MCC Louisville Where All Are Welcome at the Table

STRETCH & FLEX

Senior Adult Exercise Class

Tuesdays and Thursdays ~ 10:30 am

$3 per session or $5 per week

St. Paul United Methodist Church ~ Family Life Center

2000 Douglass Blvd.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

The new pictorial directory is almost ready to be published. If you did NOT have your picture made, we would still like to have your name, address, etc., in the book. But, to do so, we need your written permission. You can sign a slip at church on Sunday or you can email your written permission and information to Georgia Moore at GMBW@bellsouth.net.

KENTUCKIANS: ACTION NEEDED!

The school bullying bill (HB 64) would implement policies and procedures to help local school districts document, track and deal with harassment and intimidation, but there were two absolutely vile amendments filed last week. www.lrc.ky.gov/record/07RS/HB64.htm

ACTION NEEDED: Please call Jodi Richards and Jeffery Hoover. Tell them to "Please support HB64 with NO AMENDMENTS!!!" 1-800-372-7181, the message line, is open 8 am - 11 pm Monday thru Thursday, 8 am - 6 pm on Friday. An operator will ask for your contact information, your message and to whom you wish it delivered. Or use their direct lines: Jody Richards-(270) 781-9946/(270) 842-6731 and Jeffery Hoover - (270) 343-5588/(270) 343-2264.

TRAVEL PLANS???

Alan Jones and Jim Johnson have begun a new travel business. Check them out before you book your travel plans ... airlines, hotels, etc. They are now known as the Travel Boys, but they work for women, too!

http://www.rainbowboystravel.com/

Mathew Shepard Act Passes!

Many of you may remember that this is the legislation that Rev. Dee went to Washington to fight for! Lets give Rev Dee a great big thank you when she gets back!

Dear Dee,

I've been waiting for months to write this.

With your help, the U.S. Senate has just passed the Matthew Shepard Act!

I want to thank you, personally, for everything you've done to help make this moment possible. HRC supporters sent 350,000 emails, made 30,000 calls to Congress, and wrote over 5,000 letters to local papers. Your commitment was inspiring. And even Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) acknowledged the work of the Human Rights Campaign during debate on the Senate floor.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your incredible support.

But even as we celebrate this victory � we know we face a tough road ahead. The bill has to survive final negotiations between the House and Senate before it gets to President Bush. Even then, he has threatened to veto it.

As you know, pressure from the radical right will be fierce the whole way. Our support must be fierce as well � so we will continue to ask for your support over the coming weeks.

It's been nine years since Matthew Shepard was senselessly murdered because of who he was. HRC stands firmly committed to this being the year we finally make sure every American is protected from this kind of violence.

We just made history. Thank you for getting us this far. Now, let's see it through to the end.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President

Make a donation to help us capitalize on this important victory and continue our efforts.

Read more about the passage of the bill in HRC's press release.

Having trouble clicking on the links above? Simply copy and paste this URL into your browser's address bar to take action today: https://secure.ga3.org/03/fighthate_senate

ACTION NEEDED

This is from Rev. Jide MacCauley, Pastor of House of Rainbow MCC in Nigeria. If this law passes, he will be imprisoned, as will many, if not all, of those attending the church. His father, a leading Nigerian theologian, is working to have this legislation passed.  Note: you do NOT have to sign your name!!!

            We are circulating a petition http://tinyurl.com/ysw27c to encourage American politicians to speak out against the pending law that restricts gays in Nigeria.

            Please visit the site above and sign if you feel so inclined. Also, it would be great if you could encourage others to sign as well. People can sign anonymously if needed.

http://www.notinmycart.org/

At this website you will find all the products recently recalled: lead painted toys, faulty electrical items, foods, other dangerous toys, etc.

Artist Needed!
Are you an artist who would like to display a few pieces of your work? Are you a musician or entertainer looking for a chance to show off?

The Fairness Campaign is looking for artists and musicians to be a part of our monthly Open House, from 6-9 pm on the last Friday of the month during the Frankfort Avenue Trolley Hop.

If you are interested in being a part of this fun event, please call Mike at 893-0788 for more information!

The Fairness Campaign
2263 Frankfort Ave
Louisville, KY 40206

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!

AIDS WALK

Sunday, 28 September

Plan now to get pledges and walk with us!!!

