Disciple

The Newsletter of

MCC Manchester

Sunday 15th June 2008

Welcome to this newsletter and to the ministry of MCC Manchester.  If this is your first contact with us, know that you are welcome.  You can take part in our ministry through attending our worship services or mid week meetings, or by using the various resources on our website.  You can keep in touch with us in person, by email, or by text.  It is our prayer that our people grow as committed disciples of the Lord Jesus. 

Today's Service marked the third of our four week sermon series based on clips from the hit American TV series The Simpsons.  This week we focused on Marge and the challenge she faces in having to forgive Homer - again.  Forgiveness is a huge part of our lives as Christians and one we often struggle with.  Sometimes we think that forgiveness is about forgetting - it's not, it's about not letting the bad things have power over us, not living our lives with reference to what has been done to us, not living in anger and pain anymore and moving on.  It is necessary to our lives and to our spirituality. 

Thanks.  Thank you for your generosity last week.  46 people attended last week and gave £182.50 in the collection.  This is on top of the £1200 or so a month that is given directly to our bank account via standing order. 

In Your Prayers   Please continue to remember Andy Pugh, he is waiting for a final decision, and date, about surgery on his kidney.  He needs, however, to reduce his blood pressure before the doctors will operate.  Khang Nguyen of MCC Hamburg has been diagnosed with a form of diabetes but there is also a problem with a gland in his brain, more tests this week will hopefully diagnose the cause of this problem.   Dwayne Morgan and MCC Bournemouth as they prepare for their Pride festival in early July - this is their major outreach opportunity for them, and Dwayne serves on the co-ordinating committee of the festival. 

Update on Prossy's Campaign to stay in the UK

As you know Prossy fled Uganda and came to the UK 8 months ago. Whilst the Home Office accept she is lesbian and has endured horrific treatment they seem to think it would be safe to return to another town in Uganda where she is not known.  This ignores the fact that homosexuality is illegal all over Uganda, the press conduct witch-hunts for gays and lesbians and one needs a reference from one's former village or town to settle into a new one.  You can find out more information about Prossy's campaign on our website including a video Prossy has made about what happened to her and showing how we can help.  An online petition went live this week and has attracted over 100 signatures already!  MCC sent out an email about her campaign worldwide - this has been sent on to everyone on our e-list with who has given us their email details.  Now one of the largest gay magazines in the US, Out in Jersey, has taken up the story and sent the details out.  It will appear in their next print edition but in the meantime they are sending it every other gay publication in the US.  The end result is that they will encourage people to email the Immigration Minister and sign the petition to him.  This type of international, and national, pressure really makes a difference.  The MEP Michael Cashman has also written in support of Prossy too.  Let's not be outdone by the Americans!  If you haven't signed the petition please do so, please also write to the Immigration Minister and download the petition and get your friends to sign too.  Paper based petitions should be returned to Andy.  All the details are on our website. 

Sexuality Studies Course

We now have 15 people from all over the UK coming to the Sexuality Studies course at Sedgley Park in November (9^th - 13^th).  The course will look at various aspects of human sexuality and pastoral responses to them.  Worship each day will integrate the themes we are learning and it is a wonderful course for anyone who wants to know more about the integration of spirituality and sexuality, those who do any form of lay pastoral work in church and those who may be considering training for ordination.  The cost is £235 residential or £100 non-residential.  Food costs are not included but the canteen at the centre is subsidised.  More details on our website.  We are expecting four or five people from MCCM - so if you want to come you will know some of the participants already!  Andy will be teaching the course along with Jane Clarke from MCC Glasgow.