The Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy/Texas Impact invites you to participate in Courts & Ports: Faithful Witness on the Texas-Mexico Border.
This 2-day immersion experience engages people of faith to witness first-hand the legal and law enforcement processes related to immigration, detention, and deportation occurring in South Texas. Participants observe proceedings in federal criminal court and record their observations for use by immigration attorneys. Participants also meet with faith and policy experts working on the border, and spend time with individuals who have pending asylum cases; engage in contextualizing discussion with Texas Impact pastoral staff and other faith leaders; plan and participate in worship; and become part of an online “alumni” community.
Register at: texasimpact.org/courts-ports/. To learn more email or call Erica Nelson: erica@texasimpact.org.
Click here for the: Courts & Ports One Pager
On January 21, Bishop Schnase wrote to Texas Governor Greg Abbott in response to Abbott’s decision to refuse resettlement of refugees in Texas. Read the letter here.
Rev. Christie, who serves as Assistant General Secretary for Education and Leadership Formation on the UMC General Board of Church and Society, directs the agency’s educational opportunities, including world-wide trainings, workshops, seminars, & internships. He also coordinates curriculum related to the UM Social Principles.
Rev. Christie has authored a number of publications and produced several educational videos on social justice for the church. He is an elder in the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church. Neal has been devoted to the ministry with Church and Society for 20 years.
Please join us for a day of learning from Rev. Christie about the dignity of each individual and how we can advocate for equality for all persons.
A light lunch will be provided.
Please register by Wednesday, February 26. Registration information below.
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Rio Texas MFSA will not have a monthly meeting in January. We urge you to join in the Women’s March and Rally at the state Capitol on January 18. Then on Monday, January 20, join us in attending the MLK Program, March, and Rally beginning at 9 am at the UT campus.
Saturday, January 18, 12p-3p – South Steps of Texas Capitol
Please note that various advocacy groups are planning concurrent marches on January 18 that start earlier than noon. Speeches at the Capitol will begin about noon. https://www.womensmarchontexascapitol.org/
Monday, January 20, 9:00 a.m.
MLK Statue, UT Campus, Austin
The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. The MLK Community March kicks off on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 9 a.m. with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus.
At the conclusion of the program at the MLK Statue, we will march to the south steps of the Capitol for a rally.
After the Capitol program, the march will proceed to the historic Huston-Tillotson University, where exciting activities are planned.
This year, we are asking marchers to help by donating can goods or non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Central Texas Food Bank.
Click here to learn more about the march: http://www.mlkcelebration.com/celebration-events/march-and-festival/.
“Shaping Beloved Community: From Dignity, Recognition and Inclusivity to Advocacy and Equity”
Rev. Neal Christie,
UMC General Board of Church & Society
Assistant General Secretary for Education & Leadership Formation
Neal directs the agency’s educational opportunities including world-wide trainings, workshops, seminars, and internships. He also coordinates curriculum related to the UM Social Principles.
Saturday, February 29, 2020, 9a – 4p
Saint John’s UMC Austin
2140 Allandale Road
Austin, TX 78756
Registration information to be provided soon.
The Point In Time Count (PIT Count) is an annual census of the homeless population in the Austin/Travis County area. Early in the morning of January 25th, 2020, hundreds of volunteers will head out across Austin/Travis County to count every person experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Volunteers will count people sleeping in cars, tents, parks, under bridges, and on the streets. The information from this count is used to guide public policy and is vital for securing resources to help end homelessness in our community.
Bishop Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Rio Texas Conference, will lead worship at First UMC Pflugerville on January 26. http://www.pflugervilleumc.org/
PROGRESSIVE THEOLOGIAN JIM WALLIS SPEAKING
Date: January 26, 2020
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Progressive theologian Jim Wallis, founder and editor of Sojourners magazine, will speak about today’s political and moral crises. He is the author of the forthcoming book Christ in Crisis: Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus.
More information on the Facebook event page.
Location: University United Methodist Church, 2409 Guadalupe St., Austin, 78705
The Red Bench: Resilience
Please join us on Tuesday, January 28 from 6:30pm-8:30pm for a courageous conversation on the topic of Resilience at St. Austin Catholic Parish (2026 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705).
If you plan to attend, please RSVP.
Save the Date for the 2020 United Methodist Women’s Legislative Event, happening January, 26th-28th in Austin. You may register online https://texasimpact.org/umw2020central/. Make sure to share and invite your UMW friends and circles.
The Texas UMW Legislative Event is a three-day annual conference in Austin, TX. There will be speakers, workshops, panels and breakout sessions about public policy issues, faith and social justice and how to meet your elected officials.
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
It has been more than 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!
Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 2 PM – 4 PM
George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center
1165 Angelina St, Austin, Texas 78702
Join us in a community sing-along featuring musical selections inspired by the 2020 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and the Vote.” The sing-along will feature vocalist and Song Leader Kristen Trotty and the Texas Preparatory School Choir.