annual report 2010 - metropolitan community church · general conference xxiv: acapulco, mexico...

1 MCC 2010 Annual Report

Annual Report

2010 This report is a review of the highlights of the activities, achievements, and financial results for 2010.


Dear Friends,

2010 was a year that held both excitement and challenge for Metropolitan Community Churches. We gathered together for General Conference in Acapulco and made some historic decisions about our governance and structure. We met together at church summits to examine our local church ministries and make plans to continue their path of development. We focused our attention and resources on leadership development for our future. We led the way on some key justice initiatives, and we reached out with compassion to those in need. Together, we accomplished much and this brief report will touch on many of these events.

In addition to what we got done together, 2010 was a year in which we were faced with significant financial challenges. In my report to General Conference, I made the point that we have struggled for years to live within our means, and have never done that very well. 2010 was a year in which we worked hard to change that dynamic and to live within the reality of a difficult economy, reduced tithes from churches and lower total income. With a strong level of focus and commitment by the staff and Governing Board, our income and expenses from operations broke even for the year. This is an encouraging result; and one which we will work hard to make the “new normal.”

Our new organizational foundation and our financial results from 2010 put us in a very strong position as we move into 2011. There is much to be excited about as we launch the International Task Force to assess our needs and recommend a global structure for us, continue our focus on leadership development, meet with local churches at church summits and at network gatherings, and continue our commitment to stand up for justice in the world.

Grace and Peace,

Nancy

Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson


General Conference XXIV: Acapulco, Mexico

Imagine! 2010 General Conference in Acapulco, Mexico, was a historic event for MCC. It was the first General Conference held in a non‐English speaking country, and the first conference to be hosted jointly by MCC and The Fellowship. It attracted more than 800 participants from around the world, as well as participation from several partner organizations such as the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (US), Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), and Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

This General Conference also saw a historic Youth Service, planned and led by MCC youth from around the world. This service energized us and helped us renew our focus on developing ways to amplify the voices of our youth.

We watched at each worship service as our messages of encouragement and challenge tore down the brick wall backdrop and revealed the words and ideas that build up hope hidden behind. At our poolside baptism service, we waded in the water and renewed our baptism together. We were blessed by this time together, and look ahead to the Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends, and Allies in Washington DC, USA in May 2011 and to General Conference in Chicago, IL USA in 2013.

Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson and Bishop Yvette Flunder,

The Fellowship Youth and Young Adults at Conference in Acapulco

Baptism in Conference Hotel Pool Conference Choir

Latin American MCC'ers at Conference in Acapulco


Changes in Governance

General Conference XXIV also saw a historic vote during the business meeting to enact a new structure for MCC. This new structure eliminated the separate Board of Elders and Board of Administration and created instead a single Governing Board. Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson was reelected as Moderator, and eight Governing Board members were elected.

Rev. Tony Freeman Liz Bisordi Rev. Dr. Candace Shultis Raquel Benitez‐Rojas Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary/Clerk

Rev. Onetta Brooks Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin John Hassell Bryan Parker The primary functions of the Governing Board are policy governance, strategic direction, fiduciary accountability, and management oversight. In their initial meetings, the board adopted two visions of ministry statements, which will be the focus of our work and the factor that guides how we allocate resources:

Build leadership development into all we do, particularly with young adults

Build and maintain systems of communication to strengthen our relationships, strengthen our congregations, and let people know who we are

For the latest information on the work of the Governing Board, visit the board’s website. http://governingboard.mccchurch.org/

http://governingboard.mccchurch.org/


The Life and Health of MCC Churches

2010 was the first full year of churches participating in summit gatherings focused on learning together about how church size impacts the way churches need to organize to operate successfully. During these summits, MCC Elders provide our church leaders with helpful information, professional consultation and focused coaching based on analysis of data from their individual churches. Nearly 100 churches have now participated in a size summit and are now beginning to make changes based on the information they learned. In 2011, plans are under way to expand the summit format and launch new summits focused on Stewardship, and Worship & Programming.

2010 was a formative year for the new church networks. The networks provide a way for our churches to gather together for fellowship and building connections with each other. We currently have 25 networks providing MCC churches all over the world with opportunities for continuing education, sharing ideas with each other and worshipping together. MCC also launched several resources for local churches in 2010. All are posted on our MCC website, and available for use at any church. Check them out! These resources include:

Board of Directors Handbook Children and Youth Resources Pastor Search Manual

Church Size Resources MCC TRANSFormative Church Ministry Program Holy Conversations Discussion Resource

Rev. Elders Garner, Fisher, Martin, and Brock

Kansas City, MO Size Summit Washington, DC Size Summit


Leadership Development

Leadership Development is a focus area identified by the Governing Board. With Rev. Dr. Mona West’s leadership, 2010 included REVM Retreats and many educational opportunities at General Conference, including a slate of workshops and Interim Ministry training offered by Rev. Margaret Walker. 2010 also saw the first funds provided to three recently graduated MCC clergy who are working in smaller churches. These funds provide critical financial assistance and make it possible for clergy to serve in some of our smaller churches. In 2011, leadership development programs are expanding to include new opportunities for clergy and laity:

