Year-End Review for 2017: "Expanding Our Reach"
We started the year with the Renewal of Membership through Baptism by Immersion last January 2017. This was held at Casanjo Resort, Greenpark, Cainta @ 7pm with 20 members for our dance ministry. In the same
month, we had a teambuilding for our dance ministry: "Soldiers of God Dance Batallion" at Infanta, Quezon also known as the "Gateway to the Pacific"
In February, we observed our Annual Filipino-Chinese New Year located on St. Mary St, Fr. Horacio Dela Costa Homes in the same barangay we've been for the last 7 years. this due to lots of Chinese in the city.
In the same month, we celebrated Valentine's Day where there lots of youth who attended. There were lots of games like looking for the other "half" of the heart made in art paper. Others have found "their half" who happen to be of the same-sex. There were even Muslim youths who attended. It was no issue to them "finding the other half" to be of the same-sex. They were even surprised, amused and happy. These matches were even affirmed during the "Compatibility Test" wherein they find things in common. It didn't matter if they were of the opposite or the same-sex. We also drew lots of provocative questions about love, which are not commonly asked to heterosexuals.
We re-launched our "Voices of the River" Teen Version in March as we welcomed Gem Kenneth Oliva, our Musical Director, and Lois, the pianist-voluteer-teacher. Kenneth is now our Finance Officer and Food Minister.
During the Lenten Season, we observed the traditional Holy Week with a twist. For the first time, we had a "Washing of the Feet" imitating what Jesus Christ did. It was not just Pastor Jason, who washed the feet of the members or attendees, but also children wanted it through promptings of the Holy Spirit. Traditionally, only heterosexual, male deacons who are able to participate but this time, women & LGBTQ+ also participated.
On Holy Friday, we did Taize meditation and reflected on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Our Holy Week culminated on Easter Sunday @ General Nakar, Infanta (referring to the infant Jesus), Quezon. It is the "gateway to the Pacific"
In the month of flowers, May, Metropolitan Community Church of Marikina supported the 45th Annual SaGaylahan in Brgy. Dela Pena, Marikina City. Our Church awarded the trans youth Raymart Bernardino, the "Equality Award" In the same month, we joined National Council of Churches of the Philippines (NCCP)'s observance of the AIDS Candlelighting at the Church of the Risen Lord at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City together with our mother Church, MCCQC, and other PLHIV/AIDS communities. Towards the end of the month or summer, we celebrated our 7th Anniversary for the first time at a resort in Provident Villages, Marikina City. There were more than 30+ attendees with the youth being our singers and dance interpreters. It was our biggest celebration!! In the middle of the year, June, we sang Filipino songs expressing freedom, realizing we are not fully FREE. This is to observe Philippine Independence Day from the 300 years of colonization of the Spaniards. We realize there were still things we need to work on to achieve freedom, like lobbying for the bills recognizing our rights to marry or to be in a civil partnership and another one is to protect us from discrimination nationally.
We started the month with a Queer Pride Mass with youth, heterosexuals and Muslims attending. On the 24th, we helped in organizing the Marikina City Pride March themed, "Here Together" with Metro Manila Pride (MMP) & LGBT BUS (Bahaghari United Secularists) group. It was the most attended Pride March in the Philippines with 7, 900+ attendees. It was our first time as well to have the youth and families join us.
We started the "Series" format in the month of October, focusing on one topic. For example, as our pilot series, we started the topic of "Angels". In November, our topic was about "Souls & Saints". Part of that series was the Observation of the Transgender Day of Remebrance by doing poetry reading and Sam Rosario's life's testimony as being trans and faithful. We remembered more than 400 of trans lives since 1990's and those who died and bereft in Marawi City during the attack of the ISIS.
Towards the end of the year, we were able to bless our 2nd trans couple, but the first trans-Pinay and a straight guy. This is also our 6th Holy Union, which was held at Imeprial palace Suites, Timog cor Morato, Quezon City.
In December, we also remember those who died due to the complications of AIDS. However, we are blessed that we were able to help 5 PLHIV survivors who are now back at work being professionals and living 'normal' lives.
Also, this Advent Season, it's the first time in our history that we had regular Sunday meetings every Sunday, including Christmas Eve.
