Our Regional Conference - Join Us!

In addition to my weekly invitation to each of you to worship with us at MCC Austin this weekend, I also want to extend an invitation to each of you to attend the MCC Region 6 Cluster Conference coming up on April 24-26 in Houston, Texas. Originally, Region 6 was to have a combined regional conference with Region 7 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, this spring, but the combined conference was cancelled in consideration of growing financial challenges in our global economy and local congregations. While the cancellation of the combined regional conference is disappointing on several levels, the decision to hold smaller, more easily accessible cluster conferences means that many more of us can attend the conference.

MCC conferences are wonderful opportunities to connect with fellow MCCers during worship services, workshops, forums, and fellowship. Some people might be under the impression that MCC conferences are only for clergy members and lay delegates, but that's not the case at all. While only clergy and lay delegates cast votes for nominated positions and for bylaws and revisions, everyone is welcome to participate in all worship services, plenary sessions, workshops, and of course, fun and fellowship. Especially important at this cluster conference will be opportunities to enter a discussion with Region 6 Elder candidate, Rev. Darlene Garner, before the vote on that position takes place and to participate in conversations about the two candidates for MCC Moderator to be elected at General Conference in 2010.

If you've been to an MCC regional or denominational event before, I'm sure I don't need to sell you on how wonderful they are. If you haven't been to one, don't let this opportunity to attend one so close to home pass you by. Do you remember how you felt when you first found your MCC home? Multiply by 20 and that's the feeling you'll have when you enter into worship and work with 200 or so others who are part of MCC's past, present, and future. Think of it as PRIDE weekend with the Spirit of God as the Grand Marshall...

Please, do join us and our friends from Galveston, Corpus Christi, Houston, Waco, and San Antonio at Resurrection MCC in Houston for the Region 6 Eastern Cluster Conference on April 24-26. You can register online for a very reasonable $50 per person, and hotel information is available online here . Please call Alycia Erickson, Director of Congregational Life, at 512-291-8601 with questions or for assistance.

I'd love for us to have 75 or 100 representatives from MCC Austin make the trip to Houston together. Encourage your friends and family to go; set up caravans and "green" carpools; stop and eat on the way; tie a rainbow flag on your antennae so you don't get separated from the group; and of course, honk if you love Jesus!

Always in Hope,