Newspaper Page Text
MCC: Going Strong
After 20 Years
Twenty years ago this October, Troy Perry
founded the Metropolitan Community Church
(MCC) in Los Angeles/ From 13 original
members, it has grown to about 230
congregations world wide.
MCC in Atlanta was started in the summer of
1972 by John Gill, who distributed leaflets in
bars to announce the fust meeting; about 50
people came.
First MCC, which grew from that initial group,
meets at 800 North Highland, in the old Hilan
Theatre, and has been meeting there for 14 years.
Rev. Troy D. Perry, Founder of the
Universal Fellow ship of Metropolitan
Community Churches (MCC).
During that time they have had bomb threats,
have spent the night there to protect it, have
survived vandalism (swastikas defacing the
walls) and severe arson/ But they have
defended their right to be there, paid for the
building, and planned for the future.
1 was there at 7:30 p.m. on a Wednesday
night, for an informal service, which had an
eager, easy warmth. A sermon was given;
Chuck Larsen, the pastor, spoke holding the
Bible open in front of him/ But the commitment
to something new is evident in the texts, which
reflect MCC's commitment to inclusive
language, and evident in his open
encouragement and acceptance.
Carolyn led the singing with her guitar. She
is a black lesbian, both a deacon and the choir
director on Sunday. In 1972, she had read about
MCC in Time, and knowing she was lesbian,
wanted to find out more about this gay church.
She was in Atlanta at the time and found out she
"didn't have to go to California!" She supported
MCC as it was being formed here. When her
own denomination kicked her out in 1981, she
already had a church which was her home.
"Living in relationship with Jesus is like being
kin; that just isn't dissolved," she smiled.
Chuck Larsen has been the senior pastor
since Easter/ He sees for MCC the opportunity
to serve in three areas; healing, education, and
community involvement (both providing space
for gay groups to meet and encouraging the
active work of MCC members in the
community). He continues a policy of welcome
to all people. The blessing of unions, for
example, is not limited to members, but
available to any couple in the community who
desires it and is willing to respect the MCC
traditions. (For more information call First
MCC at 872-2246.
When I walked into All Saints MCC, at 5:00
p/m/ on a Sunday, I was handed a lavender
bulletin/ People were already singing "Victory
in Jesus" by the lime I found a seat/ This is their
only weekly service and about 70-80 folks were
there. They rent space from Aldersgate
Methodist Church, 575 Boulevard S/E/ It was a
very personal service: people stood and told the
group what they were grateful for that week,
they stated their prayer requests before the
leader started the intercessory prayer (during
which we all held hands). The service ended
with a group hug - and the command from Pat,
a deacon, who smiled as she said it, "Don't
leave without ten hugs."
All Saints MCC was formed a little over four
years ago. It has singles groups and couples
groups/ It repeats its "Family Program" several
times a year. In it, people gather to discuss
certain fixed topics, to pray together, to pray for
each other - and ultimately to form a small
community within the larger one. (For more
information call All Saints MCC at 622-1154.)
Both churches I attended clearly were homes
for refugees from conservative evangelical
Christianity. The flavor and fervor were still
there, but the message had been massaged by
Gay Liberation. Bob, at All Saints MCC,
pointed out that MCC is where you might go, if
you consider yourself a Christian, but are tired
of being frightened as you approach your
"straight" church (how will they try to make me
feel guilty today?). As Steve, from First MCC,
said, "I quit trying to buy into somebody else’s
religion." Here he found worship was natural;
he had a feeling of rightness, of being who he is,
and worshipping as he is.
However, the familiar evangelical tone is
simply too painful for some; they come once and
never return. They have, apparently, too many
memories of punishment and guilt, a Bible used
to torture rather than to strengthen, prayers used
to coace, and heartfelt talks used to blackmail/
MCC simply reopens the wounds for them/
Olliers, of course, have no more use for "church."
In the light of this, it is significant that both
churches used touch a lot, a necessary part of
the healing of people who have been told in
church that their love for members of their own
sex must never be expressed. People held
hands and hugged. Couples go up to
Communion hand in hand.
