We started 2017 with the Renewal of Membership through Baptism by Immersion last January. This was held at Casanjo Resort, Greenpark, Cainta @ 7pm with 20 members, 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 on St. Mary Street, Fr. Horacio Dela Costa Homes Subdivision, in the same barangay we've been for the last 7 years. We celebrate this due to lots of Filipino-Chinese in the city.
In the same month, we celebrated Valentine's Day where there were 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 other 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 found things in common. It didn't matter if they were of the opposite or of the same-sex. We also "drew lots" of provocative questions about love, which are not commonly asked to heterosexuals.
In March, re-launched our "Voices of the River" Teen Version in March as we welcomed Gem Kenneth Oliva, who was a choir teacher for so many years in a Roman Catholic parish here in our barangay. He became our 2nd Musical Director, Isaiah Atienza, being the first, and Lois, the friend of Kenneth who is volunteers pianist from the same congregation Kenneth came from. He is now our Finance Officer and Food Minister.
During the Lenten Season, in April, 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 who spontaneously wanted it, probably due to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Traditionally, only heterosexual, male deacons who are able to participate in the Washing of the Feet in traditional Churches here in Marikina City, but this time, women & LGBTQ+, and the youth 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, Quezon Province., farther from Infanta.
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 former mother Church, MCCQC, and other PLHIV/AIDS communities.
Towards the end of the month or summer, we celebrated our 7th Church 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 throughout our history!!
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 current 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 of June, 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 Philippine history with 7, 900+ attendees. It was our first time as well to have the youth and families join us.
In July, we had a FREE Drawing Workshop for the kids we were helping at our "Balik-Landas sa Dambana ng Bahaghari Ministry", which aimed provide temporary shelter to neglected kids due to poverty, prohibited drugs & sexual infidelity.
We had donors from everywhere like Open Doors MCC (Metropolitan Community Church) - South Korea, an American MCCer (who doesn't want to be disclosed), the couples we blessed, and also from within our members and visitors.
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 throughout the Philippines and those who died and bereft in Marawi City during the attack of 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 Imperial Palace Suites, Timog cor Morato, Quezon City.
On December 1, World AIDS Days (WAD), we also remembered those who died due to the complications of AIDS. We remembered one of the saints of our Church. While we hear a lot of deaths, we were able to help 5 PLHIV survivors who are now back at work and being professionals and living regular
lives.
lives.
Also, this Advent Season, it's the first time in our history that we had regular Sunday meetings every Sunday straight, including Christmas & New Year's Eve
