Live! Love! Serve!
Building Relationship – NOT Religion
St. John’s MCC is an Inclusive Community
Throughout their entire history, inclusion has been, and continues to be, a hallmark and a strength of St. John’s MCC. As a congregation they fully believe and embrace God’s call to diversity. For as God reminds us through the Prophet Isaiah: “Even those I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” (Isaiah 56:7).
Inclusion at St. John’s MCC is evident in many aspects across the congregation; including racial diversity with people of European, African, Asian, Hispanic and Native American heritage; and gender diversity with women, men and transgender people. St. John’s MCC welcomes people from all socioeconomic strata. Their congregation ranges from infants in arms to young adult to middle aged to vibrant members in their 70s and 80s. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, straight and questioning are all welcomed to worship and minister with us.
Inclusion is truly reflected in the leadership of the St. John’s MCC church. Over their 40 plus years of existence, of their four senior pastors, pastoral leader, staff clergy and interim pastor two have been gay African-American men, a heterosexual white woman, a bisexual white woman, a lesbian white woman, two gay white men, an African-American lesbian woman, and an African American Trans-identified male. At St. John’s MCC they truly believe that God’s gifts can be manifest through all to the edification of the entire body regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation or gender identity or economic standing.
St. John’s MCC ministries are widely varied including a 9 AM Sunday worship service which features more traditional church music and liturgical elements to the 11 AM Celebration Service featuring songs from the gospel traditions. Their affinity groups have included specific focus on seniors, women, couples and parents. St. John’s MCC participates each month in their Lunch Boxes of Love program at the Oak City Outreach Center serving lunch to between 100 and 200 hungry individuals. Their calendar includes regular study opportunities for Christian Discipleship to deepen their faith and better understand their beliefs and the Christ they follow. The MCC denomination recognized St. John’s MCC as a leader in multicultural programming with an award at the MCC General Conference in 1997. St. John’s MCC believes their lives are all richer, more exciting, and blessed by God because of the rich tapestry of people, gifts and ministries they experience.
