Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

We had good attendance, a meaningful discussion, and opened valuable communications links between his efforts and ours on behalf of social justice.  We are very pleased that Mike was able to be at this meeting.

https://www.tcsheriff.org/images/Building_Bridges_Overview.pdf

First Saturday Courageous Conversations – 9:00-11:30am –at St. James Episcopal Church – 1941 Webbervile Rd.

First Saturday Town Hall Meetings – Eliminating Crime & Violence in the Travis County/Austin Capital Area – 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at Simpson United Methodist Church: 1709 East 12^th Street;
You can contact Rev. Manor at Mike.Manor@co.travis.tx.us

Janice & Rowland Curry traveled to Washington DC as guests of Steve & Mary Lynn Clunn for the Presidential Inauguration January 18 – 23.  On Saturday, they attended the National Day of Service event on the Mall, and the Open House at MFSA’s offices.  On Sunday, they worshiped at Foundry UMC to hear Bishop Marcus Matthews give a special MLK Day message.  Then they joined Executive Director Chett Pritchett at an Interfaith Service sponsored by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

On Monday, they witnessed the Inauguration and Parade. What a weekend with many MFSA friends!

(More photos on our FaceBook Page, Southwest-TX-Chapter-MFSA)

Our MFSA chapter again had a visible presence at the MLK Day events in Austin on Monday, January 21.  Thanks to Anne Mund for organizing the event.

It’s great to walk together in solidarity with those who support social justice.

(More photos on our FaceBook Page, Southwest-TX-Chapter-MFSA)

The 2013 UMW Legislative Event was held in Austin, January 27-29.  Many of our SWTX churches were represented.  After hearing from legislative experts, the United Methodist Women decided on an agenda to take to our State Representatives and Senators at the end of the conference.  Those priorities included support for:  Extension of Medicaid to adults under 138% of Federal Poverty Level; Restoring Funding to Education, not allowing flow public money to private schools, and limiting statewide assessments; Begin funding long-term water needs; Sensible regulation of payday and auto-title lending to end cycle of debt; and Guarantee humane treatment of those in criminal justice system, especially women, children, and youth.

The Western Methodist Justice Movement held their first conference on January 30 in Las Vegas.  This conference is the continuation of the social justice grassroots movement that grew out of issues and relationships formed at the Love Your Neighbor Coalition Tabernacle in Tampa.  The SWTX Chapter felt that we should have a representative on hand at this conference, and asked Kenneth Henry to attend.  We believe that the WMJ Movement in the Western Jurisdiction will have an important impact on the landscape and structure of the UMC over the coming months, and look forward to Kenneth’s reports on this conference.

For more information, see www.wmjm.org.