| Justice for Our Neighbors Fundraiser – Carousel Lounge
1110 East 52nd Street, Austin, Texas 78723 Saturday, April 53:00-8:00pm Steve Brooks, Kim Simpson, Lili and Walter, Hannah and Diana, Ben Wright, Katy Evans, and Ryan Pickop will play at a benefit for justice for our neighbors, an outreach of the United Methodist Church that offers free legal services to immigrants and refugees. $10 suggested donation. Servant Church is sponsoring the event. If you’re on facebook, RSVP and share the event at |
We Need Your Books Again This Year!
April 28, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
For several years, SWT-MFSA has sponsored a Book Fair at Annual Conference. Members and friends box up their gently used religious and spiritual books, and we haul them to Corpus Christi. It becomes like a treasure hunt at our tables! People contribute to us according to what they think the books are worth to them. It has been quite successful for the past 4 or 5 years, but to make it happen, we need your books! Contact Rowland Curry (rcurry@austin.rr.com) and we will arrange to pick them up.
BOPA Recycling Event March 29
March 5, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSAMFSA Will Sponsor 5th BOPA (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze)
Recycling Event Saturday, March 29,– 8 am to 10:30 am
We need Volunteers! We need your items for recycling!
Start cleaning the garage and find those batteries, oil, paint, and antifreeze and bring them to the MFSA BOPA event on Saturday, March 29, at Crestview UMC, 1300 Morrow Street, Austin, from 8:00 – 10:30 am.
At the BOPA event last April, we collected 1,335 gallons of paint, 36 gallons of oil/antifreeze, and 225 lbs of batteries.
If you can volunteer or you have questions, please contact Anne Mund at
ennadnum@hotmail.com
An Unreal Dream: The Michael Morton Story
March 5, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
Sunday, March 30, at 5:30pm
Saint John’s UMC, Austin
The Saint John’s Risking-Taking Mission & Service Committee and the Methodist Federation for Social Action will partner to bring the movie, An Unreal Dream: The Michael Morton Story, to Saint John’s on Sunday, March 30, at 5:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Barbara Holmes will be the moderator for questions and answers following the movie.
Directed by Al Reinert, this inspiring film portrays the harrowing true tale of Michael Morton. Wrongly convicted of the brutal murder of his young wife, Morton spent a quarter century in the Texas prison system, cut off from his only child, who believed him to be guilty of destroying their family. Collaborating with his attorney and the Innocence Project, Morton cleared himself through DNA testing. In the process he brought to bear the plight of America’s unjust imprisonments.
Morton had a religious epiphany in jail, and credits his newfound inner peace with the knowledge that God “loves me.” He says he forgives a prosecutor who failed to share evidence in his trial. Watch the trailer at: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/justice/cnn-films-unreal-dream/index.html.
Dr. Marcus Borg to Speak in April
March 5, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSAMarcus Borg Weekend at University UMC, Austin
April 4-6
University United Methodist Church invites you to join us for a weekend of teaching and conversation with Dr. Marcus Borg, one of the most widely known and influential voices in progressive Christianity. The weekend event – “What Does It Mean To Be Christian Today?” – includes a Friday lecture on “Reclaiming Christian Language” at 7 pm, and two Saturday lectures on “Where Do We Meet the Sacred?” and “Radical Discipleship in an Unjust World” at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. Borg will preach at UUMC’s Sanctuary worship service at 11 am on Sun. April 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.
Registration at: http://www.uumc.org/borg/
First UMC Reconciling Ministries Service – Sunday, April 27
March 5, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
To celebrate the first anniversary of the decision made by First UMC, Austin to affiliate as a congregation with the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), they have invited the Reverend Frank Schaefer to share his witness at their Reconciling Ministries Service at First Church on Sunday, April 27 in the evening.
In February 2013, First Church Austin chose to add its voice to the struggle for full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in a year in which opposition to such inclusion has hardened in The United Methodist Church. For example, the Reverend Frank Schaefer, pastor of a small United Methodist Church in eastern Pennsylvania, officiated at the private marriage ceremony for his gay son and partner in Massachusetts in 2007 –not as an act of protest, but as an act of love and pastoral care for his son. In this past year, he was brought up on charges of disobedience to the Discipline of The United Methodist Church and found guilty. The prosecution for the church argued that the severest penalty should be imposed on the Reverend Schaefer to serve as a deterrent to other ministers. Consequently, he was “defrocked,” i.e., he had to surrender his ministerial credentials. Plan to attend and hear his powerful witness.
