Undoing Racism Austin

November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
Community Leaders Undoing Racism TrainingWhen:  Nov 8 – 10, 2013

Where:  Austin, Southwest Key (map)

Description:  Community Leaders Undoing Racism Training

Check website for times: http://www.undoingracismaustin.org/

First Saturday Conversations on Race

Saturday, November 2, 9am – 11:30am

St. James Episcopal Church, 1941 Webberville Rd Austin, TX 78721 (map)

Primary Focus: Racism; Secondary Focus: All Other –ism’s

Video of The Month: “Segregated Sunday”

Brick by Brick:  Travis County First Saturday Town Hall on Education

Saturday, November 2 – 1:00-4:00

Millennium Center, 1156 Hargrave St., Austin

Preventing Travis County/Austin Area Youth and Adult Crime & Public Safety Inequities

 
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Foundation for the Homeless

November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
Foundation for HomelessThe 5th Annual Spirit of Compassion Celebration and Awards on November 9 promises to be the biggest and best yet. From the new venue, the beautiful Westin Domain, to the sit-down down dinner, casino tables, music by the Nightowls and the incredible items up for bid in the live & silent auctions:

Elk Hunt in Colorado

Fishing excursion in Alaska

3-day beach house stay

Mike Etie original painting

2 tickets & parking to UT vs. Texas Tech football game

And we are just getting warmed up! Stay tuned for more great packages and an opportunity to bid online before the event

http://www.foundationhomeless.org/get-involved/compassion/

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International Transgender Day of Remembrance Service

November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
transgender dayUniversity United Methodist Church will join in the commemoration of International Transgender Day of Remembrance (ITDOR) on November 20, 2013. From 12-1pm, UUMC will host a service to remember those who have been killed this year due to anti-transgender violence and to raise awareness of the threat of harm faced by those who are transgender.The International Transgender Day of Remembrance began in the late 90s to commemorate the life of Rita Hester and has occurred annually ever since to raise awareness and honor the lives of others who have who have been victims of anti-transgender violence. Although not every person represented during ITDOR self-identified as transgender, each was a victim based on bias against transgender people.

The service will include prayer, a sermon by Rev. John Elford, music and a ritual of remembrance including the naming of those whose lives were taken this year. All are welcome to join UUMC to remember, reflect, and move forward in hope.

Free parking will be available in the Platinum Lot beside Mellow Mushroom across the street from UUMC. Please enter the Sanctuary from the south entrance at 24th st. Any questions about this event can be directed to Mary Ann Barclay, Justice Associate, at mabarclay@uumc.org.

For more information about ITDOR check out the official Transgender Day of Remembrance site & GLAAD.
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Austin Interfaith

November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA

Leaders Victorious in Passing Living Wage Ordinance

On October 24, Austin Interfaith leaders celebrated the passage of a historic living wage ordinance they had fought for over the course of five years.  Institutional representatives from congregations, schools and workers associations challenged city council candidates in 2012 to craft an ordinance requiring that jobs emerging from taxpayer incentives pay at least a living wage or prevailing wage, if higher.

An economic incentive team put together language, which included an exception process, that was later adopted by a Special Committee on Economic Incentives and proposed by Council members Martinez, Tovo and Morrison Thursday night.  Catholic Bishop Joe Vasquez intervened reading a statement of support for the ordinance at a 6pm rally, which was later read by an Austin Interfaith leader in Council chambers.

After four hours of testimony and debate, the City of Austin passed, for the first time ever, a requirement that corporations receiving taxpayer incentives be required to pay the City established living wage of $11 per hour or prevailing wages, whichever is higher.   http://www.austininterfaith.org/
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Christmas Markets

November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA

38th Annual Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, November 2

9AM – 2PM

Crestview UMC
1300 Morrow, Austin

The Crestview UMW is hosting the 38th Annual Holiday Bazaar this Saturday, November 2, to raise money to support the following charities: Water to Thrive, Strong Start, and the Montopolis Friendship Center Scholarships. Come by and get a head start on Christmas shopping with the quality handmade gifts for the holidays, year-round selections, and canned, baked and frozen food items.  Browse the quality vendor booths, while your children participate at the Kidz Krafts table.  The kitchen will be open for breakfast and lunch.

In addition, a beautiful hand-made quilt has been donated and will be given to the person with the winning ticket that day. You can buy tickets for the drawing at $1 each or 6 for $5. Join the fun and help the sponsored organizations this Saturday!

 

Holiday Crafts Market

Saturday, November 9
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

sponsored by  Bethany Nursery Ministry

Join us for this holiday shopping event!
Rain or Shine. The show is indoors!

Contributing Vendors – Each vendor has donated an item to the silent auction to help raise funds for Bethany’s nursery program

Alternative Giving Opportunities will be available

Contact Jenn Griffith at 512-970-5130 or bethanymerrymarketplace@gmail.com 

Family Fun & Activities

  • Photos with Santa, Noon – 3:00 PM
  • Food Vendors for breakfast and coffee & sandwiches & snacks available in the Cafe
  • Silent Auction with items from vendors and local businesses

 

UUMC Soiree Circle Hosting Benefit Night

Everyone is invited to get a head start on their Christmas shopping at Ten Thousand Villages!  The Soiree Circle of United Methodist Women will host a Benefit Night on Monday, November 11 at Ten Thousand Villages of Austin, 1317 S Congress Avenue (next to the Continental Club).  Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade retailer featuring products including home décor, jewelry, accessories and gifts from artisans in over 38 countries from around the world.

There will be snacks starting at 7:00 pm and a short presentation about the mission and operation of Ten Thousand Villages at 7:30 pm.  A percentage of all sales between 5:00 and 9:00 pm will go to Caritas but there is no pressure to make a purchase. Come and enjoy the fellowship while learning about fair trade.

Saint John’s UMC Alternative Christmas Market

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Noon-3 P.M. Sunday, Dec. 8

The Christmas season is often filled with endless parties, massive to-do lists, and frantic searches for the perfect gift.  What if, this Christmas, we focused on giving the gift of hope? What if finding the perfect gift meant that we were actually able to change another person’s life?

Start a new Christmas tradition this year at the 3rd annual Alternative Christmas Market at Saint John’s United Methodist Church on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8. The Alternative Christmas Market provides a meaningful option to the same old gift-buying routine. Shoppers can honor their loved ones by giving to those who have a greater need locally and globally. More than 30 vendors representing several nonprofit organizations will be on hand to offer you a chance to purchase gifts that will make a difference.

Agencies will occupy booths in the Great Hall, sharing information about their services. Shoppers who wish to buy a particular service or good from an agency will pay for it at the booth and receive a card that can be given as a gift. Shoppers may also contribute to any agency they wish.

University UMC Alternative Gift Market
Sunday, December 8

Contact: Beth Kelley*kellswin@swbell.net

Each year, UUMC holds an Alternative Gift Market where all are invited to shop for holiday gifts that support local and global non-profit groups. There are always beautiful items to purchase as well as opportunities to make gift donations to groups such as Heifer International, local agencies and others.

 
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