| Community Leaders Undoing Racism TrainingWhen: Nov 8 – 10, 2013
Where: Austin, Southwest Key (map) Description: Community Leaders Undoing Racism Training Check website for times: http://www.undoingracismaustin.org/ |
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First Saturday Conversations on Race Saturday, November 2, 9am – 11:30am St. James Episcopal Church, 1941 Webberville Rd Austin, TX 78721 (map) Primary Focus: Racism; Secondary Focus: All Other –ism’s Video of The Month: “Segregated Sunday” |
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Brick by Brick: Travis County First Saturday Town Hall on Education Saturday, November 2 – 1:00-4:00 Millennium Center, 1156 Hargrave St., Austin Preventing Travis County/Austin Area Youth and Adult Crime & Public Safety Inequities
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Foundation for the Homeless
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA The 5th Annual Spirit of Compassion Celebration and Awards on November 9 promises to be the biggest and best yet. From the new venue, the beautiful Westin Domain, to the sit-down down dinner, casino tables, music by the Nightowls and the incredible items up for bid in the live & silent auctions: |
Elk Hunt in Colorado
Fishing excursion in Alaska
3-day beach house stay
Mike Etie original painting
2 tickets & parking to UT vs. Texas Tech football game
And we are just getting warmed up! Stay tuned for more great packages and an opportunity to bid online before the event
International Transgender Day of Remembrance Service
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA University United Methodist Church will join in the commemoration of International Transgender Day of Remembrance (ITDOR) on November 20, 2013. From 12-1pm, UUMC will host a service to remember those who have been killed this year due to anti-transgender violence and to raise awareness of the threat of harm faced by those who are transgender.The International Transgender Day of Remembrance began in the late 90s to commemorate the life of Rita Hester and has occurred annually ever since to raise awareness and honor the lives of others who have who have been victims of anti-transgender violence. Although not every person represented during ITDOR self-identified as transgender, each was a victim based on bias against transgender people.
The service will include prayer, a sermon by Rev. John Elford, music and a ritual of remembrance including the naming of those whose lives were taken this year. All are welcome to join UUMC to remember, reflect, and move forward in hope. Free parking will be available in the Platinum Lot beside Mellow Mushroom across the street from UUMC. Please enter the Sanctuary from the south entrance at 24th st. Any questions about this event can be directed to Mary Ann Barclay, Justice Associate, at mabarclay@uumc.org. For more information about ITDOR check out the official Transgender Day of Remembrance site & GLAAD. |
Great Turnout for Pride Parade!
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA406 Methodists March in Pride Parade Once again Pride week in Austin has come and gone but United Methodists have made sure our presence will be remembered. What a fantastic time we had marching for justice and showing the wider community that despite our denominational stance we believe all should be not only welcomed but affirmed. With 406 United Methodists representing 9 churches marching, it seems safe to say many of us believe that pride is indeed “compatible with Christian teaching.” |
Thanks to all who joined us this year. We laughed, we danced, we got tons of high fives, and many of us were touched by those attending the pride parade who were so grateful to see a church affirming them. First UMC carried a number of great signs like “God loves everybody, no exceptions” and my personal favorite, “We’re sorry for the haters.” No doubt it was a healing space for many. For more information about the SWTX Reconciling Team, please contact Joy Butler joylbutler@gmail.com or Tweet Us, Like Us on Facebook, We are a LYN2016 coalition partner!
Interfaith Conference on Immigration Reform
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA  Interfaith religious leaders from Central Texas will gather for “Why Immigration Reform?” a conference on the need for humane immigration reform.
The conference will be held on Sunday, October 6, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 606 West 15th St. in Austin. The conference is free and open to the public. Religious leaders will discuss the need for immigration reform from the perspective of faith, business, worker’s rights and the immigrant experience. The conference will conclude with a Q&A session. Keynote speakers for the event are Dr. Luis Zayas of The University of Texas and Jeff Patterson of the Texas Catholic Conference. Bishop Joe Vásquez, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Austin, will participate in the event, along with Rabbi Alan Freedman, of Temple Beth Shalom; Imam Islam Mossaad of the North Austin Muslim Community Center and John Elford of University United Methodist Church and many other faith leaders. “The current immigration system is broken,” Bishop Vásquez said. “Comprehensive immigration reform has been an issue of great importance to me and to all of the Catholic bishops of the United States for decades. The primary and fundamental reason for our position is that we know and proclaim the dignity of every human person. We believe that each person is created in the image and likeness of God, and we believe that this has implications for public policy on immigration.” |
This conference is the second in a series of events by faith leaders to bring awareness to the need for immigration reform. An interfaith prayer service was held on June 18 at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church in South Austin.