Retreat opportunities for Clergy and Laity Events with a specific focus on our MCC youth and young adults Church summit events (Size Summits, Stewardship Summits, Worship and Programming

Summits) Network Gatherings

Rev. Dr. Mona West, Director of the Office of Formation and Leadership Development

REVM, Marble Falls, October 2010


Outreach: Building up Hope in the World

In 2010, MCC outreach included both calls for justice and acts of compassion. The year began with an outpouring of support for survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Members and friends of Metropolitan Community Churches donated over $48,000 for relief in Haiti. About half of that total went to support the efforts of Housing Works, which provides tents and other forms of housing for those with HIV/AIDS in Haiti. The remaining amount was used for direct relief in Haiti, distributed by ICM Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

With supplies purchased by donations to MCC’s Disaster Relief fund for Haiti, Rev. Tania Guzman and the members of ICM Santo Domingo made relief trips in February, April, and June 2010 to distribute food and hygiene products to nearly 100 families. They took rice, beans, food staples, soap, toothpaste, water, and other miscellaneous items. On the second and third trips, they also took along tents and some medicine for POZ, which is one of the LGBT organizations in Haiti working on HIV/AIDS and human rights.

The quick response to the call for donations from compassionate MCC’ers combined with ICM Santo Domingo’s ability to get critical supplies to where they were so badly needed, provided hope to those suffering in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Relief supplies delivered in Haiti

Rev. Tania Guzman and members of ICM Santo Domingo preparing to deliver relief supplies to Haiti


Outreach: Building up Hope in the World

MCC also led the way in critical areas of justice for LGBT people during 2010: The March for Tolerance in Jamaica The call for clergy to take a stand to give hope to LGBT youth in the Clergy Against

Bullying initiative Work towards the repeal of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, which opened the door for

service in the United States military in early 2011

MCC was also active in LGBT marriage initiatives. Rev. Elder Darlene Garner and her wife Rev. Candy Holmes are among the first LGBT couples to be legally married in Washington, DC.

The wedding, which took place in March 2010, is still making news in the US Capital nearly a year later, and was featured recently in a story posted on cbsnews.com. There were significant milestones in our Global Justice and Public Policy work. The MCC Public Policy Team convened in 2010 to monitor LGBT and social justice issues. This all‐volunteer team does the behind the scenes groundwork to prepare us to issue communication updates and action alerts in response to breaking policy issues and represents the Moderator and our Global Justice Institute in the US capitol.

In 2010, the dream of establishing an organization to be MCC’s global justice “arm” to confront oppression and injustice in the world became a reality with the establishment of the Global Justice Institute. This organization will position us to offer leadership globally from the LGBT faith perspective, and create safe space for activists as they work to transform their countries, especially confronting religious homophobia. Look for much exciting work from the Global Justice Institute as it moves past its formative stages and begins functioning independently in 2011.

Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson speaking at the March for Tolerance in Jamaica

MCC’s Abilene‐based staff plus special guest Marsha Warren, wearing purple to stand up against teen bullying, October 2010 (l to r: Leah Sloan, Marsha Warren, Bill Hooper, Rev. Mel Martinez, Tammy Erwin, Barb Crabtree, Franklin Calvin, Frank Zerilli)

Marriage Ceremony of Rev. Elder Darlene Garner and Rev. Candy

Holmes, Officiated by Rev. Dwayne Johnson, Senior Pastor, MCCDC


Fund Development

Director of Fund Development, Irma Bauer‐Levesque, played an integral part in several of our key initiatives in 2010. Irma was able to enlist 13 General Conference sponsors who collectively contributed over $40,000 toward the cost of the event. This enabled us to more effectively manage the conference budget and offer early registration at a reduced rate, helping to make conference more affordable for attendees. Designated gifts for the “Be a Gem Campaign” enabled our leaders in Latin America, Eastern Europe, African and Asian countries to come together for inspiration, training, and networking. Many of them represent the sole LGBT‐positive voice in their country. While at General Conference, Irma announced the availability of a new Planned Giving resource for local churches. Implementing planned giving will allow churches to establish foundational funds to enable future ministry.

Fund Development also focused on grants to fund special projects during 2010. Two successful grants were supported by the MCC Development office during 2010. The Arcus Foundation grant was a planning grant to provide funds to develop a strategy for LGBT rights in Jamaica. The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation grant was administered by Rev. Dr. Mona West, and went to assist newly graduated MCC clergy in order that they could begin a ministry in our smaller churches.

