Local church choirs and individuals gather to look at new worship music, improve vocal skills and praise God in song. Join the mighty chorus of small church and large church choral groups, ensembles, and individual participants. Sponsored by the Conference Board of Discipleship Music and Worship Team.
January 31 & February 1, 2014 First UMC Corpus Christi
Clinician:
Mark A Miller Minister Of Music Christ Church Summit, NJ
For information contact: Rev. David Miron, Design Team Chair
Brad Kisner, Site Coordinator |
Dr. Carl Hart To Speak On February 6
January 9, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
Carl Hart on “We Got Hoodwinked: The Problem Is Drug Policy, not Drugs”Date: February 6, 2014 Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Hart teaches in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at Columbia University, and is a Research Scientist in the Division of Substance Abuse at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He is a member of the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse and on the board of directors of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence and the Drug Policy Alliance. A native of Miami, Hart earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in experimental psychology and neuroscience at the University of Wyoming. Hart’s talk will draw on his 2013 book, High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know about Drugs and Society, in which he writes not only about his academic work but life growing up in one of Miami’s toughest neighborhoods and how it led him to his pioneering work in drug addiction. Hart escaped neighborhoods that were dominated by entrenched poverty but has not turned his back on that world since becoming Columbia University’s first tenured African American professor in the sciences. Determined to make a difference, he applies his science to help save real lives. The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by St. James’ Episcopal Church, the Third Coast Activist Resource Center, and the University of Texas Department of Psychology, Warfield Center for African and African American Studies, and Division of Diversity and Community Engagement. For more information, contact Robert Jensen at rjensen@austin.utexas.edu. If you need accommodations for this event, please contact Betty Jeanne Taylor at bjwtaylor@austin.utexas.edu at least five days in advance. Location: St. James’ Episcopal Church, 1941 Webberville Road, Austin, 78721 |
– See more at: http://www.thirdcoastactivist.org/events/carl-hart-on-we-got-hoodwinked-the-problem-is-drug-policy-not-drugs/#sthash.qT38Orkd.dpuf
Joint Annual Conference Meeting February 8
January 9, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA|
Delegates from Southwest Texas and Rio Grande conferences to meet jointly Special session called for Feb. 8, 2014
[From SWTX Conference website: Bishop Jim Dorff has called a special joint annual conference session with both the Río Grande and Southwest Texas Conferences to vote on a beginning plan of organization for the new unified conference. The Unification Final Report is available at http://www.umcswtx.org/uit-report.
The session is scheduled for Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., inside the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio. This meeting will be for those of you who were annual conference delegates to the 2013 annual conference. “This is a very important meeting,” Dorff said. At the meeting, the Unification Implementation Team will present its final report on the new conference organizational plan. “The UIT has taken all the input from the June session and made some slight revisions,” Dorff said. “This is the final product.” Delegates will meet jointly and vote separately, Dorff said. They will vote on the new conference plan, including the new name. Materials related to the organizational plan will be sent out in the next two or three weeks, Dorff said. He called an early special session because an earlier vote means conference committees have more time to make adjustments to plan budgets, consider personnel issues and look at nominating reports. “We can’t do anything until we get a basic structure approved,” Dorff said. Leaders will also determine an effective start date for unification, which is currently recommended to be Jan. 1, 2015. |
Ride For Refuge – February 8
January 9, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA On February 8, 2014, RST Austin will partner with Ride for Refuge to raise funds for refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking most in need. This is a great opportunity to become involved in the work that Refugee Services of Texas does to help families from around the world who now make Austin home. The time you give and money you donate will directly affect the lives of hundreds of displaced people in Austin. Our community is a great city for welcoming the displaced and giving to local causes that matter, so we hope that you will join us for the ride on February 8th, 2014!
What: 10, 35, and 60 mile bicycle fundraiser to raise funds for refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking in Austin When: February 8, 2014, 8:00AM Where: Yellow Bike Project, 1216 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721 |
Click here for more information and to sign up!
Also, check us out on Facebook!
