Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Accomplishment:MCCQC Annual Report to the UFMCC Region 1
Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City
Annual Report
September 2008 to August 2009
Introduction:
MCCQC started as a bible study group in September 13, 2006. Today it has grown to be
an affiliated local church of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community
Churches.
Inspired then by the 15th Anniversary celebration of MCC Philippines in Makati City,
Rev.Ceejay Agbayani and his partner Marlon Felipe organized a bible study for their friends
in Quezon City. Through their invitations via text messaging, six people showed up.
On its 3rd year anniversary, MCC-QC is proud of the fact that its church attendees has grown to
100 individuals in a month, conducts regular services in its worship center and has become
an active partner of LGBT groups in the country. This annual report documents the experiences and the facts surrounding its whole year of operations.
This report is divided into the following parts:
· Part 1: Synthesis
· Part 2: Activities Report
· Part 3: Attendance Report
· Part 4: Financial Report
· Part 5: Testimonies
At present, MCCQC is on the move to spread the good news of salvation to all people specially to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Quezon City, Caloocan, Novaliches, Paranaque,Manila, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, to name a few. With the help of the web, MCCQC promotes its vision and mission of transforming hearts, lives and history to all people they meet.
Synthesis of Developments:
The salient points of MCC-QC's development in the past year are as follows:
Services:
· Chapel is now fully operational. It has struggled for months to have electricity and other basic
features.
· The church has been regularly providing Sunday worship services since September 2008 and has had 45 services so far.
· MCC-QC conducts bible studies on Fridays and has done so for 38 weeks already. It is
continually exploring the possibility of adding more study groups.
· There have been 3 holy unions so far and we continue to encourage couples to make this
lasting commitment through MCC-QC.
· The church started to provide annual retreats for its members.
· MCC-QC offers gay-themed “viewing parties” or popularly known as “film showings” to reach
out to the community. Discussions are included in the design of this activity.
· Forums and Focus Group Discussions have been initiated in the last few months and will
continue to be developed in the next year of operations. This is a venue to gather insights and
have a place for understanding of the various issues each and every homosexual person is
facing in the Philippine society.
· MCC-QC has reached out to the LGBT community of Baguio and is currently mentoring its
volunteers so they can further develop as a church.
· The church is acting as lead convener in a monthly activity we call “getting-to-know-LGBTorganizations”.
Through this strategy, MCC-QC is hoping that it will help promote unity and
understanding between those who provide services to the community.
· The chapel is being offered as a venue for LGBT organizations to conduct their activities and
meetings. MCC-QC observed that most of these organizations are with very limited funds and
occasionally need spaces to convene its members. This is the church's way of supporting the
noble mission of our partners.
Attendance:
· MCCQC registered its highest monthly average attendance this August 2009, with 22 persons
attending for Sunday Worship Service and 14 persons for Friday Bible Study and other
Activities.
· Upon transfer to its new location at 56 Mindanao Avenue on November 23, 2008, MCCQC had a jump in bible study attendance, but a dip in Sunday service attendance.
· For the first half of 2009, Sunday service attendance peaked in January and April (when
electricity was finally installed in the chapel), while bible study attendance suffered from
January to May as most members prioritized Sunday attendance, and recruitment/retention of
members either hit a plateau or were unsuccessful.
· Intense recruitment and networking with other LGBT groups helped jump start attendance in
both activities since June 2009. The introduction of bible studies during other days, monthly
viewing parties and focus groups discussion also helped increase attendance. These activities
were organized to also maximize the space and facilities provided by the chapel.
· Data for Sunday Service includes masses for Christmas Day, Valentine’s Day and the Annual
Retreat. It excludes data for the Christmas Novena mass which registered a 10.8 average
attendance.
· Other activities include viewing parties and focus group discussion. Viewing parties registered a
21.7 average attendance.
· MCC-QC is high on participation from men and gay men while really low on female and lesbian
attendees. Strategies are being developed to increase our female and/or lesbian
population/membership.
Finances:
· MCC-QC is grateful to UFMCC for supporting this local church financially as it attempts to
establish itself in the past months. Because of the subsidy that was given, the church was able
to have a home that members can go to and worship. This also provided the church an image of
stability as it presents itself to the public and to its partners. To be exact, the kindness of
UFMCC has payed for the church rental and minimal allowance of its resident pastor.
· In the past months MCC-QC has attempted and struggled to pay for its other operational
expenses. It has gathered pledges from members and love offerings during worship services to
pay for its monthly bills and also provide a regular stipend for its pastor. During the first half of
th year, the “income” of the church was low and even went negative at certain periods.
Because of the increase of activities and attendees in the last quarter of this reporting period,
the church was able to slowly pick itself up. However, not yet enough to be fully sustainable.
· The bottom line is at the rate we are going, the church will need to have external support in
the next two years so it can be sustainable starting on its 6th year and beyond. MCC-QC is
frankly at the baby stage of its development and will need to be nurtured even more. The
church as an organization is still learning to run itself and look into the integration and
balancing of the practical needs and the spiritual mission. The exciting developments and
overwhelming positive response of the gay community to this church are good reasons to care
for its formation.
Insights and Basic Description of Activities and Services
MCCQC CHAPEL
MCCQC CHAPEL is a place for worship every Sunday afternoon. It is where the
Bible Study meetings are held every Friday Night. It is also now a place for
seminars, forums and focus group discussions. Furthermore, it is a place for
meetings of our LGBT partner organizations; a place for the homeless
gay men rejected by their own families because of their sexuality; a place for
office work of the newly created JMC Enterprise Ventures, a digital printing
business, to raise fund for MCCQC and of livelihood for non-working MCCQCers and
as a home for those members who have nowhere else to go.
MCCQC Chapel is also a place for transformation, discipleship, and evangelization from within the community. For those people who are staying, they learned the value of sharing, of discipline, of cleanliness, of responsibility, and of good manner and right conduct. We are building a community free from hatred and selfishness and of love and group spirit (Bayanihan). We eat together, we laugh together, we cry together, we support each
other with our problems; no one is left behind.
We are very thankful for this place because it creates a new community, a new society, a new
environment under the leadership of concern and the spirit of being our “brother’s keeper”. We are all responsible for each other’s attitude, of each other’s tantrums, of each other’s past experiences. We listen when somebody wants to be heard of his story. We advise when it is necessary. We developed this because we have the place to stay on. We are now a family. We have our own families but we tend to create our own family under this Church of MCC because we have our common experiences that this church brought to us. And thanks to this place. This place made things possible.
We don’t know what will happen to us when this place is no longer with us. We don’t want to believe that “some good things never last” , for we firmly believe that God will make a way. But if this will be God’s will, we will abide with God’s plan for us with all humility and obedience. Thy will be done.
God’s will be done. The only thing that we are holding now is our faith, our own faith that God will not leave us, that God will use instruments to help us.
