Monday, March 28
The North Door – 502 Brushy St., Austin
6-8pm
Learn, share, connect.
Gather for an update on refugee families jailed in Texas: what’s happening now, and how you can help. Hear from lawyers, activists, and affected families. Cosponsored by Austin Region JFON.
The Rio Texas MFSA chapter is sponsoring The One Human Race Series at St. Luke UMC-Austin, 1306 W Lynn St., on three Saturdays in April – 16, 23, 30 -from 12:30-3:30pm.
In this three-week series, you’ll learn, listen, and share about the concept of race in the U.S. in a safe and productive environment. There is no fee, but donations are welcome.
You must register to participate – http://www.onehumanrace.info. While, it is not a requirement that you attend all sessions, the first session is mandatory. Registration is limited to 60 people, so register soon to secure your space.
Thanks to the Union of Black Episcopalians – Myra McDaniel Chapter for this ministry and to Rev. Jay Cooper and St. Luke UMC for hosting the event.
 Rio Texas MFSA Will Sponsor the 7th Annual BOPA (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze) Recycling Event
Saturday, March 5; 8 to 10:30 am Start cleaning the garage and find those batteries, oil, paint, and antifreeze and bring them to the MFSA BOPA event on Saturday, March 5, at Westlake UMC, 1460 Redbud Trail, Austin, TX 78746, Austin, TX from 8:00 – 10:30 am. If you would like to help with this event or have questions, please contact Anne Mund, ennadnum@hotmail.com |
Courageous Conversations On Race
Date: March 3, 2016Time: 6:30 pm to 8:30 pmLocation: Robert and Pearle Ragsdale Center, Mabee Ballroom ASpurred by the numerous shootings of blacks by law enforcement, these monthly discussions seek to unpack the presence of systemic racism within our communities and how Catholics and all people might participate in un-doing racism in our communities. Join others from the Austin community in this on-going discussion, sponsored by: the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin’s, the Diocese Office of Black Catholics, the Diocese Office of Life/Charity/Justice, Pax Christi, Holy Cross Parish, St. John Neumann Parish, and St. Edward’s University Campus Ministry. St. Edward’s University (3001 S. Congress Avenue, 78704) in the Ragsdale Center on the 3rd Floor (Mabee Ballrooms A & B). Park in the Parking Garage or in Lot P next to the softball field. |
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 The Love Your Neighbor Coalition consisting of thirteen partner organizations, including MFSA and RMN, join together to offer an alternative witness and advocate for policy changes that would lead the denomination to the embodiment of God’s love and justice for all people in our church & beyond. http://www.lyncoalition.org/
Here’s how you can help: 1. Go to the Love Your Neighbor Coalition website and endorse the vision statement. http://www.lyncoalition.org/vision-for-umc. Rio Texas MFSA has rented a house in Portland for 8 of the 10 days of GC. Contact Rowland Curry at rcurry@austin.rr.com if you are interested in going to GC to volunteer. 2. Sign up to be a volunteer for the coalition. If you are able to come to Portland anytime during May 10-20, 2016, please consider signing up to volunteer with the coalition (legislative tracking, witness, and support to justice-seeking delegates). You can register to volunteer now! |
 The Rio Texas MFSA and Rio Texas Reconciling Team are collaborating to raise funds to send Young Adults from our conference to General Conference 2016 in Portland, OR. It takes $1000-$1500 per scholarship to pay for airfare, lodging, and meals. We have already presented one scholarship and we are hoping to present at least one more.
Our first scholarship was presented to Jarell Wilson, a United Methodist candidate for ordination and a May graduate from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Here is how you can help: · If you have air miles that you would like to donate, please contact Joy Butler at joylbutler@gmail.com. · If you would like to help with a check, please make the check to Rio Texas MFSA and give or mail it to Janice Curry, 1509 Mearns Meadow Blvd., Austin, TX 78758. · Or, you can use this “Donate” button to contribute directly to our Rio Texas Chapter of MFSA which will go to the scholarship fund. This button uses PayPaltm to collect your donation via your major credit card. (You do not need a PayPaltm account in order to donate – just click and follow the instructions.) https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=LLZWDFTTVUMAW Thank you for helping young adults participate in General Conference 2016. If know of a young adult who would like to apply for a scholarship to GC 2016, please have them contact Janice Curry jlcurry@austin.rr.com or Joy Butler joylbutler@gmail.com. |
 A Season of Becoming is a spiritual resource written by 47 different individuals from across the Reconciling Network, including three from the Rio Conference and our own Joy Butler.
In the season of Lent, we are invited into a period of self-reflection, preparation, and spiritual growth as we engage in the holy work of becoming. The Spirit moves through this season to free us from that which binds our growth as we are drawn more deeply into the truth of who we are, into the possibilities of who we can become, and of the justice we are called to seek together. Reconciling Ministries Network hopes this daily devotional will offer you spiritual nourishment and restoration as we prepare our hearts for General Conference this May where the global denomination will meet to make choices about who we are going to be as a church for the next four years. Download your copy at: http://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/lent/ |
iACT’s Hope AwardsMonday, May 2, 2016The Hope Awards celebration and fundraiser provides support for iACT’s outstanding community service programs. Hands on Housing repairs the homes of impoverished seniors and people with disabilities. iACT for Refugees |
provides basic educational assistance to newly arrived refugees from around the world. The Red Bench interfaith dialogue program encourages meaningful conversations that matter.
| This year iACT will be holding it’s biggest fundraiser, The Hope Awards, on Monday, May 2, 2016 at Congregation Agudas Achim.
Exciting details to come! |
| Rio Texas MFSA is sponsoring the One Human Race Series on three Saturdays in April (16th, 23rd, and 30th) at St. Luke UMC, 1306 West Lynn, Austin, 78703. We will meet once a week for three weeks to create a safe environment to communicate about race using the following resources:
· Watch PBS Series: “Race: The Power of An Illusion” in one hour segments; · Participate in group discussions with trained group leaders; · Examine the American concept of race; · Share feelings and experiences with a goal of building community and common ground. You do not have to attend all three sessions. If you miss a session, you can register for it later at another location. Registration will be available soon. Contact Anne Mund, ennadnum@hotmail.com, if you have questions. |
We look forward to seeing you on April 16, 23, and 30th
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!
| EARLY REGISTRATION RUNS THROUGH MARCH 10! |
More at http://weconaustin.org/about/
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 