Allies Against Slavery
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA Allies is a community network that develops local, tangible and sustainable solutions to slavery. We are working to make Austin a Slave Free City, and we want to see communities everywhere committed to freedom for all. Check out the upcoming October events at http://alliesagainstslavery.eventbrite.com/ |
News from Interfaith Action of Central Texas – iACT
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
A Night Under One Sky has become a beloved tradition in our community. It celebrates the notion that there is common ground we can all walk in search of peace and respect in this world. The setting is magical. The food is delightful. The music is inspiring. The conversation is uplifting. iACT brings people of all faiths together to serve our most vulnerable neighbors.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Time: 6:30pm until 9:00pm
Umlauf Sculpture Garden
605 Robert E Lee Road
Austin, Texas 78704
Ticket Purchase or Sponsorship is required for admittance.
Honoree: Tom Spencer, former CEO for iACT.
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Bobbi Kaye Jones
Event Co-Chairs: Liz Stewart and Janis Claflin
Dress: Business Casual or Austin Chic
Parking: Across the street by the ball park, signs will be posted.
Road Closures: The following directions are only if the ACL road blocks are still up, however the closures end Monday. If you are coming from the south, up Barton Springs Rd you should be able to freely enter Robert E. Lee even with road blocks. From MoPac you will need to take Cesar Chavez St, head south on Lamar Blvd and then take a left onto Barton Springs Rd.
National MFSA Office Celebrates 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington
August 26, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA This August the nation marks fifty years since the 1963 March on Washington, also known as the March for Jobs, Justice, and Freedom but best known for the stirring “I Have a Dream” address delivered by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Methodist Federation for Social Action welcomes constituents and friends to participate in the array of celebrations, colloquia, and actions commemorating that historic day, regarded as instrumental to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.MFSA also invites you to renew the thirst for true wholeness as we recall that the journey is far from over. The recent Decision by the Supreme Court has sent critical provisions of the Voting Rights Act back to congress and, now as much as ever, there is a need to stand as witnesses to God’s vision of grace and justice, working together to clear the lingering stains of poverty, discrimination, and oppression. Join us for a time of learning, using our voices, and realizing King’s dream. |
Austin Pride Parade – Saturday, September 7, 2013 – 8pm
August 26, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA|
We join with the SWTX Reconciling Ministries Team and individual churches for our Austin Pride Parade effort. Last year we counted 244 United Methodists with us in the 2012 Austin Pride Parade, most of whom were from our SWTX Conference. This year we invite ALL Reconciling United Methodists (RUMs) to join us! Even if your church is not participating, we have a spot for you! FAMILIES ARE WELCOME. Last year our participants were ages 2 to 88. We have cars for those who are unable to walk the route. For more information, go to the SWTX-RM Website! See you there! |
Love Unites!
August 26, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA|
Connect. Share. Celebrate!
The guest speaker for this year’s event is Karen McCrocklin. An LGBTQ activist for more than 25 years, Karen is a speaker, radio host and author of the forthcoming book Out From the Inside. Her talk will explore “Supreme Faith,” lessons about community, faith and love as witnessed from inside the Supreme Court chambers on the day of the Proposition 8 and Defense of Marriage Act rulings. The event is free, and all LGBTQ people and allies are welcome! A sign language interpreter will be available. http://prideinterfaith.com/ |
TOXIC CHARITY
August 26, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA Bob Lupton, Author of Toxic Charity, atSaint John’s UMC – September 28 Make plans to hear Toxic Charity author Bob Lupton speak on September 28, 2013 at Saint John’s UMC. Lupton, founder of a successful Atlanta-based non-profit that serves families in need, has developed mixed-income subdivisions, organized two multiracial congregations, created housing for hundreds of families, and initiated a wide range of human services in his community. In Toxic Charity, the author and speaker reveals the shockingly toxic effects that modern charity has upon the very people meant to benefit from it. The book also provides proven new models for charitable groups who want to help-not sabotage-those whom they desire to serve. Check future newsletters for more details. Questions? Call Sheri Jones, Director of Missions, at 452-5737 or email sheri@stjohnsaustin.org. To register, please click here. |
MFSA Recycling Event at Crestview UMC
April 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
MFSA Will Sponsor Its 4th BOPA* Recycling Event April 20
(*Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze)
Saturday, April 20,– 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, April 20, at Crestview UMC, 1300 Morrow Street, Austin, from 8:00 – 10:30 am.
At the BOPA event last March, we collected 225 gallons of paint, 30 gallons of oil/antifreeze, and 80 lbs of batteries.
If you can volunteer or you have questions, please contact Anne Mund at ennadnum@hotmail.com.
Mark Your Calendars – RMN Convocation Aug 30 – Sept 2
April 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA|
This is more than just another conference. Join hundreds of others getting involved in the movement for LGBTQ inclusion in the United Methodist Church through worship, conversation, and action. National 4-H Youth Conference Center Meet & Hear Words of Inspiration by: Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey And more! |
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More details and registration at: Make Plans To Join Us! |
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 