NEEDED: HOME FURNISHINGS

We have someone at church who needs everything from a bed to a table to chairs, from pots and pans to lamps, if you have ANYTHING that you can share, please contact Cindy Hawkins. She will pick up and deliver large items. CHawkins49@insightbb.com

Also, from Larry Drake ...

if anybody out there has a dresser they can spare id certainly appreciate. donated mine through freecycle Louisville and now need one of my own. preferring wood with 4 drawers and no higher than 5 ft tall or longer than 3-4 feet to fit into a corner of the bedroom. tried with freecycle but no luck. if you have one that would be awesome. thanks. LDLouisville@aol.com

AUGUST FUN-R-US

Saturday, 16 August ~ Georgetown, Kentucky

Tour the Toyota Cardome Center and the YUKO EN Japanese Garden

Saturday, 23 August ~ visit the Rauch Planetarium in Louisville

See Church Board in the Auditorium for details and to sign up.

OHN FESTIVAL CALL FOR ARTISTS
The Original Highlands Neighborhood Arts and Music Festival 2008 will expand to include over 100 artists' booths. Prizes of $300 - 1st place, $200 - 2nd place, $100 - 3rd place will be awarded on the following criteria: Originality, Imagination, Excellence of Design and Extending some Aspect of the Festival Theme - "Celebrating the Beauty and Grace of Our Senior Residents and Our Unique Homes." Festival date is September 13, 2008. Booth fee is $50. For more information and application: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/louisville/ohna/genpage/289440677.html

PHOTO CLUB

Dawson Berry is forming a Photo Club for anyone who is interested in photogra[phy or would like to learn more about it. He is an excellent photographer and would love to have company when going out to take pictures. Talk to him to learn more CDBerry12@aol.com and sign up on the Church Board in the Auditorium. He even has a website for MCCers to post their pictures! WWW.DAWSONSPICTURES.BLOGSPOT.COM

NOW OPEN

Matrix: A Place of Change

Georgia Moore and Karen McCurley, owners

1050 Bardstown Road (a couple of blocks from the church, across from Taco Bell)

YARD SALE HELPERS NEEDED ... NOW!!!

Although our Yard Sale is a month away, Linda Gregory needs folks now to help sort and price all the items which have already been brought to the church. You don't have to be an experienced yard saler to help!

Sign up on the lists on the Church Board in the Auditorium to come for as long as you can on one of the specified days or evenings to assist.

You can also sign up to work the day of the sale.

And don't forget to bring your "goodies" for the church to sell!!!

EVENING SERVICE CHANGE

Beginning 1 June, the Sunday evening service will become a teaching time. There will still be music and Communion, but the focus will be on Bible study. Come and learn more about the Bible! And bring your Bible with you!



THIS WEEK'S SERMONS & SCRIPTURES

Sunday, 3 August

10:30 am ~  The Compassionate Christ ~ Rev. Dee Dale

                    Roamns 9:1-15; Matthew 14:13-21

6 pm ~ Sunday Evening Bible Discovery ~ Rev. Robin White

We will begin by hearing and discussing the story of Moses� birth and early years up to his calling at the burning bush. (Exodus 1-3). Since I preached on Joseph on Sunday morning July 20, I am not repeating that story, but will summarize parts of it for anyone who was not there when we start our story with the haunting line, �A new Pharaoh arose in Egypt who didn�t remember Joseph.� We will end with prayers and Communion.

Wednesday, 9 July

  6:00 pm ~  When the Going Gets Tough ~ Romans 9:1-5 ~ Rev. Dee Dale



WOULD JESUS DISCRIMINATE? T-SHIRTS

on sale now ~ $10 each ~ see Cindy Hawkins or Ron Hampton

ECONOMIC STIMULUS CHECKS

        These checks should soon be arriving in the mail or be deposited into our bank accounts. What are you going to do with yours? Pay bills? Go out shopping? Use it to help with the increased cost of gas and groceries? Give it away?

        Here's an idea!  Whether you normally tithe or regularly put a check in the offering plate or just put in whatever cash you can from your wallet when you are at church, why don't you trying tithing on this unexpected gift from the government? If you give the first 10% to God, you will find that the rest of what you have to spend goes even further than you had hoped. You can't outgive God! We could clear our budget deficit if each one of us would tithe on our economic stimulus checks!

        And ... there are those tax rebate checks, too!!!

SUNDAY NIGHT

Don't forget to bring your Bible and join us for a new Sunday night format of Bible Study!!! There will still be time for music and Communion, but the focus will be on learning more about the Bible!

A NEW CHALLENGE

A member of our congregation has given $5000 as a matching gift to the church to help us catch up on our budget shortfall. These donations must be ABOVE your regular tithes and offerings, otherwise we'll just fall further behind. Please pray about what God is leading you to contribute over the next few weeks.

