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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 14h

58 years later, that living room gathering has blossomed into a global movement spanning dozens of countries, proving that love, faith, and authenticity can build bridges where walls used to stand.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 14h

MCC went on to pioneer early civil rights marches, advocate for marriage equality decades before it was legalized, and offer a sacred home to those who had been turned away elsewhere.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 14h

What started around a coffee table grew into the world’s first church denomination with a primary, affirmative ministry for the LGBTQ+ community.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 14h

Reverend Troy Perry held the very first service of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) with just 12 people in attendance. At a time when being openly LGBTQ+ was criminalized, condemned, and pathologized, MCC dared to preach a simple, transformative message: God loves you just as you are.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 14h

Today in history: Metropolitan Community Church was founded - October 6, 1968. On this day in 1968, eight months before the Stonewall Riots, a quiet revolution of faith and radical inclusion began in a Huntington Park, California living room.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The manual is now added to the MCC Resource Bank, with translations to other languages coming soon. VIEW DOCUMENT: drive.google.com/drive/folder...

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

MCC Board Training Manual is Now Available *** Our updated MCC Board Training Manual is now available, with refreshed content, practical tools, reflection questions, and resources designed to support both new and experienced Board members in faithful and effective leadership.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

October is UK Black History Month! ✨ At Metropolitan Community Churches, we celebrate the rich history, vibrant cultures, and invaluable contributions of Black individuals within our global faith movement and across the United Kingdom.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Job Openings in MCC *** Pikes Peak MCC in CO, USA seeks a part-time pastor serving approximately 20 hours per week. VIEW ALL JOB OPENINGS: drive.google.com/drive/folder...

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Fred Cannady-Kelderman—MCC Clergy Candidate and Governing Board Member of the North Carolina Council of Churches (NCCC), located in the United States—is stepping into the role of official representative to bridge local MCC congregations with the broader ecumenical movement.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Introducing Fred Cannady-Kelderman as North Carolina Council of Churches Representative ***

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Reposted by Metropolitan Community Churches

Watermark Out News @watermarkoutnews.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

@mcctampa.bsky.social, part of the Universal Fellowship of @mccdenomination.bsky.social, is billed as Tampa Bay's first formal LGBTQ+ organization. Read more: tinyurl.com/3rdjdp5t

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Rev. Elder Ines-Paul raised MCC’s prophetic voice on a global stage, sharing our church’s vision of radical inclusion, faith, and liberation. READ MORE: insidemcc.org/news/mcc-rep...

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

MCC Represents at Reli-WorldPride 2026 in Amsterdam *** Reli-WorldPride brought together an ecumenical and interreligious gathering of leaders, activists, and faith communities from around the globe.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Schedule: 18th October (see local time via link below). REGISTER NOW: zoom.us/webinar/regi...

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

LGBTQ-RAN 25th Anniversary Gala *** This year's annual gala is a grand celebration of 25 years of LGBTQ-RAN preserving and proclaiming LGBTQ religious history! MCC's very own Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson will be honored in this event.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Next Schedule: 3rd to 4th October (see local time via link below). REGISTER NOW: www.facebook.com/share/14iQSP...

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Transblessing 2026: Online Conference *** Join the world's only digital conference for, about, with and by transgender, non binary and gender non conforming Christians aged 15-35. No participation fee! Featured speaker from MCC is Lewis Reay.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

If you are in Ireland or the UK please share with MCC what you are doing in your community or church to celebrate Black History Month. Within the Resource Folder we have some resources. I have also included a reflection on Black History Month. VIEW DOCUMENT: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Rev. Teagan MacAodhagáin: Dear Friends in Faith - Black History Month in Ireland and the UK takes place from October 1 to October 31, 2026. The 2026 theme is “Honouring Our Communities,” focusing on the histories, experiences, and contributions of the Black diaspora.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

UK Black History Month: Celebrating Black British and Black Irish Lives ***

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The manual will be added to the MCC Resource Bank, with translated versions also in process. Watch for the full release in the October 1 edition of our newsletter.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Something new is coming for MCC Board leaders. Our updated MCC Board Training Manual is almost ready, with refreshed content, practical tools, reflection questions, and resources designed to support both new and experienced Board members in faithful and effective leadership.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Coming Soon: A New Resource for MCC Board Leaders ***