TCADP Annual Conference Scheduled for February
January 9, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
2014 TCADP Annual Conference – Lighting the Way
Location: University Christian Church, Fort Worth, Texas TCADP is well-known for hosting a professional and affordable conference with inspiring speakers, informative workshops and great networking opportunities! The TCADP Annual Conference will be held at University Christian Church, Fort Worth, Texas on the edge of the beautiful TCU campus and within miles of the Fort Worth Botanical Garden.
Special early bird registration rates are available for students, members, and supporters now! Register Today! Sponsorship Opportunities: Consider ways your organization, faith community, or business can engage with TCADP conference attendees. Download PDF Conference Hotel: Block rate of $109 a night – Springhill Suites Fort Worth University – 3250 Lovell Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76107-5730 Book your Group Rate Hotel Room Stay tuned for more details! TCADP members receive a discounted registration rate, so be sure to stay current.
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CROP Walk – Sunday, March 23
January 9, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA|
The 2014 CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Camp Mabry, 2200 W. 35 St, Austin, TX 78703. Please check the Austin CROP Walk website in the upcoming months for more information. The Austin CROP Hunger Walk is one of the top fundraising walks in the nation. The 2013 walk raised over $94,000! Let’s aim to be the #1 fundraiser next year. If your faith community already has a team, please join them! If you would like to organize a team in your congregation, please consider volunteering to become a recruiter! Let’s join together for the CROP Hunger Walk – Ending Hunger One Step at a Time. |
Visit the website or contact the Recruiter Coordinator, Desareé W. McKinney at dwilliams@interfaithtexas.org or 512-386-9145 ext. 308 for more information on the walk or being a fundraising recruiter.
Dr. Marcus Borg to speak in April
January 9, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA|
Marcus Borg Weekend at University UMC, Austin April 4-6
Registration for the Friday and Saturday events is $40. Student registration is $20. Online registration will begin in February. There will be question-and-answer sessions and book signing opportunities during the weekend. Online registration will begin in February. A major figure in scholarship related to the Historical Jesus, Borg is the author of 20 books and serves as Canon Theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Ore. Described by The New York Times as “a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars,” Borg has appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” and “Dateline,” PBS’s “NewsHour,” ABC’s “Evening News” and “Primetime,” NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, and several National Geographic programs. A Fellow of the Jesus Seminar, he has been national chair of the Historical Jesus Section of the Society of Biblical Literature. |
Chapter Meeting Thursday November 14 Break the Chains: Ending Human Trafficking
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA The November 14 MFSA meeting will be Break the Chains: Ending Human Trafficking at UNIVERSITY UMC in Austin, 2409 Guadalupe, in collaboration with several organizations that focus on this issue. Did you know that:
Join us as we explore the devastating statics about human trafficking and consider what we can do to help end it. A panel of leaders from local organizations with suggestions for ways individuals and organizations can help end this horrific practice includes the following:
Other members of the coalition can be found at http://www.ctcaht.org/
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Please join us for snacks and visiting at 6:30pm with the meeting to follow at 7:00pm. Parking: on Guadalupe just north of UUMC, LIMITED, please carpool, if possible. Hope to see you there!
14th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
| This Saturday, November 2, 2013, is the 14th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty in Austin at the Texas Capitol at 2 PM on Saturday. Meet on the South Steps of the Capitol. We will march through the streets of downtown Austin with a stop in front of the Texas Governor’s mansion and return to the Texas Capitol.
The march will be led by several exonerated death row survivors from Witness to Innocence who each spent many years on death row waiting to be executed for crimes they did not commit. They made it out of the system alive, but there are many innocent people still on death row and other innocents who did not make it out alive. If you would like to help us with the expenses of hosting several death row exonerees, please donate. You can also send a check to: Texas Moratorium Network Speakers at the march will also include family members of people currently on death row, family members of murder victims who oppose the death penalty, community leaders, faith leaders, activists and others. We represent a growing number of people across Texas and the nation who oppose the death penalty. To learn more about the event, visit http://marchforabolition.org/ or Texas Moratorium Network. |
Daylight Saving Time: Set Your Clocks Back
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
Remember to set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed on Saturday night, November 2.