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
Since after the 2nd Church Anniversary of MCCQC in September 2008 and with the closing of the church door of UCCP Edsa with us, we make sure to held the Sunday Worship Services and Holy Communion, either at the residence of Rev. Ceejay or to Oliver Andaya’s place, we make sure to meet together every Sundays. We are very thankful to those people like Kuya Noel Magdirila and Kuya Jemmer Pablo who open their houses for the MCC Sunday Worship Services. We are also thankful to Oliver who find the way to look for our space right now.
Sunday Worship Service is very vital to the church life of MCCers here in Quezon City. Without this weekly gathering we may not be able to meet every week. Our source of strength is with each other’s presence in adoration, praise and thanksgiving to our Sovereign God.
FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY MEETINGS
The Friday Bible Study Meetings is the Christian Education of MCCQC. It is where we know deeply of ourselves through the life of Jesus in the Gospels. Since the start of MCCQC in 2006, we had finished studying the Gospels of Mark, Luke, Acts of the Apostles, and Matthew. Currently, we are now on to the Gospel according to John. The mean average of attendance is about 10 persons. We recruit invitees from MIrc, and other Internet Social Network to attend bible study meetings on Fridays to witness and experience how a bisexual and gay guy read and share their experiences based on the Bible.
MCCQC Friday Bible Study is an improvise combination of a support group and experiential learning. We start with “How was your day or week?”, “How do you feel today?”, “Any good news or bad news you want to share?”, “ How was your IPSE (Intellectual, Physical Spiritual, Emotional)?”. This is where attendees are excited to share his updates about his love life, family problems, jobs and work related like triumphs in promotion and some toxic. Most of the time, this is where attendees are excited to share his happy and sad moments in their lives for the past week. Then after all had shared, we sing a praise song to set up the mood in prayer. After the prayer, we now read the Gospel in chapter readings in English and in Tagalog simultaneously. After which, one by one will share his striking verse that he can relate with experience. Then a synthesis or a review of their thoughts will come up with a bullet
time realization values and thoughts from the shared experiences. We will end the study by a survey question, “What do you learn from tonight’ session?”, Then after that we will have the offertory, then pray over the gifts, then announcements, after the announcements we proceed to community prayer with lights off and only candles, cross and the bible are seen in the middle. One by one prays with the hum song of Bless the Lord My Soul. Then after that the Lord Prayer was sung. Then Benediction and Sending Off and finally the Holy Kiss of Peace. This is what we do in our bible study meetings. There were times that dogmas and doctrinal issues were raised, but we tend to focus on what we all agrees than disagreements. We maintain to focus on MCC doctrines and beliefs, which most of us understood. MCC has its own culture. They have to know that. We have a distinct characteristic that made us to be a practicing ecumenical church, accepting, affirming, caring and loving church for all
LGBT and non-LGBT.
MCCQC ACTIVITIES
The MCCQC activities was in full implement only in June, primarily because the installation of electricity was only installed in April. We waited six months to be able have the electricity. We have a lot of plans for MCCQC Chapel but because we don’t have electricity we can’t do
anything but wait for it. However, we still conduct Sunday Services and Bible Study meetings but plugging and paying to the nearby commercial area every time that we conduct of our activities. Sad to say that sometimes we were not permitted to have it so we depend on candles lights alone. We spend a lot of money for this, we pay P150 per two hours.
FILM VIEWING PARTY
So, as soon as the electricity was installed, the idea of film showing for the film about “For The Bible Tells Me So” was a breakthrough. It was the beginning of something big for MCCQC in June 13, 2009. Attended by organization heads like Red Macalalad of SingleGuysOnline and Noel of Out Philippines and other invitees from MIRC and other internet social network, we had 20 people who attended including all MCCQCers. The demand to have another film showing was raised, and we are ready to show the movie about Mary Griffith, the “Prayers For Bobby” on July 25, 2009, which turn out to be success with 30 people in attendance, a phenomenally high for any single activities we’ve done so far which also resulted to the First Sunday Worship service in August that has more than 30 worshippers.
MCCQC officers are very thankful to our friends who help us made this possible by lending to us their office LCD projectors. Thanks to Dr.Rusty Francisco for the first viewing party, and Ondyk Uy for the second viewing party, respectively. We owe to them.
SATURDAY NIGHT @ MCC
With the result of the film showing activity, the idea to a light talk or a focus group discussion was raised. This time we want to have activities every Saturday Night. At first, the SEB or
Saturday Evening Bible study was the main idea but it was flopped because the people who want to do it were nowhere to find. So the officers took over the idea to have a light talk of
Focus Group discussion on gay lifestyle. With the help of Red of SGO, the FGD of “Bakla, Bakla, Paano ka ginawa? (Gay, Gay, How was your made of) ?”, turn to the idea to have another talk
show on homosexuals in the family which resulted to became a forum.
FORUMS AND SEMINARS
The September 6th forum on Filipino Family and Homosexuality will feature the four person speakers or sharers. A mother, a father, a brother and a sister, they will share to us how they struggles, challenged, difficulties and triumphs of having a homosexuals in the family. We hope that after this forum we could organized a PFLAG in the Philippines or a similar type of organizations for parents, relatives with homosexuals in the family.
MCCQC is sponsoring a forum on Homosexuality Is Not a Sin..not a Sickness on October 11, 2009, in celebration event of the 41st Birthday of UFMCC and the National Coming Out with Rev.Ceejay Agbayani as the main speaker.
MCCQC MISSION TO BAGUIO CITY
As early as November 2008, there are attempts to spread the good news of MCC to Baguio City. Baguio City as we know has an organized LGBT community that we know of through the media. The news on a gay couple wedding in Baguio City in 2003 was a huge impact to the Filipino LGBT community of their liberalism and bravery amidst the reaction of the Roman Catholic Church bishop in Baguio City, thus we think that Baguio City is the right place for the mission of MCC. Baguio City is the summer capital of the Philippines. An urbanized province in the northern part of the Philippines with seven-hour travel. The call to have meet in them in December was no good for us because we have Simbang Gabi Worship
Services. So the initial meeting was only done in January of 2009. I met Myke Sotero, William
Villacampa, Jude Bago and other gay men. I introduce MCC to them thorugh a presentation of
Homosexuality Is not a sin.. using the laptop. They were very happy to know that homosexuality is not a sin. We agree that I shall be back for the first MCCQC public worship in Ayuyang Bar in February. During this time, I inducted to the Rite of Attaining Membership interested members like Myke, William, Jude, and Juli, these are Human rights activists in Baguio City.
Since then, MCCQC has its now connection to Baguio City.
ANNUAL RETREAT
MCCQC has its own tradition of having an annual retreat. This year, on April 2009, MCCQC decided to conduct the retreat in Baguio City at the residence of Myke Sotero. Attended by MCCQCers and the members of MCC in Baguio City. The retreat was inspiring, motivating and encouraging according to them. They realized some things in their lives. They say that they were renewed and transform with their commitment with God and to the Church of MCC.
