You Gotta Have Faith
Rev. Lisa Heilig, who has been interim pastor at Joy MCC while the congregation searched for a new full time pastor, has announced her departure from Orlando on Aug. 15. During her two years with Joy MCC, Rev. Heilig assisted in answering the questions like, “Who have we been as a church?” “Who are we now as a church?” and maybe most important, “Who is God calling us to be as a church?” “Answering these questions allows a church to be ready to embrace the future with a new spiritual leader. Joy is ready now,” says Rev. Heilig. “I could not be more proud of the work that Joy did and out of that work, have come to know that their purpose is to be a vital, growing spiritual community reaching out in God’s radically inclusive love.” Several candidates have already applied to become the new pastor for Joy MCC and are in the interview process. She will be leaving to assume another interim pastorate at MCC of our Redeemer in Augusta, Ga. She says that her calling is now with them while they are in transition, with their pastor of 15 years having just resigned. This next position will not only benefit MCC of our Redeemer but will also allow Rev. Heilig to be closer to her partner of 17 years, with whom she has had a long distance relationship with for the past 4 years. “I truly love Joy and the Orlando and Central Florida area and will miss the great community here,” she says. “However, I know that both Joy and the wider community will embrace and work with the next pastor who is coming.” Previously, Rev. Heilig was interim pastor for Church of the Trinity in Sarasota.
Gaybook
Social media maven, Facebook is changing yet again. This time, however, it's for gay rights. According to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Facebook has added two new icons to denote same-sex married couples for LGBT users. Previously on the Facebook Timeline, being married was symbolized by a bride-and-groom icon. Now same-sex couples can choose either two brides or two grooms. The recent update follows last year’s addition of “In a Civil Union” and “In a Domestic Partnership” to users’ “Relationship Status” feature. This also comes on the heels of Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes marrying his longtime partner, Sean Eldridge in New York City last Saturday. Facebook has also taken significant steps toward preventing anti-LGBT bullying, and created the Network of Support with GLAAD and other LGBT organizations in 2010. In June, Facebook even became the first social media company to be given an award at the GLAAD Media Awards.
