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Have you considered what commitments you’ll make to combating racism in 2015?
Peace Through Pie
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA America’s Sunday Supper and Peace Through Pie Social
Sunday, January 18 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Trinity UMC | 4001 Speedway | Austin, TX 78751 512-459-5835 · “Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” Inspired by the legacy of Dr. King, America’s Sunday Supper invites people from diverse backgrounds to come together to share a meal, discuss issues that affect their community, and highlight the power each one of us has to make a difference. Join us at Trinity United Methodist Church (4001 Speedway) on January 18, 2015 from 6-8 pm, for Sincere Ignorance and Conscientious Stupidity: A Conversation on Race, Privilege, and Power – an open conversation and guided discussion on racial dynamics and how to combat racism and other forms of systemic discrimination in our community here in Central Texas. As they did last year, Jeremy Solomons and Dr. Kazique Prince will create a safe space and provide thought-provoking questions and activities. This is a potluck Peace Through Pie Social – so bring a pie (savory or sweet) to share!
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Selma: One Dream Can Change the World
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
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Allies Against Slavery – Events Scheduled
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA Allies Against Slavery have big plans for 2015
Upcoming Events: Voices of Innocence: A night celebrating hope after life in human trafficking Wednesday, January 14, 2015 7:00pm 10:00pm The Long Center It’s an evening to remember. Join us as we raise awareness in Austin and beyond. We invite you to be a part of our hopeful journey to end this horrible crime against children. The Slave-Free City Summit Fri, Apr 17, 2015 8:00am – Sat, Apr 18, 2015 9:00pm For the City Center 500 E St Johns Ave. Austin, TX, 78752 |
A two-day gathering of leaders, survivors, practitioners and community members who want to deepen the conversation about working together to create lasting solutions to slavery. Register here! http://www.alliesagainstslavery.org/upcoming-events/2015/4/14/the-slave-free-city-summit
Congratulations to First UMC Austin
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA First UMC Austin 175th Birthday Celebration
In early 1840, the City of Austin was about a month old and the State of Texas didn’t yet exist. And the Reverend John Haynie was granted a request to form a charge conference on January 18-19, 1840 for what is now First UMC Austin. On January 18, 1840, FUMC Austin will be celebrating its 175th birthday, with Bishop Jim Dorff serving as the guest preacher. Our guest preacher for Sunday, January 18th, will be Bishop Jim Dorff. Bishop Dorff, a native of Oklahoma, spent the majority of his ministry serving large churches in the North Texas Annual Conference. In 2008, he was elected a bishop by the South Central Jurisdiction and assigned to the Southwest Texas and Rio Grande Annual Conferences, known as the San Antonio Area. During his tenure, he honored the work begun by his predecessor, Bishop Joel Martinez, to merge these two conferences, and on the first of January, these efforts will culminate in the official creation of the new Rio Texas Annual Conference. All are invited to share in this celebration. Other Special Guest Pastors will be: February 22nd: Bishop Mike McKee
Check here for other celebration events: http://www.fumcaustin.org/YouAreHere/index.html |
No Trial for Bishop Talbert! Complaint Resolved!
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
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Point In Time Count Addresses Homelessness
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
Saturday, January 24th The Austin/Travis County Point in Time (PIT) Count is part of the national effort to eliminate street homelessness spearheaded by the Federal Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Veterans Affairs (VA). By knowing who is on the street, where they are, and what they need, ECHO and its partner agencies can most effectively target services to those that need them the most. Teams generally consist of at least three members. Volunteers observe and count homeless individuals within a defined area of Austin or Travis County. Volunteers will choose from three available shifts. § Shift 1: Saturday, January 24th, from 3:00 to 7:00 a.m., downtown/urban areas § Shift 2: Saturday, January 24th, from 5:00 to 8:00 a.m., rural/suburban/urban areas § Shift 3: Saturday, January 24th, from 5:00 to 8:00 a.m., furthest parts of the county |
ECHO will provide volunteer training and assign volunteers to areas they know well, if possible. All teams will receive maps, clipboards, pens, flashlights, and all necessary forms. All Volunteers will be required to attend at least one Volunteer Training prior to participating in the count. To register for the 2015 Point In Time Count, visit http://austinecho.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
Habitat For Humanity – 2015 Methodist Build
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
Several Austin UMCs, including First UMC and Saint John’s, have committed to participating in the Habitat Methodist Build for 2015. The 2015 Habitat Methodist Build will begin April 11th, 2015. The house will be built in the Gilbert Lane neighborhood off of Highway 969 past the 130 toll road. We will learn the name of the family in February. Austin Habitat for Humanity helps low-income people who qualify according to Habitat’s selection criteria to become first-time homeowners. They participate in financial education classes, and they must contribute to the building of other Habitat houses before they are approved for their own home. Habitat homeowners are an asset to the communities in which their houses are built. Homeowners take more pride in their houses and surrounding property, and they are the rocks on which community is built. What does participating in a Habitat build mean? First, it entails a financial commitment. Habitat houses cost $65,000 (building materials only, land is already provided). Sponsors help provide that amount through financial donations. Second, it entails volunteers to help construct the house. Volunteers will work with other Austin District United Methodists, as well as with volunteers from some other faith communities. MFSA encourages Capital District churches and members to participate in the 2015 Methodist Build! |
UMW Legislative Event
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
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Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) Events
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
You’re Invited! Austin’s Second-AnnualPreach-Off on Climate ChangeIn February 2015, religious communities across the U.S. will participate in the national Interfaith Power & Light Preach-In on Climate Change. Clergy and lay leaders from many different traditions will highlight the importance of religious leadership on one of the most pressing challenges of our time. It’s one of Interfaith Power & Light’s most-beloved annual programs. In Austin, we’re taking it up a notch. Austin’s Interfaith Environmental Network and iACT (Interfaith Action of Central Texas) are inviting religious leaders to share their tradition’s wisdom with not just their own congregations, but with the entire community. Back by popular demand, we are holding our second-annual Preach-Off on Climate Change—and we invite you to come! Sunday, February 8, 2015, 4:00 p.m. The Sanctuary 2614 Exposition Blvd.
For more information, to R.S.V.P., or to ask about participating as a speaker, please contact Yaira Robinson or Sarah Macias. |
Update on JFON
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
It’s been just about two years since a group of three of us, at the urging of Bishop Dorff, began working on JFON. And this year has been a whirl-wind for JFON-Austin.
In the spring, we hired our staff attorney and started hosting our clinics in April. Shortly after that, the undocumented children crises came to light, and our attorney was able to take a very active role in helping provide advice and legal counsel to many of these children.
We’ve been blessed with support, and in many ways, despite being such a young organization, we are now being held up as a model for JFON clinics throughout the country. In fact, we have garnered such trust that we have recently been awarded a grant by UMCOR that has allowed us to hire an additional attorney on a one-year contract to help expand our services, primarily to help undocumented children.
Our JFON clinic has been blessed with a talented and active board, and I’m excited to see what happens in 2015. – Brooks Schuelke http://www.jfonaustin.org/
MFSA Annual Conference Luncheon
January 7, 2015 — Rio Texas MFSA
As we announced in December, our speaker for the 5th Annual MFSA Peace and Justice Luncheon at Annual Conference in Corpus Christi will be Bishop Minerva Carcaño!
Bishop Carcaño is a native of Edinburg, Texas, and is currently serving as Bishop to the Los Angeles Area, the California-Pacific Conference. She is a fierce advocate for human rights and social justice.
Look for more about our presence at Annual Conference, or better yet, help us plan this important witness. Contact Anne Mund ennadnum@hotmail.com for more info.
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 