MFSA Chapter President Anne Mund and many other friends of MFSA and JFON joined in a protest on May 2 in Dilley, TX.   United Methodists, faith and immigrant support groups were there to protest the shameful practice of family detention. In collaboration with a coalition of national advocacy and faith groups.  The Dilley detention camp (a former “man camp” for oil workers) is now being built into the largest immigrant detention center in the U.S.

We are called to witness!

In response to growing demand from clergy around the state, Texas Impact has launching Clergy Mondays at the Capitol in Austin for clergy and other religious professionals. This new initiative is designed to give clergy and other religious professionals opportunities for ongoing interaction with legislators and their staffs through the rest of the current legislative session and beyond.

Each Monday from now until the end of the legislative session (May 31, 2015), Texas Impact will host interested faith leaders for a short briefing on one key issue or bill. Participants will receive a list of legislative offices to visit, instructions for successful visits, and talking points on the week’s priority issue. Participants may be asked to attend committee hearings or engage with legislators outside the House and Senate chambers.

The program will start at 11am in Room E2.018 in the Capitol Extension, and end at 2pm in the Capitol Chapel. Each week will start and end with prayer or meditation by a participant. Participants are encouraged to eat together in the Capitol Grille if necessary. They are free to come to the Capitol early and stay as long as they want to.

For more information, please contact Bee Moorhead at Texas Impact to help with logistics or coordinate a meeting to connect with other faith community representatives at the Capitol.

Action Alert: Good Health and Bad Medicine

Medicaid expansion is currently stalled, but legislators are considering a number of bills that would keep Texans healthy. Call your legislator and urge support!

On the down side, legislators are considering a host of bills that would encourage inappropriate government involvement in religion. Proponents say the legislation is needed to protect religious freedom…but these bills would create religious winners and losers. Tell lawmakers “religious freedom” means everyone.

Find legislator phone numbers, bill information and more at texasimpact.org

Texas Water Management 101: You and the State Water Plan

A Forum on Water Management and Conservation

Saturday, May 9, 2015   ●    9am – 5pm

Abiding Love Lutheran Church – 7210 Brush Country Road  Austin, TX 78749  ●   Free and Open to the Public  Lunch Provided  ●   RSVP Today!

Featured speakers include: Texas Water Development Board Commissioner Kathleen Jackson; Texas State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon; Texas Parks and Wildlife Conservation Education Manager Johnnie Smith; and more!

Closing the Texas Coverage Gap 

New report from our friends at the Center for Public Policy Priorities

Wondering what ever happened to the Medicaid expansion? It’s not too late for Texas to do the right thing! This new report by CPPP’s Anne Dunkelberg will get you up to speed on developments in Texas and other states, how rural hospital closures factor into the equation, and what’s possible…even in just 30 days.

He answered a call to ordained ministry and graduated from seminary at Perkins School of Theology, SMU, in 1978. His years of service as a pastor were spent in his home conference, Central Texas, where he served a variety of churches, including fifteen years as senior pastor of a fast growing congregation, First UMC, Hurst, from which he was elected bishop. Following his election, Bishop McKee was assigned to the Dallas area to serve as bishop of the North Texas Conference.

http://fumcaustin.org/

Creating Healthy Dating, Relationship, and Family Experiences

Within the LGBTQ Community

Saturday, May 16  •  Austin, Texas  •  Optional Pre-Conference Institutes on Friday, May 15

Don’t miss your chance to get valuable information on LGBTQ dating, relationships, and family – presented by 32 thought leaders from across the country. The conference is open to LGBTQ singles, those in a relationship, and the allies and mental health professionals that affirm them (6-9 CE credits available). The Equality Texas Foundation is the conference host. The Early Bird registration rate ends April 7th.  Find out more at:  http://www.contemporaryrelationships.com/

The Spirit of Texas Brunch brings together influential LGBT and ally Texans, speakers, and award honorees for an enjoyable champagne brunch to celebrate diversity! The Brunch is Equality Texas’ annual statewide celebration and an opportunity for you to make an important impact on improving the lives of Texas’ diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population.

Please join us as we say “thank you” to Texas leaders who have worked to advance equality for Texans in their workplaces, families, and communities! All funds raised at the event support Equality Texas’ work toward a state where all Texans are treated equally, with dignity and respect.

The 9th Annual Spirit of Texas Brunch
Sunday, May 17, 2015
VIP Reception: 10:30 am
Brunch Program: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Historic Pearl Stable
307 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX  78215
Early-bird ticket sales end in TWO 1/2 WEEKS!

https://equalityfederation.salsalabs.com/o/35034/content_item/goodbills84th