THE GETTING-TO-KNOW ORG AND CLANS HEADS MEETING
The getting-to-know-org heads meetings is an idea to know other Filipino LGBT organizations and clans. As you would know, Filipino tends to group themselves. We tend to organize and call themselves group. Well primary because we are longing a looking for a community or another family of our own, thus the idea to know other LGBT begun. At first, the idea was to call all org heads and make a support group led by the MCCQC. But I don’t want swallow other organizations vision and mission of expanding. What Ireally want is just to know each organization or clan’s activities so that we could be able to promote MCC on their own activities.
MCCQC started to call for other heads on July 1st initial meeting. This was attended by the
SingleGuysOnline represented by Orlando Red, Ryan and Sol, Out Philippines represented by Mamu and Bob, Unitarian Universalist represented by Tet and her friend, IFTAS of Marlon Lacsamana, and MCCQC represented by Rev.Ceejay, Marlon and JP. Again, the primary aim of this meeting is to know each organizations. The next meeting was set on August 6, 2009.
Prior to August 6, 2009, we started searching, looking and scouting organizations and clans to join our meetings via Facebook and other social networks in the internet. On the said date, there were new organizations showed up and these were Rainbow Rights of Atty. Angie Umbac, and GABAY (Gay and Bisexuals Advocate for Youth). SGO, IFTAS and MCCQC were present as usual. By the way, both of this event was held at the MCCQC Chapel. Out Philippines was not present due to unavoidable circumstances but they sent text message of regret. The next meeting was set on September 3, 2009, the first Thursday of the month.
Surprisingly, on September 3, 2009, there were many organizations and clans attended this 3rd meeting. At least 24 organizations represented. We did not expect this to happen. But still we are thankful for Marlon Lacsamana who campaign the meeting through the internet and also Yffar who posted it on the yahoogroups. Food came abundantly from participants. Issues were raised like the serial killers as well as the Manila Pride March on December 5, 2009, the campaign on We Dare We Care and the Urban Lesbian Poor issues. Actually, there are many issues, but we don’t want to tackle all of it because the primary aim of the meeting is just to meet other organizations, nothing more, nothing less. Next meeting will be on October 1, 2009.
Acknowledgments MCCQC is thankful for volunteers and friends of church and MCCQCers themselves who someway or another donated their time, talent and treasures, either in kind and in cash to make the Chapel clean and sacred.
MCC has been good to us. We are very thankful to God in using Rev. Troy Perry for creating this
wonderful church for the LGBT. We are forever grateful for the MCC Leadership especially to the Regional Elder Rev. Ken Martin and to Rev. Jonipher Kwong of the Asian-Pacific Iniative for their support and believe in us.
MCCQC was born with the desire to have a church home for the LGBT living in Quezon City. A church and a community that they will call the ‘second family’ or their “ first family”.
To God Be The Glory !!!
Next Steps for MCC-QC
1. Continue to provide the basic services of the church and develop creative strategies of
reaching out to the unreached.
2. Develop the church as a professional and learning organization with the belief that we have
to be effective and efficient stewards of God’s tangible and intangible resources.
3. Raise external (mostly foreign) support to sustain MCC-QC in the next two years while
building its membership and services to become sustainable on its 6th year and beyond.
4. Participate in the “WE DARE. WE CARE.” campaign which calls for unity and cooperation
among LGBT groups.
5. Initiate and prepare for the 1st Philippine LGBT Conference to be conducted on September
2010.
Testimonies from Members and Friends of the Church
Jason Masaganda writes:
“I’m glad that MCC came to the Philippines, the first MCC in Asia! I am currently in MCCQC, whose mother church is MCC Makati a. k. a. MCC Philippines. Now it’s growing and it has
increased its publicity. Few know that she has helped a lot in providing emotional and communal support for gays, lesbians, bisexual, transgender, etc. in a country that does not have
national policies appreciating sexual diversity. She provided a place where the GLBT community can breathe. As for me, she continually provides healing for the wounds I
encounter from other people who continue to discriminate, who harbors unconscious, internalized homophobia, and who does not truly understand us. She has also provided a common ground for me and my parents to foster understanding and unity despite of our religious beliefs. She, therefore, aided my parents to accept who I am and helped them to love me more. MCC also continues to provide me up-to-date values based on socially scientific principles. MCC is truly a dream come true and a prayer answered! This is truly where I belong!”
Venjohn Luna Nunez testifies:
“It was December of the year 2002 when I get out of the closet where I had been hiding …” I talked to my parents and told them that I am not a straight guy. I had no strength then but still I pursued to do it because I believed that they will understand me, love and accept me despite of
who I am, and guide me of those struggles that I had. When I have spoken to them, all my
expectations were gone. It was too hurting when my father condemned me right then and there. I can still remember those “sharp words” that came out from my father’s mouth and physically pushed me outside of the house and said, “from now on you are not going to be my son...You don’t even have the right to use my surname. GET OUT!” I knew that my mother wants to give comfort though, but my father was too angry and wild. My heart was bleeding when I packed my things up and went out the house saying goodbye to them. With all those tears fallen down in my face, I really felt being rejected and condemned. I supposed to seek acceptance from the church where I served but I knew I wouldn’t have it because they have been
telling me that “being a gay is a SIN.”
From then on, I began to hate myself. I did things that would make my father hate me so much and involve myself to some activities that will ruin my life. I never went to school anymore and have decided to go here in Manila instead, even if I knew that I would have nothing to live and nowhere to go.
Since then I accepted the fact that I have to stay there and “dance” with those street children who somehow taught me to “stand still” and fight for the trials I was encountering, In other words, LUNETA PARK, Manila had become my temporary home. My tears have never stopped fallen every time I see a family roaming around the park and every time I also see a homosexual.
God never blinks his eyes. I had my first job after a week of hoping. That was also the time that I
chose to forget my family and set my focus on my career instead. I left the park and the people staying there and had rent my own space to live for. However, I did not become a successful person that made me felt unfulfilled so I set focus again on things that would sustain my homosexual needs-e.g. going to bar every night and make sure that I would have a take home and have sex with that man. In other words, I became so promiscuous, a sex addict. My heart was really full of lust, anger, greed, vengeance and I was not even bothered. That made me so bitter from other successful person and happy people.
I continue to live by myself until I realized that everything was gone. I lost my home again, my friends, and everything. I even lost those people who care for me and understand me which I never had a chance to thank them as well.
