, 2010

Worship Freely Every Sunday!
Services at 9am, 11am (English) and 1.30pm (Spanish)
4953 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA

TELEPHONE: 323 669 3434 Fax: 323 669 3004
Email: admin@mccla.org : www.mccla.org

1. Dear Friends

We have an exciting few days planned for us all at MCCLA.

Tonight, Steven Fales will open his show, "American Mormon Princess" (please see below for more details). Steven has become well known to us at MCCLA and his one person plays, "Confession of a Mormon Boy" and "Missionary Position" have played across the United States. This new cabaret selection is something new and talks about his journey in faith. He is joined by other friends and will be introduced by comedian and star of Will and Grace, Leslie Jordan. Tonight and tomorrow's performances commence at 7:30PM.

On Sunday we will gather for worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth as we explore the next topic in our Lent sermon series and Bible study. We will take a look at the topics of sloth and diligence as they find themselves in the list of the seven deadly sins and virtues.

Last Wednesday we had a great conversation about gluttony and abstinence and we will have the opportunity to gather this coming Wednesday to talk about these new topics.

On Sunday night we are invited to join our Social Butterflies as they host our annual "Oscars Party" at MCCLA. We gather at 5pm for our own "red carpet interviews" and to welcome special guests and performances. More details are also continued in the latter part of this newsletter.

We will also welcome Reverend Pat Langlois back to worship on Sunday at the 11AM service. Reverend Pat has been absent from among us these past few months recovering from complications resulting from a mini-stroke and I know that she is eager to be back and to worship among us. Please join me in welcoming her on Sunday.

God is doing wonderful things here at MCCLA and I know that great things await us as we finish our remodel and get ready to be about the work that God is calling us toward.

Please join me tonight, tomorrow, Sunday morning and Sunday night as we fellowship, worship, celebrate and welcome newcomers who are searching for a place where they too can deepen their spiritual journey with ours.

See you on Sunday, I hope!

Sincerely, in Christ

Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas, MCCLA Senior Pastor

The Reverend Dr. Neil G Thomas
Senior Pastor

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2. This Week

Workshop on Play Writing by Steven Fales - Saturday, March 13

If you're seriously interested in play writing, consider attending “Flying Solo” by Steven Fales - a one day workshop for those looking to write their own plays, on Saturday, March 13 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at MCCLA. The workshop fee is $100. Please contact the church office for more information.

Daylight Savings Time Begins - Sunday, March 14

Daylight Savings Time begins at 2:00 AM Sunday, March 14. Don’t be late - turn your clock ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.

Azania Meeting - Sunday, March 14

Join Azania, MCCLA's People of African Descent, for their monthly meeting, on the second Sunday of each month, right after the 11:00 AM Worship Service in the Upper Room.

The Azania Ministry would like to thank all who contributed to making Black History Month a great success. Special thanks to Reverend Neil, Reverend Barbara, Larry Rodriguez, the MCCLA Choir, and all of our soloists.

Board of Directors Meeting - Thursday, March 18

If you'd like to learn more about the "inner workings" of MCCLA, there's no better way than to attend the monthly Board of Directors meeting. The Board meets at 7:00 PM on the third Thursday of each month in the Upper Room of the church.

Day at Disney - Saturday, May 22

MCCLA & MCC in the Valley are inviting all southern California MCC’s for a day at Disneyland on Saturday, May 22 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Let’s start the summer with a day of fellowship, fun and frolic at the Magic Kingdom (or Kindom for our inclusive language folks {grin}), at Disneyland - 1313 S. Harbor Blvd. in Anaheim and make it a special day to remember. We'll meet between 8:00 and 8:30 AM at the main gate, or you can arrange to meet by cell phones. Contact Megan More, Clergy Intern for more information: 323-669-3434.

Los Feliz HopNet Food Bank Training - Saturday, March 20

MCCLA, in conjunction with Mt. Hollywood Congregational Church, will soon be opening a Los Feliz HopeNet Food Pantry. Now is YOUR opportunity to help your neighbors in need. If you have time on Friday lunchtime OR Saturday mornings, and would like to help staff this food bank, contact Rev. Pat by Thursday, March 18 to RSVP for this training (to be held at Mt. Hollywood UCC). If you can't make this training, and would still like to participate, contact Rev. Pat or Lewis Bailey at 323-669-3434 or revpat@mccla.org. There will be a training for this important work on Saturday, march 20 from 9:30 AM to 12 noon at Mr. Hollywood Congregational Church at 4607 Prospect Avenue, just east of Vermont.

3 At Church This Week

SATURDAY MARCH 13

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - "Flying Solo" Workshop - at the church

4:30 - 6:00 PM - NA 12 Step Meeting - Fellowship Hall

Daylight Savings Time Begins Tonight at 2:00 AM - set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night!

