Our Mission is to build bridges with a vibrant spirituality that transforms lives and transforms the world

Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto is the spiritual home to a diverse and progressive community of faith. We are rooted in the teachings and spiritual practices of Christianity. We also respect the rich wisdom of other faith traditions. We believe in a relevant and forward-thinking spirituality.

We are proud to be a congregation serving people with assorted beliefs, backgrounds and sexual identities. From our origins serving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, we have become an inclusive and affirming congregation that actively welcomes all people.

We are called to build bridges that transform lives and transform our world. We are called to welcome others into the experience of a spirituality that is vibrant, inclusive and progressive. We are called to generously share our time, talents and resources. We are called to be beacons of faith, freedom and justice here and around the world.

Our Vision is to be Canada’s leading progressive diverse community of faith

MCC Toronto is a growing congregation. As we welcome all people we will grow in diversity. We are working towards building new ministries with youth, young adults, seniors and young familes with children. We will be a persuasive advocate for social justice and human rights around the world. We will be a resource to other congregations. We will be Canada’s leading progressive Christian community of faith.

With the assistance of Brian Brenie (Coordinator of Refugee Programs), we are organizing to sponsor one or two LGBT refugees through the Canadian Government’s Group of Five Refugee Sponsorship program.

LGBT refugees are people who face persecution in their home country relating to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. In many countries, LGBT expression and identity remain illegal or subject to violence and harassment without sufficient protection from authorities. MCC Toronto has run a successful peer support group for LGBT refugee claimants in Toronto since 2005 and has some experience in sponsoring refugees through other federal initiatives. We now want to help more LGBT refugees by organizing a Group of Five program.

Under the Group of Five program, at least five individuals come together to provide a minimum level of financial and social support for one year after the refugee’s arrival. Obligations of sponsors include:

• providing financial assistance for one year (total of $12,000 per refugee)
• helping connect the refugee to appropriate housing, health services and
  language training
• facilitating social integration

Help us to sponsor a LGBT refugee! There are lots of ways to get involved:

• Join the Group of Five planning committee at MCC Toronto
• Provide in-kind contributions such as accommodation
• Spread the word to others who might be interested in joining our group.

Contact: [email protected]