MFSA Annual Conference Luncheon Scheduled
March 5, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSAPeace and Justice Luncheon
Anthony Graves, exonerated death row inmate,
will be the speaker at this year’s SWTX MFSA Peace and Justice Luncheon
in Corpus Christi, SWTX UMC Annual Conference, June 13
will be the speaker at this year’s SWTX MFSA Peace and Justice Luncheon
in Corpus Christi, SWTX UMC Annual Conference, June 13
Anthony Charles Graves was convicted of the August 18, 1992 mass murder of six people in Somerville, after being implicated in the crime by Robert Carter – the father of one of the victims. Carter was executed in May 2000 for his part in the crime – and in his final statement took sole responsibility for the crime.
After spending 12 years on Death Row, Graves’ conviction was overturned on March 3, 2006 by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals when, in an a unanimous opinion, a three judge panel held that the state’s case had hinged on Carter’s perjured testimony, and concluded that the Prosecutor, Charles Sebesta, had intentionally withheld evidence that could have helped Graves; most notably that Carter had recanted right before he testified at Grave’s August 1992 trial.
Graves was held for an additional four years in solitary confinement in the Burleson County jail awaiting retrial until October 27, 2010, when he was released after all charges were dismissed by Burleson County Special Prosecutor Kelly Siegler, who concluded, “He’s an innocent man. There is nothing that connects Anthony Graves to this crime.”
We Need Your Books Again This Year!
March 5, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
For several years, SWT-MFSA has sponsored a Book Fair at Annual Conference. Members and friends box up their gently used religious and spiritual books, and we haul them to Corpus Christi. It becomes like a treasure hunt at our tables! People contribute to us according to what they think the books are worth to them. It has been quite successful for the past 4 or 5 years, but to make it happen, we need your books! Contact Rowland Curry (rcurry@austin.rr.com) and we will arrange to pick them up.
Video Available For Bishop Talbert Discussion
March 5, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
What a great gathering at Trinity UMC in Austin on Sunday, February 9, to hear Bishop Melvin Talbert! About 200 Austin and San Antonio area United Methodists joined the SWTX – MFSA Chapter for “Lunch and A Conversation with Bishop Talbert.” You will find photos of the event on our website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/swtexasmfsa. Special thanks to Trinity UMC and University UMC Austin, to the Central Texas MFSA Chapter for their generous support, and to the many volunteers who helped with this event.
We are happy to report that a video of “A Conversation with Bishop Melvin Talbert” is posted on YouTube. The introduction is by Rev. Sid Hall and the Sign Language Interpreter is Clyde Boyd. Thanks to Donn German for videoing the event.
Bishop Talbert discusses the events surrounding his ministry of “Biblical Obedience” and the future of LGBTQ issues in the United Methodist Church. Retired Bishop Talbert has been an advocate for peace and for the oppressed and marginalized. He has fought to help The United Methodist Church and society address racism. He is committed to racial, gender and sexual orientation inclusiveness, stating that there is room at God’s table for everyone.
The video is in two parts. You can watch the two parts on YouTube. When you select the playlist link below, the second part should start after the first part completes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0j1LqkZow&list=PLx2OEEviLEcziW7SR52YtJ492OF5jbGmy
If you like the work we are doing, you can stay updated on the latest by following us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Southwest-TX-Chapter-MFSA/208934022460155.
Our newsletter is posted on our website: https://swtmfsa.wordpress.com/.
Let’s keep the conversation going!
Video of A Conversation with Bishop Melvin Talbert, February 9, 2014
February 11, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
We are happy to report that a video of “A Conversation with Bishop Melvin Talbert” is posted on YouTube. The event was sponsored by the Southwest Chapter of Methodist Federation for Social Action at Trinity United Methodist Church in Austin, TX on Sunday, February 9, 2014. Introduction by Rev. Sid Hall. The Sign Language Interpreter is Clyde Boyd.
Bishop Talbert discusses the events surrounding his ministry of “Biblical Obedience” and the future of LGBTQ issues in the United Methodist Church. Retired Bishop Talbert has been an advocate for peace and for the oppressed and marginalized. He has fought to help The United Methodist Church and society address racism. He is committed to racial, gender and sexual orientation inclusiveness, stating that there is room at God’s table for everyone.