SUNDAY MARCH 14

Brown Bag Lunch Sunday
Please Bring Your Contributions

9:00 AM
Early Risers' Traditional Service

11:00 AM
Sign Language Interpreted
Kids’ Club for 4-11 Years Old

12:30 PM
Azania Meeting - Upper Room

1:30 PM
Iglesia Comunitaria Metropolitana
Servicio de Celebración (en Español)
(Last Sunday of the Month is Bilingual)

7:30 - 9:30 PM
The Conscious Contact, 11 Step Meditation Group - Fellowship Hall

MONDAY MARCH 15

No Events Scheduled

TUESDAY MARCH 16

7:00 - 8:30 PM - Agnostics AA - at the church

7:00 PM - Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Meeting - at the church

WEDNESDAY MARCH 17

7:00 PM - Bible Study - Fellowship Hall

7:00 PM - Choir Rehearsal - Sanctuary

THURSDAY MARCH 18

7:00 PM - ICM Coro Rehearsal - Sanctuary

7:00 PM - Board of Directors Meeting - Upper Room

7:00 PM - The Leather Spirit - Fellowship Hall

FRIDAY MARCH 19

No Events Scheduled

SATURDAY MARCH 20

4:30 - 6:00 PM - NA 12 Step Meeting - Fellowship Hall

SUNDAY MARCH 21

9:00 AM
Early Risers' Traditional Service

11:00 AM
Celebration Service
Sign Language Interpreted
Kids’ Club for 4-11 Years Old

12:30 PM
Men's Group "Stepping Out" Brunch - offsite location

1:30 PM
Iglesia Comunitaria Metropolitana
Servicio de Celebración (en Español)
(Last Sunday of the Month is Bilingual)

7:30 - 9:30 PM
The Conscious Contact, 11 Step Meditation Group - Fellowship Hall

4. Save These Dates

Men's Group "Stepping Out" Brunch - Sunday, March 21

All MCCLA men are invited to the Men's Group "Stepping Out" Brunch, right after the 11:00 AM Service, at approximately 12:30 PM. Contact Corey Saucier for more information.

LA Marathon - Sunday, March 21

This event could affect your getting to church on Sunday morning, March 21, so please be sure to check to see how the route affects your route of travel. The morning event will begin in Downtown Los Angeles, go west along Sunset Boulevard to Hillhurst, where it will then proceed west on Hollywood Boulevard. Near La Brea, the route will move back to Sunset, going west, and eventually move on to Santa Monica Boulevard going west to the ocean. For route maps, road closures, and more, see www. lamarathon.com.

La Pasión del Cristo - Saturday, March 27

“El Desconocido: La Pasión del Cristo,” a Spanish language Passion Play directed by Rigo Tejeda, will be presented at Mt. Hollywood UCC at 8:00 PM. Admission is free.

Easter Schedule at MCCLA

Palm Sunday - Sunday, March 28

Maundy Thursday - Thursday, April 1 at 7:30 PM - Celebration of the Last Supper

Good Friday - Friday, April 2 at 7:30 PM (church offices closed during day)

Easter Sunday - Sunday, April 4

6:00 AM - Sunrise Service with Baptism at Griffith Park

9:00 AM - Easter Celebration Service

11:00 AM - Easter Celebration Service

1:30 PM - Servicio de Celebración de Pascuas

Brad Rice Ordination - Saturday, April 24

All are invited to Brad Rice's ordination on Saturday, April 24th at 4:00 PM at MCCLA.

5. Items of Interest at MCCLA

12 Step Meetings at MCCLA
A number of 12 Step Groups meet at the church each week:

The Conscious Contact, 11 Step Meditation Group, meets in the Fellowship Hall on Sundays from 7:30-9:30 PM;

Agnostics AA meets in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays from 7:30-9:00 PM;

Church Campus Information
The Fellowship Hall is located on the ground floor. From outdoors, enter through the Franklin Avenue entrance or from the parking lot. From the Sanctuary, enter through the rear Sanctuary doorway.

The Upper Room can be accessed via the stairway located at the south end of the Fellowship Hall.

Restrooms are located inside the north and south entrances to the Fellowship Hall.

The Nursery is available during Worship Services. The Nursery is located off the southeast corner of the Fellowship Hall.
The Kids’ Club is a weekly gathering of our children (ages 4-11 years old) for a special time of learning and fun during the 11 am Worship Service, and is located in the Upper Room. Once a month, there is a special Kids’ Sermon at the 11 am Service.

The Church Offices are located in the small building north of the Sanctuary. Enter through the Kenmore Avenue entrance.

Order DVD Copies of MCCLA Services on Sunday or on our Web site Online
See Keith at the Information Table on the lawn before and after services for information on how to order DVDs of our 9 and 11 AM Services. Re-live a service or sermon you really enjoyed and share it with others! Check it out and share MCCLA with your friends and family!

For those of you who are not in the Los Angeles area, or who would prefer to order via credit card from our secure online store, simply visit www.mccla.org and click on the "Watch Internet Television" icon on the left side of your screen, then the "Online DVD Store" button and you're just a click away from ordering parts of MCCLA history, old and new!

