Share your personal spiritual journey
"All your children will be taught by God, and great will be their peace." Isaiah 54:13
MCC Richmond offers educational programs that promote greater spiritual depth and awareness.
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Living Wednesdays Dinner Church
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All are welcome to participate in this mid-week opportunity for fellowship, spiritual growth and community in a safe welcoming place. Every Wednesday we eat, share, learn and pray together as we create a unique, engaging church experience. Come as you are and participate in as much or as little as feels comfortable for you.
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If you enjoy cooking and setting up for dinner, feel free to join Pastor Kenny Callaghan in the Celebration Hall kitchen at 5:30 pm. The evening begins at 6:00 pm with a home-cooked meal and conversations around tables. Participants may join us then or from 6:45 to 8:00 pm for the actual small group sessions.
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Small group opportunities cover a variety of topics and themes. Upcoming and previous topics include:
Living Wednesdays Dinner Church and Adult Sunday School take place in our basement Celebration Hall (Use the Davis Street Entrance).
Adult Sunday School
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MCC Richmond also offers Adult Sunday School every Sunday at 9:00 am before service. By bringing together interested people to study Scripture and other meaningful texts, our Adult Sunday School Program provides relevant adult Christian education in a place where participants can share and affirm each other’s personal spiritual journeys.
October 17, 2018 - Strategic Planning Workshop. Help us put together a road map for the future! Where do you see MCC Richmond in five years? What is GOD calling us to do as a church? Join us for this interactive, small group strategic planning workshop about Social Justice. GOD LOVES each and every one of us and wants us to be the BEST we can be.
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August 8 & 15, 2018 - Disability: Accessibility, Marginalization and Able-ism In Today's Society. A discussion about a minority that is often visible yet overlooked. Explore ways to increase understanding, and promote acceptance. Be ready to participate as we learn together.
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August 22, 2018 - ReVisioning the “Parish House”. How does “Sharing God’s Love with ALL People” apply to our newly renovated “Parish House?” How can the new “Parish House” help us fulfil the vision and mission of MCC Richmond? How can the new “Parish House” help enhance our church ministries and bring in or support talent from the communities we serve? Come join the discussion and share your thoughts about how we use our facilities and grow our ministries. All are welcome … and we really mean ALL!
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August 29, 2018 - ReVisioning the “Parish House”. On August 22 we reviewed how God has blessed MCC Richmond through Vision and Mission. We also started brainstorming ideas about how we can use the renovated Parish House for new ministries. Come join the discussion, this Wednesday, as we continue to brainstorm new ideas in ReVisioning the Parish House. We will also pack up the shoes to be delivered for the Back to School Shoes Give-Away. All are welcome … there’s lots to do!
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September 5, 2018 - Ending the Stigma - Facing the Truths about Mental Health. Session 1 will review the definition of mental health, as well as the common misconceptions surrounding the subject. We will examine the statistics of mental illness incidences, the types of afflictions which fall under this category and the additional issues around which mental illness may revolve such as alcoholism, addiction and physical disabilities. Participants will analyze the history of and the laws impacting mental health treatment in the United States. Finally, we will consider current treatment methods for mental illness and the reasons why individuals may choose not to seek help for their conditions, including centuries' long stigmas of weakness, guilt and shame.
September 12, 2018 - Ending the Stigma - Facing the Truths about Mental Health. During Session 2, we will explore the symptoms generally displayed by individuals living with mental illnesses and the potential consequences of their being left untreated. More importantly, specific, concrete actions that can be taken to support loved ones who are in crisis and / or who are moving through recovery will be presented and discussed. Attendees will learn about the pivotal nexus between mind, body and spirit necessary to maintain our wellness. Additional resources will be provided for educational purposes. The goal of these two sessions is to demonstrate that mental illness should be treated no differently than physical diseases and that building up our mental fitness is a critical factor in everyone's health regimen.
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Faith, Sexuality and Gender
All are welcome to learn, explore and discuss these topics.
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April 11, 2018 - Loretta Mountcastle leads a discussion on "Coming Out."
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April 18, 2018 - Joy Whitenack leads the first of a two-part series on "Feminism and Lesbianism." Part 1 of the series is called: "Women's Plight, their Stories and other ‘Dangerous’ Things." For part 1, we will engage in different activities as we explore/discuss topics related to feminism through the eyes of everyday culture, historical events and what the experts are talking about these days.
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April 25, 2018 - Joy Whitenack leads the second of a two-part series on "Feminism and Lesbianism". Part 2 of the series is called: "We are Lesbian: Our Individual and Collective Stories. Why Does All This Stuff Really Matter Anyway?" For part 2, we will engage in different activities as we explore/discuss topics related to lesbianism through the eyes of everyday culture, our personal and collective stories as well as what the experts are talking about these days.
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May 2 , 2018 - Shari Drees will lead “Living in Harmony with Ourselves and Others, Transgender Realities.” We will explore our hidden truths, the steps involved in transition, and observations along the way.
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May 9 , 2018 - Shari Drees will lead part two of “Living in Harmony with Ourselves and Others, Transgender Realities.” This week we will continue our discussion by examining sexuality, our labels & our loves.
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May 16, 2018 - John Pall will facilitate “Assume Nothing! Stereotypes, Radicalism, and Definitions of Bisexuality.” Through hands-on activities, group discussion, and even theatrical vignette, we will examine specific stereotypes as well as definitions of bisexuality. Using Shiri Eisner's idea from Bi: Notes on a Bisexual Revolution, a subversive spin and societal re-examination will be used to look at stereotypes in a new way.
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May 23, 2018 - John Pall will facilitate “Passing Bi: Visibility, Privilege, and Allyship." Through small group presentation, examination of cultural artifacts, and discussion, we will examine select key issues in bi politics that affect actual lives.
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June 6, 2018 - "Faggot to 'Bisexual' to Gay: A gay man's story presented by John Poarch."
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June 13, 2018 - "Triumphs and heartbreak to amazing freedom - Pastor Kenny's journey of embracing his gay identity."
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June 20, 2018 - Our panel of presenters from each session return for a wrap-up Q&A session.
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June 27, 2018 - Miss Representation exposes how mainstream media and culture contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film’s motto, “You can't be what you can't see,” underscores an implicit message that young women need and want positive role models, and that the media has thus far neglected its unique opportunity to provide them.
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July 4, 2018 - Living Wednesdays Dinner Church celebrates Independence Day by taking the night off - enjoy your Fourth!
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July 11, 2018 - Film: The Mask You Live In follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity. This film illustrates how we, as a society, can raise a healthier generation of boys and young men.
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July 18, 2018 - Discussion of the films: Miss Representation & The Mask You Live In. How do people relate/don’t relate to topics in these films? How are these gender roles harmful to women and men and what damage do these gender roles cause? What questions do you have? Where and how do gender roles overlap? How do you understand culture plays a part in gender role development? How are misconceptions of gender roles similar and different for men and women? How can we make a positive difference in reshaping gender identity roles? What will we do as MCC Richmond to make a difference in our community and our world? Come be part of this discussion. All are welcome!
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July 25, 2018 - Generational Revolution or Evolution? Understanding, integrating, and growing into “once was…” with “now is…” of faith, sexuality, and gender.
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August 1 - Generational Revolution or Evolution? Labeling faith, sexuality, and gender. The terms we use to identify ourselves have changed over time, but, why and how do we use terms, or labels? What’s new? What’s different? Are labels too exclusive or have they become to excessive and unnecessary? What do you think? All are welcome to join this discussion of labels.