Metropolitan Community Church
Providing radical inclusion and welcome for ALL
Recognizing the Divine in ALL of humanity
Upholding the unalienable rights of ALL
Protecting resources for the good of ALL
A letter from our interim pastor:
Dear Congregation,
As you know, Open Arms MCC has reached the end of its journey. On October 30th, the congregation officially voted to close the church. Though we are saddened by the end of a beloved institution, we are determined to stick together as a community. You are welcome and encouraged to worship together in our new home. A new chapter is beginning at Mary Magdalene Church in East Rochester. Pastor Lori Vail and the congregants are excited to welcome us, and to preserve our story for future generations. They will welcome us to their community on Sunday, November 27th at 10:00am at 1008 Main St, East Rochester, NY 14445.
But before we transition to our new home, we will take time to remember and celebrate our history as a church. Please join us this week for our final service as Open Arms MCC, on November 20th, 2022. Service will be at 350 Chili Ave and start a little after Noon (to give people time to get there from the Trans Day Of Remembrance Service which is also that morning). We will be celebrating over 40 years of ministry as Rochester's first LGBTQ church. At this service, we will be dedicating ourselves to continued service and ministry- we are still committed to providing a safe space for LGBTQ persons to explore their faith and find community.
On a personal note, it has been an honor serving as your interim pastor this last year and a half. You truly do have open arms to everyone who walks in the door, and I have felt supported and loved as part of your family. Your commitment to your faith is inspiring. And your care for one another is beautiful- strong enough to continue in any context. Though Open Arms is dissolving as a legal entity, it has so much life left in it as a community identity. As you journey together, nested within the congregation of Mary Magdalene Church, may that sense of community identity give you hope and strength. Thank you for the blessing of serving in ministry with you.
With care and appreciation,
Pastor Katie Jo