It was in the internet, thru OUTPHILIPPINES when I saw the invitation of Rev. Ceejay (now I call him pastor ceejay) for a “Friday bible study for homosexuals” it was really a weird feeling when I saw the invitation because in my entire life and being in the church for so long whether in Catholic or in Born Again practice, homosexuals were not really tolerated and accepted. You will be accepted but you have to change, either the way you act, speak or even the lifestyle that you are having. I ignored the invitation at first, thinking that it’s still the same with other churches but I since I as more bothered what God was trying to impart with me in the situation I had than the problem that I was facing in, and really curious on the phrase “come and see” I accepted the invitation and took a step to listen and witness the Friday Bible Study. It was one of a kind feeling. I have learned that it was MCC thru pastor Ceejay who have reached out not just to homosexuals but those homosexuals who are spiritually hungry and thirsty, who were lost, homeless and in trouble.
Since that was a bible study for homosexuals, I never had a hard time in participating and relating not just the bible study with but the sharing as well. It continues until I decided to make some bonding with them too. We talked until we ended in prayer. Pastor Ceejay offered the chapel for me, thus I felt that even I walked away not only from my typical house but also from God’s presence, still God never leaves me. He gave me shelter and new friends as well.
I have been very thankful of what MCC have taught me. I have learned to accept that things should happen for a purpose. I have learned to forget my past and walk forward too. I have learned to forgive and love not just those people whom I like but to those who had caused me hurt and pain. MCC is not just my medium of transformation but a community and a family where I am proud to say that I belong. Since then I never stop telling them how thankful and blessed I am of being here.
Since then I commit myself to reached out my hand and help other homosexuals because I believe that they also deserve to feel what I am feeling right now.
“I was with the MCC people, and I shall be with them to help build communities not committees
and transformation not reformation.”
To my MCC FAMILY, a heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude because you accepted, and love me.
To the readers, I will never get tired to love them back and reached out other homeless and troubled homosexuals and shall continue to testify whether in words or in actions. MCC love and have helped not just me but also other people. And to those people whom who cared for me and that I never had a time to thank you; I want to grab this opportunity to thank you.
DEAR MCC especially to Rev. Ceejay, Thank you very much for you never stop reaching out, building community and showing love to every homosexuals.
Jhoei Gonzales shares his reasons for thanking the Lord:
For me, MCCQC is the place to be with, that calls a Family, a place that you can call home, and a place that accepts you as whole no matter who you are.
First I would like to say thank you Marlon for inviting me tru MIRC (Metro Internet Relay Chat) that ministers me that GOD also accepts Gays and Lesbian communities with their own Worship services which is every Sunday @ 5pm in MCCQC and on that time, I thanked God ‘coz
It pushes me to bring myself back to worshipping and singing to GOD
again.
As a part of this church, I have so many experiences that teach me to be humble and how to stand with good foundations of Faith and Love, to GOD and to another. I would like to say thank you Kuya Rev. Ceejay for so many encouragements and appreciation and thank you for treating me as young brother that accepts me as one of his family.
I would also say thank you for all my best friends who never leave alone and feel the sense of belonging as their brother and one of their family.
Again…., a many thanks to GOD almighty who give me a “second life” to bring back to you…I love you
Lord always!!
Agape,
Jhoei “wakeen” Gonzales
Statement of Support from
Unitarian Universalist of the Philippines
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines aims to be a beacon of progressive spirituality in a country dominated by conservative religious culture. We affirm the dignity and worth of all people, no matter what race, age, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
In UU we worship a God of limitless love who embraces all people. It is this Universalist belief that encourages to welcome. LGBTs wholeheartedly into our congregations and to work towards justice for LGBTs. Since 2007 UUs have marched in the Manila Pride March held every December. We also invited Pastor Ceejay Agbayani to our radio show to talk about the LGBT acceptance in society and churches. I have been honored to be invited to preach in MCCQC and accepted their invitation last August 30, 2009. I found a vibrant, spirited and energetic congregation and a worship experience that was truly uplifting.
Filipino UUs see MCCQC as a partner in building a more just and open society for all people, gay or straight. Their continuing struggle is an inspiration to all of us in our church and we pledge them our support in their endeavors.
Bob Guerrero
President
Unitarian Universalist Community Bicutan, Metro Manila, Philippines.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT OF SGO-PHILS TO
MCC-QC ON ITS 3RD ANNIVERSARY!
In behalf of the online social network Single Guys Online -Philippines (SGO-Phils) we would like to congratulate Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City on its third year of providing an
alternative spiritual community for LGBT Christians.
SGO-Phils was formed to provide a place for gay men to explore their sexuality in a safe and
wholesome online environment where friendship and personhood are the emphasis. We naturally sought the assistance and the partnership of MCC-QC so our community members can be referred to a church where they can reconcile their faith with their unique and special design as homosexuals.
Currently, some of our members are attending MCC's Sunday services, Friday Bible studies and monthly film showing. Our online social network provides a platform for MCC to reach out to gay men.
Since June of 2009, SGO-Phils and MCC-QC worked together in exploring the possibility of stirring a new call for unity and cooperation within the LGBT community. Only after 3 months of working together, our joint efforts has resulted in providing an additional venue for dialogue among LGBT organizations to work together closely. There is much to be done and with the continuous operation of MCC-QC and the strengthening of its leadership and focus, the spiritual community through MCC can play a significant part in fortifying LGBT groups and individuals in pursuing social change and development.
On a personal note, MCC-QC has helped me re-ignite the fire in getting to know my Savior on this new context of comfort and confidence in our Lord's love for gay men. This has resulted to an inspired leadership and a new sense of acceptance of God's purpose for my life. I am truly grateful that finally, I found a community where I can draw close to God while loving His design of my humanity and sexuality.
Lastly, SGO-Phils expresses its continuous support to MCC-QC. We hope that the international
community of MCChurches will recognize the potential of this particular church and continue to support it spiritually and operationally. As far as we are concerned, MCC-QC has well-positioned itself as a church in action with its active involvement in LGBT community leadership.
Congratulations on your 3rd anniversary! Thank you for making a big difference in our personal and collective lives!
Annual Report
September 2008 to August 2009
Introduction:
MCCQC started as a bible study group in September 13, 2006. Today it has grown to be
an affiliated local church of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community
Churches.
Inspired then by the 15th Anniversary celebration of MCC Philippines in Makati City,
Rev.Ceejay Agbayani and his partner Marlon Felipe organized a bible study for their friends
in Quezon City. Through their invitations via text messaging, six people showed up.
On its 3rd year anniversary, MCC-QC is proud of the fact that its church attendees has grown to
100 individuals in a month, conducts regular services in its worship center and has become
an active partner of LGBT groups in the country. This annual report documents the experiences and the facts surrounding its whole year of operations.
This report is divided into the following parts:
· Part 1: Synthesis
· Part 2: Activities Report
· Part 3: Attendance Report
· Part 4: Financial Report
· Part 5: Testimonies
At present, MCCQC is on the move to spread the good news of salvation to all people specially to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Quezon City, Caloocan, Novaliches, Paranaque,Manila, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, to name a few. With the help of the web, MCCQC promotes its vision and mission of transforming hearts, lives and history to all people they meet.