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Next Schedule: 30th September (see local time via link below). REGISTER NOW: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Queering Fall: Exploring LGBTIQ+ Perspectives on Faith Practices *** In this panel discussion, faith leaders from the Lavender Interfaith Collective will offer a lively and thoughtful overview of LGBTIQ+ perspectives on a variety of Fall holy days across diverse traditions.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Rev. Elder John Gill was a compassionate, inspiring leader who changed lives and brought people closer to God. Let us keep his beloved John, friends, family, and loved ones in our prayers.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

2009-2010: On February 2nd of 2009, Rev. John Gill celebrated his 25th anniversary with his spouse, John Phlegar. His retirement from the active pastoral ministry began in 2011, just a few months shy of having served for forty years as clergy in UFMCC.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Rev. Gill then pastored King of Peace MCC in St. Petersburg, Florida for 11 years until 2006. Then until 2010, Rev. Gill served as interim Pastor in MCC-San Diego, California and MCC-Phoenix, Arizona.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

1975—2009: In 1975, Rev. Gill became the Pastor of MCC-Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he served until he was elected Pastor of MCC of the Resurrection in Houston, Texas in 1985, serving until 1995.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

They conducted a memorial service and in the following weeks raised funds for the burial of fire victims. In September, Atlanta MCC hosted the UFMCC General Conference and Rev. John Gill was elected to the Board of Elders. He served in the role for one term.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

1973: In June, Rev. John Gill, as District Coordinator, joined MCC founder Rev. Troy Perry in New Orleans following the tragic fire in a gay bar that killed 32 people including MCC New Orleans’ pastor, and a number of members.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

1972: On January 6, Rev. John Gill organized the Atlanta Metropolitan Community Church. He was ordained in September and later served as the Southeast District Coordinator.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

1971: in April, at a conference in New York on homosexuality and religion. Rev. John Gill decided to come out. He was dismissed from his Presbyterian church. In July, he met Rev. Troy Perry and in September, he was licensed as a minister in the Metropolitan Community Church.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

1945: Rev. John Gill was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to a Presbyterian family. 1967: Rev. John Gill entered Princeton Theological Seminary, and upon graduation became a youth minister in the Presbyterian Church.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

In Memory of Rev. Elder John Gill 1945 – 2026 *** Today we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Elder John Gill. John was a dear friend to so many, a transformational leader, and one of our finest pastors in this global Fellowship. May his memory be a blessing to us all.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Source: lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/profiles/pau...

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Later at UC Riverside, Rev. Breton helped establish the campus LGBT Resource Center, the AIDS Education Center, and an LGBTQ+ Studies minor. In 1989, he co-founded Sarum Episcopal Church and St. Aelred’s Chapel, where he ministered until his retirement in 2005.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

During the 1980s, he served as a Ministry of Education Instructor in MCC’s Samaritan Institute, teaching the History of Christian Thought, and stepped up as an AIDS vigil coordinator. He also co-founded Great Outdoors in 1977 to foster community through nature.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

He served as pastor and interim pastor for congregations in Baltimore, Phoenix, San Bernardino, Orange County, and Riverside, and ministered in New Orleans following the tragic 1973 UpStairs Lounge fire.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Ordained by the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) on May 13, 1973, Rev. Breton’s ministry spanned the nation.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Moving to Washington, D.C., in 1969, he worked alongside early movement leaders like Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings. He co-founded the Gay Activists Alliance and, on May 11, 1971, chartered MCCDC out of his Capitol Hill living room—creating a vital spiritual home for LGBTQ+ Christians.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Born in Manchester, New Hampshire, and raised in Connecticut, Rev. Breton served in the U.S. Air Force Security Service (1964–1968) before dedicating his life to faith and civil rights activism.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The Reverend Joseph Eugene Paul Breton—pioneering religious leader, LGBTQ+ rights advocate, and founder of the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C. (MCCDC)—passed away on September 13 in Pasadena, California, at age 85.

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

In Memoriam: Rev. Joseph Eugene Paul Breton December 1940 – September 2026 ***

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Metropolitan Community Churches @mccdenomination.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Triune God, known by many names and beyond our comprehension, send us forth as bearers of Your radically inclusive love. Let us “come, taste, and see” the peace You dream for all creation— and let us become that peace. All: Shalom and Amen.

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