| Community Leaders Undoing Racism TrainingWhen: Nov 8 – 10, 2013
Where: Austin, Southwest Key (map) Description: Community Leaders Undoing Racism Training Check website for times: http://www.undoingracismaustin.org/ |
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First Saturday Conversations on Race Saturday, November 2, 9am – 11:30am St. James Episcopal Church, 1941 Webberville Rd Austin, TX 78721 (map) Primary Focus: Racism; Secondary Focus: All Other –ism’s Video of The Month: “Segregated Sunday” |
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Brick by Brick: Travis County First Saturday Town Hall on Education Saturday, November 2 – 1:00-4:00 Millennium Center, 1156 Hargrave St., Austin Preventing Travis County/Austin Area Youth and Adult Crime & Public Safety Inequities
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Foundation for the Homeless
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA The 5th Annual Spirit of Compassion Celebration and Awards on November 9 promises to be the biggest and best yet. From the new venue, the beautiful Westin Domain, to the sit-down down dinner, casino tables, music by the Nightowls and the incredible items up for bid in the live & silent auctions: |
Elk Hunt in Colorado
Fishing excursion in Alaska
3-day beach house stay
Mike Etie original painting
2 tickets & parking to UT vs. Texas Tech football game
And we are just getting warmed up! Stay tuned for more great packages and an opportunity to bid online before the event
International Transgender Day of Remembrance Service
November 2, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA University United Methodist Church will join in the commemoration of International Transgender Day of Remembrance (ITDOR) on November 20, 2013. From 12-1pm, UUMC will host a service to remember those who have been killed this year due to anti-transgender violence and to raise awareness of the threat of harm faced by those who are transgender.The International Transgender Day of Remembrance began in the late 90s to commemorate the life of Rita Hester and has occurred annually ever since to raise awareness and honor the lives of others who have who have been victims of anti-transgender violence. Although not every person represented during ITDOR self-identified as transgender, each was a victim based on bias against transgender people.
The service will include prayer, a sermon by Rev. John Elford, music and a ritual of remembrance including the naming of those whose lives were taken this year. All are welcome to join UUMC to remember, reflect, and move forward in hope. Free parking will be available in the Platinum Lot beside Mellow Mushroom across the street from UUMC. Please enter the Sanctuary from the south entrance at 24th st. Any questions about this event can be directed to Mary Ann Barclay, Justice Associate, at mabarclay@uumc.org. For more information about ITDOR check out the official Transgender Day of Remembrance site & GLAAD. |
Chapter Meeting Thursday October 10 Focuses on Affordable Housing Issue
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA|
The Challenge: Keeping Austin affordable for all our neighbors Thursday, October 10, 7:00pm, Saint John’s UMC, Austin
The City of Austin has included an Affordable Housing Bond item of $65 million on the November 5 ballot. After voters did not approve the 2012 Affordable Housing bond package, what is the importance of approving this one? Elliott McFadden, Campaign Manager of Keep Austin Affordable, will explain the need for these affordable housing funds and answer our questions about who will be eligible for these funds. Keep Austin Affordable is a coalition of business, faith and community leaders supporting the $65 million affordable housing bond package on the November 5, 2013 ballot. Partnering with private and non-profit organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Hands on Housing, Foundation Communities, and Meals on Wheels and More, the program has built thousands of attractive houses and apartments all over the city. It’s also renovated and repaired existing houses to help seniors stay in their homes. |
Please join us for snacks at 6:30pm and program at 7:00pm. All are welcome.
Great Turnout for Pride Parade!
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA406 Methodists March in Pride Parade Once again Pride week in Austin has come and gone but United Methodists have made sure our presence will be remembered. What a fantastic time we had marching for justice and showing the wider community that despite our denominational stance we believe all should be not only welcomed but affirmed. With 406 United Methodists representing 9 churches marching, it seems safe to say many of us believe that pride is indeed “compatible with Christian teaching.” |
Thanks to all who joined us this year. We laughed, we danced, we got tons of high fives, and many of us were touched by those attending the pride parade who were so grateful to see a church affirming them. First UMC carried a number of great signs like “God loves everybody, no exceptions” and my personal favorite, “We’re sorry for the haters.” No doubt it was a healing space for many. For more information about the SWTX Reconciling Team, please contact Joy Butler joylbutler@gmail.com or Tweet Us, Like Us on Facebook, We are a LYN2016 coalition partner!