The video is in two parts. You can watch the two parts on YouTube at the links below. When you select the playlist link below the second part should start after the first part completes. The links for the individual parts are listed in case you want to watch them separately. Thanks to Donn German for videoing the event.
There is a playlist that should play both parts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho0j1LqkZow&list=PLx2OEEviLEcziW7SR52YtJ492OF5jbGmy
Bishop Talbert to Celebrate at UUMC Austin, Followed by Lunch & Conversation at Trinity, February 9
February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
The Southwest Chapter of MFSA invites you to join us for lunch and A Conversation with Bishop Talbert on Sunday, February 9, at Trinity UMC, 4001 Speedway-Austin, TX. Bishop Talbert will discuss the events surrounding his ministry of “Biblical Obedience” and the future of LGBTQ issues in the UMC.
Lunch will be served starting at 12:15P.M. The conversation with Bishop Talbert will be from 1:15 to 3 P.M. No reservations are required. All are welcome to attend these events. If you would like to help with the luncheon event at Trinity UMC or have questions, please contact Janice Curry, jlcurry@austin.rr.com.
Bishop Talbert to Celebrate Reconciling Ministry Anniversary
at University UMC, Austin
Sunday, February 9 – 8:30 & 11:00am
Retired Bishop Melvin G. Talbert will be joining University United Methodist Church to celebrate our Reconciling Ministry anniversary on Sunday, February 9, 2014. Bishop Talbert will be in the UUMC pulpit at the 8:30 and 11 A.M. services delivering his message on Biblical Obedience.
Bishop Melvin G. Talbert has served The United Methodist Church as a mentor, pastor, conference staff member, district superintendent, general secretary and bishop. An institute was created in his name by Black Methodists for Church Renewal to engage and encourage young lay and clergy to reach their leadership potential.
Talbert has been an advocate for peace and for the oppressed and marginalized. He has fought to help The United Methodist Church and society address racism. He is committed to racial, gender and sexual orientation inclusiveness, stating that there is room at God’s table for everyone.
The celebration will include an installation from the Shower of Stoles project in the sanctuary, an extraordinary collection of over a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in twenty-seven denominations and faith traditions, and come from six countries on three continents. This collection celebrates the gifts of GLBTQ persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Project bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself because of its own unjust policies.
MLK March in Austin
February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
On January 20, over 25 MFSA members and supporters participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. march in Austin from the UT campus to the state capitol. Along with thousands of others, we heard inspirational speeches, prayers, and choirs celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. King
League of Women Voters Presentations in February
February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSA
The League of Women Voters is sponsoring, along with KUT, KLRU, and the The Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life, two sessions that will provide an overview of Austin city government and how Austinites can best participate in city governance. These are designed for all civic-minded residents, and will be available for viewing on the Internet.
The new City Council will face unprecedented challenges after being elected this November, and will need the informed participation of every constituent. Our goal is to help usher in an effective new City Council with an informed electorate.
When:
Saturday, February 8, 2014, 10 am until Noon
and
Saturday, February 22, 2014,10 am until Noon
(doors open at 9:30 – please be seated before 10)
Where:
KLRU’s historic Studio 6A in the Comm. Bldg.
(SE corner Guadalupe and 26th)
February 8
The City Does “What”?
A panel discussion on the functions of city government, featuring:
- Marc Ott, City Manager
- Karen Kennard, City Attorney
- Ed van Eenoo, Deputy Chief Financial Officer
- Roger Duncan, Former General Mgr, Austin Energy
- Garner Stoll, Former Imagine Austin Lead Manager
February 22
Speak Out!
A panel and audience discussion on how to effectively communicate with city officials, featuring:
- Nelson Linder, President, Austin Branch NAACP
- Honorable Gonzalo Barrientos, Chair, Austin Charter Review Committee
- Susan Morrison, League of Women Voters
In this session, a number of chairpersons of city boards & commissions will explain what they do and how they relate to the Council.
KUT News’ Joy Diaz and Wells Dunbar will moderate these forums
LWV Austin urges civic-minded Austinites to attend
A SERVICE OF LOVE & RECOMMITMENT
February 4, 2014 — Rio Texas MFSASunday, February 16, 2014 @ 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
University United Methodist Church
2409 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78705
University UMC welcomes all couples — straight, gay and transgendered — who would like to have their relationships blessed to a “Service of Love & Recommitment” in our historic Harris Chapel. For questions, please contact Church Office, 512-478-9387 or E-mail
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 