Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty

November 7, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Join the European Union, the German Consulate General Houston, and TCADP on Thursday, November 15, 2018 for the Houston debut of “True Conviction,” followed by a panel discussion with exonerees, Christopher Scott and Steven Phillips.  University of Houston-Downtown, 7:00 to 9:00 PM. RSVP here.

Register for the TCADP 2019 Annual Conference, which will take place on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at St. David’s Episcopal Church in downtown Austin.

Click here for more information on all upcoming events.

Executions in 2018

Scheduled
November 14: Robert Moreno Ramos
December 4: Joseph Garcia
December 11: Alvin Braziel, Jr.

Executed
January 18: Anthony Shore
January 30: William Rayford
February 1: John Battaglia
March 27: Rosendo Rodriguez
April 25: Erick Davila
May 16: Juan Castillo
June 27: Danny Bible
July 17: Chris Young
September 26: Troy Clark
September 27: Daniel Acker

Commuted
February 22: Thomas Whitaker

Stay Granted or Date Withdrawn
Clifton Williams (scheduled for 6/21)
Ruben Gutierrez (scheduled for 9/12)
Juan Segundo (scheduled for 10/10)
Kwame Rockwell (scheduled for 10/24)
Emanuel Kemp (scheduled for 11/7)

Posted in Death Penalty, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Christmas Bazaars and Markets

November 7, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Wesley UMC-Austin

Prayer Shawl Holiday Bazaar

November 10 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Join us for the Holiday Bazaar, Saturday, November 10th, 11-2 in the Fellowship Hall (downstairs). We will have afghans, shawls, ponchos (women and girls), hats and scarves, earrings, jams and jellies.

You can also shop online at:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/WesleyShawlMinistry

All items have been created/prepared by ministry members, and proceeds will go towards supporting the ministry in 2019.

Come see us and stay for Eastside Fall Festival!

Contact Juanita Stephens at 512-461-0246 for more information.
For additional information about the Prayer Shawl Ministry visit http://wesleyunited.org/prayer-shawl-ministry/.

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Give a gift, change a life … Join us for the Gifts of Hope Alternative Gift Market at Saint John’s United Methodist Church, 2140 Allandale Road, on December 1-2.  Offerings from local artisans and international vendors provide unique gift options along with opportunities to celebrate the true meaning of the season by contributing to worthwhile causes.  Saint John’s own members and our Grace Garden Pre-School provide unique handicrafts.   Wonderful holiday goodies from the bake shop will offer a special treat along with an array of great solutions for your holiday meals.  Admission is free. Hours are Saturday 10 – 3 and Sunday noon-3.

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Austin Interfaith Accountability Forum

November 7, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Rio Texas MFSA was pleased to be a part of the Austin Interfaith Candidate Accountability Forum.  A large gathering of this year’s midterm election candidates met in Austin on Sunday, November 21.

(From KVUE 24) AUSTIN — On Sunday, candidates gathered for one of the largest candidate events of the local election season. Austin Interfaith brought together candidates for city council, mayor, State Legislature and U.S. House of Representatives for an accountability session.

They discussed topics such as affordable housing, living wage and immigration.

Those with Austin Interfaith say these sessions will help inform the community before they head out and vote.

“These assemblies are organized to invite candidates for public office to make their commitments, public,” said Carlota Garcia with Austin Interfaith. “In front of a body of folks who are then going to go out and knock on doors and inform voters on where they stand on the issues. The issues do not come from the top down, they percolate from the bottom up through conversations face-to-face, in the pews, in school parking lots, out in union halls. So what we do is develop questions that will help us move things forward that benefit working families.”

Posted in Interfaith Dialogue, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

United Methodist Women Legislative Event Online Registration is Now Live!

November 7, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

The Texas UMW Legislative Event is a three-day annual conference in Austin, TX, scheduled for January 27-29, 2019. The event will include speakers, workshops, panels and breakout sessions about public policy issues, faith and social justice and how to meet your elected officials.

Online Registration is now live

What you should expect: 

– Up-to-date information on important policy issues

– Grounding in how United Methodist Social Principles relate to the Texas Legislature

– New ideas about connecting faith and public life in your local community

– Fostering relationships with your elected officials and staff

– Advocacy training on a shared legislative agenda to meet with your representatives on the Tuesday of the event

It has been about 30 years since a small group of faithful women from across Texas came together to launch a new project: an annual event where UMWs could learn about legislative issues related to United Methodist Social Principles and the priorities of United Methodist Women. Now, hundreds of UMWs gather annually for briefings on current public policy issues and to learn about ways to engage their local communities in social justice work. Come and be a part of the movement this year!

United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event is open to all. Find out more and invite a friend by using the events Facebook Event, contacting your Annual Conference’s Social Action Chair or Texas Impact staff.

Posted in Legislation, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

Become a Justice-Seeking Congregation!

November 7, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Last summer MFSA piloted a new opportunity for congregations to declare their commitment to intersectional movements for justice and connect with our justice-seeking witness.  As Justice Seeking Congregations covenant to call themselves, their congregations and the church to expand its understanding of the call of the Gospel to be the inclusive, anti-racist/anti-oppressive, justice seeking, risk taking Body of Christ.  They live out our belief that to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to be involved in the transformation of the world.  They believe transformation is possible and hold these values as we seek sacred change in our congregations, communities, denomination and our world.  Watch Rev. Lydia Munoz, MFSA Board Member and Lead Pastor of Church of the Open Door UMC in Eastern Pennsylvania share why her congregation felt called to become a Justice-Seeking Congregation here.

Join the movement today.  Become a Justice-Seeking Congregation today!

http://mfsaweb.org/wp-content/uploads/MFSA%20Justice%20Congregations.pdf?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=4b8dd9bb-02f0-4320-b86b-e8e4da5a6bc8

Posted in Justice Seeking Congregation, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

MFSA Depends On Your Help For Its Programs and Activities

November 7, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Please Include Us in Your Giving Plans For 2018!

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 local unit 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 Rio Texas MFSA.
  • Or, you can mail a check made out to “Rio Texas – MFSA” to our Treasurer, Janice Curry, at 1509 Mearns Meadow Blvd, Austin 78758.  The suggested minimum donation is $60, but any amount is welcome.  Thanks for your support!

Historically, we have had eight monthly meetings per year, generally on the second Thursday of the month (this may change in the future).  We communicate using monthly electronic newsletters & updates to our website and Facebook page.

Posted in General Information, Newsletter. Leave a Comment »

2018-2019 Rio Texas MFSA Theme

September 6, 2018 — Rio Texas MFSA

Addressing Systemic Injustice

Inside and Outside the Church

Posted in Newsletter. Leave a Comment »
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