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Chuck Harvey has participated extensively in lay leadership within MCC and has many memories of the Northwest District and MCC’s transition to a Regional structure. Chuck very much values the strength and importance of the local church within the larger MCC denomination, and particularly likes the traditions of emphasizing social justice issues and embracing inclusive language.

Written (Survey) History

This history was collected via online survey.

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

Chuck

 

Where were you born?

Portland,OR

 

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.

Dennis Butler

 

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.

1/12/02

 

Did you grow up in a church? If yes, which one?

Lutheran

 

When did you first discover Metropolitan Community Churches?

1978

 

How did you hear about MCC? Friend, family, advertising, Troy’s book, other? Please describe.

I heard about MCC through a good friend.

 

Describe your first visit to MCC. Please include the church’s name.

My friend Jim, who was helping me with “coming out” process while remaining married had discovered MCC Portland and invited both of us to attend a service with him. During college & graduate school years I’d stopped attending church so this was a convenient bridge to re-establishing a Christian home.

 

How many years have you belonged to a MCC?

29

 

Who preached the sermon that you’ve never forgotten? Do you remember the name of the sermon? Where were you when you heard it?

Rev. Elder Freda Smith’s – “Purple Grass.” I think the first time was at a NW District Conference or during a spiritual renewal at MCC Portland.

 

Who influenced you the most in MCC?

Rev. A. Austin Amerine

 

Describe how this person influenced you.

As my first pastor, he led the church by example, making my wife and me feel “at home.” He didn’t let rules get in the way to serve a greater good. His support of “women’s role” in the clergy, inclusive language, “the Priesthood of all Belivers,” and the Great Commission have impacted me significantly through EXCEL and other leadership positions I’ve held.

 

If you attend a MCC now, please give its name.

MCC Portland

 

What do you like best about your local church? 

I like the tradition of emphasizing social justice issues, lay involvement in all levels of worship [and historically in leadership when we were without clergy], an embrace of inclusive language and gender awareness. Since we are now in an interim period it is like spinning the wheel to see who our next pastor will be.

 

What do you like best about the movement, ministry and community of MCC?

It use to be a grass roots based religion that still embraces theological diversity at local level while becoming more corporate & inflexible at the higher echelons of governance.

 

What was the moment when you felt most proud to be a member of MCC?

I was most proud to call myself an MCCer during General Conference in Sydney, Australia on the opening night because we truly were an international denomination. I was extremely proud again at General Conference in Calgary, Alberta, CA where the Canadian government had legalized same-sex marriages.

 

Have you attended a General Conference? If so please tell how many you have attended.

Yes; Attended 11

 

What do you like best about General Conferences?

Seeing old friends & making new ones as well as networking with other lay people. I was also touched by inspiring worship services with top notch preachers. So far, they’ve all been in English-speaking cities.

 

What do you remember about the Inclusive (Including) Language Project? Or your first encounter with Inclusive (Including) language at MCC.

IF you’re referring to the Houston 1979 General Conference,I recall it being quite controversial at that dramatic gathering but it didn’t seem to impact us much back in Portland since we had a supportive Assistant Pastor to Austin – Rev. [Elder] Arlene Ackerman who was a wonderful teacher. Our 1st pastor in Salem however was a zealot on the subject & demanded it used or else!

 

What do you remember about the ordination of women and people of color? 

I never understood why folks would oppose it? We’ve all experienced our Exile periods and condoning it further seems to be the blasphemy.

 

What do you remember about the beginning of ministry to the transgender and intersexed communities?

I only recall that the NW District was at the forefront of this cause as our San Jose Pastor Sky Anderson had gone through the process in late 70′s and later, Rev. Vicky Kolakowski reminded us repeatedly of the challenges this group encountered.

 

What do you remember about the growth of a community of children or a children’s / youth ministry at your MCC?  

Not much except its growing importance at ’91 & ’93 General Conferences brought it to the forefront of a need that had to be addressed by UFMCC. I think those seeds “germinated” at Calgary. At the local level the factor seems to be Pastor’s positive or neutral stance.

 

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.

That’s another instance in which the local church seemed to be outshining HQ’s efforts. The growth of AIDS vigils and services were born at the local level. The Clergy Care Team was born and died within the span of 4 or 6 years. AIDS funding & prioritizing has been a decreasing item on the UFMCC agenda as cocktails work their miracles.

 

What do you remember about our restructuring from Districts/Global Outreach to Regions? 

I remember that especially well as that was my 1st UFMCC wide role as the Lay NWD Rep. I recall the agonizing steps of downsizing district coordinator jobs in Districts whose growth/size could not support a full time district coordinator. The bargaining and creative result from the Kansas City GSS meeting was historical in creating a General Council – the best & worst of both worlds.

 

Please include any other memory or historical moment that you wish to share.
I remember the Northwest District becoming the first to hire a full time District Coordinator – Rev. Austin Amerine. I remember district-wide week-long retreats in Arcata,CA. I remember marathon car treks that allowed worship services in multiple cities [Salem, Corvallis, Eugene & Portland]. I remember the 1987 General Conference in Miami and the election of a 2nd lay person to the BOE when competing candidate Rev. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey changed her vote in order that Larry Rodriguez could win. I think the 1st lay person to serve was Michael Mank. I also remember the exponential growth of EXCEL Movement.

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