Guide to the Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach Collection

Michael C. Oliveira
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
Phone: (213) 741-0094
Fax: (213) 741-0220
Email: askone@onearchives.org
URL: http://www.onearchives.org
© 2008
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives. All rights reserved.

Guide to the Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach Collection

Collection number: Coll2008-039

ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives

Los Angeles, California
Processed by:
Michael C. Oliveira
Date Completed:
June 20, 2008
Encoded by:
Michael P. Palmer
© 2008 ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives. All rights reserved.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.


Descriptive Summary

Title: Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach collection
Dates: 1984-2002
Collection number: Coll2008-039
Creator: Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach
Collection Size: 4 archive cartons. 1.8 linear feet.
Repository: ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90007
Abstract: Video and audio tapes and CD-ROMs of conference proceedings of the Universal Fellowship of the Metropolitan Community Church (UFMCC) and its congregation in Long Beach (MCCLB), along with recordings of events, lectures, sermons, and services related to religion and homosexuality, 1984-2002.
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Publication Rights

Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).

Preferred Citation

Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach collection, Coll2008-039, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

Acquisition Information

Acquired from the Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach, March 21, 2007.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Michael C. Oliveira, June 20, 2008.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Administrative History

Church Long Beach. The first called pastor was Reverend Jon Bullock. Reverend Bullock, who served for a year and a half. The church then called Reverend Bob Cunningham who served until 1979. During this time the church purchased property on Raymond Street, and when they outgrew that property they sold it and purchased property at 785 Junipero Street in Long Beach. When Reverend Bob resigned, the church placed then "Exhorter" (MCC’s term for a minister in training) Michael Cole in charge of the church until it could call a pastor. In 1980, the church called Reverend Dusty Pruitt to the Pastorate. She served until 1995. During that time the church sold its property on Junipero Street and bought property downtown, at 1231 Locust Avenue, an abandoned Oddfellows hall. During this time the church grew to a membership of over 300. In 1995, under the leadership of Reverend Pruitt, the church sold the building at 1231 Locust Avenue and did not buy another one. The church had incurred a large construction debt to earthquake proof the property which became difficult to service. After the property was sold, several disgruntled members in the church led the church to call a vote of confidence for Reverend Pruitt, which in August of 1995 she failed by a vote of 53% to 47%. After a short interim period when Reverend Ken was the interim pastor, the church called Reverend Sandra Turnbull, who had been a Student Clergy and protégée of Reverend Pruitt. After several years as clergy in MCC, Reverend Turnbull resigned her credentials and led the church to disaffiliate with MCC. The congregation that was MCC Long Beach continues as Glory Tabernacle Community Church in Long Beach and functions as an Independent Pentecostal GLBT congregation. The church still does not have a permanent building.
Reverned Dusty Pruitt

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection consists of video and audio tapes and CD-ROMs of conference proceedings of the Universal Fellowship of the Metropolitan Community Church (UFMCC) and its congregation in Long Beach (MCCLB), along with recordings of events, lectures, sermons, along with services related to religion and homosexuality, 1984-2002. The collection is arranged by format in three series: (1) VHS Videotapes, (2) Compact Audiotape Cassettes, and (3) CD-ROMs.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Aids (Disease)--Patients, Counseling of
Audiotapes
Church and social problems--Long Beach, Calif.
Church work with gays--Long Beach, Calif.
Gays--Religious life--Long Beach, Calif.
Homosexuality--Religious aspects
Metropolitan Community Church--Long Beach, Calif.
Video tapes


Box 1 : 1-14 ; 2 : 1-13 ; 3 : 1-3

Series 1:  VHS Videotapes circa 1984-2002

Physical Description: 19 VHS videotapes + 1 folder.

