| Our Mission is to create and sustain an affirming community of Christian faith; teaching people to live full, whole, Christ-like lives; to advocate social justice for the empowerment of all people. Our Purpose is to offer all people an opportunity to know Jesus christ through consistent public worship services; to encourage, nurture and support each person with the ability to love one another regardless of race, gender, denominational background, economic status, affectional orientation or other factores whether real or perceived. We Envision ourselves to be a unified force for change through leadership and example. Pastor Neal O. Zeilinger, interim, was ordained a pastor of the American Lutheran Church in 1974 and he and Rhonda served on the mission feild of Papua New Guinea for five years. As a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he served parishes in Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri until 1999, when he resigned the clergy roster of the ELCA. Since his college days, Neal has been deeply concerned about the treatment of non-heterosexual people have received in this culture but remained inactive. Rejection of a gay-friendly study by an ELCA national committee incresase his desire to be an instrument for change but it took a reformation of his personal life to enable his present ministry. He has served as the lay-interim pastor of this congregation since 1999. He holds a full-time secular job in the Cape Griardeau community. Neal and Rhonda were married in 1971. They have two daughters. What is the MCC? Answer: The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is a Christian, Orthodox, Ecumenical, Sacramental, Inclusive denomination that has congregations worldwide. Founded in 1968 by the Rev. Troy Perry, a former pastor of the Church of God. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Does MCC view homosexuality as a sin, in viw of what the Bible says? Answer: No. Just like formerly-held attitudes of racism, MCC believes that negative attitudes toward homosexuality are a cultural bias that has affected the interpretation and even the translation of Bible texts. Why do most people attend MCC? Answer: These are people who believe that a person does not have to be heterosexual to be a Christian, and are willing to enter the struggle to overcome the pain and rejection they may have experience form other Christian churches. Faith in Jesus can be renewed, even after negative experiences with others who also claim His name. Heterosexual people come to MCC because they share this common belief. MCC "Is the GAY Church?" Answer: For gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people the MCC can be a place where hope is renewed and the love of Jesus experienced, but the church's purpose is to reach out to all people with the gospel of God's love. If I were to attend MCC, what kind of people would I encounter? Answer: Men and women, transgender people, juveniles, children, all attend MCC congregations. Like any other church, each congregation has its own "collective personality", but people form all walks of life will be found at our worship services and activities. Who can join MCC? Answer: A person is encouraged to attend worship for a few weeks first, then participate in Bible study and a short education class. Anyone who then professes their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior may join MCC. What are the qualifications for membership? Answer: Members are asked to pledge their commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ; to explore, discover, and grow in their personal spirituality; an dto strive for justice and peace in the world around them. Suppose that for personal reasons a person cannot accept this belief? Answer: Sove people who are still at this point intheir journey of faith wil continue to attend an MCC church and hold the status of "Friend of the Church." Does MCC perform marriage in which members of the same sex are united? Answer: Yes. Called "Holy Union", marriages of this type are recognized by the Church but do not hold legal status in most states of the US. People desiring a Holy Union have been in their relationship for at least a year, received a blessing from the church, and have participated in pre-union counseling with the pastor. Can you tell me about MCC-SEMO? Answer: The Metropolitan Community Church of Southeast Missouri was founded in 1996 at the urging of laypeople in the Cape Girardeau area. "Mothered" by the Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis and continually supported by the Mountains and Plains District of the MCC, the congregation called the Rev. Elizabeth Leech as its first part-time pastor. Rev. Leech ministered here until her retirement in 1999, at which time Rev. Zeilinger was appointed Interim Pastor by the MAPD. Now at its location, the congregation enjoys regular Sunday worship after Bible study. MCC-SEMO hosts Marsh Stevens concerts and sponsors an annual Pride Sunday in Cape Girardeau. Rev. Zeilinger and members of the congregation offer spiritual counselingand guidance for people in need. The Metropolitan Community Church of Southeast Missouri 519 Broadway (POB1295) Cape Girardeau, MO 63702 (573) 335-5106 |
| Welcome To the Metropolitan Community Church of Southeast Missouri |