St. John’s MCC

Website: https://www.stjohnsmcc.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsmcc/

About this MCC church:  Throughout our entire history, inclusion has been, and continues to be, a hallmark and a strength of St. John’s MCC. As a congregation we 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 our congregation; including racial diversity with people of European, African, Asian, Hispanic and Native American heritage; and gender diversity with women, men and transgender people. We welcome people from all socioeconomic strata. Our 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 our church. Over the 40 plus years of our existence, our four senior pastors, pastoral leader, staff clergy and interim pastor have been two 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. We 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.

Our ministries are widely varied including our 9 AM Sunday worship service which features more traditional church music and liturgical elements to our 11 AM Celebration Service featuring songs from the gospel traditions. Our affinity groups have included specific focus on seniors, women, couples and parents. We participate each month in our Lunch Boxes of Love program at the Oak City Outreach Center serving lunch to between 100 and 200 hungry individuals. Our calendar includes regular study opportunities for Christian Discipleship to deepen our faith and better understand what we believe and the Christ we 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. We believe our lives are all richer, more exciting, and blessed by God because of the rich tapestry of people, gifts and ministries we experience.