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| On September 13, it’s time to rally at the State Board of Education — please join Texas Freedom Network to demand the rejection of the offensive and inaccurate Mexican-American Heritage textbook.
What: A rally calling on the Texas State Board of Education to #RejectTheText. The textbook, titled Mexican American Heritage, was written to support a new elective course for high schools. It’s described as being offensive because of several passages. One links Mexican Americans to illegal immigration stating; they have “caused a number of economic and security problems in the United States,” problems such as; poverty, drugs, crime and non-assimilation.” UT professor Emilio Zamora would like TEA to have a do-over. Zamora says, “I think we should try it again, I think they should either make a call that gives more time to historians or commission a group of top Texas historians to produce a fair rendition of Mexican American history in the US.” http://www.fox7austin.com/news/local-news/144142516-story For more information about the rally, contact Val Benavidez, Outreach & Field Director at tfn@tfn.org.
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Voting Rights & Information
September 7, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
National Perspective on Voting Rights & Texas Voting Rights
LBJ School/Library Bass Lecture Hall, UT Campus |
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| Hosted by LBJ School of Public Affairs Student Organizations: Feminist Policy Alliance, Public Affairs Alliance for Communities of Color, Graduate Public Affairs Council
Nationally Recognized Speakers: National Perspective on Voting Rights Nancy Abudu, Director of Legal Operations, ACLU of Florida Voting Rights in Texas Chad Dunn, Chief litigator for plaintiffs in the Teas Voter ID case Cassandra Champion – Texas Civil Rights Project litigator on Texas Motor Vote Act voter registration enforcement
4:00 Volunteer Deputy Registrar Training for interested attendees.
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The Red Bench – Privilege
September 7, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
Join us on Tuesday, September 20 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church for a courageous conversation on the topic of Privilege.
Please RSVP in advance!
September 20, – 6:30 pm – 8:30pm
International Day of Peace
September 7, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The U.N. General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
The Day’s theme for 2016 is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.”
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were unanimously adopted by the 193 Member States of the United Nations at an historic summit of the world’s leaders in New York in September 2015. The new ambitious 2030 agenda calls on countries to begin efforts to achieve these goals over the next 15 years. It aims to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.
Austin events: http://www.peacedayaustin.org/#!2016-events/esuwc
Shane Claiborne at UUMC – September 29
September 7, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
University UMC Austin is proud to host Shane Claiborne for a lecture and book signing on Thursday, September 29 beginning at 7 pm. Shane is an activist, organizer, speaker and author of several books, including a brand new one on capital punishment, “Executing Grace – How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why It’s Killing Us.”
UMC Church and Society News
September 7, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSAChurch and Society applauds the Justice Department for their move away from private prisons
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced that it is ending its use of private prisons. Thirteen privately run facilities in the Bureau of Prisons will be affected. Along with recurring incidents, recent studies commissioned by the Justice Department have shown that private prisons are less effective, less secure, and less capable of carrying out the stated aims of correctional facilities.
We join with the Department, criminal justice advocates, and people of good will in rejoicing at this step forward. The United Methodist Church has an historical faith commitment to fair and just prison policies, as seen in our Social Principles, our Book of Resolutions, and our statements on socially responsible investment ethics (Resolution 4071, 2012 Book of Resolutions; Paragraph 717, forthcoming 2016 Book of Discipline).
Our commitment to a system of restoration rather than retribution draws on biblical authority that emphasizes transformation, healing, and right relationship with God, self, and community. As the Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Hebrews, “Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured” (Hebrews 13:3).
We call upon the Department of Homeland Security and state and local governments to enact similar standards regarding the use of private prisons. May this move – away from the privatization of prisons – be one step in a journey toward a more compassionate and just criminal justice system.
The General Board of Church and Society is one of four international program boards of The United Methodist Church. The board is called to seek the implementation of the Social Principles and other policy statements of the General Conference on Christian social concerns.
News From TCADP
September 7, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA 
August 19 -The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has issued an order staying the execution of Jeff Wood and remanding his case to the trial court for consideration on his claims related to false testimony presented during the sentencing phase of his original trial. Wood was scheduled to be executed by the State of Texas on August 24, 2016 even though he did not kill anyone.
August 26 -The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has stayed the execution of Rolando Ruiz, who was scheduled to be executed on August 31st. His appeal questioned the deficiency of his trial counsel and his initial habeas counsel. The appeal also questioned the constitutionality of executing him after more than 20 years after his conviction.
Vital Conversations from GCORR
September 7, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSAVITAL CONVERSATIONS on Realities of Race and Racism
The General Commission on Religion and Race of The United Methodist Church (GCORR) presents Vital Conversations on Realities of Race and Racism: A Guide to Small-group Discussions about the Video Series. This Vital Conversations series features contemporary theologians, sociologists, laity, clergy, and other thought-leaders dealing with challenges of race, culture, and oppression in the Church and world today.
August 2016 Rio Texas MFSA Newsletter
August 24, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
No Rio Texas MFSA meeting in August, but consider participating in Austin Pride Week activities described in the August newsletter: 2016 August_news.
Description of the Champions of Clergy Equality Award
June 22, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSAMFSA Works as Part of LYN Coalition at General Conference
June 4, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA| The theme for the UMC’s 2016 General Conference was, “Therefore, Go”. The kindest thing we can say about GC16 is, “it’s gone.” Our progressive coalition marched, prayed, witnessed, and sang together throughout GC, and while there were a few bright spots, the results of GC were pretty grim.
Thanks to our supporters and over 400 volunteers over the 11 days of GC, many of us sensed the presence of God within our midst. Unfortunately, we were not able to overturn the unreasonable discrimination practiced by our denomination toward our LGBTQI brothers and sisters. The GC finally approved a recommendation by the Council of Bishops to establish another commission to study the church’s stance on “human sexuality”. Only time will tell whether this will produce results, or is just “kicking the can down the road.” There are many articles being circulated online as we reflect on the events in Portland.
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Peace & Justice Luncheon registration extended to June 8 at 9am
June 4, 2016 — Rio Texas MFSA
Where do we go from here?Reflections on General Conference 2016Friday, June 10, 2016 – Noon American Bank Convention Center – Watergarden A (upstairs) Corpus Christi, Texas Sixth Annual Peace & Justice Luncheon Methodist Federation for Social Action, Rio Texas Chapter Rio Texas Conference Transforming Communities Vision Team Featuring
We are pleased to have these four United Methodists share their perspectives about General Conference 2016. · Jay Brim is a member of Westlake UMC-Austin who currently serves as Chancellor to the Bishops of the Rio Texas Conference. He is a lay delegate to GC 2016. · Rev. Laura Merrill is District Superintendent of the El Valle District in the Rio Texas Conference. She is a clergy delegate to GC 2016. · Rev. Steve Clunn is the coordinator of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, a partnership of 13 United Methodist Church related Caucus groups working for a just, inclusive and grace filled denomination. · Jarell Wilson is a United Methodist candidate for ordination and a May graduate from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. This is his first General Conference. Join us for this on-site luncheon. In addition, we will honor the recipients of the MFSA “Building a Just Community” Awards. Luncheon Cost: $12.00 in advance (by June 8); $15.00 at MFSA booth (limited number available) Purchase tickets with credit card Here See luncheon flyer at: https://riotexasmfsa.org/2016/04/05/peace-and-justice-luncheon-2016/luncheonflyer2016/ |
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 