In 2016, one of the first LGBTQI-centric faith-based organizations in the Philippines – the Metropolitan Community Church-Quezon City (MCCQC) – “closed” its doors. This “closing”, however, may actually also be considered as part of an evolution, with the people from MCCQC “who strongly believe and are passionately committed to community work, justice, and love as exemplified and taught by Jesus Christ” eventually established Open Table MCC as “a prayerful result of the congregation’s renewal and rediscovery of our Christian mission.”
According to Pastor Joseph San Jose, the current administrative pastor, “Open Table MCC is a progressive Christian church that welcomes, affirms and celebrates all people and their beautiful diversity, including LGBTQIA persons and people living with HIV and AIDS. It is a safe community of faith for people.”
As an “open” and “progressive” church, “we welcome all walks of life, color, Christian traditions, sexualities and gender identities. It is a place of healing and support, where each one is equipped and called to do God’s work of justice in the world.”
With Pastor Joseph are four officers of the Administrative Board of Officers (called LCAB), namely: Jack Nicklaus Quimpo, Sean Malang, Glenn Del Monte and Ivan Malapit. Choi Discipulo is the Ministry Leader for HIV/AIDS Program, Marco Puzon helms the Christian Education, Michael Mia works for Congregational Care, and Christopher Celeste is the Web developer.
Open Table MCC has three missions: 1) it is “committed to keep and maintain a safe space for all people, including LGBTQIA persons and people living with HIV and AIDS, to be who they are and celebrate their identities, sexualities and gifts; 2) to proclaim God’s radically inclusive love; and 3) and to “call people to participate in God’s greater work of justice and peace in the world.”
To help in its targeted endeavors, Open Table MCC has a congregational care ministry; a Christian education program (where “we hope to guide, equip and transform individuals towards a participative and collective ministry of justice work”); and – for PLHIVs – programs that involve pastoral visitation in hospitals and yes, provide HIV screening and awareness. Underneath all these is a leadership development program to equip and develop current and future lay and clergy leaders.
“There’s no easy road map to do all that,” Pastor Joseph admitted, “but we are intentional in keeping a welcoming and loving fellowship among members and guests. How can one actually do this in a roomful of divas and queens and all sorts of personalities should be a challenge; but with loving support comes accountability and through both formal and informal means, we would be able to be with each other through active service rooted in love.”
For those looking for “a progressive church that accepts and celebrates who you are, a community where you can be a part of, and where your talents and gifts are valued,” join Open Table MCC every Sunday at 4:00PM at Conference Room B, Cafe Oikoumene, National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), 879 Epifanio de los Santos Ave. (EDSA), Quezon City.
For more information, contact +639 17 829 0932, email ministry@opentablemcc.ph, or visit www.opentablemcc.ph or https://www.facebook.com/opentablemccph.
