The Fall 2013 MFSA Progessive Voice is Available here. Progressive Voice Nov.2013
Chapter Meeting Thursday November 14 Break the Chains: Ending Human Trafficking
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA The November 14 MFSA meeting will be Break the Chains: Ending Human Trafficking at UNIVERSITY UMC in Austin, 2409 Guadalupe, in collaboration with several organizations that focus on this issue. Did you know that:
Join us as we explore the devastating statics about human trafficking and consider what we can do to help end it. A panel of leaders from local organizations with suggestions for ways individuals and organizations can help end this horrific practice includes the following:
Other members of the coalition can be found at http://www.ctcaht.org/
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Please join us for snacks and visiting at 6:30pm with the meeting to follow at 7:00pm. Parking: on Guadalupe just north of UUMC, LIMITED, please carpool, if possible. Hope to see you there!
14th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
| This Saturday, November 2, 2013, is the 14th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty in Austin at the Texas Capitol at 2 PM on Saturday. Meet on the South Steps of the Capitol. We will march through the streets of downtown Austin with a stop in front of the Texas Governor’s mansion and return to the Texas Capitol.
The march will be led by several exonerated death row survivors from Witness to Innocence who each spent many years on death row waiting to be executed for crimes they did not commit. They made it out of the system alive, but there are many innocent people still on death row and other innocents who did not make it out alive. If you would like to help us with the expenses of hosting several death row exonerees, please donate. You can also send a check to: Texas Moratorium Network Speakers at the march will also include family members of people currently on death row, family members of murder victims who oppose the death penalty, community leaders, faith leaders, activists and others. We represent a growing number of people across Texas and the nation who oppose the death penalty. To learn more about the event, visit http://marchforabolition.org/ or Texas Moratorium Network. |
Daylight Saving Time: Set Your Clocks Back
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
Remember to set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed on Saturday night, November 2.
Roe At Risk Documentary
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
Remember to Vote November 5
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
November 5, 2013 City of Austin Bond ElectionAffordable Housing Proposition
Important dates
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October Chapter Meeting Summary – Keep Austin Affordable
The Austin American Statesman says “When myths are separated from reality, there is both a moral case and business case to be made for approving publicly-financed bonds for affordable housing… The bonds are a solid investment that will yield far more in dividends than what they cost in taxes.” The Austin Chronicle endorsed the affordable housing bonds saying “These are worthy investments providing long-term affordability at a diverse set of incomes. The nonprofit LifeWorks, for example, acquired property and is building new housing for young people transitioning out of foster care, and Green Doors purchased duplexes, fourplexes, and apartment units to rehab for low-income residents (housing stock that might otherwise have been replaced by high-end apartments or condos). Austin’s explosive growth demands more creative action on affordability – on all fronts.“ Sample Ballot: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/2013-sample-ballot.pdf
New Voter Photo ID Requirements are in effect. You will be required to show one of the following forms of photo identification at the polling location before you will be permitted to cast a vote. – Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) – Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS – Texas personal identification card issued by DPS – Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS – United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph – United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph – United States passport With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. Your photo Identification card does not have to have your current address. The new photo ID requirement makes no determination on voter address matching criteria; therefore, there is no address matching requirement. If you vote by mail you do not need a photo Identification. The new requirement does not change the process for voting by mail. However, only specific reasons entitle a registered voter to vote early by mail (no longer called absentee voting). You may request a ballot by mail if you: – will be away from your county on Election Day and during early voting; – are sick or disabled; – are 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or – are confined in jail. You can get a formal application for a ballot by mail from: The Secretary of State’s office The Early Voting Clerk in your county; or Download an application for a ballot by mail here. Important Links: For more details please go to the Texas Secretary of State voting site League of Women Voters Guide for the 2013 Constitutional Amendment Election http://www.lwvtexas.org/Voters%20Guide/2013CAVG/2013CAVG_English.pdf Find your polling place: http://www.vote411.org/ Travis County Elections information: http://www.traviscountyclerk.org/eclerk/Content.do?code=Elections Progress Texas Voters Guide: http://progresstexas.org/sites/default/files/ProgressTexas2013BallotGuide.pdf
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Judical Council Ruling 1244
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA| Note from Mary Ann Barclay, October 27, 2013:
I am grateful that the Judicial Council recognized the need for a direct conclusion from our local Bishop about the breaking of polity at our Annual Conference. I also hope this helps to keep the much needed conversation flowing across our conference as we await his decision. To read more about the decision, visit: http://archives.umc.org/interior_judicial.asp?mid=263&JDID=1366&JDMOD=VWD
