This week is the start of Euro 2012 – a football tournament for those of you are not interested. There has been some
controversy over the choice of Ukraine as one of the host nations, and some politicians and fans have chosen to stay away in protest.

It is easy to think that such protests and boycotts do not have an impact. Or that it has to be someone important or powerful in order for anything to make a difference.

Recently, I have heard from two different people in the
congregation who are each making their own personal protests in different ways. One is refusing to take Communion in their home church, in protest at that denomination’s treatment of lesbians and gay men. Another person refuses to visit the USA or any country that still uses the death penalty for prisoners. These protests gain strength every time the person tells their story and make others think about the issue too.

You may think that one person cannot make a difference. Rosa Parks was an African American woman at a time when racial segregation was still legal and well embedded in USA. After a long hard day at work in 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white man on the bus and was arrested. This small act of protest became the focal point for a massive bus boycott and was a key event in the civil rights movement. Now, just under 60 years later, the USA has a black President.

You are on the mailing list of MCC Newcastle today, because in 1968, one man called Troy Perry dared to
believe that it could be possible to have a Christian church that would proclaim God’s inclusive love for all people – including lesbians, gay men, bisexual folk and
transgendered women and men.

May you find one way of making your voice heard on an issue this week.

God bless,

Cecilia

This Saturday we will be “making a noise against homophobia and transphobia” in the middle of Newcastle city centre. This is part of IDAHO – an international day which recognises that we still have a very long way to go before the world is a completely safe place for 
 LGBT people to live in.

This week ILGA – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Trans and Intersex Association, published its annual world map on lesbian and gay rights, and its report on State Sponsored Homophobia.  It is heartening to see on the map that there are more and more countries that have laws banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. The map is also gradually changing in favour or equal marriage.

In most of Africa and much of Asia however, the picture is very different – death penalty or imprisonment for up to 14 years or at the very least a lack of legislation that can make violent homophobia perfectly acceptable and encouraged by the state.

In worship this Sunday, we will reflect on our Bedrock Belief about Jesus:

At MCC Newcastle we believe:

Jesus offers everyone chances for new life and hope, especially to those on the edges of society. His life is
an important example to follow.

Jesus spent his ministry challenging injustice and reaching out to those who were dismissed as unimportant by the religious and state authorities of the day. We will represent Jesus as we make a noise against homophobia and transphobia this Saturday and every day.  

God bless,

Cecilia