FRESH PRODUCE

Did you know that in addition to canned goods, other non-perishable foods, and toiletries, that Highland Community Ministries will distribute any "extras" from your garden to folks who need them? Just put them in the HCM Barrel in the Auditorium, along with any other donations, and Linda Gregory will take them to HCM on Monday.

CAN YOU HELP?

Highland Community Ministries Senior Services needs volunteers to deliver meals to elderly persons who are homebound. It would take about an hour to do this ministry. If you can help, please call Donna Douglas at 459-0132.

Dabear Candles and Pride Shop

Owned and operated by MCCL's very own Darrick and Tony Coleman-Reed and Larry Drake! The shop is located at 1201 Goss Avenue in the former location of Sandy's Pet Shop. They are open Monday - Saturday, 10 am - 7 pm and on Sunday by appointment. The store features pride merchandise, soy based candles, leather coats and pants, quilts, and various other handmade items. Stop by and say hi to the guys and get some of that Christmas shopping out of the way!

FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO

Village 8 Theaters ~ $3 matinees ~ $5 evenings

This film tells the stories of ten families and their relationships to their gay children.

Community Open House and Backyard Barbeque

Saturday, 26 July ~ 1:00-5:00 ~ Carl Braden Center (3208 West Broadway)

Join us for more delicious FREE barbeque, oral history, rare books, video, photo displays, youth activities, music, community people, fun, spoken word presentations from our youth, �Grassroots Historians�, special tribute to Alice Wade, and a display of all our hard work. Last year we had over 240 people including neighbors, elected officials and local activists. Join us again!

OUR TWO CHALLENGES

TEN DAYS OF PRAYER

        Two weeks ago, Rev. Dee challenged the congregation to pray intently for our church for 10 days. The disciples, Mary, and Jesus' brothers, spent 10 days in prayer in the upper room in Jerusalem between Jesus' ascension into Heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. What a gift from God they received after those ten days of prayer! What a gift to the world and to us!

        She asked us to commit to focused, intentional prayer for 10 days for our church, its various ministries, the ministries that God wants us to establish, the outreach that we are being called to do, the financial support that these ministries will need, and the time and talent that people will need to give.

        The second part of this deliberate, planned prayer time each day is to be spent in listening to God. What is God telling you that MCC Louisville needs to be addressing? What is God asking you to do in helping to fulfill the mission and ministry of our church?

        This Sunday we will take time to share what God has put on our hearts about the future ministry of our church ... and what we feel God wants us to do to make our dreams a reality. If you can't be present, please email your thoughts to RevDee@aol.com.

PHOTO CLUB

Dawson Berry is forming a Photo Club for anyone who is interested in photogra[phy or would like to learn more about it. He is an excellent photographer and would love to have company when going out to take pictures. Talk to him to learn more CDBerry12@aol.com and sign up on the Church Board in the Auditorium. He even has a website for MCCers to post their pictures! WWW.DAWSONSPICTURES.BLOGSPOT.COM

HCM SCHOOL SUPPLIES

        Spiral Notebooks, which is what we need to collect, are on sale at Wal-Mart for a nickel each!!! Go buy a few ... or a whole case ... and bring them to church. Put them on the counter in the Auditorium.

        If you have signed up on the Church Board for other school supplies or just want to bring them, there are several items on sale at Wal-Mart and for a penny apiece at Staples, you can get a pack of pencils, folders, and small hand sanitizers.

        The school supplies are for the Individual and Family Assistance Program of Highland Community Ministries to give to children and youth who will need them in August, which means that we have to turn them in by the end of July!

        If you find other good buys on spiral notebooks, let us know and we'll get the word out!

ART EXHIBIT

The Hot Flash Fan: Then and Now

Celebrating 160 Years of Feminism

now through 10 August ~ Huff Gallery at Spalding University

Special Reception ~ Thursday, 17 July

This is the first display in over a decade of this 8' x 16' wall hanging created by 50 women artists. There will also be a timeline of 160 years of women's herstory. Women are invited to bring pictures to post and write directly on the timeline.

KENTUCKY FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

14-24 August ~ four hour shifts (9-1, 1-5, 5-9)

You don't have to be a resident of Kentucky to volunteer!

Rev. Dee and Judy volunteer every year. It's great fun! Your parking and entrance to the Fair are covered, so you can go early or stay late and enjoy the Fair for free!!! Get a group of four together and call Fairness to volunteer or call for yourself and they'll add you to a group ... and be sure to tell them you are from MCC!!!   893-0788 or fairness@fairness.org

Become a Community Captain � Help Register Voters!

