Anti-Racism Workshop

January 30, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

Anti-Racism Workshop

 

Shaping Beloved Community: From Dignity,
Recognition and Inclusivity to Advocacy and Equity

 

Saturday, February 29 – 9:00am -3:30pm

Saint John’s United Methodist Church

2140 Allandale Rd. – Austin, TX

 

Sponsored by

Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) &

Saint John’s Risk-Taking Mission & Service Committee

 

Featuring

Rev. Neal Christie

Rev. Christie, who serves as Assistant General Secretary for Education and Leadership Formation on the UMC General Board of Church and Society, directs the agency’s educational opportunities, including world-wide trainings, workshops, seminars, & internships. He also coordinates curriculum related to the UM Social Principles.

Rev. Christie has authored a number of publications and produced several educational videos on social justice for the church. He is an elder in the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church. Neal has been devoted to the ministry with Church and Society for 20 years.

Please join us for a day of learning from Rev. Christie about the dignity of each individual and how we can advocate for equality for all persons.

A light lunch will be provided.

Please register by Wednesday, February 26. Registration information below.

 

Registration Information

Pay by Credit Card:  $10.00 (fees included) Use this link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/anti-racism-workshop-shaping-beloved-community-from-dignity-recognition-and-inclusivity-to-advocacy-tickets-91912567965

Pay by Check:  $10.00 in advance (by February 26). Mail check and this form to the address below.

Pay at the door:  $15.00 (limited number available)
Name(s):  __________________________________________________

Address:  ______________________________City: ________________

Congregation:                                    # Tickets: ____ X $ 10.00 = $ _____

E-Mail (for confirmation): ______________________________________

Indicate Special Dietary Need: _________________________________

 Make Check to Rio Texas MFSA

Mail this form and check to:

Rio Texas MFSA

PO Box 66055

Austin, TX  78766-6055

For more information contact Anne Mund ennadnum@hotmail.com

Anti-racism_Flyer2020

Posted in Advocacy, Newsletter, Racism & White Privilege, Special Events. Leave a Comment »

2019-2020 Theme

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

Stand Up!  Speak Out!  Take Action!

Posted in Advocacy, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

January 2020 – Make Plans to Take Action

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

Rio Texas MFSA will not have a monthly meeting in January.  We urge you to join in the Women’s March and Rally at the state Capitol on January 18.  Then on Monday, January 20, join us in attending the MLK Program, March, and Rally beginning at 9 am at the UT campus.

Posted in Advocacy, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Rally at the Capitol – Austin

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

Saturday, January 18, 12p-3p – South Steps of Texas Capitol

Please note that various advocacy groups are planning concurrent marches on January 18 that start earlier than noon.  Speeches at the Capitol will begin about noon. https://www.womensmarchontexascapitol.org/

Posted in Advocacy, Newsletter, Women's Rights. Leave a Comment »

MLK Day Community March – Austin

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

Monday, January 20, 9:00 a.m.
MLK Statue, UT Campus, Austin

The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. The MLK Community March kicks off on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 9 a.m. with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus.

At the conclusion of the program at the MLK Statue, we will march to the south steps of the Capitol for a rally.

After the Capitol program, the march will proceed to the historic Huston-Tillotson University, where exciting activities are planned.

This year, we are asking marchers to help by donating can goods or non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Central Texas Food Bank.

Click here to learn more about the march:   http://www.mlkcelebration.com/celebration-events/march-and-festival/.

Posted in MLK March, Newsletter, Racism & White Privilege. Leave a Comment »

Racism Workshop by Rio Texas MFSA in Austin

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

“Shaping Beloved Community: From Dignity, Recognition and Inclusivity to Advocacy and Equity”

Rev. Neal Christie,
UMC General Board of Church & Society
Assistant General Secretary for Education & Leadership Formation

Neal directs the agency’s educational opportunities including world-wide trainings, workshops, seminars, and internships. He also coordinates curriculum related to the UM Social Principles.

Saturday, February 29, 2020, 9a – 4p

Saint John’s UMC Austin

2140 Allandale Road

Austin, TX  78756

Registration information to be provided soon.

 

Posted in Newsletter, Racism & White Privilege. Leave a Comment »

Volunteers Needed for PIT Count

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

WHAT IS THE POINT IN TIME COUNT?

The Point In Time Count (PIT Count) is an annual census of the homeless population in the Austin/Travis County area. Early in the morning of January 25th, 2020, hundreds of volunteers will head out across Austin/Travis County to count every person experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Volunteers will count people sleeping in cars, tents, parks, under bridges, and on the streets. The information from this count is used to guide public policy and is vital for securing resources to help end homelessness in our community.