Some quotes from the RMN Blog by Mary Ann, October 29, 2013 http://www.rmnblog.org/2013/10/longing-for-real-not-moot-or-hypothetical-peace.html Our church is at a crossroad that cannot be avoided. Every individual, lay and clergy, conservative, liberal and those who hate those terms, have to make a decision. What should the relationship of The United Methodist Church be to queer people? If we want peace as a church, we have to create some holy conflict by answering this question. This is where our faith is tested. Are we people who skirt around the opportunity to be a witness of our faith because there will be real consequences? Or are we followers of Christ, who willing enter into shadows to bring light, regardless of the consequences? I hope that as all the people of The UMC continue to find themselves at this crossroads, they will seize the opportunity to live out this faith we claim so boldly. If we are truly seekers of peace we will not avoid this conflict but we will march right into it with discerning hearts, integrity and a commitment to love above all else. I pray my bishop will no longer avoid this conversation, will enter into it with conviction and will stand for justice in our polity that we may all be one step closer to peace. |
Bishop Talbert performs Alabama wedding for two men
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA| By Kathy L. Gilbert*
Before the wedding. television cameras from several news stations rolled outside Covenant Community United Church of Christ. The two men and Bishop Talbert faced questions about why, and what it would mean for them to disregard their denomination’s stance that the practice of homosexuality is not compatible with Christian teaching and that ordained clergy are forbidden to perform a same-sex marriage. For Openshaw and Prince, the answer to why was simple. They love each other, they said. For Talbert, the answer to why and what lies ahead is more complicated. The United Methodist Book of Discipline, the denomination’s law book, since 1972 has proclaimed the practice of homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.” The book prohibits United Methodist churches from hosting and clergy from performing “ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions.” For more from the UMC Connections: http://umcconnections.org/2013/10/26/bishop-talbert-performs-alabama-wedding-two-men/
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Bishops urge Bishop Talbert not to officiate at same-sex unionThe executive committee of the United Methodist Council of Bishops issued a statement on Oct. 23, in response to retired Bishop Melvin G. Talbert’s plans to officiate at the marriage ceremony of Bobby Prince and Joe Openshaw on Oct. 26 in Birmingham, Ala. http://umcconnections.org/2013/10/23/bishops-urge-bishop-talbert-officiate-sex-union/ The bishops of the church are bound together in a covenant and all ordained elders are committed to uphold the Book of Discipline. “Conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies” are chargeable offenses in the United Methodist Church. (¶2702.1.b) The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops has urged Bishop Melvin Talbert not to perform the same-gender marriage in Birmingham, Alabama. Furthermore, the Resident Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett has requested him not to come to the Birmingham Area for this purpose. The bishops of the church are bound together in a covenant and all ordained elders are committed to uphold the Book of Discipline. “Conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies” are chargeable offenses in the United Methodist Church. (¶2702.1.b) The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops has urged Bishop Melvin Talbert not to perform the same-gender marriage in Birmingham, Alabama. Furthermore, the Resident Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett has requested him not to come to the Birmingham Area for this purpose.
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Bishop Swenson writes dissent on Council Birmingham statement “The time has come for acts of faith and courage. I support Bishop Talbert in his willingness to officiate a service of Christian marriage for Bobby Prince and Joe Openshaw, two faithful men whose story I personally have heard and whose deep love for each other I have witnessed. Until we can revise the discriminatory language of The Book of Discipline, I encourage my colleague bishops to follow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, to ignore these unjust laws of our Discipline, and to permit United Methodist clergy who find it in their consciences and in their duties to fulfill the pastoral needs of those in their flock to celebrate ceremonies of Christian marriage for same-gender couples to do so. We all have the power to do the right thing. Scripture tells us that if we belong to Christ, we are heirs to the promises of God. Christ has set us free. Let us not continue to imprison our LGBTQ family and friends with shackles of unjust laws that counter the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Grace and peace, Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, Ecumenical Officer, Council of Bishops |
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MFSA Board of Directors Responds to Bishops’ Statement ATLANTA – October 25, 2013 – The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) applauds Bishop Melvin Talbert in providing pastoral care in blessing the loving relationship of Joe Openshaw and Bobby Prince, two children of God, and acknowledging the love of Christ present in their marriage. We are deeply disappointed by the statement from the executive committee of the Council of Bishops which refuses to acknowledge God’s presence, beautifully expressed in the joyous experience of two people finding love and inviting their faith community into that celebration. In their statement, our Episcopal leaders reference their charge to “promote the temporal and spiritual interests of the entire Church,” but send the message that certain people are incompatible with Christian teaching and reduces the celebration of their love to a chargeable offense which injures our LGBT fellow members. This causes spiritual carnage. Such actions damage relationships with God and turn God’s children away from the Church. Further, the discrimination inherent in The UMC’s policies relating to LGBT persons is then used to provide cover for hate. The expression of this hate leads to broken relationships with family and with God, to broken lives, and too often even to broken bodies. In clinging to our current policies, The UMC turns the Book of Discipline into a weapon of harm and is complicit in this violence. For full statement, go to http://mfsaweb.org/?p=7636. |
The Interfaith Environmental Network of Austin
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA|
IEN Invites You to Attend our Monthly Symposium Energy Conservation & Production with Austin Energy Learn how Austin Energy can help your congregation SAVE MONEY and become a better creation steward!