Learn tools to build our democracy together by joining with Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and Kentucky Jobs With Justice to become a Community Captain. Captains will help register people to vote for the November election and give them valuable information about candidates, the election, and mobilize people to vote. The training takes place on August 1-2. To register, or for more information, visit http://www.kftc.org/calendar/events/statewide-voter-empowerment-training/view.

CRAFTS

About every six weeks, Linda Gregory will schedule a Craft Day or Craft Evening. We will work on a project to sell in the Rainbow Closet. Look for a date for the first one soon!

SAIL MEETINGS

Surviving AIDS in Louisville ~ sponsored by the AIDS Interfaith Network

2nd and 4th Tuesdays ~ 1:00 - 2:30

Urban County Government Center, 810 Barret Avenue, Room 115

Original Highlands Neighborhood Arts and Music Festival 2008

Saturday, 13 September ~ over 100 booths ~ http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/louisville/ohna/

OHN Festival 2008 Call For Artists


The Original Highlands Neighborhood Arts and Music Festival 2008 will expand to include over 100 artists' booths. Prizes of $300 - 1st place, $200 - 2nd place, $100 - 3rd place will be awarded on the following criteria: Originality, Imagination, Excellence of Design and Extending some Aspect of the Festival Theme - "Celebrating the Beauty and Grace of Our Senior Residents and Our Unique Homes." Festival date is September 13, 2008. Booth fee is $50. For more information and application: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/louisville/ohna/genpage/289440677.html

SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance (KFA) Foundation established the Jason Johnson Scholarship in effort to honor and support such bright, energetic young leaders as they pursue their education. A $1,500 scholarship will be awarded this year to a Kentucky student based on social and financial need, scholastic aptitude, and leadership potential. We pay close attention to students who have lost the financial and social support of their families and/or communities as a result of revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Please share the downloadable scholarship application with anyone who may be an applicant for this award. The deadline to submit applications is August 15, 2008. If you have any questions regarding this scholarship program, please feel free to contact Jody Cofer electronically at jodycofer@bellsouth.net or by phone at 270-703-1582.

MEN ~ ASSISTANCE NEEDED

Hello,

I am a 4th year doctoral student at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology / Argosy University studying clinical psychology. I am conducting an online research study for my doctoral dissertation project. The topic of the study is body image/appearance and sexual identity. It is a brief true & false / multiple choice questionnaire that takes between 5 and 10 minutes. Its completely confidential, is g-rated, and no name or location is required.

If you are a gay/bisexual/bi-curious male and are above the age of 18, I'd very much appreciate your participation. If you interested, you can access the study at this link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=3lm9ly3kwWbljhw6s1e5pQ_3d_3d

Over 300 people have already taken part in the study and your participation would aid me in my effort to reach 400. Body image disturbance among gay men is a growing problem; hence, the need for this research.  Feel free to email me if you have questions at gmbistudy@gmail.com.

Thanks for your interest and participation,

David Tredinnick

PETITIONS TO SIGN

against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ~ http://action.sldn.org/petition

against the Census Bureau for how it intends to handle married same-sex couples during the 2010 Census ~ The Bureau will NOT count legally married gay couples as married, and will instead EDIT the data submitted by married gay couples to change their status to "unmarried partners." ~ http://www.pfaw.org/go/Census

YARD SALE

Just FYI ... the date has been set ... Saturday, 6 September

Start saving your "treasures" now!!!

SIGN LANGUAGE CLASS

A new Sign Language Class will begin soon. If you are interested, please sign up on the Church Board in the Auditorium.

Become a Community Captain � Help Register Voters!

Learn tools to build our democracy together by joining with Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and Kentucky Jobs With Justice to become a Community Captain. Captains will help register people to vote for the November election and give them valuable information about candidates, the election, and mobilize people to vote. The training takes place on August 1-2. To register, or for more information, visit http://www.kftc.org/calendar/events/statewide-voter-empowerment-training/view.

SIENNA

transgender support group meeting at MCCL

www.tg.sienna.org

DEACON INSTALLATION

Sunday, 13 July ~ during the Morning Worship Celebration

                                           Barry Christensen            Kevin Garner

                                           Michelle Kanatzar            Tom Ketterman

                                                                   Angela Mitchell

CLOWNS

Our Clown Ministry is being revived! If you are interested in becoming a clown, then please sign on the Church Board in the Auditorium. You will be trained, taught how to do makeup and create your persona, even help in picking your name.