Resource Guide for Starting and Growing a Robust Planned Giving

Program

Irma Bauer‐Levesque, Director of Fund Development


MCC Financial Results

2010 was a year of challenges and a year of transforming our focus on managing our financial resources and controlling expenses. As a result, net income from operations was a small positive for the year (note: The General Conference event is reported separately from our regular operations budget). We completed audits for our 2007/2008 finances in the early part of 2010, and for our 2009 finances in late 2010. These audited financial reports are available on our web site. The financial results reported below are in the same format as that used for the report to General Conference. However, the 2009 results have been updated to reflect the audited

results. The, not yet audited, 2010 results have been added. The two reports are the:

Statement of Activities, which describes the finances focusing on the activities within each year: income and expenses, the increase/decrease in net assets as a result of the year’s activities, and MCC’s net assets at the end of the year

Statement of Financial Position, which describes a snapshot of our total assets and liabilities at the end of each year

For 2010, the key results are that our total assets were up slightly compared with 2009 and that our net assets increased by approximately $54,000, while our liabilities decreased by $50,000. This result reverses a trend in which net assets declined substantially in 2008 and 2009. For more details, monthly reports are posted on the financials page of our website. Go to: http://mccchurch.org/how‐we‐work/finances/

Barb Crabtree, Director of Operations

http://mccchurch.org/how-we-work/finances/


Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches Statement of Activities

For the Years Ending December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

2010* 2009 2008 2007 Support and Revenue

Tithe income $1,786,245 $1,816,542 $2,595,587 $2,245,051 Tithe rate: 13% 13% 13% 14%

Conferences and education $163,365 $308,780 $174,123 $361,114 Development income $94,546 $77,210 $166,168 $216,478 Other $464,451 $79,334 $105,303 $103,446 Gifts and donations $45,286 $93,027 $85,925 $102,422 Grants $100,060 $70,000

Church planting and revitalization $4,690 $5,255 $9,865 $6,416 Interest income $16,330 $22,747 $7,619 $365 Gain on sale of property

$1,744 $4,223,476

Generous in faith $26,127 $50,828 $80,703 Gain/loss on investments $127,234 $233,455 ($576,494) ($77,329)

Total Support and Revenue $2,828,334 $2,757,178 $2,650,543 $7,181,439

Expenses

Program expenses $1,803,135 $1,908,408 $2,432,022 $2,428,119 General and administrative $970,919 $971,710 $1,153,749 $1,904,913

Total Expenses $2,774,054 $2,880,118 $3,585,771 $4,333,032

(Decrease)/Increase in Net Assets $54,279 ($122,940) ($935,228) $2,848,407

Net Assets Beginning of Year $1,513,703 $1,636,643 $2,571,871 ($276,536)

Net Assets End of Year $1,567,982 $1,513,703 $1,636,643 $2,571,871

*2010 is unaudited and subject to change as a result of the audit process


Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches Statement of Financial Position

December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007

2010* 2009 2008 2007 Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents $368,704 $251,431 $131,731 $348,727 Accounts receivable, net $305,158 $340,653 $460,370

Investment in marketable securities $1,212,908 $1,299,861 $1,302,406 $2,796,729 Prepaid expense $17,249 $8,307 $8,835

Inventories $20,342 $20,342 $20,342 $20,342 Fixed assets, net $337,860 $337,860 $360,116 $364,699

Total Assets $2,262,219 $2,258,454 $2,283,800 $3,530,497

Liabilities:

Accounts payable $62,818 $191,440 $177,429 $479,936 Notes payable $293,718 $320,454 $320,999 $324,865 Accrued Expenses $262,499 $232,857 $148,729 $110,332 Deferred income $75,202 $43,493

Total Liabilities $694,237 $744,751 $647,157 $958,626

Net Assets

Unrestricted $1,354,015 $1,349,944 $1,490,706 $2,461,811 Temporarily restricted $213,967 $163,759 $145,937 $110,060

Total Net Assets $1,567,982 $1,513,703 $1,636,643 $2,571,871

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $2,262,219 $2,258,454 $2,283,800 $3,530,497

*2010 is unaudited and subject to change as a result of the audit process


In Appreciation of MCC Staff

We would like to take an opportunity to thank our MCC staff, especially those who have not been mentioned elsewhere in the report. Our staff members are amazing and very dedicated to our mission and call in the world. They work long hours to support the Senior Leadership Team, Governing Board, and our churches. We salute each of you, and pray for God’s blessing on you and your families.

Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman Resource Specialist

Kathy Beasley Communications Director

Florin Buhuceanu Eastern Europe Coordinator

Franklin Calvin Staff Support, Accounting

Carlos Chavez Conferences and IT Director

Angel Collie Archives & MCC Transgender Ministries

Ritchie Crownfield Program Support, OFLD

Tammy Erwin Director of Accounting

Vickey Gibbs Administrative Support to Rev. Elder Darlene Garner

Rev. Hector Gutierrez Church Support, Latin America


Kay Hale Administrative Support to Rev. Elder Lillie Brock

Bill Hooper Board of Pensions Administrator

Jennifer Justice Conferences

Marina Laws Church Support, Western Europe

Sharon Ludwig Church Support, Africa

Rev. Melanie Martinez MCC Online Ministries MCC Transgender Ministries

Connie Meadows Executive Assistant to Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson

Jason O’Neill Administrative Support to Rev. Elder Diane Fisher

Rev. Stedney Phillips Team Lead for Church Summits

Leah Sloan Data Analyst, Tithes

Rev. Margaret Walker Interim Ministry Coordinator

Frank Zerilli Executive Assistant to the Founder, retired December 2010

annual report 2010 - metropolitan community church · general conference xxiv: acapulco, mexico...

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