25/08/2026
MCC Europe Network Gathering – Vienna, Austria
This weekend, Terry and I attended the MCC European Network Gathering in Vienna, Austria, and I wanted to share my personal reflection on what was a very meaningful weekend.
I walked into the gathering with a lot of excitement, but also some trepidation. Apart from Terry and Kristian, I didn’t know anybody else who would be attending, and I wondered how that would make me feel. As someone with autism, I can find small talk and starting conversations quite difficult. I found myself wondering: Would anybody talk to me? Would I feel included?
When we arrived on Thursday, I was made to feel very welcome by those who were already there. However, as we ventured further into the evening, I found myself sitting quietly and observing other people’s conversations rather than joining in.
On Friday, I had planned to attend a workshop on LEAD while Terry went to the Pastors’ Retreat. Unfortunately, there had been some confusion and I hadn’t registered for it, so I wasn’t able to attend. Initially, this hit me quite hard, and for a brief moment I began to question why I had come at all.
Thankfully, that feeling soon passed. Instead, I took the opportunity to go out and explore some of the beautiful sights of Vienna — and believe me, there are many!
On Saturday, Terry led the Morning Devotion, and it was fantastic. Everyone attending had wonderful things to say about it. Afterwards, we took part in various workshops, including sessions on self-care and leadership skills, which were really interesting and well planned.
It was also during Saturday that I began getting to know several of the other people attending. That evening, some of us had drinks together and socialised in the hotel bar. Considering the worries I had arrived with only a couple of days earlier, this felt particularly meaningful.
On Sunday, we attended a workshop on language led by our very own Kristian, which was fantastic and incredibly thought-provoking. Afterwards, we had our end-of-gathering worship, which was extremely moving.
During the service, I was invited to speak about what finding faith and finding the right space has meant to me. I spoke about Derby Inclusive Fellowship and how welcoming it has been from the very beginning. I also spoke about how difficult it can be when you are not only LGBTQ+ but also neurodivergent to find a safe space where you genuinely feel accepted, understood and included.
Being given the opportunity to share that part of my story was incredibly meaningful to me.
On Sunday evening, a few of us went out to explore more of Vienna and have some evening drinks together — a lovely way to finish the weekend.
What will I take away from this gathering?
Firstly, just how wonderful MCC is. But the weekend also gave me an opportunity to explore my own faith and think more deeply about what I want to do within our church and beyond. I have learned that I need to allow things within myself to grow and develop rather than feeling that I need to have all the answers immediately.
But perhaps the biggest thing I will take away from Vienna is the friendships and connections that were made.
I will forever be thankful to Terry for encouraging me to come along. I arrived wondering whether anybody would talk to me and whether I would fit in. I left having made new connections, having shared part of my story, and feeling excited about where my own journey might take me next. It's even in the planning stages that I may be doing a neurodivergent workshop online for MCC Europe next Spring.
If you ever get the opportunity to attend an MCC Gathering or Conference grab it.
The next gathering will be in Newcastle next year, and if you are thinking about coming along, I highly encourage you to do so, they also do things online throughout the year , so keep a look out for those, also if your in an area that has an MCC Church do visit it, I'm sure you be made to eel most welcome.
Jack