ACTION NEEDED

With the ruling in favor of Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry and Phillip DeBlick in the California marriage suit, the religious right is pushing to get a federal marriage amendment back in process. If you object to this action, please sign the petition at www.MillionForMarriage.org.

GOING GREEN

Hunt Down Heat Sources

Seal up your home. Pricey cooled air can leak through cracks along window and door frames. Invest in some caulk and weather-stripping to plug up these drafts as you notice them. You could spend as little as $10 on the project, which would more than pay for itself over the next two months.

Change your light bulbs. If you haven't swapped your incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents yet, get to it! Not only do CFLs use 75% less energy than conventional bulbs, but they also generate 70% less heat.

Close your blinds. It's a simple concept: Rooms get hotter without shades or curtains to block the sunlight.

Use fans. A breeze makes the room feel a few degrees cooler. Just be sure to turn it off when you leave. Fans cool people, not rooms!

Turn up your thermostat. You can reduce your carbon footprint ... and save $$$ ... by setting the thermostat a few degrees higher!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We need volunteers to help with watering the garden and the flowers out front this month. If you can give an hour once or twice a week, please see Tom Ketterman or Betty Baerveldt at church Sunday or email Tom at tomketterman@gmail.com.

GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL

presented by The Kentucky Fairness Alliance Foundation and The Letter

Louisville's Village 8 Theaters every weekend in June

for film listing, go to

http://kentuckyfairness.org/getinvolved/events/lglfs.htm

Community Open House and Backyard Barbeque

Saturday, 26 July ~ 1:00-5:00 ~ Carl Braden Center (3208 West Broadway)

Join us for more delicious FREE barbeque, oral history, rare books, video, photo displays, youth activities, music, community people, fun, spoken word presentations from our youth, �Grassroots Historians�, special tribute to Alice Wade, and a display of all our hard work. Last year we had over 240 people including neighbors, elected officials and local activists. Join us again!

GOING GREEN

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR... Green Grilling can be a messy endeavor, so when you inevitably reach for a napkin, consider your options:

Easy Green: If you can't pass up the convenience of disposable paper towels, go for the unbleached and recycled kind. Seventh Generation makes some from 100 percent recycled paper, with 80 percent coming from post-consumer waste. Don't worry about them falling down on the job: In Grist's paper towel test, they shared the top spot with Whole Foods 365.

Uber Green: Keep a basket full of cloth napkins in a few convenient spots around the grill and table so sticky and saucified guests can grab them as needed. Have an empty basket ready to collect the dirty ones. You can use these again (and again) at future gatherings, so a boatload of napkins is a worthy green investment (double points if they're made from organic fibers).

Even More Uber Green: Give each guest a cloth napkin to use and reuse throughout the day. (Think of the water, energy, and time you'll save on laundry!) If you're crafty, you can even make your own recycled cloth napkin. After washing the used napkins, hang them on the line to dry.

CAMP EQUALITY

12-13 July ~ Cincinnati, Ohio

KFA and HRC (Kentucky Fairness Alliance and the Human Rights Campaign) have partnered to bring excellent and exciting training to the tri-state area. There will be both a Fundamentals Track and an Advanced Track, so you can learn about becoming a grassroots activist or build on the skills you already have. This is especially important as we look toward the elections in November. For more information or to register, go to www.hrc.org/campequality.

TRANS ACTION NEEDED

        At the London, England, Pride event on 5th July 2008 official stewards who were running the toilets at Trafalgar Square announced that transgender or transsexual women had to use the disabled toilets and were not allowed to use the regular women's toilets. A policeman, who was a LGBT liaison officer, claimed that trans women had to be able to show a Gender Recognition Certificate if they wanted to use the women's toilets.
        We, the undersigned consider that discrimination against trans people is unacceptable. That discrimination of this sort should occur at a GLBT Pride event is even more abhorrent. We call upon the organisers of London's GLBT Pride events to ensure that such discrimination is never allowed to occur again.
        The petition will be delivered on 15th July 2008. Please sign the petition. This type of treatment is appalling. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/DiscriminationatPride/?e

GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL

presented by The Kentucky Fairness Alliance Foundation and The Letter

Louisville's Village 8 Theaters every weekend in June

for film listing, go to
http://kentuckyfairness.org/getinvolved/events/lglfs.htm

EarthSave LOUISVILLE EVENTS

POTLUCK ~Saturday, 12 July ~ 5 - 8 pm ~ Briney Hall, 2500 Douglass Blvd.
The potluck begins with a cooking demo at 5:00 p.m. followed by a program on �A Taste of Health Equity,� which outlines the Mayor�s initiatives to make food and health inclusive to all Louisville residents. Bring a vegetarian, vegan, or raw dish to share. Cost is $1 with a dish or $6 without a dish.