Roe At Risk Documentary
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
Remember to Vote November 5
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
November 5, 2013 City of Austin Bond ElectionAffordable Housing Proposition
Important dates
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October Chapter Meeting Summary – Keep Austin Affordable
The Austin American Statesman says “When myths are separated from reality, there is both a moral case and business case to be made for approving publicly-financed bonds for affordable housing… The bonds are a solid investment that will yield far more in dividends than what they cost in taxes.” The Austin Chronicle endorsed the affordable housing bonds saying “These are worthy investments providing long-term affordability at a diverse set of incomes. The nonprofit LifeWorks, for example, acquired property and is building new housing for young people transitioning out of foster care, and Green Doors purchased duplexes, fourplexes, and apartment units to rehab for low-income residents (housing stock that might otherwise have been replaced by high-end apartments or condos). Austin’s explosive growth demands more creative action on affordability – on all fronts.“ Sample Ballot: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/forms/2013-sample-ballot.pdf
New Voter Photo ID Requirements are in effect. You will be required to show one of the following forms of photo identification at the polling location before you will be permitted to cast a vote. – Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) – Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS – Texas personal identification card issued by DPS – Texas concealed handgun license issued by DPS – United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph – United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph – United States passport With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place. Your photo Identification card does not have to have your current address. The new photo ID requirement makes no determination on voter address matching criteria; therefore, there is no address matching requirement. If you vote by mail you do not need a photo Identification. The new requirement does not change the process for voting by mail. However, only specific reasons entitle a registered voter to vote early by mail (no longer called absentee voting). You may request a ballot by mail if you: – will be away from your county on Election Day and during early voting; – are sick or disabled; – are 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or – are confined in jail. You can get a formal application for a ballot by mail from: The Secretary of State’s office The Early Voting Clerk in your county; or Download an application for a ballot by mail here. Important Links: For more details please go to the Texas Secretary of State voting site League of Women Voters Guide for the 2013 Constitutional Amendment Election http://www.lwvtexas.org/Voters%20Guide/2013CAVG/2013CAVG_English.pdf Find your polling place: http://www.vote411.org/ Travis County Elections information: http://www.traviscountyclerk.org/eclerk/Content.do?code=Elections Progress Texas Voters Guide: http://progresstexas.org/sites/default/files/ProgressTexas2013BallotGuide.pdf
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Judical Council Ruling 1244
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA| Note from Mary Ann Barclay, October 27, 2013:
I am grateful that the Judicial Council recognized the need for a direct conclusion from our local Bishop about the breaking of polity at our Annual Conference. I also hope this helps to keep the much needed conversation flowing across our conference as we await his decision. To read more about the decision, visit: http://archives.umc.org/interior_judicial.asp?mid=263&JDID=1366&JDMOD=VWD
Some quotes from the RMN Blog by Mary Ann, October 29, 2013 http://www.rmnblog.org/2013/10/longing-for-real-not-moot-or-hypothetical-peace.html Our church is at a crossroad that cannot be avoided. Every individual, lay and clergy, conservative, liberal and those who hate those terms, have to make a decision. What should the relationship of The United Methodist Church be to queer people? If we want peace as a church, we have to create some holy conflict by answering this question. This is where our faith is tested. Are we people who skirt around the opportunity to be a witness of our faith because there will be real consequences? Or are we followers of Christ, who willing enter into shadows to bring light, regardless of the consequences? I hope that as all the people of The UMC continue to find themselves at this crossroads, they will seize the opportunity to live out this faith we claim so boldly. If we are truly seekers of peace we will not avoid this conflict but we will march right into it with discerning hearts, integrity and a commitment to love above all else. I pray my bishop will no longer avoid this conversation, will enter into it with conviction and will stand for justice in our polity that we may all be one step closer to peace. |
Bishop Talbert performs Alabama wedding for two men
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA| By Kathy L. Gilbert*