Series Scope and Content Summary

The series consists of VHS videotapes of services and choral and orchestra performances of the Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach (MCCLB), as well as videotapes of events, lectures, and services related to religion and homosexuality. The tapes are arranged numerically according to the numbers on the spines of the tape boxes; two unnumbered VHS videotapes are placed at the end of the series.
Box 1 : 1

#38 - Celebrate Your Pride ... at Christmas 3, Handel's Young Messiah, MCC Long Beach December 19, 1992

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 1 : 2

#39 - Easter Sunday resurrection cantata, We Worship the Risen Christ! MCC Long Beach April 11, 1993

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 1 : 3

#53 - Shown at 20th anniversary dinner, MCC Long Beach April 24, 1992

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 1 : 4

#55 - Service in the park, MCC Long Beach May 19, 1991

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 1 : 5

#57 - Celebrate Your Pride ... at Christmas 2 , MCC Long Beach December 21, 1991

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 1 : 6-7

#58/59 - Celebrate Your Pride ... at Christmas , MCC Long Beach December 23, 1990

Physical Description: Master tapes #1-2.
Box 1 : 8

#60 - Celebrate Your Pride ... at Christmas , MCC Long Beach December 23, 1990

Box 1 : 9

#61 - The Witness, performed Easter Sunday by the MCC Long Beach choir and orchestra, MCC Long Beach April 19, 1992

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 1 : 10

#62 - The Day He Wore My Crown, performed Easter Sunday by MCC Long Beach choir and orchestra March 31, 1991

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 1 : 11

#63 - Saturday Night Live 2, MCC Long Beach May 11, 1991

Box 1 : 12

#66 - Calvary's Love, performed Easter Sunday by MCC Long Beach choir and orchestra. April 3, 1994

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 1 : 13

#69 - 20th anniversary, MCC Long Beach April 24, 1992

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 1 : 14

#71 - Chadash Ministries, Leaving the 99, Eric Butler circa 1990

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 2 : 1

#75 - John Boswell, 1500 Years of the Church Blessing Lesbian and Gay Relationships: It's Nothing New 1988

Note

Produced by Integrity, Inc.
Box 2 : 2

#76 - Parents Come Out circa 1990

Box 2 : 3

#78 - Jack W. Hayford, Majesty: An Experience in Worship May 1988

Note

Produced by Living Way Ministries, Van Nuys, California.
Box 2 : 4

#83 - Rev. Kenneth T. Martin, Homosexuality: What the Bible Does and Does Not Say circa 1984

Note

Produced by Metro Comm Christian Video.
Box 2 : 5

#87 - Forward Together, Christopher Street West (CSW) presents the 1986 gay pride celebration June 21-22, 1986

Box 2 : 6

#89 - March on Sacramento for Lesbian and Gay Rights: Bring the Message Home May 7, 1988

Note

Produced by Lifestyle Update Productions.
Box 2 : 7

#90 - A Building a Church Doesn't Make circa 1990

Box 2 : 8

#93 - 20th anniversary, MCC Long Beach April 24, 1992

Box 2 : 9

#94 - From Heaven's Throne, Christmas, MCC Long Beach 1993

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 2 : 10

#100 - Calvary's Love, performed Easter Sunday by MCC Long Beach choir and orchestra April 3, 1994

Box 2 : 11

#103 - Spring creativity retreat, multi-media "extravaganza," MCC Long Beach April 22-24, 1994

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 2 : 12

#104 - Spring creativity retreat highlights, MCC Long Beach April 22-24, 1994

Physical Description: Master tape.
Box 2 : 13

#105 - After Goodbye: An AIDS Story, featuring the Turtle Creek Chorale 1993

Box 3 : 1

Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, God, Gays and the Gospel: This is Our Story 1984

Box 3 : 2

The First Annual Choir Share 2002

Box 3 : 3

Original and copies of VHS video tape boxes circa 1984-1988

Box 3 : 4-7 ; 4 : 1-3

Series 2:  Compact Audiotape Cassettes 1985-circa 1990

Physical Description: 7 items.