DINING OUT TOGETHER ~ Thursday, 17 July ~ 6 pm ~ The Grape Leaf, 2217 Frankfort

Update from Rev. Delores Berry ~

I feel so much better! My back pain is gone!!! After a new treatment my hip pain is almost gone! I am able to use a walker and about ready to use a cane. Major pain medications have been decreased more than 50%. My body infections (5) have gone down to (1) in record time. The last one is on my left foot. It is healing good. I am now able to do much more for myself! My primary Doctors are so happy! They know about you! They believe your prayers have helped! I know that you are a major part of my healing.

So, at this sweet moment the prayer list below is all we need. You have been so good to us! I'm still reading and rereading cards and letters you've sent me. Some of you have sent cards that are so big I had to put Judy on a ladder so that I could read them. Send more! Judy looks good up there!!!

PRAYER LIST NEEDS:

Healing of my left foot. ... The remaining hip pain to go away. ... That my body and balance becomes stronger. ... We will fly to MCCLA next weekend. Pray that our first Church visit in 7 months will be a blessing for everyone. ... That I will get a new hat out of this!!! ... That you will be greatly blessed for praying for and supporting Judy and me.

www.revdeloresberry.com

TIME TO VOTE!

for "The Best of Louisville", that is

Leo is having folks vote for their favorite places in town, such as Best Coffee House, Best Nightclub, etc. You must vote in at least 25 of the categories, but don't have to enter a name in every one.

A couple of suggestions ...

        Best Church ... Metropolitan Community Church

        Best Hair Salon ... The Fixx (Alan Jones's shop, also where Shea Elder works)

http://www.leoreaderschoice.com/

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event of inclement weather, please turn to WAVE TV to see if MCCL events have been canceled or delayed. An E-Mouse will also be sent, if possible.

SIGN LANGUAGE CLASS

Michelle Kanatzar will be teaching a Beginning Sign Language Class on Sundays after Fellowship, beginning 7 October. She needs to know how many people are interested so that she can order the books, which will be less than $15 (scholarships available). TruthSeekerMRK@aol.com

The class will focus on finger spelling and basic everyday phrases to help participants communicate with our folks who are deaf.

CRAFTS

Linda Gregory would like to start our crafts groups again. If you are interested, please sign on the Church Board in the Auditorium. She is trying to determine what would be the best times ... morning, afternoon, evening.

.

PICTURES NEEDED

Do you have a picture of yourself? Or maybe some extras from a church event? If so, would you please send them, along with a note, to Steve Embry. He is compiling a photo album of family and friends to enjoy while he is in jail (on false charges by his nephew, who has since been removed from the home).

His address is 501 East Court Avenue, Jeffersonville, IN 47130. If you don't want to mail them yourself, then give them to Judy Dale at church and she'll send them with her weekly "care package" to him.

AA and AL-ANON (meeting at MCCL)

Sundays ~ 4:30 pm ~ AA

Mondays ~ 6 pm ~ AA

Mondays ~ 7:30 pm ~ Al-Anon

Please note and tell your friends that this is an Open Al-Anon Meeting. Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity doesn't matter. It is not an exclusively "gay" group. It is open to anyone in addictive relationships (family, friends, partners).

FROM MCC

A Call to Prayer

On 27 July 2008, an armed man entered a youth performance held at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC) in Knoxville, TN. He opened fire and shot 8 people, killing two before he was tackled and wrestled to the ground by members of the congregation.

The news of these events, a tragic occurrence in the lives of Tennessee Valley UUC, has been difficult to bear for those connected to MCC Knoxville (MCCK). During the first eight years in their history, MCC Knoxville worshipped and met in spaces hosted by the congregation of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. They are now one community sharing a common loss.

MCC celebrates and remembers the life of Greg McKendry, 60, one of two people killed in this incomprehensible shooting. Mr. McKendry, 60, was an usher and long-time member of TVUUC. Reports say that Mr. McKendry stood in front of the gunman to protect other church members. MCC Pastor, Rev. Bob Galloway shared that Mr. McKendry had been working on an upcoming financial presentation for the members of MCCK.