Synthesis of Developments:
The salient points of MCC-QC's development in the past year are as follows:
Services:
· Chapel is now fully operational. It has struggled for months to have electricity and other basic
features.
· The church has been regularly providing Sunday worship services since September 2008 and has had 45 services so far.
· MCC-QC conducts bible studies on Fridays and has done so for 38 weeks already. It is
continually exploring the possibility of adding more study groups.
· There have been 3 holy unions so far and we continue to encourage couples to make this
lasting commitment through MCC-QC.
· The church started to provide annual retreats for its members.
· MCC-QC offers gay-themed “viewing parties” or popularly known as “film showings” to reach
out to the community. Discussions are included in the design of this activity.
· Forums and Focus Group Discussions have been initiated in the last few months and will
continue to be developed in the next year of operations. This is a venue to gather insights and
have a place for understanding of the various issues each and every homosexual person is
facing in the Philippine society.
· MCC-QC has reached out to the LGBT community of Baguio and is currently mentoring its
volunteers so they can further develop as a church.
· The church is acting as lead convener in a monthly activity we call “getting-to-know-LGBTorganizations”.
Through this strategy, MCC-QC is hoping that it will help promote unity and
understanding between those who provide services to the community.
· The chapel is being offered as a venue for LGBT organizations to conduct their activities and
meetings. MCC-QC observed that most of these organizations are with very limited funds and
occasionally need spaces to convene its members. This is the church's way of supporting the
noble mission of our partners.
Attendance:
· MCCQC registered its highest monthly average attendance this August 2009, with 22 persons
attending for Sunday Worship Service and 14 persons for Friday Bible Study and other
Activities.
· Upon transfer to its new location at 56 Mindanao Avenue on November 23, 2008, MCCQC had a jump in bible study attendance, but a dip in Sunday service attendance.
· For the first half of 2009, Sunday service attendance peaked in January and April (when
electricity was finally installed in the chapel), while bible study attendance suffered from
January to May as most members prioritized Sunday attendance, and recruitment/retention of
members either hit a plateau or were unsuccessful.
· Intense recruitment and networking with other LGBT groups helped jump start attendance in
both activities since June 2009. The introduction of bible studies during other days, monthly
viewing parties and focus groups discussion also helped increase attendance. These activities
were organized to also maximize the space and facilities provided by the chapel.
· Data for Sunday Service includes masses for Christmas Day, Valentine’s Day and the Annual
Retreat. It excludes data for the Christmas Novena mass which registered a 10.8 average
attendance.
· Other activities include viewing parties and focus group discussion. Viewing parties registered a
21.7 average attendance.
· MCC-QC is high on participation from men and gay men while really low on female and lesbian
attendees. Strategies are being developed to increase our female and/or lesbian
population/membership.
Finances:
· MCC-QC is grateful to UFMCC for supporting this local church financially as it attempts to
establish itself in the past months. Because of the subsidy that was given, the church was able
to have a home that members can go to and worship. This also provided the church an image of
stability as it presents itself to the public and to its partners. To be exact, the kindness of
UFMCC has payed for the church rental and minimal allowance of its resident pastor.
· In the past months MCC-QC has attempted and struggled to pay for its other operational
expenses. It has gathered pledges from members and love offerings during worship services to
pay for its monthly bills and also provide a regular stipend for its pastor. During the first half of
th year, the “income” of the church was low and even went negative at certain periods.
Because of the increase of activities and attendees in the last quarter of this reporting period,
the church was able to slowly pick itself up. However, not yet enough to be fully sustainable.
· The bottom line is at the rate we are going, the church will need to have external support in
the next two years so it can be sustainable starting on its 6th year and beyond. MCC-QC is
frankly at the baby stage of its development and will need to be nurtured even more. The
church as an organization is still learning to run itself and look into the integration and
balancing of the practical needs and the spiritual mission. The exciting developments and
overwhelming positive response of the gay community to this church are good reasons to care
for its formation.
Insights and Basic Description of Activities and Services
MCCQC CHAPEL
MCCQC CHAPEL is a place for worship every Sunday afternoon. It is where the
Bible Study meetings are held every Friday Night. It is also now a place for
seminars, forums and focus group discussions. Furthermore, it is a place for
meetings of our LGBT partner organizations; a place for the homeless
gay men rejected by their own families because of their sexuality; a place for
office work of the newly created JMC Enterprise Ventures, a digital printing
business, to raise fund for MCCQC and of livelihood for non-working MCCQCers and
as a home for those members who have nowhere else to go.
MCCQC Chapel is also a place for transformation, discipleship, and evangelization from within the community. For those people who are staying, they learned the value of sharing, of discipline, of cleanliness, of responsibility, and of good manner and right conduct. We are building a community free from hatred and selfishness and of love and group spirit (Bayanihan). We eat together, we laugh together, we cry together, we support each
other with our problems; no one is left behind.
We are very thankful for this place because it creates a new community, a new society, a new
environment under the leadership of concern and the spirit of being our “brother’s keeper”. We are all responsible for each other’s attitude, of each other’s tantrums, of each other’s past experiences. We listen when somebody wants to be heard of his story. We advise when it is necessary. We developed this because we have the place to stay on. We are now a family. We have our own families but we tend to create our own family under this Church of MCC because we have our common experiences that this church brought to us. And thanks to this place. This place made things possible.
We don’t know what will happen to us when this place is no longer with us. We don’t want to believe that “some good things never last” , for we firmly believe that God will make a way. But if this will be God’s will, we will abide with God’s plan for us with all humility and obedience. Thy will be done.
God’s will be done. The only thing that we are holding now is our faith, our own faith that God will not leave us, that God will use instruments to help us.
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
Since after the 2nd Church Anniversary of MCCQC in September 2008 and with the closing of the church door of UCCP Edsa with us, we make sure to held the Sunday Worship Services and Holy Communion, either at the residence of Rev. Ceejay or to Oliver Andaya’s place, we make sure to meet together every Sundays. We are very thankful to those people like Kuya Noel Magdirila and Kuya Jemmer Pablo who open their houses for the MCC Sunday Worship Services. We are also thankful to Oliver who find the way to look for our space right now.
Sunday Worship Service is very vital to the church life of MCCers here in Quezon City. Without this weekly gathering we may not be able to meet every week. Our source of strength is with each other’s presence in adoration, praise and thanksgiving to our Sovereign God.
FRIDAY BIBLE STUDY MEETINGS
The Friday Bible Study Meetings is the Christian Education of MCCQC. It is where we know deeply of ourselves through the life of Jesus in the Gospels. Since the start of MCCQC in 2006, we had finished studying the Gospels of Mark, Luke, Acts of the Apostles, and Matthew. Currently, we are now on to the Gospel according to John. The mean average of attendance is about 10 persons. We recruit invitees from MIrc, and other Internet Social Network to attend bible study meetings on Fridays to witness and experience how a bisexual and gay guy read and share their experiences based on the Bible.
