reyes-chow :: FAITH

It's beginning to look a lot like . . .

First, despite many in my congregation's relentless mocking and name-calling - "scrooge" "just wrong" "uptight" "modern" - I will hold tight to my belief that Christmas carols should not be sung until Christmas Eve.  Cheesy Christmas albums at home, fine.  But building a sense of expectancy during Advent has always been a big part of my church worship experience and I am sticking to it.  Of course . . . since I really have little power here, thought folks graciously let me think I do, we will be singing carols here at MBCC.  *sigh*

But onto other things - non-SF Bay Area Folks feel free to tune out here - namely some great events that are taking place over the next month.

KENYA 2008 DINNER
Saturday, DECEMBER 8
5:00-8:00 @ MBCC
MBCC is sponsoring a crew to head to Kenya in 2008 to work at an orphanage.  In preparation for this as attendees and a congregation we will be gathering together for this family friendly event to prepare together an authentic Kenyan dinner. We will be joined and instructed by Helen Obande, a native Kenyan and student at SF State. Please bring everyone you've ever known and we'll make a beautiful dinner and party together.
[FB Event Invite]

CHRISTMAS ROCK 2007
Sunday, DECEMBER 9
7:30-8:30 @ Union Square
Come on down to Union Square on Sunday, December 9th for some good old fashioned carol singing. Lori Devey of the Open Door Band will be leading us in our annual singing event. Bring your friends, grab a warm beverage meet us there.  Contact Tiffany Flaming coordinator of The Rock.
[FB Event Invite]

CHRISTMAS CAROLING IN THE TL
Sunday, DECEMBER 16
4:30-6:30 @ 555 Ellis
Sponsored by SF Network Ministries, each year bay area churches raise our voices in song and let our light shine in the Tenderloin. Music sheets are provided, but you'll probably know these carols by heart! Afterwards we share snacks and hot drinks in our community room. Bring your singing voice, warm clothes, and any snacks you'd like to share.
[FB Event Invite]

INTERFAITH MEMORIAL FOR SF HOMELESS DEAD
Thursday, DECEMBER 20
5:30-6:30 in Front of City Hall, Polk Street
Join us as we gather to remember all of our homeless brothers and sisters who have died on the streets this year. Dress warmly and bring a candle. Sponsored by SF Network Ministries.
[FB Event Invite]

MBCC to Kenya in 2008

UPDATED 10.22.07 - Bungoma 2008 Blog

Pretty exciting news from Tiffany Flaming, MBCC Worship Arts Coordinator, Pop Culture Diva, Flying Lessons Blogger, and all-around good person. 

Good Evening - as many of you know, I had the privilege of traveling to Bungoma, Kenya in the summer of 2001 with the music school of GGBTS. Since my visit there, I've been in contact with my students there and they have begun a ministry to try to meet the needs of the children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS.

I'm pleased to announce that Mission Bay Community Church will be taking a team of folks back to Bungoma next summer to help with the next steps of developing that ministry. I'm writing to all of you because, while this is a trip that MBCC is coordinating, it is open to any and all who want to be a part. There are many things to be taken care of for a trip of this magnitude and as they say, many hands make light work.

My first priority would be to have a prayer team on board. I'd like to at least have folks commit to be in prayer for those of us who are going, the people there, and for our travels.

I anticipate the trip being about 2 weeks and the costs to be around $3,000 - $4,000 per person. That's a lot of money, I know, but we will be involved in a lot of fund-raising efforts and we'll need help on that as well.

It's a lot to do and we're all quite busy, but whatever help you could contribute would be most appreciated. And if you want to go, all the better. If you know someone who might be interested in this, by all means forward it on.

Thanks for your prayers and support and I hope to see you all soon.

More details to follow, but please drop her a note if you are moved to connect now!