A Public Statement by The Reverend Elder Ken Martin
MCC Press Release

The denomination of Metropolitan Community Churches announced the closure of Metropolitan Community Church of Sacramento, located at 10500 Chaplain Avenue, Mather, CA. The final worship service took place on Sunday, May 25, 2008. MCC Sacramento has served the Greater Sacramento area for the past 37 years and leaves a distinguished legacy of spiritual faith and community ministry, as well as a remarkable history of social justice work.

As the MCC Elder serving the Sacramento area, I and other MCC leaders have worked closely with the Sacramento congregation over the past three years to explore options for this church’s future. Following extensive consultations with local church leaders, and based upon declining membership and lack of cohesive and mutual vision for future ministry, the decision has been made to close Metropolitan Community Church of Sacramento. Such decisions are inherently difficult and painful, and are always accompanied by a sense of loss and sadness. I, along with clergy and lay leaders within the denomination of Metropolitan Community Churches, will continue to offer pastoral care to the members of the congregation during this time of transition and closure.

Today, it is also appropriate to honor the 35 years of faithful service that Rev. Elder Freda Smith gave to this church from its earliest days. Rev. Smith was one of 1971’s original 13 charter members, and she became its longest-serving pastor. Under her leadership, MCC Sacramento brought hope and healing to countless people, established community-based feeding and clothing ministries that served thousands of needy persons, and became a voice for social justice that extended far beyond its local ministry. Rev. Smith and this church played an instrumental role in decriminalizing homosexuality in the State of California. And this congregation was the first church in the Sacramento area to offer a fully-inclusive welcome to God’s lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual children. All of these accomplishments are part of MCC Sacramento’s enduring legacy.

But no legacy will be greater than the many pastors and lay spiritual leaders who were mentored through MCC Sacramento and who, today, faithfully continue to serve MCC churches around the globe. In making today’s announcement, I also want to acknowledge the contributions and ministry of Rev. Rosario Vargas, who served this congregation through a challenging time of transition. Under MCC Bylaws, any assets of the church will revert to the denomination of Metropolitan Community Churches. We have designated a discernment period of three months during which congregants will be encouraged to recommend ways remaining funds might be used to continue MCC Sacramento’s legacy of ministry. Metropolitan Community Churches’ denominational Board of Administration will make final determinations on the use of such funds.

Metropolitan Community Churches will continue to offer ministry to the Sacramento area through “A Church For All,” a new church that is in the process of affiliation with MCC, pastored by Rev. Doretha Flournoy, and through Valley Ministries MCC in Stockton, where the Rev. Terri Miller is pastor. We are thankful for the life-changing, hope-filled ministry MCC Sacramento provided over almost four decades and are thankful for the ministry we shared together over many years. In your prayers this coming week, I encourage you to remember our brothers and sisters in Sacramento, and to offer thanks to God for all of this congregation’s past accomplishments.