 The Rio Texas Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action will continue its focus on Racism/White Privilege at its meeting on Thursday, February 11 at Saint John’s UMC, 2140 Allandale Road. Our speaker will be Rolando Perez, a local civil rights worker and member of Trinity Church. Rolando’s talk is entitled Identity, Power and Privilege: Perspectives on Racism. Come, listen, ask, discuss, and learn more about this urgent justice issue in our community and around the country.
Snacks and mingling begin at 6:30pm, followed by the program at 7:00. Bring friends of any (or no) faith tradition. We hope to see you there! |
Documentary Screening – An Act Of Love
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA| Saint John’s UMC
5:30 p.m. Sunday February 21 Free admission Join us for the screening of An Act of Love, a documentary about the trial that rocked the United Methodist Church and the minister, Rev. Frank Schaefer, who risked it all for his son. Cosponsored by: Saint John’s Reconciling Team, Rio Texas MFSA, and Rio Texas Reconciling Ministries Team. Why this film is important now “We now have marriage equality in all 50 States, but the U.S.’s 2nd largest protestant denomination is still sharply divided on this issue. Full equality for the LGBTQ community cannot exist in the U.S. without the support of the Christian community. Laws may be passed that provide more rights and protections, but those rights will be routinely ignored in places where the community does not agree that LGBTQ citizens should be treated as equals under the law and under God. Just as the struggle for racial and gender equality made huge strides forward once they gained the support of influential religious communities – so will the LGBTQ movement. We hope that this film will be a strategic and important tool used to elevate the conversation about LGBTQ rights in one of the most significant Christian denominations in the U.S. – the United Methodist Church. In May 2016, at the denomination’s General Conference, there will be another chance for the rules of the UMC to change and allow for ordination of LGBTQ clergy and for same-sex marriage within the Church. We created this film with this critical turning point in mind.” |
Matthew Vines to Speak
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA Friday, Feb. 5th
University Christian Church Labyrinth Progressive Student Ministry, TX Freedom Network (UT Chapter), and University UMC Campus Ministry will host a free keynote lecture by Matthew Vines, LGBTQ+ activist and author of, “God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same Sex Relationships.” The lecture will be held at University Christian Church (2007 University Avenue) on February 5, 2016 at 7:30pm. All are welcome! No RSVP necessary. |
University UMC’s 5th Anniversary as a Reconciling Congregation
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
| Please join UUMC on February 7th as we celebrate 5 years of being a Reconciling congregation. We have invited former Youth Director and Justice Associate, M Barclay, to be our guest preacher for the day. M will be preaching at both the 8:30am and 11am services. M now works for the Reconciling Ministries Network as their Director of Communication. During the Sunday School hour, all are invited to the Fellowship Hall as M engages us in dialogue around RMN’s efforts and plan for General Conference 2016. On February 7th the congregation will also have the opportunity to become an Individual Reconciling Member. This gives the Reconciling Ministries Network a better idea of how many individual supporters there are as opposed to church groups. If you would like to register to be a Reconciling Individual today follow this link! |
RETHINK LEADERSHIP 2016
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
Abel Vega This workshop will provide an overview of General Conference 2016, the legislative process and framework of key legislative proposals as well as the Jurisdictional Conference episcopal election process. It will look at the emerging shifts of the UMC as a global church and its relationship to the mission field. With this backdrop, conversation will be facilitated regarding implications, challenges, and opportunities for the Rio Texas Conference UMC in the 21st century in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Workshop participants can visit http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/general-conference-2016 to familiarize themselves with General Conference 2016. |
Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) Events
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
The Red Bench: Religious Intolerance
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Reconciling Ministries Network Training
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA February 20th, 9am to 4pm
Buda UMC – Buda, TX Do you want to help increase the number of Reconciling churches, communities and campus ministries in your area? Join us as SCJ Regional Organizer, Laura Young, facilitates a training designed to help participants coach congregations, Sunday school classes, and other groups as they journey through the Reconciling process. The training will include skills building around topics common in the Reconciling process including: complex identities, framing, the steps of the Reconciling process, graceful engagement, and conflict management. Click here for more information and to register. |
Restorative Justice at the Crossroads
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
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Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA “A Conversation from the Heart: An Evening with Anthony Graves” will take place at The Health Museum (1515 Hermann Dr.) in Houston’s Museum District on Friday, February 19, 2016. The event will feature an exclusive screening of “Graves Injustice: A One Man Stage Narrative,” which tells the story of Anthony Graves. Mr. Graves spent 18 years in prison, including 12 years on Texas’ death row, and faced 2 execution dates as an innocent man. Since his exoneration in October 2010, he has served as a powerful advocate for criminal justice reform. This event is sponsored by TCADP; Anthony Believes; Pete and Lyn Mefford; and The Health Museum. Proceeds benefit TCADP and Anthony Believes. Seats are limited, so purchase your ticket today!
Annual Conference: TCADP will once again meet as an annual conference, this time at Unity of Houston on Saturday, February 20, 2016. The committee has planned an excellent conference with a tremendous array of presenters, workshop leaders and award recipients. For more information, please visit our conference page. |
Austin Interfaith Delegate Assembly
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA February Delegates Assembly for the Austin Interfaith Coalition
Monday, February 15, 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm St. John’s/San Juan Lutheran Church, 409 W. Ben White Blvd. On February 15, United Methodist congregations will join with the other congregations, schools, workers’ associations and unions that make up Austin Interfaith to hold a Delegate’s Assembly at 6:45 pm at St. John’s/San Juan Lutheran Church, 409 W. Ben White Blvd. At this Delegates Assembly leaders will ask public officials to commit to working on important issues affecting central Texas families – like education, healthy neighborhoods, immigration reform, living wages for all, affordable housing, and more. |
Austin CROP Hunger Walk 2016
February 3, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
February 28, Sunday
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Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 