Chris Buice, the pastor at TVUUC has asked that MCC pray for the Church, those killed and injured, and for the family and friends of all involved, especially for the children who witnessed this horror.

KENTUCKY FAIR VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

14-24 August ~ four hour shifts (9-1, 1-5, 5-9)

You don't have to be a resident of Kentucky to volunteer!

Rev. Dee and Judy volunteer every year. It's great fun! Your parking and entrance to the Fair are covered, so you can go early or stay late and enjoy the Fair for free!!! Get a group of four together and call Fairness to volunteer or call for yourself and they'll add you to a group ... and be sure to tell them you are from MCC!!! 893-0788 or fairness@fairness.org

LOBBY WITH FAIRNESS

any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday in March

Meet at the Fairness Campaign Office at 7:30 am or in Frankfort at 8:30.

Call 893-0788 to schedule your visits.

FUN - R - US

Thursday, 24 July ~ Louisville Orchestra at Iroquois Amphitheater

Sign up on the Church Board in the Auditorium.

MEDITATION 101

Learn how to meditate to relieve stress, feel refreshed, alleviate some health problems and have peace within you.  A group will be forming soon. If you are interested, please sign up on the church bulletin board in the Auditorium.

INFO ON EASTERN EUROPE

If you have been following the horrible experience of our own Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, then you might want to understand better the cultural context, not only of Moldova, but also of the other countries she serves and that MCC is entering to help make a difference in the lives of the LGBT people there. This article helps explain some of the anti-gay hysteria throughout that part of the world.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jun/01/gayrights.poland It is a very interesting read! ~Judy

The following letter was sent to the Moldovan government ...

Eight Americans and Canadians scheduled to spend two weeks in Moldova in July are canceling our trips to Moldova for fear of our safety. Your repressive treatment of gays and lesbians in Moldova has created issues for us concerning our own safety,and so we are canceling our July trip to Moldova; we will instead travel and spend our money in Hungary where we are welcome and will feel safe from thugs. Buda Pesh is a more progressive Eastern European city, and we shall enjoy our time there rather than have to fear for ourselves in your country!

Jim Watkins and Dean Weller-USA

Way to go, guys!!!

SAIL MEETINGS

Surviving AIDS in Louisville ~ sponsored by the AIDS Interfaith Network

2nd and 4th Tuesdays ~ 1:00 - 2:30

Urban County Government Center, 810 Barret Avenue, Room 115

CAMPERS NEEDED

Courageous Kids is looking for children for this summer. This is free for the children to attend. The goal is to fill the camp and serve as many children as possible.

The first weekend is Crohn�s and Colitis for May 31-Jun 5. With the great response to this group it is being opened to other GI illnesses, kidney problems and Down�s Syndrome.

The second week is Cancer/Transplant and JA (June 7-12). The third week is Epilepsy (June 14-19).

All of these still have plenty of space available. Families can apply from our website at www.courageouskids.org. The second step will need to be downloaded and printed due to needing a physician signature. The complete schedule for the summer is also available from our website. If anyone has a child that has a questionable diagnosis, please contact Mariah Hayes or Donita Monroe and they will help place the child in the most appropriate session. Mariah and Donita can be reached at 270-618-2912.

ACTION NEEDED

Even if you are not a soap opera fan, please make this call. It takes less than 30 seconds.

On As the World Turns, there has been a story line about Noah and Luke. The American Family Association and other religious right organizations are trying to get this off the air.

Call 1-800-331-3774. Press 1 for English. Press 2 for the question. Press 1 to have the story line continued.

NANCY WINKENHOFER

Mom needs a bedside hospital table and a plastic board to get in the car according to her therapist. We would be interested in a used ones.  Medicare won't pay and I can't afford the new prices of $127 and $30, respectively. I thought maybe someone might have used ones or an idea of where I can locate these items.

Thanks!

Danny Winkenhofer

JurisDoc38@aol.com

A NEW CHALLENGE

A member of our congregation has given $5000 as a matching gift to the church to help us catch up on our budget shortfall. These donations must be ABOVE your regular tithes and offerings, otherwise we'll just fall further behind. Please pray about what God is leading you to contribute over the next few weeks.
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SAIL MEETINGS

Surviving AIDS in Louisville ~ sponsored by the AIDS Interfaith Network

2nd and 4th Tuesdays ~ 1:00 - 2:30

Urban County Government Center, 810 Barret Avenue, Room 115

CAN YOU HELP?

Highland Community Ministries Senior Services needs volunteers to deliver meals to elderly persons who are homebound. It would take about an hour to do this ministry. If you can help, please call Donna Douglas at 459-0132.

