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/.

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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.

 

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“Just Mercy” – Go See It!

January 17, 2020 — Rio Texas MFSA

(From Michael B. Jordan, who plays Bryan Stevenson in the film…)

Every day, innocent Black people are imprisoned in our country, but we rarely see their stories on the big screen.  That’s why I’m so proud to have had an opportunity to work on Just Mercy, a film that hit theaters on January 10 and tells the story about modern day hero Bryan Stevenson and his Equal Justice Initiative.

As an actor and producer on the film, with my company Outlier Society, this is a story that I know has real implications in our world today.  Authentic storytelling can serve as a powerful deterrent to the fear and racism that drive our justice system.  When faced with the human emotion and devastating impact of injustice, we must demand change.  We must work together to keep the story from repeating itself.

We hear too often of individuals who face or challenge unjust charges in the news.  Meanwhile, entire families, communities and whole generations have been swept up into these necessary fights for freedom.

The story of Just Mercy is one of community, justice and redemption on death row.  It’s the story Black communities across the country face with evolution of slavery: our criminal justice system.

Just Mercy will bring the full story out of the shadows and I hope you are able to come out on this weekend to see what hope and fight looks like.

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One Human Race Workshop

October 9, 2019 — Rio Texas MFSA

9 AM – 5:30 PM  October 12,  St. James’ Episcopal Church

This free one-day workshop provides a safe, open, and productive environment to learn and share about race. Snacks and lunch are provided. We’ll watch Race: The Power of an Illusion, examine concepts from Eric Law’s The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb, and share in small groups. Registration is required. Reserve your place here.

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Austin Channing Brown at University UMC Austin!

October 9, 2019 — Rio Texas MFSA

Join us as Brown helps us unpack what it means to be a progressive in the fight for equality, challenging us to look inward to address our daily prejudices as we strive for an actively anti-racist community.

Bio

Austin Channing Brown began her journey as a racial reconciler in college with an experience called Sankofa–a three-day bus trip exploring black history sites throughout the South. On this pilgrimage that she came face-to-face with her history, shared the experience with others, and for the first time in her life watched friends become transformed by learning about African American history and racism.

Austin earned a master’s degree in social justice from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan. Building on her Sankofa experience and the foundation of her graduate work, she has directed a short-term missions site on the west side of Chicago, creating interactive opportunities for youth to engage issues of poverty, injustice. She also served on staff with Willow Creek Community Church, developing strategies and programming around multiculturalism. Currently, she serves as resident director and multicultural liaison for Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Austin travels the country throughout the year sharing her message at colleges, universities, conferences, and churches. She has been featured at the Justice Conference, Why Christian? Conference, Christians for Biblical Equality International Conference, the University of Northwestern, the CCDA National Conference, the Salvation Army ONE Conference and Focus on the Family: Focus Leadership Institute, to name just a few.

Event Details

LOCATION :

University United Methodist Church
2409 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78705

TIME

Doors at 6:30 pm
Starts at 7:00 pm
Approximate Run-time is 90 mins

PARKING

There are several paid parking options available including street parking, a surface lot across the street or a parking garage on San Antonio street.

Ride sharing services such as Uber or Lift are an encouraged alternative option.

POLICIES

University UMC is a smoke free and weapon free campus.

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One Human Race Workshops Coming Up

April 28, 2019 — Rio Texas MFSA
The One Human Race Initiative provides a safe, open, and productive environment to learn and share about race.  We’ll watch the PBS documentary “Race: The Power of an Illusion,” share in small groups, and learn about concepts from Eric Law’s The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb.

 

All workshops are free and open to the public.  Registration is required.  Lunch and snacks are provided.  Childcare will be provided on May 4th by St. Julian of Norwich.

 

Saturday, May 4th, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm

St. Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church

7700 Cat Hollow Dr. #204, Round Rock

 

Saturday, May 18th, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm

Bethany United Methodist Church

10010 Anderson Mill Road, Austin

 

Click here to register.

 
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Media Recap of Summit on Race in America

April 28, 2019 — Rio Texas MFSA

The Summit on Race in America at the LBJ Presidential Library

From April 8-10, 2019, the LBJ Foundation hosted The Summit on Race in America. Civil rights icons joined by esteemed leaders, activists, musicians, comedians, and other artists for open, candid discussions on the failures, progress, and challenges our country faces on race today. While no exploration of the complex issue of race can be definitive or complete, we hope that in bringing together a myriad of voices, The Summit on Race in America will promote a deeper understanding of the challenges our country faces. In doing so, we also aim not only to strengthen our resolve for meaningful change but to foster greater unity among all Americans.

See video and photos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL57QSDvgks3tQljO2fPFZYNVIY-Qyg1Dw

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