Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

Occupy Austin is planning a full week of events during the South by Southwest festival that comes to Austin every Spring.  Highlights will include:

March 11th – 16th Teach Ins and Performances.  Venue TBD.  Monday the 12th will be themed around spirituality and faith traditions.  There will be Christians, Buddhists and Native American Traditions represented.

March 16th – The Occupy Party of SXSW.  Venue and Artist TBA!  Just wait – you won’t want to miss this one….

March 17^th – 12 noon, State Capitol – Occupy Austin is partnering with Million Musicians March for Peace for a program and parade.  The following musicians have been confirmed:  Guy Forsyth, Carolyn Wonderland, Shelley King, Michael Fracasso, Leeann Atherton, Andy Corwin, Bill Oliver….

Look for updates at http://occupyaustin.org/southby/.

You want to be a part of this Occupation.  We want you to be a part, too!

1. Manifest God’s hospitality to all persons
2. Follow the example of Christ’s non-violent love
3. Promote racial and interfaith justice and reconciliation
4. Demand justice for those who are most vulnerable
5. Work for a fully participatory church where all voices are heard
6. Support Peace in the Middle East
7. Support for sexuality education and the moral agency of women in reproductive health matters
8. Protect human rights and civil liberties
9. Protect planet earth
10. Affirm the openness of our Wesleyan tradition

Read more and sign the Love of God and Neighbor Statement, A Common Witness to General Conference 2012:  http://gc12.org/sign/love-of-god-and-neighbor-statement/

A conference and workshop featuring Gary Dorrien and Joerg Rieger – April 27 & 28, 2012

Friday, April 27, 7:00 p.m.

University United Methodist Church

2409 Guadalupe St., Austin TX 78705

Free parking available

Childcare available. Email nulack@uumc.org

Social critic and theologian Gary Dorrien kicks off this weekend gathering on economic justice and faith.  He will speak on “Breaking the Oligarchy.”  Dorrien is an Episcopal priest, and professor at Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary.  He is also a frequent contributor to PBS programs such as Bill Moyers’ Journal and the author of fourteen books including Social Ethics in the Making: Interpreting an American Tradition; and The Making of American Liberal Theology.

Saturday, April 28, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Third Coast Activist Resource Center

5604 Manor Road, Austin TX 78723

Lunch: $10

What are the most effective ways to build a more equitable world?  Today’s sessions will outline the contributions theology can make to our understanding of social justice.  Several speakers will describe organizing efforts in the community that are putting principles into action.

The featured speaker this morning is Southern Methodist University professor Joerg Rieger, speaking on “Empire and Economics: The Difference Christianity Makes.”  He is author of No Rising Tide: Theology, Economics, and the Future. We will also hear from representatives from the Workers Defense Project and Cooperation Texas.  Lunch at noon will feature a conversation on faith and justice between Gary Dorrien and Joerg Rieger, our main speakers for the weekend.

Sponsors:

University United Methodist Church (uumc.org)

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (staopen.com

Third Coast Activist Center (5604manor.org)

Recently, Bishop Grant Hagiya of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Annual Conferences publicly expressed his disagreement with UM policy regarding same-sex marriage.

“Difficult letters, like difficult conversations are never easy.  However, God never promised us easy, and there are times when we must take up the cross and walk in faith.  I write today not representing the United Methodist Church, for only General Conference can do that.  So, even though I write this letter as your Bishop, I hope it will also be received as your friend in Christ.

With the signing by Governor Gregoire of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington as of June 7th, the state joins six others in recognizing this union.  Personally, I celebrate the signing into law of the legalization of same-sex marriage for our state.  It is an historic moment for the people of this geographic region, and it marks a secular turning point in the liberation of those who have too long been oppressed in our current times.  I celebrate with those who will be free to enjoy equal health and security benefits through the state institution of marriage.

I also personally grieve over our United Methodist Church polity that will not recognize same-sex marriage.  I believe that it is wrong, and we should work for a more inclusive and humane response.  The reason for this stance is that I believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God’s divine love for the entire creation, and no one should be shut out from God’s embracing Grace.”  http://gc12.org/clergy-2/bishop-celebrates-washington-marriage-equality/

Texas Coalition Against the Death Penalty – Annual Conference

Seizing the Momentum … Creating the Climate for Change

February 18, 2012

University of Incarnate Word Sky Room
847 E Hildebrand, San Antonio

General Membership Meeting
Workshops
Networking with TCADP  Members and Allies
Exhibitors and Door Prizes
Panel Discussion: Impact of Texas’ Changing Demographics on the Death Penalty

More information at:  http://tcadp.org/what-we-do/annual-conference/

It’s not too late to get involved with the 7th largest CROP Hunger Walk in the country and the largest interfaith event in Austin! You can start a team with your spiritual community, your co-workers, or a group of your friends. With online fundraising it’s easy to get sponsors so that you can support local and global hunger agencies.

Walk materials can be picked up at the Church World Service office (call first – 512-451-2062, 6633 Highway 290 East, Suite 108, Austin, TX 78723), or at the Capital Area Food Bank (M-F, 9am-4pm, 8201 S. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78745).

The Austin CROP Hunger Walk will be at Walter E Long Park (6614 Blue Bluff Rd., Austin, TX 78724) on Saturday, March 3rd (registration at 9:30am) and Sunday, March 4th (registration at 1:45pm). You can walk on either day you choose. For more detailed event information, please click here.  About $85,000 was raised in 2011 to alleviate hunger in our community and around the world.

If you have any questions or need some support to make your CROP Hunger Walk experience successful, you can contact Trevor Maloney (415-774-6644, tsjmaloney@gmail.com).