-Michael Wyatt
LOW BACK PAIN
II back pains are a way ol life lor you. the I
reasons can be varied and complex. Some I
may be pathological, but very often the I
cause is muscles which are either over or I
under-exercised which are producing spinal I
distortion. Vertebrae slip into abnormal I
positions, resulting in "pinched" and I
irritated nerves, which cause pain and even I
loss ol function ol the affected body part, f
Poor posture, or even emotional tension, can I
be the root cause.
INSURANCE
CASES ACCEPTED
HEALTH INSURANCE - (MAJOR MEDICAL)
LIABILITY ■ (AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTSI
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION - (ON JOB)
A \! : f
Qimna
^ A HIROPRACT
W
. ( \\u,
TIC REHABILITATION
6021 SANDY SPRINCS CIRCLE • SUITE 210
ATLANTA (SANDY SPRINCS), CA 30328
TELEPHONE (404) 252-4711
Dr. Patricia K. Henman
Full Spine and Extremities
Charles Haver, L.M.T.
Therapeutic Massage
LITTLE FIVE POINTS
(404) 524-8221
By appointment only
Personal Energy as a Healing Tool
A Circle of Healing has been meeting at the First Existentialist Church in Candler Park since
December, 1987. The circle was organized in response to the AIDS crisis, but is not limited to people
concerned with AIDS. Anyone in need of healing, be it physical, emotional or spiritual, is welcome.
The group hclaing process addresses three psychological impediments to healing: disharmony,
fear and inertia. Many times people who arc ill arc disconnected from their community and in
their isolation become
frightened, even frozen in fear.
The group healing process
provides support in a
community context that helps
dispel fear and loneliness.
Each circle is different but
follows a loose format that
involves each participanL After
an opening music meditation
the group divides into smaller
groups where each participant
can share something of why
they have come. The large
group then reforms for a
meditation or experiential
exercise facilitated by a
therapist or helping
professional. Then the group
divides into pairs and healing
energy is generated through
guided visualization. One
partner channels healing
energy to the other through
touch (hands on shoulders).
Then the partners change roles.
The circle ends with the entire
group sending healing energy
to people in need who are not
present and to people working
to find a cure for AIDS.
The circle meets from 3:45
to 5:30 p.m. the first and third
Sundays of each month. It is
free and open to the public.
Participants should bring a
TIA NIKOLOPOULAS
Howard Seitz (kneeling) and Tom Patterson channel
their energies toward health at the Circle of Healing.
pillow or blanket, as part of the circle is conducted sitting on the floor. The church is wheelchair
accessible and in walking distance of the Candler Park MARTA Station, or Little 5 Points. For
information, contact the First Existentialist Church at 378-5570.
Congregation Bet Haverim
A Synagogue Serving the Lesbian and Gay Community
Join us for a Dancer's Collective benefit performance featuring
Karen Pearlman & Richard Allen
Sunday, Nov. 20th, 8:00 PM
Seven Stages/Collective Theatre
1105 Euclid Avenue, NE
Tickets: $15.00 each
Available at Charis Books & More
or by calling Bet Haverim at 642-3467.
Proceeds benefit the Synagogue.
Donor
Insemination:
Your Simple
Option For Safe
Conception.
For lesbians considering
motherhood, the Feminist Women's
Health Center is excited to offer
donor insemination services. Our
program is unusual in Atlanta as
there is no discrimination based on
sexual orientation or race.
Donor insemination has long
been used as an alternative practice
by lesbians who wish to conceive,
offering women an opportunity to
bring their own biological children
into their families.
In an intimate and comfortable
setting, our staff experts explain
such aspects as health and legal
safeguards, fertility awarness, and
technique.
We want you (and your
partner) to know the facts — and
the joy — of your own conception.
— \ feminist
f 1 Womens
^ y health
~~~ _^_j Center
580 14th Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30318
404-874-7551
For Women, By Women
All services completely confidential.
Page 13