Media Coverage

Official 2019 Point In Time Count results flyer

Posted in Homelessness, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Bishop Schnase to Lead Worship – Pflugerville First UMC

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

Bishop Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference, will lead worship at First UMC Pflugerville on January 26. http://www.pflugervilleumc.org/

Posted in General Information, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Jim Wallis to Speak at University UMC Austin

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

PROGRESSIVE THEOLOGIAN JIM WALLIS SPEAKING

Date: January 26, 2020

Time: 6:00 pm  to  7:30 pm

Progressive theologian Jim Wallis, founder and editor of Sojourners magazine, will speak about today’s political and moral crises. He is the author of the forthcoming book Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus.

More information on the Facebook event page.

Location: University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe St., Austin, 78705

Posted in General Information, Newsletter, Special Events. Leave a Comment »

iACT – The Red Bench

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

The Red Bench: Resilience

Please join us on Tuesday, January 28  from 6:30pm-8:30pm for a courageous conversation on the topic of Resilience at St. Austin Catholic Parish (2026 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705).

If you plan to attend, please RSVP.

Posted in Interfaith Dialogue, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

UMW Legislative Event 2020

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

Save the Date for the 2020 United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event, happening January, 26th-28th in Austin. You may register online https://texasimpact.org/umw2020central/. Make sure to share and invite your UMW friends and circles.

The Texas UMW Legislative Event is a three-day annual conference in Austin, TX. There will be speakers, workshops, panels and breakout sessions about public policy issues, faith and social justice and how to meet your elected officials.

What you should expect:
– Up-to-date information on important policy issues
– Grounding in how United Methodist Social Principles relate to the Texas Legislature
– New ideas about connecting faith and public life in your local community
– Fostering relationships with your elected officials and staff

It has been more than 30 years since a small group of faithful women from across Texas came together to launch a new project: an annual event where UMWs could learn about legislative issues related to United Methodist Social Principles and the priorities of United Methodist Women. Now, hundreds of UMWs gather annually for briefings on current public policy issues and to learn about ways to engage their local communities in social justice work. Come and be a part of the movement this year!

Posted in Advocacy, Conference, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Community Sing-Along

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 2 PM – 4 PM

George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center

1165 Angelina St, Austin, Texas 78702

Join us in a community sing-along featuring musical selections inspired by the 2020 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and the Vote.” The sing-along will feature vocalist and Song Leader Kristen Trotty and the Texas Preparatory School Choir.

Posted in Black History, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Texas Interfaith Advocacy Conference

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

This conference brings Texans of faith together for three days of advocacy and legislative training on February 16-18, 2020.

Register here.

Speakers and sessions will cover immigration, health equity, and climate – with an opportunity for participants to meet with their state elected officials.

Information about hotels to come soon.

Download and print the flyer here.

Posted in Advocacy, Interfaith Dialogue, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Changes at Crestview UMC Austin

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

After serving the community for almost 70 years, Crestview United Methodist Church (CUMC) has chosen to hand over their home so a new church can be born.  Crestview United Methodist Church will continue to meet in the Fellowship Hall at 11am on Sunday until March 29th, at which time CUMP will close its doors in order to be renovated and reborn as Violet Crown City Church.

It is an act of love and service that the congregation of CUMC gives their space, their resources, and their heritage over to create a new church.  Violet Crown City Church, led by Pastor Jay Cooper, will begin services 11am on April 5th at Wooten Elementary.

Please note, these changes will not affect the preschool. Children will continue to attend preschool classes in their classrooms throughout this transition.

Posted in Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Discussions Ramp Up in Preparation for GC 2020

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

In February 2019 the United Methodist Church, assembled in St. Louis at a special General Conference, adopted the Traditionalist Plan which strengthened the anti-LGBTQ stance of the denomination.  In the months since, there has been intense discussion about the future of the church.  Several groups have drafted plans dealing with changes to the denomination’s laws, the Book of Discipline.  In May 2020, the global UMC will have a General Conference in Minneapolis where it will consider further changes.

If you are interested in the discussions about the future of our denomination, stay alert!

If your congregation is not having conversations about this, they should be!

Progressive Resources:

United Methodist News Service:  https://www.umnews.org/en/

Mainstream UMC:  https://mainstreamumc.com/

UMC Next:  https://umcnext.com/

Hacking Christianity:  http://hackingchristianity.net/

UM Insight:  https://um-insight.net/

UM Forward:  https://um-forward.org/

Posted in Church Conferences, Inclusion in UMC, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »
« Older posts