Before the wedding. television cameras from several news stations rolled outside Covenant Community United Church of Christ. The two men and Bishop Talbert faced questions about why, and what it would mean for them to disregard their denomination’s stance that the practice of homosexuality is not compatible with Christian teaching and that ordained clergy are forbidden to perform a same-sex marriage. For Openshaw and Prince, the answer to why was simple. They love each other, they said. For Talbert, the answer to why and what lies ahead is more complicated. The United Methodist Book of Discipline, the denomination’s law book, since 1972 has proclaimed the practice of homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.” The book prohibits United Methodist churches from hosting and clergy from performing “ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions.” For more from the UMC Connections: http://umcconnections.org/2013/10/26/bishop-talbert-performs-alabama-wedding-two-men/
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Bishops urge Bishop Talbert not to officiate at same-sex unionThe executive committee of the United Methodist Council of Bishops issued a statement on Oct. 23, in response to retired Bishop Melvin G. Talbert’s plans to officiate at the marriage ceremony of Bobby Prince and Joe Openshaw on Oct. 26 in Birmingham, Ala. http://umcconnections.org/2013/10/23/bishops-urge-bishop-talbert-officiate-sex-union/ The bishops of the church are bound together in a covenant and all ordained elders are committed to uphold the Book of Discipline. “Conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies” are chargeable offenses in the United Methodist Church. (¶2702.1.b) The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops has urged Bishop Melvin Talbert not to perform the same-gender marriage in Birmingham, Alabama. Furthermore, the Resident Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett has requested him not to come to the Birmingham Area for this purpose. The bishops of the church are bound together in a covenant and all ordained elders are committed to uphold the Book of Discipline. “Conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies” are chargeable offenses in the United Methodist Church. (¶2702.1.b) The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops has urged Bishop Melvin Talbert not to perform the same-gender marriage in Birmingham, Alabama. Furthermore, the Resident Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett has requested him not to come to the Birmingham Area for this purpose.
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Bishop Swenson writes dissent on Council Birmingham statement “The time has come for acts of faith and courage. I support Bishop Talbert in his willingness to officiate a service of Christian marriage for Bobby Prince and Joe Openshaw, two faithful men whose story I personally have heard and whose deep love for each other I have witnessed. Until we can revise the discriminatory language of The Book of Discipline, I encourage my colleague bishops to follow the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, to ignore these unjust laws of our Discipline, and to permit United Methodist clergy who find it in their consciences and in their duties to fulfill the pastoral needs of those in their flock to celebrate ceremonies of Christian marriage for same-gender couples to do so. We all have the power to do the right thing. Scripture tells us that if we belong to Christ, we are heirs to the promises of God. Christ has set us free. Let us not continue to imprison our LGBTQ family and friends with shackles of unjust laws that counter the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Grace and peace, Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, Ecumenical Officer, Council of Bishops |
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MFSA Board of Directors Responds to Bishops’ Statement ATLANTA – October 25, 2013 – The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) applauds Bishop Melvin Talbert in providing pastoral care in blessing the loving relationship of Joe Openshaw and Bobby Prince, two children of God, and acknowledging the love of Christ present in their marriage. We are deeply disappointed by the statement from the executive committee of the Council of Bishops which refuses to acknowledge God’s presence, beautifully expressed in the joyous experience of two people finding love and inviting their faith community into that celebration. In their statement, our Episcopal leaders reference their charge to “promote the temporal and spiritual interests of the entire Church,” but send the message that certain people are incompatible with Christian teaching and reduces the celebration of their love to a chargeable offense which injures our LGBT fellow members. This causes spiritual carnage. Such actions damage relationships with God and turn God’s children away from the Church. Further, the discrimination inherent in The UMC’s policies relating to LGBT persons is then used to provide cover for hate. The expression of this hate leads to broken relationships with family and with God, to broken lives, and too often even to broken bodies. In clinging to our current policies, The UMC turns the Book of Discipline into a weapon of harm and is complicit in this violence. For full statement, go to http://mfsaweb.org/?p=7636. |
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 