The prayer ministry at First MCC is multifaceted.  We have a prayer book at the Gateway to Ministry (at the entry to the Sanctuary).  Individuals are asked to enter prayer requests and praise items in this book at any time.  The prayer book is brought to the Centering Prayer Group that meets on Wednesday at 6 PM, and the concerns for the week are shared by those present. 

In addition, prayers are accepted via e-mail and telephone messages, and the Pastor or Office Administrator have taken the responsibility of including these in the bulletin, forwarding them to the general e-mail list, and so on.  Following the 11 AM service on Sunday morning, Prayer Partners remain in the Sanctuary to offer intercessory prayer to anyone who wishes to stay for a few minutes. 

Special prayer programs and prayer vigils are held on a periodic basis.  The Centering Prayer Group grew out of a workshop offered by Contemplative Outreach a year ago, and another workshop was offered this year.

At First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta
1379 Tullie Road, Atlanta, GA
For more information call: 404-325-4143

In ancient times the places of worship were the center of social, spiritual and community life. The arts were birthed from the church. Today First Metropolitan Community Church relieves that vision as it opens its doors 7 days a week in a community center that is creating a crossroads for the community.

The Metropolitan Community Center serves to build connection, create networking opportunities and to empower the community in the arts, social justice, spiritual life and self-empowerment. An intersection where community programs, ministries come together. The crossroads enables people to intersect, to exchange ideas and empower one another.

Today the Metropolitan Community Center is helping to build and strengthening our community and as a result we are we have a better community for today and tomorrow.

To learn more about how to join The Metropolitan Community Center contact Rev. Paul

Members of the Metropolitan Community Center:

The Arts:
Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus
Offices in suite 200 and 7:30 Thursday Night rehearsals in Perry Hall

Atlanta Freedom Marching Band
Friday Night Rehearsals at 7 PM in Perry Hall

First Metropolitan Community Church: Music
Wednesday Night 7 PM Rehearsals, Orchestra and Praise Singers

HotAtlanta Squares
Dancing Monday and Tuesday nights at 7 PM in Perry Hall

Because we believe in supporting our community First MCC offers all arts groups free concert space. This empowers them to raise funds, share their gifts with the community and present their programs with less financial strain.

Special Events:
The annual “Best of the Best” Concert is held the first Saturday of November and features the community center members coming together to share their best in concert, word, and demonstrations.

Support and Empowerment:
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Meetings are held the third Sunday of Each Month at 3 PM in Perry Hall

First Metropolitan Community Food Bank
Open Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 to 4 offering canned food to those who are challenged and in transition

Atlanta Executive Network (AEN)
Meeting space as needed

Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Meeting space as needed

Holy Unions
Commitment ceremonies, scheduled through First MCC. Conctact First MCC

Education:
Wings of Hope Book Store         
The First MCC Bookstore and Charis Bookstore partner together to create a resource for the community. The bookstore is open Sundays at 10:30-1:00

Counseling:
All Saints Counseling Center
An independent counseling center offering group sessions the 2 and fourth Sundays of each month at 1 PM in suite 150

Spiritual Direction through First MCC Pastoral Staff
Offered on an appointment basis. Call the church for more information

The Worship Participation Team is the largest group within our Church. Our group consists of ushers, greeters, candle lighters, communion servers, acolytes, communion servers from the table, English Prayer, Foreign Language Prayer, Scripture Reading and prayer partners following the service.

Everyone is encouraged to join our team! Please contact Biff Ryan . You would be trained prior to participating in the service. The weekly Sunday schedule goes out on-line the Wednesday prior to the service.

In-Park Donation Committee
This group of individuals goes all around the park  meeting and greeting all of our visitors and locals that visit the three day celebration and request from them a donation to keep our festival free.  once they offer a donation they receive a Pride Sticker that allows any other persons in that committee to know that they are a festival giver and they are no longer asked to donate for that day.  It is a great way for people to go out and speak to the many diverse personnel that grace our great city over the weekend.

Balloon release Committee
This committee is in charge of getting the Balloons ready on our Sunday Pride Service Day so that they may be released into the air and go and spread out in many directions to allow our message of faith, hope and love to be spread out among our city.

Brunch Committee
It is a mixture of all our different committees who are willing to help us set up and coordinate a brunch for opening up the month of June at the church with a celebration of a brunch for all the personnel who come to visit and worship with us on the first Sunday of the month of June.

The Beverage Booth Committee
We offer our support and staff one of the many Beverages Booths that the Atlanta Pride Committee set's up in the Park during the three day celebration.  Our volunteer personnel work in three hour shifts during the three day weekend  to sell the many different types of classes of beverages that the Atlanta Pride Committee sponsor.  We receive as a non profit organization 10% of the profits sold and 100% of all tips received from the customers.  The group staffing the booth has a great time fellowshipping not only with our church friends but also with the many people that come and visit the city during the 3 day weekend. 

Parade and Float Committee
This committee is responsible for the design and construction of the float for the church and to gather the personnel that will march to represent the church.  It is a lot of fun for all who participate and the church has placed in the top three positions for Non-Profit Organization on several occasions.

All of our committees are great and have a very supportive and intricate role in allowing us to make our Pride celebration a joyful event for us at the Church.

Help us keep our Food Bank stocked with non-perishable items all during the year, but especially on the first Sunday of the month (Fishes and Loaves Sunday).
Hungry people count on our church for help every week. Drop off your donations in the collection bins near the women's restroom in the Fellowship Hall.

Personal Hygiene: 
Toothbrushes/toothpaste
Hair combs
dental floss
body lotion
deodorant
shaving razors
toilet paper

Thank you for sharing with others…your donations make the difference.

Missions Outreach to the Mother of Peace Orphanage, Zimbabwe Africa

In 2006 First Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta founded the MCC AIDS Transformation Ministry for the worldwide MCC denomination with an initial gift of $10,000.00 to the Mother of Peace Orphanage in Zimbabwe. This gift built an incredible bridge that today continues through the generosity of MCC congregations around the world.  Each year First MCC joins others in supporting this incredible work of compassion through gifts and offerings.

Mother of Peace located in Mutoko, Zimbawe, about 90 miles/ 120 km northeast of the capital city of Harare, provides care for over 200 children living with HIV or orphaned due to HIV and AIDS. They are providing a family-style home and shelter for the growing number of orphaned children. The program provides food, clothing, educational support, spiritual growth, and loving care. 

The Orphanage works closely with other major USA donors in fundraising and bringing of resources and supplies to the children and their small clinic.
First MCC and the Metropolitan Community Churches worldwide work in collaboration with the Yvette Flunder Foundation sending volunteers to the orphanage, as well as bringing prayerful and financial support to this valuable work in Africa.

Helping Build MCC Churches in Brazil

MCC Region 2 is focusing mission efforts on establishing GLBT-friendly churches in Brazil. With a population of over 175 million people - the 5th most populous in the world - the country has a large GLBT community in need of the message of God's inclusive love for all.

What do our brothers and sisters in Brazil need now that we have helped them begin their initial organizational work? Please remember them in your prayers and thoughts. For many, building churches that preach the message of God's inclusive love for all people is dangerous business. Not everyone in Brazil is glad to see the MCC denomination establishing itself in the country.

Watch this space for more updates on our mission work in this country, our successes and our challenges.

Want to donate funds to this effort? Contact Barry Hundley to learn how you can help us support this mission work.