The Moderator and spiritual leader of Metropolitan Community Churches, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, will speak at our 6:00 pm worship service on June 29.

That same weekend, Rev. Wilson will be a featured speaker at a conference here in Indianapolis sponsored by the Evangelical Ecumenical Women’s Conference.  For more about the Conference, pick up a brochure at the Info Desk or visit the website: A Place at the Table 2008.

In late August, Vivian Wyatt will begin a nine month internship here at Jesus MCC. Vivian is a seminary student at Earlham School of Religion in Richmond. She is one of a handful of Cooper Scholars, meaning she has been given a full merit scholarship by Earlham. She will be Jesus MCC’s first staff intern!
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The picture below shows Phases One and Two of our soon-to-be-installed new playground. Phase One has been ordered and will be delivered some time in June. (Phase Two was included in our design for future planning purposes, and will be added when funding is available.)

This Children’s Ministry expansion was made possible by part of the proceeds of the recent Art Auction and several special donations.

Many, many thanks go out to everyone who made the auction such a success.

We’ll be installing this playground equipment ourselves — under the direction of a supervisor provided by the equipment supplier. Watch your Weekly News for details!

It’s pretty amazing, really, that any of us are able to sustain relationships.  Yet we do.  Some of us enjoy long, meaningful, rich relationships full of love, life and aliveness.  Others of us live in cocoons where we protect our love from what we perceive as harmful forces — employers, churches, neighbors, families, and even our friends.  More of us, however, weave our way in and out of relationships seeking answers and understanding.  Searching.  Floundering.  Fearing.  Exploring.  Enjoying. Wondering. Am I meant to commit forever?  Is it possible to create life-long relationships?  Is there anyone sane out there to date?  If so, where are they?!

Join Michele O’Mara, LCSW on June 7, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm here at the church to learn some of the following important lessons about love and relationships:

• Understanding love and attraction.
• Identify the healthy stages of relationship development.
• Know your relationship vision and how to attract and keep the partner you desire.
• Develop how-to steps for your personal relationship success.

Registration
Cost is $30 per person, and scholarships are available.  To register, go to Michele O’Mara’s website, and register for Relationship Workshop 101.

If you need a scholarship, please contact Melody Merida.  This workshop is required for those who are planning weddings or Holy Unions at Jesus MCC!

For the past eight years, Dave Calvert has faithfully served as our Church’s ASL Interpreter. Dave has interpreted the 11:00 am worship service and also led our ASL Choir. Dave works as a full-time ASL interpreter in the Perry Township School System, has served as President of the State interpreters association, and has also recently launched his own private interpreting business that is growing rapidly. Given these demands, and after much prayer and thought, Dave has decided to resign as our ASL interpreter, so as to have more time to devote to both his professional and personal life. May 18 will be his last Sunday as our Interpreter.

Dave loves our Church and is excited about what God is doing here. He plans to remain an active member.

Pastor Jeff has begun dialogue with the ASL Choir and the Board of Directors to assess where our ASL Ministry stands and evaluate our future options. We will be working hard to find a new leader for our ASL Choir. We will also explore options for finding another interpreter, although the market for interpreters is extremely tight, especially for Churches.

Please be sure to express you deep appreciation to Dave for 8 years of incredible service Sunday after Sunday after Sunday!

Did you know that one person dies from malaria every thirty seconds?

We have the opportunity to help change those alarming numbers for the better. In May, we’re going to donate our time to help direct cars to parking at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. By doing that, we can raise funds to provide mosquito nets, which help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne malaria.

The money will go to support mosquito net manufacturing and distribution by the New Community Project, a nonprofit Christian organization that provides assistance to people and communities in need around the world. Representatives from NCP visited Jesus MCC in September 2007, as we began to explore ways Jesus MCC can make a positive difference for some of the neediest people around the world.

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It’s been a long time coming — but it’s finally here! The hopes and dreams of many people are being realized with the grand opening of the Jesus MCC Church Library!

Much of the initial collection was donated by Dennis and Sammy Wellman, and many others have donated books, hard work, and many hours to make this worthy project happen.

We’ll be open for the first time on Sunday, May 18, between the morning services and after the 11:00 am service, and at 5:00 pm, before the evening service. Join us in celebration!

Watch your bulletin for opportunities for service in the library, and a list of needed books and resources.