 CROP (Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty) Hunger Walks are community-wide events to raise funds to end hunger. The event is sponsored by Church World Service and in Austin managed by iACT. There are 24 regional offices that organize walks nation-wide. Groups and individuals walk symbolically for the thousands of people world-wide who have to cover long distances on foot to get water for drinking or irrigation. The money raised goes to end hunger internationally with a percentage of proceeds going to local nonprofits and food programs. |
Austin raised close to $30.000 in 2013 – 25% of the money raised in our CROP Hunger Walk is distributed to local hunger-alleviating agencies in the Austin area. The community is blessed by a variety of worthy hunger agencies. The Walk Committee makes the selection informed by the city-wide Basic Needs Coalition and consultation with service providers. These are the agencies chosen by the local CROP Hunger Walk Team to receive funds in 2015: Capital Area Food Bank, iACT for Refugees, Urban Roots, and Angel House Soup Kitchen. http://austincrophungerwalk.org/.
 Thanks to all who purchased BeadforLife jewelry, shea products, and textiles from our display at the Westminster Manor and Saint John’s UMC gift markets. We raised $2,428.70 for women in Uganda.
Every year, BeadforLife helps more than a thousand women, who in turn support more than 8,000 family members living in extreme poverty. After graduating from the program, women are able to spend twice as much on food, education and housing as they were before they began. Check out the BeadforLife website at https://www.beadforlife.org. |
 Allies Against Slavery
The Slave-Free City Summit Fri, Apr 17, 2015 8:00am – Sat, Apr 18, 2015 9:00pm For the City Center 500 E St Johns Ave. Austin, TX, 78752
A two-day gathering of leaders, survivors, practitioners and community members who want to deepen the conversation about working together to create lasting solutions to slavery. Register here! http://www.alliesagainstslavery.org/upcoming-events/2015/4/14/the-slave-free-city-summit The Slave-Free City Summit is powered by Allies Against Slavery and is a unique gathering that focuses on the issue of human trafficking and slavery in the United States. Allies believes that a Slave-Free City is made possible when stakeholders from eight key sectors across public, private, and volunteer domains of that city come together to contribute unique insight, skills, and resources to create opportunities and solutions at those very intersections. That cross-sector coordination is the focus of the Summit: creating solutions and opportunities at the intersections of society. The Summit addresses the topics such as the disruption of unjust systems, race, history, art, faith, immigration, transitional justice, tech, enterprise, and other issues that intersect with the problem of human trafficking in the United States. |
Past participants of the Red Bench host trainings have reported receiving valuable information that improved their personal communication and listening skills. Training does not obligate you to host, but it is a great skill in learning how to facilitate a respectful conversation.
_______________________________________________________________________ Friends in Faith LuncheonWednesday, February 25 at 11:30am – 1:00pm Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr. iACT will be hosting their fourth annual Friends in Faith Luncheon for the local faith leaders as a way to help nourish and support their growth, as well as to connect and encourage them in building relationships with other faith leaders in our community. iACT is committed to connecting Austin’s diverse faith communities and promoting healthy interfaith relationships. They are devoted to strengthening these relationships and bringing in new faith communities.” |
| Bishop Minerva Carcaño to Speak at the MFSA Peace & Justice Luncheon in Corpus
A native of Edinburg, TX, Bishop Carcaño spent her early years aspiring to make a difference in the lives of persons who faced poverty and discrimination. Not forgetting her roots and early hopes, her ministry has always involved work with the poor, with farm workers, immigrants, and refugees, even as she encourages congregations to work ecumenically and to be active in community organizing. Of her tireless work, she has said, “The road of ministry has not always been easy, but it has always been an incredible blessing, and it has always been home.” 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 information. |
 Registration will open very soon for Gather at the River, a conference sponsored by MFSA and RMN to be held at Travis Park UMC in San Antonio August 6-9.
The lineup of worship leaders, preachers, speakers, and entertainment is AWESOME! Worship Leaders: Marcia McFee & Mark A. Miller Preachers: Rev. Peter Storey, Rev. Theon Johnson, Nikilas Mawanda, Rev. Sarah Thompson Tweedy Speakers: Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Rev. Grace Imathiu, Bishop Melvin Talbert, Rev. Frank Schaefer Entertainers: Jennifer Knapp, IlluMen, Campanas de América Youth & Children’s Programs: Shelley Walters, Carol Kohrs Hosts: Chett Pritchett (MFSA), Matt Berryman (RMN) We will be working on establishing scholarships for this event, as we have done in the past. If you have been to convocation or one of the joint MFSA/RMN events such as Sing a New Song in 2011, you know what a treasure it is to have this conference in our backyard! Place the dates, August 6 to 9, 2015 on your calendar now! |
| How to join or support MFSA
Please join with us as we connect progressive United Methodists in putting faith into action! Membership in MFSA is not predicated on ability to pay. We do not have “dues”. However, our Chapter and the National Office need funding each year for programs and activities. Membership gifts and special giving are always appreciated. MFSA is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization by the IRS. Membership gifts to MFSA are tax deductible as provided by law. There are several easy ways to join or support MFSA. · You can log onto the national MFSA website, http://www.mfsaweb.org and follow the instructions there (you can safely use a credit card). Please indicate that you are part of the Rio Texas Chapter. · Or, you can mail a check made out to “Rio Texas MFSA” to our Treasurer, Janice Curry, at 1509 Mearns Meadow Blvd, Austin 78758. The suggested donation is $60, but any amount is welcome. Thanks for your support! Historically, we have had eight monthly chapter meetings per year, generally on the second Thursday of the month (this may change in the future). We communicate using monthly electronic newsletters & updates to our website and Facebook page. |
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Have you considered what commitments you’ll make to combating racism in 2015?
 America’s Sunday Supper and Peace Through Pie Social
Sunday, January 18 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Trinity UMC | 4001 Speedway | Austin, TX 78751 512-459-5835 · “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” Inspired by the legacy of Dr. King, America’s Sunday Supper invites people from diverse backgrounds to come together to share a meal, discuss issues that affect their community, and highlight the power each one of us has to make a difference. Join us at Trinity United Methodist Church (4001 Speedway) on January 18, 2015 from 6-8 pm, for Sincere Ignorance and Conscientious Stupidity: A Conversation on Race, Privilege, and Power – an open conversation and guided discussion on racial dynamics and how to combat racism and other forms of systemic discrimination in our community here in Central Texas. As they did last year, Jeremy Solomons and Dr. Kazique Prince will create a safe space and provide thought-provoking questions and activities. This is a potluck Peace Through Pie Social – so bring a pie (savory or sweet) to share!
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Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 