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N  E  W  S    R  E  L  E  A  S	E

>From Metropolitan Community Churches . _www.MCCchurch.org_
(http://www.MCCchurch.org)
For Immediate Release: June 23, 2005

New Book Chronicles Life, Ministry of Rev. Dr. Troy D. Perry
Founder of Gay Metropolitan Community Churches

Contact: Laura Montgomery Rutt Cell: 717-278-0592
Metropolitan Community	Churches, _envisionmacc@gmail.com_
(mailto:envisionmacc@gmail.com)

(Los Angeles) – The Reverend Dr. Troy Perry, founder of Metropolitan
Community Churches (MCC), the largest international church started in and  reaching
beyond the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities, will be
speaking and signing a new book entitled, "Troy Perry: Pastor and
Prophet." Book
signings have been announced in New York City (July 7), Atlanta (July 9 -10) and
 Los Angeles (October 8-9). This “coffee table book” is a tribute to Rev.
Perry,	chronicled through full color pictures and dozens of stories about his
ministry  from early childhood through his announced retirement as Moderator of
MCC.

Rev. Perry announced his retirement this year after 37 years of ministry
to 
the spiritual needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)
individuals, who are often alienated and isolated by misguided and misinformed
parents, church leaders, and society-at-large. He will officially retire
on 
October 8, 2005 in Los Angeles.

Starting his ministry in 1968, Rev. Perry took out an ad in "The
Advocate," 
the oldest magazine catering to LGBT individuals. The few who were brave
enough	to respond to the ad met in Rev. Perry’s living room to discuss God and
spirituality, and to help one another heal from the wounds inflicted upon them
by society and religious dogma. Today, Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC)
has  over 40,000 members and 250 churches in 23 countries around the
world, and
each  year more than 225,000 people attend MCC programs and services.

"No single individual in the LGBT movement has contributed more to the
well-being, spiritual and otherwise, of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
individuals, families, and allies than the Rev. Troy Perry. Beyond that, he's a
rare pleasure to be with, so I urge everyone not to miss this opportunity to
hear him before his retirement in October and to get a signed copy of this
fantastic tribute to his life and ministry,” declared Chris
Glaser, editor of
"Troy Perry: Pastor and Prophet" and well known theologian and author from
Atlanta, GA.

The venues, dates, and times are as follows:

NEW YORK CITY: JULY 7 from 06.30-09.30pm
Rev. Perry to speak at	7:30pm
The Latin Collector Art Gallery (in Tribeca)
153 Hudson Street at  Hubert, New York, NY

ATLANTA: JULY 9 starting at 7pm
Rev. Perry to speak at 7pm followed by	Q&A and book signing
Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse
991  Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA

LOS ANGELES: OCTOBER 9 beginning at 12:30pm
Following 11am Sunday  service, sermon by Rev. Perry
Metropolitan Community Church of Los  Angeles
8714 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA

Additional opportunities to hear Rev. Perry will be also held in all three
locations.

MEDIA NOTE:
To arrange media interviews with Rev. Troy Perry, or with Chris Glaser,
editor of this new book, contact Laura Montgomery Rutt at (717) 278-0592.

MCC Mission Statement: "Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) is a  Christian
Church founded in and reaching beyond the Gay and Lesbian communities.	We
embody and proclaim Christian salvation and liberation, Christian inclusivity
and community, and Christian social action and justice. We serve among those
seeking and celebrating the integration of their spirituality and  sexuality."