At our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, the Members of the church had an opportunity to vote to keep our current name, or to change to a new one. The Members voted to change the name of our church to Northern Lights MCC. You can read more about the ACM in this issue of RN. One of the questions that some people have asked is “Why do we need to change the name?” This is an important question and here is my personal response. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with MCC Newcastle as a name. It has served us well and describes some of who we are – a Metropolitan Community Church in Newcastle upon Tyne. When the church was “born”, those around at the time spent a good while discussing this name – should it be just Newcastle? Should it include Middlesbrough? MCC Newcastle was the name that was decided upon and registered with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, and later with the Charity Commission.
We are given a name when we are born, and we may also choose to change our name to signify a decision or a commitment that we make. I served for many years as lay person in MCC, without feeling the need to be ordained. When I finally made that decision and made a formal commitment to serve God and God’s people, my title was changed from Ms to Reverend. Many couples change their surname when they marry. Lesbian friends of mine have started househunting. One householder asked “Which of you is Mrs Smith?” They replied (with much glee) “We both are!”
MCC Newcastle is going through a time of change. We have already made the decision that we want to have our own building. This will come with opportunities and challenges. Our visioning process brought forward the idea that we are to be light and hope in the darkness. Our new vision image reflects that. We are going to be intentional about reaching beyond our walls to those in the North East (and beyond) who need to hear the Good News of God’s inclusive love for all. We are also going to “put legs on our prayers” and engage more significantly in social action. For me, this fresh commitment to reaching out and to have a building which will better enable us to serve others, is a major step in the life of this congregation. I was not seeking a name change when we embarked upon our visioning process. I have been fascinated to watch as our process has unfolded. I believe that changing our name reflects a new “becoming” of who we are as a community of faith. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us.
God bless
Cecilia
We are given a name when we are born, and we may also choose to change our name to signify a decision or a commitment that we make. I served for many years as lay person in MCC, without feeling the need to be ordained. When I finally made that decision and made a formal commitment to serve God and God’s people, my title was changed from Ms to Reverend. Many couples change their surname when they marry. Lesbian friends of mine have started househunting. One householder asked “Which of you is Mrs Smith?” They replied (with much glee) “We both are!”
MCC Newcastle is going through a time of change. We have already made the decision that we want to have our own building. This will come with opportunities and challenges. Our visioning process brought forward the idea that we are to be light and hope in the darkness. Our new vision image reflects that. We are going to be intentional about reaching beyond our walls to those in the North East (and beyond) who need to hear the Good News of God’s inclusive love for all. We are also going to “put legs on our prayers” and engage more significantly in social action. For me, this fresh commitment to reaching out and to have a building which will better enable us to serve others, is a major step in the life of this congregation. I was not seeking a name change when we embarked upon our visioning process. I have been fascinated to watch as our process has unfolded. I believe that changing our name reflects a new “becoming” of who we are as a community of faith. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us.
God bless
Cecilia
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