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Connie Meadows is a relatively recent member of MCC and attended her first service at Church of the Trinity MCC (Sarasota, Florida USA) on Christmas Eve in 2001. She speaks of the “holy ground” on which her home church sits, and is passionately committed to social justice and human rights. Connie counts herself blessed to have had the opportunity, through MCC, to experience diverse cultures and meet a number of new friends.

Written (Survey) History

This history was collected via online survey.

What do you like to be called by your friends and family?
Connie

Do you have a life partner or spouse?
Yes

If you have a partner or spouse and feel comfortable doing so, please provide their name below.
Hilde Scheibe 
(Editor’s Note: MCC honored the life of Hilde Scheibe who parted this life on 15 April 2008.)

If you have a partner or spouse, we would be honored to make note of any anniversary you celebrate. You may enter your anniversary date below.
August 15, 1969

Did you grow up in a church? If yes, which one?
First Baptist Church, Washington DC

When did you first discover Metropolitan Community Churches?
2001

How did you hear about MCC? Friend, family, advertising, Troy’s book, other? Please describe.
I attended a choral performance conducted by a friend of mine which took place at Church of the Trinity MCC, Sarasota, FL, USA.

Describe your first visit to MCC. Please include the church’s name.
After attending the choral performance in early December, I attended my first worship service at Church of the Trinity, MCC on Christmas Eve, 2001.

How many years have you belonged to a MCC?
5

Who preached the sermon that you’ve never forgotten? Do you remember the name of the sermon? Where were you when you heard it?
The pastor of Church of the Trinity MCC was Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, and she preached many sermons which were unforgettable, but rather than remember each one individually, I have incorporated the messages into my life.

Who influenced you the most in MCC?
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson

Describe how this person influenced you.
She invited me to volunteer at Church of the Trinity MCC even before I joined the church, and then asked me to continue as her assistant when she was elected as Moderator. Her untroubled presence, her kindness, her wisdom, her courage in the struggle for human rights, and her vision for MCC have influenced me enormously.

If you attend a MCC now, please give its name.
Church of the Trinity MCC

What do you like best about your local church?
I love the location on a large piece of what we call “holy ground.” I love the love and appreciation present in the members of the congregation. I love our new pastor, Rev. Dr. Mona West and her outstanding sermons. I love the commitment to significant outreach beyond the church congregation that is done there.

What do you like best about the movement, ministry and community of MCC?
I love the commitment to social justice, the work towards human rights, and the vision of being a church which truly reflects Jesus’ teachings.

What was the moment when you felt most proud to be a member of MCC?
I am always proud to be a member of MCC when we speak truth to power – regarding same sex marriage, countering homophobia in Jamaica, and anything regarding equal rights for LGBT people.

Have you attended a General Conference? If so please tell how many you have attended.
2 (Dallas & Calgary)

What do you like best about General Conferences?
I love the learning from workshops, and I deeply love the worship and music.

What do you remember about the Inclusive (Including) Language Project? Or your first encounter with Inclusive (Including) language at MCC. 
I only learned about inclusive language when I joined MCC, and it has been totally incorporated in my being. I remember it being hard to do at first, but so right.

What do you remember about the ordination of women and people of color?
I was thrilled to see so many ordained women in MCC, and am blessed by the opportunity through MCC to get to know people of color, and count them as friends – an opportunity I had not had before in my life.

What do you remember about the beginning of ministry to the transgender and intersex communities?
I remember the workshops in Dallas and the tremendous learning about Omnigender and Intersexed and transgender people – this was only 2003, but it was all new and revelatory to me.

What do you remember about the growth of a community of children or a children’s / youth ministry at your MCC?
I have only been a short time with MCC but even in the past five years, it is clear that more and more LGBT couples are having/adopting children, and at each conference, there are more and more children and youth.

What do you remember about MCC ministry during the beginning of the AIDS pandemic and the transition of that movement to where it is today?
My memories do not go back that far.

What do you remember about our restructuring from Districts/Global Outreach to Regions? 
I was not a member at the beginning of the restructuring, but have been participating in the continued refinement of the original plan. It is clear that the Executive Director, Elders and BOA are all working to improve the plan and structure.

Please include any other memory or historical moment that you wish to share.
I remember Nancy Wilson giving the sermon at the Interfaith Service for the Equality Forum in Philadelpha at the old historic church. I remember being a part of the delegation to the World Council of Churches in Porto Allege Brazil, and then visiting their offices in Geneva, when Nancy Wilson offered the homily at their morning worship service. I remember each church I have visited in the past two years, especially the invitation to preach at Appalachian MCC in Charleston, WV.

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