MCCQC Friday Bible Study is an improvise combination of a support group and experiential learning. We start with “How was your day or week?”, “How do you feel today?”, “Any good news or bad news you want to share?”, “ How was your IPSE (Intellectual, Physical Spiritual, Emotional)?”. This is where attendees are excited to share his updates about his love life, family problems, jobs and work related like triumphs in promotion and some toxic. Most of the time, this is where attendees are excited to share his happy and sad moments in their lives for the past week. Then after all had shared, we sing a praise song to set up the mood in prayer. After the prayer, we now read the Gospel in chapter readings in English and in Tagalog simultaneously. After which, one by one will share his striking verse that he can relate with experience. Then a synthesis or a review of their thoughts will come up with a bullet
time realization values and thoughts from the shared experiences. We will end the study by a survey question, “What do you learn from tonight’ session?”, Then after that we will have the offertory, then pray over the gifts, then announcements, after the announcements we proceed to community prayer with lights off and only candles, cross and the bible are seen in the middle. One by one prays with the hum song of Bless the Lord My Soul. Then after that the Lord Prayer was sung. Then Benediction and Sending Off and finally the Holy Kiss of Peace. This is what we do in our bible study meetings. There were times that dogmas and doctrinal issues were raised, but we tend to focus on what we all agrees than disagreements. We maintain to focus on MCC doctrines and beliefs, which most of us understood. MCC has its own culture. They have to know that. We have a distinct characteristic that made us to be a practicing ecumenical church, accepting, affirming, caring and loving church for all
LGBT and non-LGBT.
MCCQC ACTIVITIES
The MCCQC activities was in full implement only in June, primarily because the installation of electricity was only installed in April. We waited six months to be able have the electricity. We have a lot of plans for MCCQC Chapel but because we don’t have electricity we can’t do
anything but wait for it. However, we still conduct Sunday Services and Bible Study meetings but plugging and paying to the nearby commercial area every time that we conduct of our activities. Sad to say that sometimes we were not permitted to have it so we depend on candles lights alone. We spend a lot of money for this, we pay P150 per two hours.
FILM VIEWING PARTY
So, as soon as the electricity was installed, the idea of film showing for the film about “For The Bible Tells Me So” was a breakthrough. It was the beginning of something big for MCCQC in June 13, 2009. Attended by organization heads like Red Macalalad of SingleGuysOnline and Noel of Out Philippines and other invitees from MIRC and other internet social network, we had 20 people who attended including all MCCQCers. The demand to have another film showing was raised, and we are ready to show the movie about Mary Griffith, the “Prayers For Bobby” on July 25, 2009, which turn out to be success with 30 people in attendance, a phenomenally high for any single activities we’ve done so far which also resulted to the First Sunday Worship service in August that has more than 30 worshippers.
MCCQC officers are very thankful to our friends who help us made this possible by lending to us their office LCD projectors. Thanks to Dr.Rusty Francisco for the first viewing party, and Ondyk Uy for the second viewing party, respectively. We owe to them.
SATURDAY NIGHT @ MCC
With the result of the film showing activity, the idea to a light talk or a focus group discussion was raised. This time we want to have activities every Saturday Night. At first, the SEB or
Saturday Evening Bible study was the main idea but it was flopped because the people who want to do it were nowhere to find. So the officers took over the idea to have a light talk of
Focus Group discussion on gay lifestyle. With the help of Red of SGO, the FGD of “Bakla, Bakla, Paano ka ginawa? (Gay, Gay, How was your made of) ?”, turn to the idea to have another talk
show on homosexuals in the family which resulted to became a forum.
FORUMS AND SEMINARS
The September 6th forum on Filipino Family and Homosexuality will feature the four person speakers or sharers. A mother, a father, a brother and a sister, they will share to us how they struggles, challenged, difficulties and triumphs of having a homosexuals in the family. We hope that after this forum we could organized a PFLAG in the Philippines or a similar type of organizations for parents, relatives with homosexuals in the family.
MCCQC is sponsoring a forum on Homosexuality Is Not a Sin..not a Sickness on October 11, 2009, in celebration event of the 41st Birthday of UFMCC and the National Coming Out with Rev.Ceejay Agbayani as the main speaker.
MCCQC MISSION TO BAGUIO CITY
As early as November 2008, there are attempts to spread the good news of MCC to Baguio City. Baguio City as we know has an organized LGBT community that we know of through the media. The news on a gay couple wedding in Baguio City in 2003 was a huge impact to the Filipino LGBT community of their liberalism and bravery amidst the reaction of the Roman Catholic Church bishop in Baguio City, thus we think that Baguio City is the right place for the mission of MCC. Baguio City is the summer capital of the Philippines. An urbanized province in the northern part of the Philippines with seven-hour travel. The call to have meet in them in December was no good for us because we have Simbang Gabi Worship
Services. So the initial meeting was only done in January of 2009. I met Myke Sotero, William
Villacampa, Jude Bago and other gay men. I introduce MCC to them thorugh a presentation of
Homosexuality Is not a sin.. using the laptop. They were very happy to know that homosexuality is not a sin. We agree that I shall be back for the first MCCQC public worship in Ayuyang Bar in February. During this time, I inducted to the Rite of Attaining Membership interested members like Myke, William, Jude, and Juli, these are Human rights activists in Baguio City.
Since then, MCCQC has its now connection to Baguio City.
ANNUAL RETREAT
MCCQC has its own tradition of having an annual retreat. This year, on April 2009, MCCQC decided to conduct the retreat in Baguio City at the residence of Myke Sotero. Attended by MCCQCers and the members of MCC in Baguio City. The retreat was inspiring, motivating and encouraging according to them. They realized some things in their lives. They say that they were renewed and transform with their commitment with God and to the Church of MCC.
THE GETTING-TO-KNOW ORG AND CLANS HEADS MEETING
The getting-to-know-org heads meetings is an idea to know other Filipino LGBT organizations and clans. As you would know, Filipino tends to group themselves. We tend to organize and call themselves group. Well primary because we are longing a looking for a community or another family of our own, thus the idea to know other LGBT begun. At first, the idea was to call all org heads and make a support group led by the MCCQC. But I don’t want swallow other organizations vision and mission of expanding. What Ireally want is just to know each organization or clan’s activities so that we could be able to promote MCC on their own activities.
MCCQC started to call for other heads on July 1st initial meeting. This was attended by the
SingleGuysOnline represented by Orlando Red, Ryan and Sol, Out Philippines represented by Mamu and Bob, Unitarian Universalist represented by Tet and her friend, IFTAS of Marlon Lacsamana, and MCCQC represented by Rev.Ceejay, Marlon and JP. Again, the primary aim of this meeting is to know each organizations. The next meeting was set on August 6, 2009.
