San Francisco Metropolitan Community Church

1074-1076 Guerrero Street

San Francisco, California 94110

Phone: (415) 285-0392

TO: All Members and Friends of MCC

FROM:  The Pastor

RE: (a) Special Memorial Service Sunday, July 1, 7 PM

(b) Special Congregational meeting, Sunday, July 8, 4 PM

(c) Travel Plans for Atlanta General Conference, Labor Day weekend

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

It is my sad duty to inform you that a number of members of the New Orleans MCC perished in a fire at the “Upstairs”—a popular community bar.  I am sure many of you have followed newspaper accounts of this tragedy. There is a strong possibility that the fire was deliberately set.

The bar owners were friendly to the Church and served an inexpensive meal after church services which drew many of our members to the bar each Sunday. Among those who died in the fire were both the pastor and the assistant pastor of the church.

Rev. Troy Perry immediately flew to New Orleans to confer with regional church and community leaders. Memorial services in which the whole community will join are planned at MCC Churches throughout the country this Sunday. In San Francisco, our regular evening service at 7 p.m. at the church will be dedicated to the victims of the fire. Representatives from most community organizations will attend. We know you will want to make a special effort to join us for this important service…..

Yours in Christ,

James E. Sandmire

pastor