Tired of Military planes/recruiters spoiling your fireworks?
Silence over Thunder Alternatives!
The Silence Over Thunder coalition (including Fairness Campaign) is a growing group of concerned churches, peace and justice, and immigrant support groups that has been trying for several years to move the Kentucky Derby Festival committee and the public to end the military flyovers in the Thunder Air Show, and replace them with more family-friendly entertainment. We have heard about the terrifying impacts of the flyovers on immigrants and veterans with PTSD. We are concerned about painting awe of powerful, destructive machines as patriotism, and about the sanitized view of the planes' primary purpose to impressionable, recruiting-age children. We want to raise more peaceful and appropriate entertainment alternatives.

To raise awareness of the issues and alternatives, we are planning three events Thunder Day and a press conference to introduce them. We need your help and participation to get this issue out to the wider community. Help us put this together, and also join us for one or more of the events:

A press conference will be at noon Thursday April 10, on the east end of the Great Lawn. We will have brief presentations on the issues raised, and welcome a representative from coalition members who can provide a very concise, preferably personal, view of the impact of the flyovers on people. Join us!

The Peaceful Skies picnic will be at the Americana Center soccer field 4801 Southside Drive in Louisville on Thunder Day from 12 noon to 4pm. This picnic is a model for several alternatives to the fly overs. We hope immigrants especially will come and share their stories. There will be art, music, kites, families picnicking, --and more peaceful skies away from the river. Bring a chair and picnic. (no alcohol please)

In the past few years, the crowds have become overwhelmingly open and receptive to our message and alternatives. We will leaflet people going to Thunder downtown to help make them aware of the issue and the alternatives, and how they can help (like all of us, through calls and letters to the editor...). We will meet at 2:30pm at the garden of Christ Church Cathedral on Second Street, and walk to the edge of the festival area (Market Street) to distribute flyers and talk to people for a couple of hours. Contact Chris Harmer (893.2334) for more information.

Another group will actually go onto the Great Lawn for a silent witness against the flyovers and the destruction the planes are used for and capable of. This group will also meet at 2:30pm at the garden of Christ Church Cathedral on Second Street, and make their way to the Great Lawn, wearing T-shirts printed with their message.

KENTUCKY INTERFAITH GATHERING

Saturday, 19 July ~ 11 am - 1 pm ~ Passionist Earth and Spirit Center, 1924 Newburg Road

KIPL is an interfaith response to global warming that concurrently promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation.  The Gathering will include a screening of the film Lighten Up.  Visit http://www.kentuckyipl.org/ for more information and the organization�s Solar Panel Project.

CAN YOU SPARE A FEW MINUTES???

Take a couple of minutes and write a note to Steve Embry.   He really would like to receive mail. If you have any spare pictures of yourself or church activities, include them. Or clip something out of the newspaper or a magazine. Or send an Easter or "thinking of you" card. He really wants to hear from his church family!!! Bless his life this week!!!

Steve Embry, 501 East Court Avenue, Jeffersonville, IN 47130

SURVEY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED

WOMEN ...

We are a lesbian research team conducting a study on experiences related to gender and sexual orientation that you may have had as a lesbian or bisexual woman. The survey addresses your connection to the LGB and feminist communities, ways you typically deal with stressful events, and psychological well-being. The survey takes less than 15 minutes and has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board for protection
of human subjects at the University of Tennessee.

http://survey.utk.edu/mrIWeb/mrIWeb.dll?I.Project=OPPRESSIONANDDIS

STUDENTS ...
We are researchers from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, and are
conducting a research survey on the effects of face-to-face bullying and
cyberbullying on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) middle school, high school, and college students. The study has been approved by the Iowa State University Institutional Review Board
AERA-QUEER-STUDIES-SIG@BAMA.UA.EDU

HIGHLIGHTS OF

THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

We had a wonderful Congregational Meeting last Sunday! And it only lasted 45 minutes!!!

Lamont Williams was elected to the three year position on the Board of Directors and Cindy Hawkins to the two year term.

Alan Jones and Katherine Corcoran were elected as our Lay Delegates with Judy Patterson and Jan Gentry serving as the Alternates.

Dr. Billy Andrews was named the congregation's representative on the Pastoral Relations Committee for next year.

The 2008 Budget passed unanimously!!! It included the salary and health insurance for a half-time Assistant Pastor. Rev. Dee introduced Rev. Robin White, who will assume that position in January. He is the son of our ow

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