Would You Like to Volunteer at MCCLA?
The Church Office is seeking reliable volunteers to help out during the week. You will be a blessing ... and will be blessed! Contact the church office at 323-669-3434 for details.

Shop, Save and Donate to MCCLA - Register or Re-register for Ralphs
Register your Ralphs card to contribute to MCCLA. It is necessary to re-register every September 1 to continue your support. (Re)Register NOW and Shop, Save and Donate! Go to http://mccla.org/ralphs_card.html and follow the quick and easy steps to make your purchases count. Thanks for supporting MCCLA as you shop!

You Can Help by Donating Food to the MCCLA Food Pantry
Deacon Garret Klindt reports that more people are now using our Pantry and Food Cart than ever before...not only those on Sunday but throughout the week. If you are able to make a contribution it would be much appreciated by all. It is a wonderful thing that our church is helping those in need. Gifts that would be particularly welcome include:
- Boost. (Chocolate preferred, but all flavors appreciated. Boost is the desired nutritional supplement as it doesn't need to be refrigerated to taste good).
- Canned vegetables or foods.
- Applesauce
- Hygienic products. (Soaps, toothbrush/toothpaste, combs).
- Bottled water.

Celebrate a Special Occasion - Say It With Flowers!
Every week we have the opportunity to be able to say “I Love You,” “Happy Birthday,” “Thank You,” “Happy Anniversary,” “In Loving Memory,” ... and more … with the beauty of flowers at the altar. To order flowers or find out more information, leave a message for Joel Wilsey at the church office at 323-669-3434.

Would You Like to Volunteer at MCCLA?
The Church Office is seeking reliable volunteers to help out during the week. You will be a blessing ... and will be blessed! Contact the church office at 323-669-3434 for details.

MCCLA-TV Available on the Internet Around the World
Did you know that you can watch the worship at MCCLA and our many special programs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year? We hope you will enjoy our Online TV Shows and that you'll invite your friends who are online, to experience the "Virtual MCCLA" via our Internet Television Ministry. Just go to www.mccla.org to see the latest shows.

Submission of Items to be Included in the Sunday Bulletin & Newsletter
Please submit items for inclusion in the Sunday bulletin to Reverend Pat Langlois no later than noon Monday of the week prior to the Sunday the item is to appear. Be sure to include all pertinent information and a contact name and phone number or email address.

From our denomination: Metropolitan Community Churches
Tearing Down Walls. Building Up Hope.
A Ministry Update from Metropolitan Community Churches

Office of the Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
For Immediate Release: 4 March 2010


$10,000 Gift from Metropolitan Community Churches To Housing Works
Builds Up Hope for People Living
With HIV/AIDS in Haiti

New York, NY - Following the devastating January 12th earthquake in Haiti, Metropolitan Community Churches around the globe mobilized to offer not only prayerful but financial support. With the help of its congregation in nearby Santo Domingo, the denomination, dedicated to serving the LGBT community and all vulnerable populations, was able to fund direct assistance in the form of food, water, basic medicinal supplies, tents and sleeping bags to survivors.

Today, The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, announced a further gift in the amount of $10,000 to Housing Works, a New York City based organization committed to ending the twin crises of AIDS and homelessness.

In operation since 1990, Housing Works, under the direction of Charles King, has recently assisted in re-
opening three medical clinics in Haiti. Two of the clinics focus primarily on people living with HIV/AIDS and one has a primary outreach to women and children. --- In addition, Housing Works has been able to offer limited assistance in the form of light weight mosquito-proof tents to people living with HIV/AIDS who were rendered homeless by the earthquake's destruction.

"People living with AIDS are on the bottom of the help list," said King. "We are so grateful for MCC's generous gift. It will mean that some of the most vulnerable and under served in Haiti will get the basic care and supplies they need to survive --- including temporary shelter."

Rev. Wilson, who spearheaded MCC's campaign to offer immediate and direct support to the ravaged communities of the island nation, said, "To be left homeless and hungry --- in many cases, having lost all family member and friends --- is bad enough. To try to live without the medications, treatment and care people living with HIV/AIDS need to survive, is even worse. We know that Haiti is the Caribbean nation most affected by HIV/AIDS, and we are praying that the gift we offer today will both save lives and build up hope for the future."

MCC's $10,000 gift will be awarded to Charles King, President and CEO of Housing Works, at a public worship service on March 14th in the sanctuary of Metropolitan Community Church of New York {446 West 36th Street, between Dyre and 10th Avenue}. Members of the press are welcome to attend.

For more information on the March 14th event, contact Bradley Curry at bradley.mccny@gmail.com.

Grace and Peace,

//signed//

The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson

For more information about Housing Works and how you can help people living with HIV/AIDS in Haiti, contact Charles King atking@housingworks.org.

This statement prepared in conjunction with The Moderator's Global Justice Team,Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair.

MCCLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS