Introduction by Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski  


                                        
  
(To hear introduction and sermon click : Women's History Month Sermon    The woman condemned as unclean  changes her universe by "saying" to herself "If I but touch ..."
This recording is available in RealAudio format and requires the RealAudio player to be heard. If you do not have the RealAudio player,you may download it from www.real.com )

 About Rev. Elder Freda Smith   

The Rev. Elder Freda Smith is the former Vice-Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; a political activist in California; and an advocate for women's and minority concerns.  Rev. Elder Freda  Smith entered the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in 1971.  Rev. Freda is widely  known for her tireless advocacy and concern for GLBTI and minority rights. 
See  http://www.mccchurch.org/women/
archivedbios/FredaSmithbio.htm     Freda Smith was named ""Woman of the Year"" by the California State Legislature in 1996 and is  recognized in  the Sacramento History Museum as "Woman of Courage,"

During the early turbulent days of MCC's history and growth  Rev. Elder Freda Smith met the Reverend Elder Troy Perry at the Capitol of the State of California where they were both speakers for a rally to pass the "Consenting Adults Law" introduced  to decriminalize gay relationships in California. In a later lobbying effort for the passage of the bill,  Freda first read her narrative poem, "Dear Dora/Dangerous Derek Diesel Dyke," to a select group of  California State legislators.  Lt. Governor Merv Dymally was visibly moved by the poem and stated that the poem had "opened his eyes" to the civil rights aspect of the consenting adults bill.   Later, Dymally historically broke the tie that had deadlocked the California Senate to pass the bill that its author, Assemblyman Willie Brown had called the gay "anti-lynching" law.  Click here: Next Step: Equality

 Freda was an early champion of women's concerns and was instrumental in spearheading the revision of UFMCC Bylaws to include women at every level of ministry. 

Rev. Smith  was the first woman ordained to the UFMCC ministry and was first elected to the Board of Elders in 1973. She was re-elected as elder for five more terms during which time she served as World Church Extension Elder, liaison to Europe, Canada, Australia, and U.S. Districts, and as Vice-Moderator of the UFMCC. She appeared nationally on the Tomorrow Show in the U.S., on Canada AM, and on local broadcasts where she frequently debated right-wing religious political advocates.  

Last year, following  34 years as Senior Pastor  of  the MCC Church in Sacramento, California, Rev. Freda "retired" as a Pastor but not as a minister.  She is the Director/Evangelist of Rev. Elder Freda Smith -- MCC Evangelist ministries.  

Rev. Elder Freda Smith conducts  programs of Spiritual Renewal, Living History, Workshops, Tapes/Videos/CD's, Devotionals, Spiritual Retreats, and serves as Worship Leader both locally and Internationally.  Rev. Freda Smith appeared on the PBS program  To The Contrary in November 2005 in the program titled Lesbians in the Ministry with Panelists: National Organization of Women's Kim Gandy; Republican Pollster Kellyanne Conway; Feminist Majority's Crystal Lander; Conservative Commentator Tara Setmayer; and Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual's Mary E. Hunt. 

Also in 2005, Pacific School of Religion (www.psr.edu) in Berkeley California established the Rev. Elder Freda Smith Feminist Preaching Prize.    

Rev. Elder Freda Smith lives in the mother-lode of California, just above Sacramento, with her partner of 32 years, Kathleen Meadows. 

                                        
                                         Rev. Freda & Kathleen

I am trying to learn how to create this page.  I have a lot more to learn.    However, I want to make contact with you and encourage you to join me in ministry.  

I believe  the Holy Spirit is calling me into an expanded ministry of evangelism: to create a living history of our community before it is lost , to carry the issues of same-sex marriage, transgender concerns, and encouragement of  our community to stand fast in truth to the world.

"BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS TO THE WORLD"

 REV FREDA'S VISION

THIS MINISTRY IS GOING TO STAND UP
and
THIS MINISTRY IS GOING TO SPEAK UP
and 
THIS MINISTRY IS NEVER GOING TO SHUT UP 
and
THIS MINISTRY IS NEVER GOING TO  LET UP
and
THIS MINISTRY IS  NEVER GOING TO  GIVE UP
and
THIS MINISTRY IS  NEVER GOING TO GIVE IN
and
THIS MINISTRY IS  NEVER GOING TO  GIVE OUT
and
THIS MINISTRY IS  NEVER GOING TO WEAR OUT
and
 THIS MINISTRY IS  NEVER GOING TO  BURN OUT
but
THIS MINISTRY IS GOING TO  WIN OUT
and
REACH OUT
to
EVERY ONE  WHO HAS BEEN LEFT OUT 

   

      An anonymous letter for people who see themselves as strict scriptural purists.  Aren't we glad that Jesus fulfilled the law ("It is finished") for all of us "whosoevers."    John 3:16

Dear Dr. Laura, 
   Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. 
   I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them. 
   a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? 
    b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? 
   c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. 
   d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? 
   e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself? 
   f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? 
   g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here? 
   h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die? 
   i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? 
   j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) 
   I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. 
   Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

This is our Statement of Faith , as stated in MCC By-Laws, and accepted by our General Conference: 

"Christianity is the revelation of God in Jesus Christ and is the religion set forth in the scriptures. Jesus Christ is foretold in the Old Testament, presented in the New Testament, and proclaimed by the Christian Church in every age and in every land.

Founded in the interest of offering a church home to all who confess and believe, Metropolitan Community Churches moves in the mainstream of Christianity.

Our faith is based upon the principles outlined in the historic creeds: Apostles and Nicene.

We believe:

-In one triune God, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, of one substance and of three persons: God - our Parent-Creator; Jesus Christ the only begotten son of God, God in flesh, human; and the Holy Spirit - God as our Sustainer.

-That the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, showing forth God to every person through the law and the prophets, and finally, completely and ultimately on earth in the being of Jesus Christ.

-That Jesus...the Christ...historically recorded as living some 2,000 years before this writing, is God incarnate, of human birth, fully God and fully human, and that by being one with God, Jesus has demonstrated once and forever that all people are likewise Children of God, being spiritually made in God's image.

-That the Holy Spirit is God making known God's love and interest to all people. The Holy Spirit is God, available to and working through all who are willing to place their welfare in God's keeping.

-Every person is justified by grace to God through faith in Jesus Christ.