A brief history of Imago Dei
Desire for Church Planting
In August 1998 Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman and Rev. Karla Fleshman, (a 3rd year seminary student at the time), met during a Leadership Conference to discuss starting a new MCC in the Philadelphia area.
In October 1999 Rev. Karla began a feasibility study to determine the viability and interest of a new MCC church in the area. Later that year, Rev. Karla met Judy and Diane - the first couple to express interest in helping to start an MCC in Delaware County, PA.
On Saturday, January 8, 2000 Rev. Karla was ordained as a clergy person within the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; and the next day she conducted outreach at a Philadelphia Pride event to recruit people interested in a new MCC.
In February 2000, Rev. Karla's feasibility study was approved and she began developing and equipping a core team who would help start a new church.
The first organizational meeting for persons interested in starting a new MCC in Delaware County was held at the end of March, 2000. The group met weekly, for twelve months, holding bible studies, educational sessions, outreach events, and much more to strengthen relationships and equip the people of the group to launch a new church.
Imago Dei MCC begins with Many Ministries
On March 25, 2001 Imago Dei MCC held its first worship service with over 100 people in attendance. A reporter and photographer from the Philadelphia Inquirer also attended. News coverage in the Inquirer and other regional media helped bring people to the church, while the church web page became and remains the church's most important form of communication and outreach to our suburban community spanning the Tri-State area.
By the close of 2001 the church had a strong, developing worship service, several small group bible studies and a good outreach program.
Long before we ever held a worship service, our members were providing support to men and women with HIV in Delaware County. Imago Dei MCC's HIV Ministry continues to be an integral ministry of this church, as we seek social justice and compassionate care for people with HIV, as well as other disabilities. Imago Dei MCC, along with the Fellowship, is committed to focusing upon the needs of the human family, particularly family members, which are at risk of exclusion from God's Church!
By our first anniversary in March, 2002, Imago Dei MCC began to talk and pray about relocating from its current home at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County in Media, PA. We did not have dedicated space at this location, and had to work around the UUCDC's schedule including conducting our weekly worship service at 1:00 Sunday afternoons.
Later that year, we participated in a Strategic Growth Initiative Weekend, identifying our core values, mission, and vision statement. We also identified three strategic growth issues: 1) equipping leaders, 2) improving finances, and 3) relocating our church.
Growing to Gradyville: A New Home for Imago Dei MCC
By the end of 2002, the church identified of a new location in Gradyville, PA. The new space would allow us to have our own sanctuary, offices and meeting rooms. We would also be able to move to a morning worship service.
By our third anniversary, March 2003, we voted to move and began renovations on what would be our second church home. After 2.5 months of major renovations, we held an Open House in May and moved into our new space June, 2003.
Change is difficult, but necessary if an organization hopes to remain viable and relevant. The new location and time did not work well for some church folk and opened up possibilities for yet others to come. We began this transition and faces began to change. As the faces changed, so did the ministries of the church.
Born during the early days of our second home were the following ministries: Drum Ministry, Children's Ministry, Friendship/Membership Ministry, and the early stages of what is now called the Congregational Care Ministry and the Stewardship/Fundraising Team.
New Vision for Church Leadership
Over the next eighteen months, change continued. Rev. Karla began an ongoing program on equipping and training church leaders using materials written by John Maxwell and beginning the Disciple bible study program. Our internal structure shifted from an individual to team-based ministry. The groundwork to grow a small church was developing.
Imago Dei MCC's vision, mission, core values, and strategic plan shapes all that we do as a church. It is our focus - that of the Pastor, the Board of Directors, and the leadership.
Our Future is Through Spiritual Growth and Ministry
We seek to bring excellence to the worship of God through our Worship Planning Team, Musician/Vocalist Team, and Altar Guild. We seek to welcome first time guests, members, and friends through our Greeters Ministry and our Hospitality Ministry.
We seek to keep the church viable, equipped and well-staffed through the stewardship ministry, while seeking to improve and enhance all church ministries as we plan for our next church home through our fundraising efforts.
We seek to educate and disciple our members and friends of all ages through the Small Groups Ministry including Membership Classes, the Children's Ministry, and Disciple Training.
We seek to support one another within and beyond our church community through the Congregational Care Ministry, HIV Ministry, and God's HANDS Ministry, which is our community outreach ministry that includes Pride Events.
Our church is celebrating five years of worship March 2006. It is amazing that one small group has done so much to change the world, but it has. Imago Dei MCC has influenced countless thousands directly and indirectly through our many and varied ministries that have taken place wherever we worshiped and wherever we have gathered as an intentional group or small gathering of friends.
It is not the size of church attendance or bank account that matters most, but the attitude of our members and friends that create the greatest opportunities to Grow in Christ! Lift Up Community! Spread God's Love!
You are the Mission of Imago Dei MCC
If you choose to become a part of this faith community - this group moving to the leading of the Holy Spirit of the Living God - be prepared for change, challenge, and celebration! We gather for the cause of Christ, which is all about bringing the good news of God's Love to All People, especially Queer People!
