Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN in TEXAS

26th Annual LEGISLATIVE EVENT 

Program planned and produced by Texas Impact 

A Thousand Voices: Telling the Story of Texas

JANUARY 26-28, 2014

Austin, Texas 

EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 5, 2014

The 26th Annual United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event is a joint project of Texas’ five United Methodist Annual Conferences and Texas Impact.  This year’s theme is “A Thousand Voices: Telling the Story of Texas.” It is a time to learn the latest on the issues, meet with state leaders, and visit the Texas Capitol.

Legislative Event is a national model educational program that brings together women of all ages and backgrounds to learn how state government works, what key issues face Texas, and how to advocate effectively on issues they care about.

Registration is unlimited and the event is open to women of all faiths. Read more about the event and register here.

A ministry in the Austin District of the Southwest Texas Conference of the UMC

“but let justice roll down like the waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream” – Amos 5:24

The board of the Austin Region Justice for Our Neighbors (ARJFON) is pleased to announce we have approval from the national JFON to begin operation of a legal aid clinic in Austin. The Austin Region JFON (ARJFON) legal aid clinic will be held at Servant Church (located at Asbury UMC) in partnership with Parker Lane UMC and Westlake UMC. Additional clinics will be added as resources become available. The goal is to hire an attorney by the middle of January.

Justice for Our Neighbors is a network of legal clinics whose goal is to provide hospitality and compassion to low-income immigrants through free or low cost immigration legal services, advocacy, and education.

JFON is a non-profit ministry, with a staff attorney working with volunteers to serve immigrants by:

• reuniting families;
• helping women escape domestic violence and live safely in the US;
• assisting asylum seekers, survivors of human trafficking, and college-age children to establish their immigration status; and,
• enabling eligible individuals to attain work authorization, maintain or advance their immigration status or work toward citizenship.  See the national JFON website at njfon.org for more information.

At the request of Bishop James E. Dorff, a development team formed an Austin Region Board of Directors with members representing various UMC Austin District churches and possessing a range of skills. The initial annual budget will be in the neighborhood of $130,000. The board is on target to meet half of the budget by January 1, but we need some help with individual donations to match a grant of $10,000 from the national organization.

If you can help before the end of the year, make checks payable to ARJFON and mail to ARJFON c/o Dr. William Cain, 3600 Brownwood Drive, Austin, TX 78759. For more information, contact Helen Harkreader at helen.harkreader@gmail.com.

All donations will be tax deductible and a receipt will be given.

MFSA Fall 2013 Progressive Voice is available for download at:

http://mfsaweb.org/?page_id=208

Current Faith in Action from General Board of Church & Society –

http://umc-gbcs.org/faith-in-action

The Austin Region Justice for Our Neighbors (ARJFON) Board has selected a JFON clinic site.  The Board accepted the proposal from Servant Church, Parker Lane, and Westlake UMC.  The clinic will be held at Servant Church and the lawyer’s office will be housed at Parker Lane UMC.  Westlake will be providing volunteer and financial resources.  Stay tuned for more information about the opening of the clinic.  It will require all Austin District UMCs to participate for the clinic to be successful.

INEQUALITY FOR ALL follows Robert Reich – professor, best-selling author, and Clinton cabinet member – as he demonstrates how the widening income gap has a devastating impact on the American economy.

The Sundance award-winning film explores a passionate argument on behalf of the middle class. Reich helps to explain how the massive consolidation of wealth by a precious few threatens the viability of the American workforce and the foundation of democracy itself.

Please watch and share the trailer below to help spread to word.

http://inequalityforall.com/

Volunteer Today

Volunteers work hard to make FreeStore Austin a radically hospitable place for all people. There are dozens of ways to serve this mission. Whether you feel most comfortable working “behind the scenes” or at the “front of the house,” there is a place for your gifts and energy here.

Some current volunteer opportunities:

• sort clothing and household goods for the FreeStore
• staff one of several upcoming events and fundraisers
• promote special events and fundraisers through your social networks

• And there are many, many more.  Fill out a volunteer registration form and tell us about your interests and particular skills.  There’s a way to serve this community today.

FreeStore Site                                    FreeStore Admin Office

1717 E. 12 St.                                       Austin District UMC

Austin, TX, 78702                                1221 West Ben White Blvd.

Suite 201-A

Austin, TX, 78704

512-444-1983

fax: 512-444-6457

Praxis – faith enacted, love practiced, Christ embodied

• Never do for the poor what they have (or could have) the capacity to do for themselves.
• Limit one-way giving to emergency situations.
• Strive to empower the poor through employment, lending, and investing, using grants sparingly to reinforce achievements.
• Subordinate self-interests to the needs of those being served.
• Listen closely to those you seek to help, especially to what is not being said – unspoken feelings may contain essential clues to effective service.
• Above all, do no harm.

More information about the mission of the FCS Ministries at http://fcsministries.org/.

General Board of Church & Society – Faith in Action http://umc-gbcs.org/faith-in-action

National MFSA newsletter:  August 8 Edition or Listing

Reconciling Ministries recent newsletter:  http://www.rmnetwork.org/latest/rmnnews/flashnet/

How to join or support MFSA

Please join with us as we connect progressive United Methodists in putting faith into action!

Membership in MFSA is not predicated on ability to pay.  We do not have “dues”.  However, our Chapter and the National Office need funding each year for programs and activities.  Membership gifts and special giving are always appreciated. MFSA is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization by the IRS.   Membership gifts to MFSA are tax deductible as provided by law.

There are several easy ways to join or support MFSA.

• You can log onto the national MFSA website, http://www.mfsaweb.org and follow the instructions there (you can safely use a credit card). Please indicate that you are part of the SWTX Chapter.
• Or, you can mail a check made out to “SWTX – MFSA” to our Treasurer, Janice Curry, at 1509 Mearns Meadow Blvd, Austin 78758.  The suggested donation is $60, but any amount is welcome.  Thanks for your support!

 MFSA – Chapter Website:  http://www.swtmfsa.wordpress.com

MFSA – National Site: http://www.mfsaweb.org