     Saturday March 3, 2012 9am to 4pm @ Gruene UMC

Part of being good stewards is taking care of God’s creation, the earth. This fun, informative event will not only inspire, but will give participants real, practical things they can do at their local church and in their daily life. The event starts with a morning worship and plenary session for everyone, followed by six breakout sessions. Have kids, bring them! Child care will be provided for the young ones, and a special program for elementary age kids will be offered that ties into the main event.

Keynote Speaker:  John Hill, Director for Economic and Environmental Justice for the

UMC General Board of Church and Society

Cost: $15 if registered by February 16, 2012
$20 after that and at the door.  Childcare will be provided.

For more information, go to http://www.umcswtx.org/rethink-green-event.

• United Methodist Student Association of Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville Tennessee
• Journey Sunday School Class of Saint John’s United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas
• UMW Unit of Saint John’s United Methodist Church, Austin, Texas
• Amity United Methodist Church of Chapel Hill, North Carolina

White House to host LGBT conferences across country

http://www.washingtonblade.com

Take 5 Benefit Concert:  First UMC, Austin February 11

http://fumcaustin.org/news-events/russia-mission-team-benefit-concert/

Join the Austin District Newsletter

http://fumcaustin.org/news-events/join-the-austin-district-newsletter-list/

UM 101: Basic United Methodism- for more information about General Conference

http://gc12.org/about/um101-basic-united-methodism/

GoodSearch: Transform Internet Searches into Contributions to MFSA

http://www.goodsearch.com/

Sign up for MFSA E-news 1.19.12: Gaining Momentum to Change the Church

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Gaining-Momentum-to-Change-the-Church.html?soid=1103299327235&aid=Znd2jiUiqMs

On Saturday, January 14, 2012, almost 100 United Methodists gathered at Trinity UMC in Austin for the Love Your Neighbor Workshop sponsored by the Coalition of RMN, MFSA, and Affirmation.  Participants shared stories and made plans for supporting full inclusion at the upcoming General Conference of the UMC in Tampa, April 24-May 4.  Audrey Krumbach, RMN National Organizer, and Joey Lopez, RMN Jurisdictional Organizer led the workshop.  Photos are posted at:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/swtexasmfsa

Join Us for the LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR workshop for Reconciling United Methodists (believing in full inclusion for LGBT members in the UMC) – A Partnership of Reconciling Ministries Network and MFSA for General Conference 2012.  Contact Joy Butler joylbutler@gmail.com for more information.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2012

9am until 2pm

Trinity United Methodist Church

4001 Speedway, Austin TX

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=trinity+umc+austin,+tx&hl=en&cid=13323944460285884553

parking lot directly across street from church

FREE! – and brunch is provided!

What will you do at LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR workshop?

– Learn about 2012 General Conference strategies and messages

– Construct ways to talk about love and inclusiveness in your local church

– Find about about One-to-One organizing method

– Practice Advanced Storytelling skills

– Socialize with other Reconciling United Methodists

– Hear speakers with powerful personal stories to share with you

This workshop has something for all Reconciling United Methodists.  Those new to the workshop will learn how to share their stories (if desired), even if for the first time.  Experienced workshop attendees will learn how to “take it on the road” with outreach and witness to General Conference delegates, with follow-up support available after the workshop.  Two staff organizers from RMN national office in Chicago will be leading the workshop, and we will have two local guest speakers.  Sound exciting?  It is!  The Reconciling movement is growing in our SWTX conference, and you can be a part of helping our United Methodist Church experience a more inclusive future!

February 9 – We will hear an update from the Local Church Action Team, the Southwest Texas Conference Reconciling Ministries Team on their notable activities.

March 8 – The program will be brought to us by Jay Brim, the SWTX Conference Lay Leader and a delegate to General Conference, on the foremost issues to be addressed by GC2012 in Tampa.

April 12 – We will be “gearing up” for General Conference, so we will not have a chapter meeting, but will encourage members to attend the FUMC Reconciling Service featuring Rev. Amy Delong, previously mentioned.

Mobilizing people within the United Methodist Church to act
on issues of justice, peace, and reconciliation in the church, nation, and world.

United Methodists React to 15 People Overseeing the Agencies
of a 12 Million Member Church 

Methodist Caucus Proposes Reorganization Alternative

One of the largest mainline denominations in the United States is warming up for a major power struggle at its United Methodist General Conference in the Spring of 2012.

Leaders from the Methodist Federation for Social Action responded to the official “Call to Action” plan because of its radical restructuring of the church. The Call to Action proposal would distill nine of the thirteen church-wide agencies into one, replacing more than 500 volunteer board members with a single board comprised of fifteen people to oversee the agencies of a twelve-million member denomination on five continents.

In response to this extreme proposal, the Methodist Federation for Social Action is holding a telephone press conference to launch an alternative restructure approach. MFSA’s plan reduces the number of agencies from thirteen to nine and establishes four program ‘Centers’ each with a thirty-three member board.

“Officials responsible for proposing a fifteen member oversight body simply failed to come up with a reasonable proposal,” said Rev. Steve Clunn, MFSA Coalition Coordinator.   The MFSA plan with four ministry ‘Centers,’ each with its own independent board of 33 people, would have a manageable amount of ministry and fiduciary responsibility. The MFSA plan is a far better and more reasonable approach to reducing the size of our current structure.”

For more information about the MFSA plan “A New United Methodist Administrative Order” plus how it compares to the current structure and the “Call to Action” proposal, please visit the website: www.mfsagc12.org.