MFSA Names New Executive Director
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) announces Chett Pritchett as its new Executive Director. Pritchett came to MFSA in the fall of 2011 and served as Development and Communications Associate prior to becoming the Interim Executive Director in late 2012.“After a time of intentional prayer and discernment, MFSA’s Board of Directors is delighted to welcome Chett into this position,” stated Rev. Christina Wright, Co-President of the Board of Directors. “Chett brings to MFSA tremendous gifts for strategy, organizing, leadership and communications as well as a strong sense of how our Methodist identity affects our work. We are excited to further our work with Chett and utilize the skills he brings to us.”
Pritchett is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and Wesley Theological Seminary as well as having engaged in post-graduate studies at Drew University. Prior to coming to MFSA, he worked with the United Methodist Publishing House, Transitional Housing Corporation, and in campus ministry with students at two Washington area universities. As well, he has served as lay leader at Dumbarton United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, and is a lay member to the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference. While Pritchett is an ardent advocate for LGBTQ, reproductive, racial, and ecological justice, he is acutely aware of the intersectionality experienced because of oppressive structural systems. “I am excited to continue leading the Methodist Federation for Social Action into the next chapter of our witness to The United Methodist Church and to the wider world,” said Pritchett. “Progressive United Methodists must maintain the Wesleyan tradition of seeking social holiness grounded in personal and corporate spiritual practices. In addition, MFSA must continue to develop avenues for faithful people to turn their passion into action.” “I am delighted that the Board has made this decision. Chett is a congenial, intelligent, and hard-working leader, and his communications skills are terrific,” stated Rowland Curry, MFSA Program Council Co-Chair. “I look forward to working with him on program initiatives for our Chapters.” |
Interfaith Conference on Immigration Reform
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA  Interfaith religious leaders from Central Texas will gather for “Why Immigration Reform?” a conference on the need for humane immigration reform.
The conference will be held on Sunday, October 6, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 606 West 15th St. in Austin. The conference is free and open to the public. Religious leaders will discuss the need for immigration reform from the perspective of faith, business, worker’s rights and the immigrant experience. The conference will conclude with a Q&A session. Keynote speakers for the event are Dr. Luis Zayas of The University of Texas and Jeff Patterson of the Texas Catholic Conference. Bishop Joe Vásquez, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Austin, will participate in the event, along with Rabbi Alan Freedman, of Temple Beth Shalom; Imam Islam Mossaad of the North Austin Muslim Community Center and John Elford of University United Methodist Church and many other faith leaders. “The current immigration system is broken,” Bishop Vásquez said. “Comprehensive immigration reform has been an issue of great importance to me and to all of the Catholic bishops of the United States for decades. The primary and fundamental reason for our position is that we know and proclaim the dignity of every human person. We believe that each person is created in the image and likeness of God, and we believe that this has implications for public policy on immigration.” |
This conference is the second in a series of events by faith leaders to bring awareness to the need for immigration reform. An interfaith prayer service was held on June 18 at St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church in South Austin.
Pumpkin Patch
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA|
Bethany UMC, Grace UMC, Saint John’s UMC, Tarrytown UMC, and more! |
Journey Of Faith Wins RMN Award
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
Journey of Faith and Glenda Whitehead Win theVoice in the Wilderness Award!
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Allies Against Slavery
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA Allies is a community network that develops local, tangible and sustainable solutions to slavery. We are working to make Austin a Slave Free City, and we want to see communities everywhere committed to freedom for all. Check out the upcoming October events at http://alliesagainstslavery.eventbrite.com/ |
News from Interfaith Action of Central Texas – iACT
October 7, 2013 — Rio Texas MFSA
A Night Under One Sky has become a beloved tradition in our community. It celebrates the notion that there is common ground we can all walk in search of peace and respect in this world. The setting is magical. The food is delightful. The music is inspiring. The conversation is uplifting. iACT brings people of all faiths together to serve our most vulnerable neighbors.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Time: 6:30pm until 9:00pm
Umlauf Sculpture Garden
605 Robert E Lee Road
Austin, Texas 78704
Ticket Purchase or Sponsorship is required for admittance.
Honoree: Tom Spencer, former CEO for iACT.
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Bobbi Kaye Jones
Event Co-Chairs: Liz Stewart and Janis Claflin
Dress: Business Casual or Austin Chic
Parking: Across the street by the ball park, signs will be posted.
Road Closures: The following directions are only if the ACL road blocks are still up, however the closures end Monday. If you are coming from the south, up Barton Springs Rd you should be able to freely enter Robert E. Lee even with road blocks. From MoPac you will need to take Cesar Chavez St, head south on Lamar Blvd and then take a left onto Barton Springs Rd.
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 