What We Offer

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MCC in East London

A Short History

	MCC in East London was born out of a home study group of MCC North London.
	The first public worship service was held on Pentecost Sunday, May 1991.
	We are committed to political awareness and social justice.
	We celebrate our diversity of faith backgrounds and practice inclusivity.
	We welcome children.

As well as meeting every Sunday in church for worship, we also meet during the week, in different members' homes, for further fellowship and education:

Gyroscope - A monthly gathering for prayer and meditation

A gyroscope is a device to provide stability or maintain a fixed orientation. It is a wheel or disc that spins rapidly through an axis which is free to alter in any direction. Our prayers provide our stability and orientation in our Christian faith; God is the axis about which whom we spin. On the first Tuesday of the month we meet in Stratford to share our prayer needs and concerns and to pray for the church. We practice different styles of prayer and meditation, hoping that everyone will learn and develop new skills in this ministry.

Face to Faith - Faith based discussion

Face to faith offers an opportunity to come together and examine our faith in an honest an open way. We may study Biblical teachings to try and reach an understanding of what is happening in our world, and our response as a people of faith. We hope to make the bible more accessible and relevant to living in the East End in the 21st Century. We meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays in Custom House,

Music Ministry Team - speaks for itself

Every Sunday we enhance our worship with music and singing and we use songs and hymns from a variety of Christian traditions and none. The music is planned by the Pastor and the Musical Director but this group has an important role to play in worship. On the last Thursday of the month, at various venues, musicians and singers get together to learn new songs, match musicians and instruments to the right hymn, and practice the songs that will be used in the coming months.

There are several people who come along only to a mid week group without coming to worship on Sunday, so whoever you are, whatever the event, wherever it is, you can be assured of a very warm welcome.

For further details of where and when we meet, contact the secretary.

What does MCC in East London offer you?

Inclusive Worship

We offer a safe space where all are free to worship God.
We believe that God's love includes all people and we show that love in our worship services.
We strive to offer a barrier free venue for those who are differently-abled. Our venue is barrier free and includes a loop system.

	We are a community that is striving to eliminate racism and sexism in our worship and our lives.
	We welcome parents/guardians of young children.
	We welcome those from minority communities.
	We offer education, love, care and support around HIV/AIDS.
	We offer a safe space for survivors of sexual abuse.

Rites and Sacraments

As part of it's faith journey, MCC embraces two Holy Sacraments; Baptism (the dedication of each life to God) and Communion (offered at every Sunday service).
In addition to these UFMCC recognizes six rites of the church. These are:

	The rite of Holy Union and the rite of Holy Matrimony are the spiritual joining of two people before the presence of God.
	The rite of Funeral and Memorial services.
	The rite of Blessing for persons, things, buildings and relationships, for example.
	The rite of Laying on of Hands - prayers for healing for mind, body and spirit.
	The rite of Attaining Membership - a chance to be part of one of the most exciting, liberating and challenging Christian churches in the world.
	The rite of Ordination - the setting apart of duly qualified people for ministry.

Ministry

We are committed to the Priesthood of All Believers. This means that we believe that every member of the church has the privilege and responsibility of doing the work of the church. You do not need to be clergy to have an active role.
There are many ways to get involved;

	Music ministry - a group of instrumentalists and singers lead the worship in a variety of musical styles.
	Prayer ministry - a group of individuals who under-pin the church through prayer.
	Preaching, leading, celebrating Communion and reading in church on Sundays.
	Leading and hosting mid-week groups.
	Liturgy group - plans the church's year and writes the orders of worship.
	Publicity and outreach - dedicated to making known God's unconditional love for all people.

As each new person brings their skills and gifts, new ministries are born and with them new opportunities to get involved.

For example, our Lambda Course grew out of the vision of two new members.