Series Scope and Content Summary

The series consists of compact audiotape cassettes of conference proceedings, events, lectures, sermons, and services of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and its Long Beach congregation.
Box 3 : 4-5

Metropolitan Community Church Long Beach (MCCLB) 1988-1989

Physical Description: 12 audiotape cassettes.
Box 3 : 4

Homosexuality and the Bible June 5-26, 1988

Physical Description: 4 audiotape cassettes.

Scope and Content Note

  1. What the Bible Does and Doesn't Say, Bjorn Marcussen. June 5, 1988
  2. Exploring the Ex-Gay Movement Exploding the Ex-Gay Myth, Elder Don Eastman. June 12, 1988
  3. Responsible Christian Sexuality, Dusty Pruitt. June 19, 1988
  4. Healing Wounded Sexuality, Thomas Jordan. June 26, 1988
Box 3 : 5

Charismatic Conference 3 February 3-5, 1989

Physical Description: 8 audiotape cassettes.

Scope and Content Note

  1. Opening worship service, Martha Siegel. February 3, 1989
  2. Morning chapel hour, Rhea Zakich. February 4, 1989
  3. Workshop, Compassionate Presence - Healing the Child Within, Sister Maria Louisa. circa February 4, 1989
  4. Workshop, Revelation Unraveled, Andrew Christian. circa February 4, 1989
  5. Key Note Address, "By the Fruits You Shall Know Them". The Fruit of the Holy Spirit in Daily Living, Thomas Bigelow. circa February 4, 1989
  6. Workshop, Dealing with the Devil, Thomas Bigelow. circa February 4, 1989
  7. Healing Service, Dusty Pruitt. circa February 4, 1989
  8. Morning Worship, Elder Troy Perry. February 5, 1989
Box 4 : 1-3

Universal Fellowship of metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). General Conferences 1985-1989

Physical Description: 44 audiotape cassettes.
Box 4 : 1

General Conference 12, Sacramento, California June 30-July 7, 1985

Physical Description: 12 audiotape cassettes.

Scope and Content Note

  • 1.     A.M. Worship Service. Elder Freda Smith. July 1, 1985
  • 2.     P.M. Worship Service. Elder Nancy Wilson. July 1, 1985
  • 3.     A.M. Worship Service. Elder Don Eastman. July 2, 198
  • 4a.   A.M. Worship Service. Horacio Flores. July 3, 1985
  • 5.     P.M. Worship Service. Elder Jean White. July 3, 1985
  • 4b.   A.M. Worship Service. Jackie Walker. July 4, 1985
  • 6.     P.M. Worship Service. Elder Michael Mank. July 4, 1985
  • 7.     A.M. Worship Service. Willie White. July 5, 1985
  • 8.     P.M. Worship Service. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey. July 5, 1985
  • 9.     Ordination Service. Jimmy Brock. July 6, 1985
  • 10.   Conference music concert. July 6, 1985
  • 11a.  Conference music concert, conclusion. July 6, 1985
  • 12.   Elder Troy D. Perry, closing worship service. July 7, 1985
  • 11b.  Elder Troy D. Perry, conclusion. July 7, 1985
Box 4 : 2

General Conference 13, Miami Beach, Florida July 19-26, 1987

Physical Description: 16 audiotape cassettes.