Prior to August 6, 2009, we started searching, looking and scouting organizations and clans to join our meetings via Facebook and other social networks in the internet. On the said date, there were new organizations showed up and these were Rainbow Rights of Atty. Angie Umbac, and GABAY (Gay and Bisexuals Advocate for Youth). SGO, IFTAS and MCCQC were present as usual. By the way, both of this event was held at the MCCQC Chapel. Out Philippines was not present due to unavoidable circumstances but they sent text message of regret. The next meeting was set on September 3, 2009, the first Thursday of the month.
Surprisingly, on September 3, 2009, there were many organizations and clans attended this 3rd meeting. At least 24 organizations represented. We did not expect this to happen. But still we are thankful for Marlon Lacsamana who campaign the meeting through the internet and also Yffar who posted it on the yahoogroups. Food came abundantly from participants. Issues were raised like the serial killers as well as the Manila Pride March on December 5, 2009, the campaign on We Dare We Care and the Urban Lesbian Poor issues. Actually, there are many issues, but we don’t want to tackle all of it because the primary aim of the meeting is just to meet other organizations, nothing more, nothing less. Next meeting will be on October 1, 2009.
Acknowledgments MCCQC is thankful for volunteers and friends of church and MCCQCers themselves who someway or another donated their time, talent and treasures, either in kind and in cash to make the Chapel clean and sacred.
MCC has been good to us. We are very thankful to God in using Rev. Troy Perry for creating this
wonderful church for the LGBT. We are forever grateful for the MCC Leadership especially to the Regional Elder Rev. Ken Martin and to Rev. Jonipher Kwong of the Asian-Pacific Iniative for their support and believe in us.
MCCQC was born with the desire to have a church home for the LGBT living in Quezon City. A church and a community that they will call the ‘second family’ or their “ first family”.
To God Be The Glory !!!
Next Steps for MCC-QC
1. Continue to provide the basic services of the church and develop creative strategies of
reaching out to the unreached.
2. Develop the church as a professional and learning organization with the belief that we have
to be effective and efficient stewards of God’s tangible and intangible resources.
3. Raise external (mostly foreign) support to sustain MCC-QC in the next two years while
building its membership and services to become sustainable on its 6th year and beyond.
4. Participate in the “WE DARE. WE CARE.” campaign which calls for unity and cooperation
among LGBT groups.
5. Initiate and prepare for the 1st Philippine LGBT Conference to be conducted on September
2010.
Testimonies from Members and Friends of the Church
Jason Masaganda writes:
“I’m glad that MCC came to the Philippines, the first MCC in Asia! I am currently in MCCQC, whose mother church is MCC Makati a. k. a. MCC Philippines. Now it’s growing and it has
increased its publicity. Few know that she has helped a lot in providing emotional and communal support for gays, lesbians, bisexual, transgender, etc. in a country that does not have
national policies appreciating sexual diversity. She provided a place where the GLBT community can breathe. As for me, she continually provides healing for the wounds I
encounter from other people who continue to discriminate, who harbors unconscious, internalized homophobia, and who does not truly understand us. She has also provided a common ground for me and my parents to foster understanding and unity despite of our religious beliefs. She, therefore, aided my parents to accept who I am and helped them to love me more. MCC also continues to provide me up-to-date values based on socially scientific principles. MCC is truly a dream come true and a prayer answered! This is truly where I belong!”
Venjohn Luna Nunez testifies:
“It was December of the year 2002 when I get out of the closet where I had been hiding …” I talked to my parents and told them that I am not a straight guy. I had no strength then but still I pursued to do it because I believed that they will understand me, love and accept me despite of
who I am, and guide me of those struggles that I had. When I have spoken to them, all my
expectations were gone. It was too hurting when my father condemned me right then and there. I can still remember those “sharp words” that came out from my father’s mouth and physically pushed me outside of the house and said, “from now on you are not going to be my son...You don’t even have the right to use my surname. GET OUT!” I knew that my mother wants to give comfort though, but my father was too angry and wild. My heart was bleeding when I packed my things up and went out the house saying goodbye to them. With all those tears fallen down in my face, I really felt being rejected and condemned. I supposed to seek acceptance from the church where I served but I knew I wouldn’t have it because they have been
telling me that “being a gay is a SIN.”
From then on, I began to hate myself. I did things that would make my father hate me so much and involve myself to some activities that will ruin my life. I never went to school anymore and have decided to go here in Manila instead, even if I knew that I would have nothing to live and nowhere to go.
Since then I accepted the fact that I have to stay there and “dance” with those street children who somehow taught me to “stand still” and fight for the trials I was encountering, In other words, LUNETA PARK, Manila had become my temporary home. My tears have never stopped fallen every time I see a family roaming around the park and every time I also see a homosexual.
God never blinks his eyes. I had my first job after a week of hoping. That was also the time that I
chose to forget my family and set my focus on my career instead. I left the park and the people staying there and had rent my own space to live for. However, I did not become a successful person that made me felt unfulfilled so I set focus again on things that would sustain my homosexual needs-e.g. going to bar every night and make sure that I would have a take home and have sex with that man. In other words, I became so promiscuous, a sex addict. My heart was really full of lust, anger, greed, vengeance and I was not even bothered. That made me so bitter from other successful person and happy people.
I continue to live by myself until I realized that everything was gone. I lost my home again, my friends, and everything. I even lost those people who care for me and understand me which I never had a chance to thank them as well.
It was in the internet, thru OUTPHILIPPINES when I saw the invitation of Rev. Ceejay (now I call him pastor ceejay) for a “Friday bible study for homosexuals” it was really a weird feeling when I saw the invitation because in my entire life and being in the church for so long whether in Catholic or in Born Again practice, homosexuals were not really tolerated and accepted. You will be accepted but you have to change, either the way you act, speak or even the lifestyle that you are having. I ignored the invitation at first, thinking that it’s still the same with other churches but I since I as more bothered what God was trying to impart with me in the situation I had than the problem that I was facing in, and really curious on the phrase “come and see” I accepted the invitation and took a step to listen and witness the Friday Bible Study. It was one of a kind feeling. I have learned that it was MCC thru pastor Ceejay who have reached out not just to homosexuals but those homosexuals who are spiritually hungry and thirsty, who were lost, homeless and in trouble.
Since that was a bible study for homosexuals, I never had a hard time in participating and relating not just the bible study with but the sharing as well. It continues until I decided to make some bonding with them too. We talked until we ended in prayer. Pastor Ceejay offered the chapel for me, thus I felt that even I walked away not only from my typical house but also from God’s presence, still God never leaves me. He gave me shelter and new friends as well.
I have been very thankful of what MCC have taught me. I have learned to accept that things should happen for a purpose. I have learned to forget my past and walk forward too. I have learned to forgive and love not just those people whom I like but to those who had caused me hurt and pain. MCC is not just my medium of transformation but a community and a family where I am proud to say that I belong. Since then I never stop telling them how thankful and blessed I am of being here.
