UMC Congress of the Deaf

October 17th – 19th, 2014

Oak Hill UMC

Austin, Texas

Oak Hill United Methodist Church is hosting the South Central Jurisdiction – United Methodist Congress of the Deaf on October 17, 18 and 19. Guest speaker Lindsey Darnell will present several workshops on building faith within the deaf community on Saturday.  Friday dinner and Saturday lunch and dinner are provided, and there will be Bible study and worship opportunities on Sunday.

For additional information and registration form, click here.

Getting a Handle on Hunger

On any given day, an estimated 4.2 million Texans are at risk of hunger. It is estimated that one in four of our state’s children live in families that cannot afford healthy food on a consistent basis. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Texas is the second-hungriest state in the nation.

Congregations are often the first places those in need turn to for assistance. Understanding the facts about hunger in our communities helps us address immediate needs and work for sustainable solutions.

Food policy experts often use the terms “food insecurity” and “food desert.” In our Summer Meals Promotion and our Digging Deeper section you can learn more about how you and your faith community can take action to alleviate hunger in your backyard.

The Better Neighbors Program provides information on a different public policy issue with local implications every month. In addition to the newsletter, you will also have other opportunities to engage around the monthly focus through webinars, phone calls, and in-person events throughout the state

http://texasimpact.org/.  This month’s focus is Food Insecurity.

Mediation Skill Training Institute for Church Leaders

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center

 November 17-21, 2014

First UMC

410 E. University Ave

Georgetown, Tx

Conflict is normal and inevitable – whether in the home, school, community, church or workplace.  Leaders in all walks of life often have a responsibility to help others work through their conflicts.

The Mediation Skills Training Institute presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC) is designed to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. The five-day institute also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory.

For more information and Registration Form, click here and here.

MFSA National E-News Newsletter

http://mfsaweb.org/?page_id=212

MFSA Spring 2014 Progressive Voice is available for download at:

http://mfsaweb.org/wp-content/uploads/TPV_draft_April4(1).pdf

Current Faith in Action from General Board of Church & Society –

http://umc-gbcs.org/faith-in-action

Reconciling Ministries newsletter:  http://www.rmnetwork.org

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.

MFSA – Chapter Website:  http://www.swtmfsa.wordpress.com

MFSA – National Site: http://www.mfsaweb.org

Check out our Facebook Page
Southwest-TX-Chapter-MFSA

Neighborhood Voter Registration Drive
On the Grounds of Saint John’s UMC

Saturday, March 8, 10am-2pm

To encourage our Austin neighbors to register to vote, UMW Miriam Circle is offering Voter Registration to our neighbors and passers-by on Saturday, March 8, 10am-2pm, at Saint John’s.

We will set up tables outside and invite others to stop by and register. We plan to do other voter registration drives at Saint John’s in the months ahead.

If you know anyone who needs to get registered or change some of their voter registration information, please invite them to stop by on Saturday, March 8.  Contact Janice Curry, jlcurry@austin.rr.com, with questions.

“Death Row Stories” is a new 8-part series premiering on March 9 on CNN that will examine actual death penalty cases.  The show is produced by Robert Redford and narrated by Dead Man Walking star Susan Sarandon.  Redford said, “This series is about the search for justice and truth, we are pleased to … tell these important stories and give a voice to these cases.”  Prior to the premiere, CNN is offering interested parties an opportunity for a preview and the ability to participate in a Google Hangout featuring a discussion by the producers and law professors John Blume of Cornell and Robert Blecker of New York Law School.  The Google Hangout will be held March 5 at 6 pm EST and is open to the public, but an RSVP is required.

A promo for the show can be found here.  (CNN, “Death Row Stories,” Press materials; DPIC posted Feb. 21, 2014).

Hosted by the Student Engineering Council (SEC) at The University of Texas at Austin.

E-Cycling is an annual E-waste recycling drive open to the greater Austin area,  as well as to the UT community. The goal of E-Cycling is to try and create a more sustainable world by recycling old electronics: this includes anything from old cell phones and laptops to microwaves and refrigerators. 

This year the drive will be held on Saturday, March 22nd, from 8am-4pm in the LBJ Library parking lot.  In the past years the amount of tonnage we have recycled has been around 12-14 tons; we would like to increase that number this year! For more information about what can be recycled, visit http://sec.engr.utexas.edu/service/ecycling/ .