Scope and Content Note

  • 1.     Opening Address. Elder Troy D. Perry. July 20, 1987
  • 2a.    Morning Elder Nancy Wilson. July 20, 1987
  • 2b.    Evening. Elder Freda Smith. July 20, 1987
  • 3a.    Morning. Lapaula Turner. July 21, 1987
  • 3b.    Evening. Elder Emeritus John Hose. July 21, 1987
  • 4a.    Morning. Michael Piazza. July 22, 1987
  • 4b.    Evening. Elder Jean White. July 22, 1987
  • 5a.    Morning. John McNeill. July 23, 1987
  • 5b.    Evening. Elder Jeri Ann Harvey. July 23, 1987
  • 6a.    Morning. Mary Moore. July 24, 1987
  • 6b.    Evening. Elder Donald Eastman. July 24, 1987
  • 7a.    Ordination service. David Day. July 25, 1987
  • 7b.    Joint Dignity/UFMCC service. Father Dan Berrigan. July 25, 1987
  • 8.      Carl Bean, Human Rights luncheon. July 25, 1987
  • 9-10. Closing Service. Elder Troy D. Perry. July 26, 1987
  • 11.    Forum: AIDS update. McClelland, McFarren, Bean, and Kawata. July 23, 1987
  • 12.    Workshop: AIDS ministry in minority communities. Carl Bean July 23, 1987
  • 13.    Workshop: AIDS ministry in the local church. Gary McClelland. July 23, 1987
  • 14.    Workshop: A Christian and Gay Approach to Death from AIDS. Phillip Richardson. July 23, 1987
  • 15.    Workshop: Taking a Chance on God. John McNeill. July 23, 1987
  • 16.    Workshop: Biblical foundations for the Gospel of Liberation. Thomas Hanks. July 23, 1987
Box 4 : 3

General Conference 14, Minneapolis, Minnesota July 16-23, 1989

Physical Description: 16 audiotape cassettes.

Scope and Content Note

  • 1.      P.M. Worship. Arlene Ackerman. July 16, 1989
  • 2.      Opening Address. Elder Troy D. Perry. July 17, 1989
  • 3.      A.M. Worship. Elder Charlie Arehart. July 17, 1989
  • 4.      P.M. Worship. Elder Freda Smith. July 17, 1989
  • 5.      A.M. Worship. Bill Hein. July 18, 1989
  • 6.      P.M. Worship. Elder Don Eastman. July 18, 1989
  • 7.      A.M. Worship. Brenda Blizzard. July 19, 1989
  • 8-9a. P.M. Worship. Elder Jean White. July 19, 1989
  • 10.     A.M. Worship. Carter Heyward. July 20, 1989
  • 11.     P.M. Worship. Sandra Robinson. July 20, 1989
  • 9b.     Human Rights Banquet. John Boswell. July 20, 1989
  • 12.     A.M. Worship. Hong Tan. July 21, 1989
  • 13.     P.M. Worship. Elder Nancy Wilson. July 22, 1989
  • 14.     A.M. Worship. Elder Larry Rodriguez. July 22, 1989
  • 15b.    A.M. Worship, continued. Elder Larry Rodriguez. July 22, 1989
  • 15a.    Human Rights Banquet. Camille Bell. July 22, 1989
  • 16.      Closing Ceremony. Elder Troy D. Perry. July 23, 1989
Box 3 : 6-7

Miscellaneous circa 1985-1990

Physical Description: 2 audiotape cassettes.
Box 3 : 6

Don Eastman, Not a Sin Not a Sickness: The Bible and Homosexuality circa 1990

Physical Description: 4 audiotape cassettes.

Scope and Content Note

  1. The Truth Shall Set You Free
  2. Genesis 19 - Sodom Revisited
  3. Leviticus 18 - What's an Abomination?
  4. Romans 1, First Corinthians 6 - When in Rome ...
Box 3 : 7

Elder Freda Smith, The Best of Freda circa 1985

Physical Description: 2 audiotape cassettes.

Scope and Content Note

  • 1a.   Purple Grass
  • 1b.   Fig Tree
  • 2a.   Jonah
  • 2b.   Once I Was Blind
Box 3 : 8

Series 3:  CD-ROMs April 24, 1992

Physical Description: 2 CD-ROMs.

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains the third and fourth CD-ROMs created for the twentieth anniversary of the Long Beach congregation of the Metropolitan Community Church.
Box 3 : 8

Metropolitan Community Church, Long Beach, 20 Year Documentary April 24, 1992

Physical Description: CDs #3 and 4.

Note

Note: CD #4 unplayable (June 20, 2008).