Since then I commit myself to reached out my hand and help other homosexuals because I believe that they also deserve to feel what I am feeling right now.
“I was with the MCC people, and I shall be with them to help build communities not committees
and transformation not reformation.”
To my MCC FAMILY, a heartfelt thanks and deep gratitude because you accepted, and love me.
To the readers, I will never get tired to love them back and reached out other homeless and troubled homosexuals and shall continue to testify whether in words or in actions. MCC love and have helped not just me but also other people. And to those people whom who cared for me and that I never had a time to thank you; I want to grab this opportunity to thank you.
DEAR MCC especially to Rev. Ceejay, Thank you very much for you never stop reaching out, building community and showing love to every homosexuals.
Jhoei Gonzales shares his reasons for thanking the Lord:
For me, MCCQC is the place to be with, that calls a Family, a place that you can call home, and a place that accepts you as whole no matter who you are.
First I would like to say thank you Marlon for inviting me tru MIRC (Metro Internet Relay Chat) that ministers me that GOD also accepts Gays and Lesbian communities with their own Worship services which is every Sunday @ 5pm in MCCQC and on that time, I thanked God ‘coz
It pushes me to bring myself back to worshipping and singing to GOD
again.
As a part of this church, I have so many experiences that teach me to be humble and how to stand with good foundations of Faith and Love, to GOD and to another. I would like to say thank you Kuya Rev. Ceejay for so many encouragements and appreciation and thank you for treating me as young brother that accepts me as one of his family.
I would also say thank you for all my best friends who never leave alone and feel the sense of belonging as their brother and one of their family.
Again…., a many thanks to GOD almighty who give me a “second life” to bring back to you…I love you
Lord always!!
Agape,
Jhoei “wakeen” Gonzales
Statement of Support from
Unitarian Universalist of the Philippines
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines aims to be a beacon of progressive spirituality in a country dominated by conservative religious culture. We affirm the dignity and worth of all people, no matter what race, age, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
In UU we worship a God of limitless love who embraces all people. It is this Universalist belief that encourages to welcome. LGBTs wholeheartedly into our congregations and to work towards justice for LGBTs. Since 2007 UUs have marched in the Manila Pride March held every December. We also invited Pastor Ceejay Agbayani to our radio show to talk about the LGBT acceptance in society and churches. I have been honored to be invited to preach in MCCQC and accepted their invitation last August 30, 2009. I found a vibrant, spirited and energetic congregation and a worship experience that was truly uplifting.
Filipino UUs see MCCQC as a partner in building a more just and open society for all people, gay or straight. Their continuing struggle is an inspiration to all of us in our church and we pledge them our support in their endeavors.
Bob Guerrero
President
Unitarian Universalist Community Bicutan, Metro Manila, Philippines.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT OF SGO-PHILS TO
MCC-QC ON ITS 3RD ANNIVERSARY!
In behalf of the online social network Single Guys Online -Philippines (SGO-Phils) we would like to congratulate Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City on its third year of providing an
alternative spiritual community for LGBT Christians.
SGO-Phils was formed to provide a place for gay men to explore their sexuality in a safe and
wholesome online environment where friendship and personhood are the emphasis. We naturally sought the assistance and the partnership of MCC-QC so our community members can be referred to a church where they can reconcile their faith with their unique and special design as homosexuals.
Currently, some of our members are attending MCC's Sunday services, Friday Bible studies and monthly film showing. Our online social network provides a platform for MCC to reach out to gay men.
Since June of 2009, SGO-Phils and MCC-QC worked together in exploring the possibility of stirring a new call for unity and cooperation within the LGBT community. Only after 3 months of working together, our joint efforts has resulted in providing an additional venue for dialogue among LGBT organizations to work together closely. There is much to be done and with the continuous operation of MCC-QC and the strengthening of its leadership and focus, the spiritual community through MCC can play a significant part in fortifying LGBT groups and individuals in pursuing social change and development.
On a personal note, MCC-QC has helped me re-ignite the fire in getting to know my Savior on this new context of comfort and confidence in our Lord's love for gay men. This has resulted to an inspired leadership and a new sense of acceptance of God's purpose for my life. I am truly grateful that finally, I found a community where I can draw close to God while loving His design of my humanity and sexuality.
Lastly, SGO-Phils expresses its continuous support to MCC-QC. We hope that the international
community of MCChurches will recognize the potential of this particular church and continue to support it spiritually and operationally. As far as we are concerned, MCC-QC has well-positioned itself as a church in action with its active involvement in LGBT community leadership.
Congratulations on your 3rd anniversary! Thank you for making a big difference in our personal and collective lives!
Metropolitan Community Church of Quezon City
Nagsmula ang MCCQC sa isang bible study lamang na simulan ni Rev.Ceejay Agbayani at ng kanyang partner na si Marlon Felipe noong September 13, 2006, Wednesday ng gabi.
Na-inspired si Rev.Ceejay sa isang napakagandang celebrasyon ng 15th Anniversary ng MCCPhilippines sa Brgy Hall ng Guadalupe Viejo sa Makati City.
Nagsimula lamang sa anim na dumalo ang pagtitipong ito. At dumami ng dumami ang mga miembro nito hanggang magkaroon na ng isang lugar na mas malaki at mas maayos sa Pall Mall St, East Fairview Subdivision sa bahay ni Kuya Noel.
Doon na din sa lugar na yun nabuo ang isang pamayanang mananambahan sa mga nakatira sa Lungsod Quezon at sa kapalit lugar nito.
Noong September 15, 2007, naidaos ang unang anibersaryo ng pamayanang mananampalataya dito. Naging makasaysayan ito dahil nabigyang buhay at lakas ang mga naninirahan sa Quezon City na magkaroon ng isang MCC sa kanilang lugar.
At ng dumating naman ang sumunod na taon, September 14, 2008, na-ordinahan si Rev.Ceejay Agbayani, pangalawang Filipino clergy na ma-ordinahan sa ilalim ng denominasyon ng Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches na pinangunahan ni Bishop Kenneth Martin ng Region 1 at ni Rev.Elder Jonipher Kwong ng Asians-Pacific Initiative. Kasama sa nag ordina sa kanya ay si Fr.Vincent Taguinod ng Philippine Independent Catholic Churc, Rev.Dr. Ferdinand Anno, Union Theological Seminary, isang UCCP ordained clergy, ng isang Lay na si Regen Luna, Interim Pastoral Leader ng MCCPhilippines.
Makatapos ng isang taon, noon namang 2009 September 13th, nag karoon naman ng publikong kasalanan sa MCCQC. Ito naman ang anging Holy Union ni Rev. Ceejay at ng kanyang partner na si Marlon.
Marami nang nabago sa buhay ng MCCQC, ngunit nagsisimula pa lamang ito sa kanyang tatahakin.
Sa susunod naman ay isang magandang reporting ng MCCQC sa UFMCC.
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