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Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013 7:00 pm, 1314 East Oltorf Street
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iACT – Interfaith Action of Central Texas
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
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The Red Bench meets at the “Family Life Center” of First United Methodist Church at 1300 Lavaca Street in downtown Austin. A light meal is served from 6:30-7:00 PM and the conversation runs from 7:00-8:30 PM
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service & Celebration
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA|
Sunday, November 24, 2013 St. Louis Catholic Church Please bring your favorite dish ready to serve. Mobile Loaves & Fishes will be present to accept donations on their trucks and a list of items that they can use this winter:
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NEW SOCKS
News From TCADP
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA|
TCADP Lunch Discussion in Austin: November 13
The guest speaker will be Dr. Kate Allen. She has been a clinical social worker, professor of social work, psychotherapist, and trainer since 1973. Dr. Allen is professor emerita from California State University, Sacramento. Licensed in Texas and California, she has testified in and worked on dozens of cases in six states, including capital murder trials, 1st degree murder trials, and “failure-to-protect” civil cases. Dr. Allen is known as an Attachment Specialist, providing consultation, testimony, and training in that area. She will talk with us about her experiences as an expert witness in death penalty cases. This is a great opportunity to meet other TCADP supporters and learn about our priority initiatives for the coming year. We’ll also want to hear your ideas for future activities in Austin.
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Two New Reports Shed Light on Flawed Administration, In September, the American Bar Association’s Texas Capital Punishment Assessment Team released the results of its more than two-year study of the fairness and accuracy of the death penalty system in Texas. The report finds that from top to bottom, the Lone Star State is significantly out of step with practices in other states that allow the death penalty. Learn more at www.ambar.org/texas. On the heels of the publication of the ABA Assessment, the Death Penalty Information Center released a compelling new report that illustrates the geographic isolation of the death penalty both in terms of executions and death sentences: The 2% Death Penalty: How a Minority of Counties Produce Most Death Cases at Enormous Costs to All. Read the full report at http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/twopercent
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| Cameron Todd Willingham was wrongly executed in 2004. 9 experts say he was innocent. Tell Texas it’s time to investigate! .Learn more!
Duane Buck– Have you heard of Duane Buck? His death sentence hinged on testimony from a psychologist who testified that because he is Black, he was more likely to be dangerous. Sign the petition urging the Harris County District Attorney’s Office to agree to a new, fair sentencing hearing. Sign and Share today!
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Bishop Spong to Lecture in Austin
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
Bailey Lecture Series2013 Lecturer & Series Title: Bishop John Shelby Spong November 22, 23 and 24. All Saints Episcopal Church, Austin Guest Lecturer, Bishop John Shelby Spong will present a lively discussion.
Saturday, Nov. 23rd: 8:30 a.m. Arrival (Coffee and Pastries) Sunday, Nov. 24th: Adult Ed Forum 10:30 a.m.
Admission is FREE and open to the public. No reservations or tickets are required. Guest lecturers are brought in each year through an endowment set up to honor the Rt. Rev. F. Scott Bailey. The lectures take place on the campus of All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 209 West 27th Street, Austin, Texas. One block east of Guadalupe St., on the north edge of the University of Texas campus, between Whitis & University. The Bailey Lecture Series is approved for CEUs (Continuing Education Unit for Clergy) by the Diocese of Texas. Parking will be available at the Church, or several parking garages and parking lots in the area. Lunch is not provided on Saturday, but a map of restaurants within walking or driving distance is available to attendees. |
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 