Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
Texas Executions Drop to Lowest Number Since 1996, According to New Report by TCADP

New death sentences decline nearly 80% since 1999, remain geographically isolated

 

(Austin, Texas) — The State of Texas put 10 people to death in 2014, the fewest executions in the state since 1996, according to the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty’s (TCADP) new report, Texas Death Penalty Developments in 2014: The Year in Review.

“Over the last 15 years, we have witnessed significant change when it comes to use of the death penalty in Texas, mirroring national trends. Texas has gone from a peak of 40 executions in 2000 to the fewest executions in nearly two decades,” said Kristin Houlé, Executive Director of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

Texas Death Penalty Developments in 2014: The Year in Review is available online.  Contact report author Kristin Houlé at khoule@tcadp.org to receive a copy directly via email.  See the report for additional charts illustrating trends related to executions and death sentences in Texas.

How you can get involved:

  • Share the report with your State Senator and State Representative and with faith and civic leaders – forward the press release and report to them.
  • Join TCADP at the State Capitol on January 22, 2015 to hand deliver copies of the report to every member of the Texas legislature. Contact Kristin at khoule@tcadp.org to volunteer!
  • Join the TCADP Lobby Corps. TCADP is recruiting its third class of Lobby Corps members! This dedicated group of people works with our staff and board members to advance our legislative agenda at the State Capitol.  They have continued to build relationships with legislators and share information about important death penalty developments during this interim period.  Apply now to join the TCADP Lobby Corps!
  • Donate – https://secure.qgiv.com/for/?key=tcadp
  • Attend TCADP 2015 Annual Conference – Death Penalty Fault Lines: A Seismic Shift in Ground – Now in its 16th consecutive year, TCADP’s Annual Conference is a must-attend event for everyone involved in the abolition movement in Texas.  It features inspiring speakers, informative workshops, and great networking opportunities! Online registration

Saturday, February 21, 2015
8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
St. David’s Episcopal Church
301 E. 8th St.
Austin, Texas 78701
Posted in Death Penalty, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

MFSA Annual Conference Luncheon

January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA

MINERVA-CARCANO-IMMIGRATION-facebook

As we announced in December, our speaker for the 5th Annual MFSA Peace and Justice Luncheon at Annual Conference in Corpus Christi will be Bishop Minerva Carcaño!

Bishop Carcaño is a native of Edinburg, Texas, and is currently serving as Bishop to the Los Angeles Area, the California-Pacific Conference. She is a fierce advocate for human rights and social justice.

Look for more about our presence at Annual Conference, or better yet, help us plan this important witness.  Contact Anne Mund ennadnum@hotmail.com for more info.

Posted in Chapter Meetings, Newsletter, Special Events. Leave a Comment »

“On The Road” With SWTX-MFSA

January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA

OntheRoad

The SWTX-MFSA Executive Committee has developed a Power Point presentation through which we will be sharing information about MFSA’s history and programs.

If you have a Sunday School class or another group that would be interested in hearing a presentation about the social justice work that the local and national MFSA organizations do, please contact Anne Mund, ennadnum@hotmail.com, and we will schedule a visit.

Posted in General Information, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Gather at the River! August 6-9, 2015

January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
August 6-9, 2015

Make plans to join progressive United Methodists united in love to find family, create community, break bread, share stories and mobilize for mission!  Gather at the River is a partnership gathering of the Methodist Federation for Social Action and Reconciling Ministries Network.  We will soon announce the line-up of spectacular worship and music leaders and inspirational preachers.

 

MFSA and RMN members and friends in the Southwest Texas Conference are preparing to provide extravagant hospitality for Gather at the River participants.  Gather at the River will also include the participation of kindred groups in the Common Witness Coalition: Affirmation: United Methodists for LGBTQ Concerns, Love Prevails, United Methodist Association of with Disabilities, and others.

 

This huge event will be hosted at Travis Park UMC and the Sheraton Gunter Hotel in San Antonio. Still in the planning stages, be prepared for amazing worship and music, informative educational sessions on many social justice issues, and incredible opportunities for networking with progressive Christians from throughout the nation.

Place the dates, August 6 to 9, 2015 on your calendar now!
Posted in Inclusion in UMC, Newsletter, Special Events. 3 Comments »

More News From MFSA And Friends

January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
 

MFSA National E-News Newsletter

http://mfsaweb.org/?page_id=212

 

MFSA Progressive Voice is available for download at:

http://mfsaweb.org/wp-content/uploads/TPV_draft_April4(1).pdf

 

Current Faith in Action from General Board of Church & Society –

http://umc-gbcs.org/faith-in-action

 

Reconciling Ministries newsletter:  http://www.rmnetwork.org

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