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Barbara Washington first attended an MCC service at the urging of her friend, Rev. Elder Darlene Garner. She cried through most of that first service at MCC-DC (Washington, DC) and remembers Rev. Larry Urig’s sermons there. Barbara served as the Usher Coordinator for many years at MCC-DC and credits Rev. Candace Shultis as a powerful influence in getting her (Barbara) to believe in herself.

Written (Survey) History

This history was collected via online survey.

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

Barbara

 

Where were you born?

Washington, DC

 

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.

Marianne Crothamel

 

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.

November 26, 1998

 

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

Bible Way in Washington DC.

 

When did you first discover Metropolitan Community Churches?

1983

 

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

Reverend Elder Darlene Garner. I always considered her to be like a big sister of mine and she kept telling me to go to MCC-DC.

 

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

MCC-DC: I CRIED for probably the entire first service and I remember Rev. Larry Urig was the pastor then.

 

How many years have you belonged to a MCC?

23 Years

 

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. Larry Urig, however, I do not remember the title of it right now. It was delivered at MCC-DC.

 

Who influenced you the most in MCC?

Rev. Candace Shultis

 

Describe how this person influenced you.

She got me to believe in myself. I am a person with a physical disability and to her it did not matter. I was the Usher Coordinator there for a number of years before moving here to North Carolina.

 

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

St Johns in Raleigh NC

 

What do you like best about your local church?

I love that we are a small congregation and Rev. Belva Boone is a great preacher.

 

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

MCC teaches that Gods love is for ALL OF US and God made us all and does not make any mistakes.

 

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

I was most proud to be a member when I met my partner and she was not into the church. She is a very active member in the church and PROUD to be a Christian!

 

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

11

 

What do you like best about General Conferences?

Having a family reunion and then getting down to the business of the church. I also love seeing how many MCC’s are represented each year.

 

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

It would be great if all of them would be the same, however, at St. Johns it is not enforced.

 

What do you remember about the ordination of women and people of color? ABSOLUTELY WONDERUL….That is way God created the rainbow and we are all capable of preaching and teaching Gods word.

 

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

All are to be included.

 

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

We desperately need one.

 

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?

In Washington, the Aids ministry was wonderful.

 

Please include any other memory or historical moment that you wish to share.
Meeting Troy Perry and Delores Berry is incredible. But most when we outgrew MCC-DC on M St. NW and raising money for the new building and moving in to it was just wonderful!

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