Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

View CBS “48 Hours”  Special on Anthony Graves

On Saturday, April 16th at 9pm Central, CBS “48 Hours” will air a special on Anthony Graves, the most recent death row exoneree from Texas.  Anthony was wrongfully convicted of murdering Bobbie Davis, her daughter and her four grandchildren in Somerville, Texas, in 1992.  After spending 18 years in prison, 12 of which were on death row, Anthony was found to be innocent by the Burleson County District Attorney and released from custody in October of 2010.  Learn more about the background of his case.

Updates on the 82nd Texas Legislature

On March 29, 2011, the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee heard more than 1.5 hours of compelling testimony in support of House Bill 819, which calls for repeal of the death penalty in Texas. Murder victim family members, religious leaders, and academics joined TCADP Board President Bob Van Steenburg in advocating for the bill, which has been left pending in committee.

On March 30, 2011, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 377 by a vote of 28 to 2. This legislation expands the scope of the death penalty by making the murder of a child who is less than 10 years of age a capital offense. Senators Rodney Ellis of Houston and José Rodríguez of El Paso voted no; Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio voted “present-not voting” and provided a reason for her vote. The bill now moves over to the House of Representatives, where it has been referred to the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. TCADP will provide an alert and action request if/when the bill is scheduled for a hearing (the bill number in the House is HB 1065).

Scheduled Executions

April 5 Cleve Foster
May 3 Cary Kerr
June 1 Gayland Bradford
June 16 Taylor Lee

Execution Vigils: http://www.tcadp.org under “Get Involved – Stop Executions”

New Death Penalty Resources

New Book – God’s Feet are in My Sandbox: Faith Chronicles of a Texas Death Row Chaplain is the concise memoir of Rev. Rick Anderson, a United Methodist pastor, who details very passionately God‟s presence in his life and the faithful response he offers. Readers will journey with Rick through love and loss, uncertainty and fear, the value of forgiveness, and, at the heart of it, great trust in God‟s care and attention. Rick shares several experiences from his work as a death row chaplain at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, giving readers an inside view of the unit from his position. Please note: the TDCJ Chaplaincy program is being targeted by current legislative budget cuts. The book is available through Barnes and Noble online.

New PDF Profiles – Murder Victims‟ Families For Reconciliation—Voices of Texas share the stories of murder victim family members who oppose the death penalty. A copy of each story was provided to Texas Representatives during the TCADP Lobby Day. The PDFs (in English and Spanish) are available for download on the TCADP website under the resource section on the Victims Outreach page. http://tcadp.org/what-we-do/victims-outreach/. Storytellers include: Steve Bishop, Chris Castillo, Helene Burns, Jan Brown, Joanna Rankin, Joy Strickland, Linda White, Ron Carlson and Elizabeth Stein.

2011 TCADP Chapter Volunteer Recognition

During the 2011 TCADP Annual Conference, Anne Mund was given special recognition as a volunteer in the Austin chapter.  She has been a tireless worker for the chapter for the past four years and for the state organization.

Anne has organized the chapter’s quarterly meetings, including locating a venue for the meetings.  Anne supports all of the chapter’s events and is a person who can be counted on.  Her energy, enthusiasm and dependability reflect most favorably upon her and upon the organization.  Congratulations, Anne.

Join Texans from Across the State for a
March, Rally and Advocacy Day!

Building on the spirit  and energy of rallies around the country calling on  state governments to prioritize education, health care, public safety, the environment, and jobs, we will demand that Texas take a balanced approach to balancing the state budget by spending our state’s savings in the Rainy Day Fund and finding new revenue.

On April 6, thousands of Texans will gather in Austin for Save Our State–a march, rally and lobby day calling for legislators to abandon their proposed $23 billion in cuts to education, health care, nursing homes and other state services.

ON THE SAME DAY, the conservative group “Americans for Prosperity” (AFP) is holding a counter-rally and lobby day at the Capitol. They’re calling it “Tighten Your Belt, Texas” Day and here’s what they say about it: “We limited government advocates have been vastly outnumbered at the Capitol this legislative session. The legislature is working to cut spending and not raise taxes this session, but every spending program has its special interests. We realize that government needs to tighten its belt just like
Texas families are reigning in their spending when they have less to spend.

Please help make sure legislators hear the right message: Texans don’t like the House budget.

A recent University of Texas poll gives the numbers:

Texans oppose cuts to public education, 82 percent; pre-kindergarten, 62 percent; state grants to college students, 73 percent; state contributions to teacher and state employee retirement programs, 69 percent; the Children’s Health Insurance Program, 87 percent; state environmental regulation that could be picked up by the federal government, 65 percent; cuts to Medicaid providers like doctors and hospitals, 86 percent; state funding for nursing home care, 90 percent; prisons for adults or for juveniles, both 67 percent; new highway construction, 63 percent; border security, 85 percent; closing  community colleges, 77 percent.

Please take a few extra minutes to encourage everyone you can to attend the Save Our State event. Detailed information is available at http://www.april62011.org/

Can’t make it to the event in person?
Call Lt. Governor David Dewhurst at 1-888-225-8098 and urge the Senate to reject the House cuts.

Tuesday, April 12, 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Bethany United Methodist Church
10010 Anderson Mill Road
Austin, TX   (512) 258-6017

RSVP or more information, contact Julie Hutcherson, RN, International VIM Coordinator, SWTX UM Conference (830) 685-3562. The cost is $30 and includes training, UMVIM manual, and T-shirt)

Training the next generation of citizen leaders

Texas Impact, iACT, the Interfaith Alliance and First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin are excited to bring the nationally recognized high school leadership program, LEADD (Leadership Education Advancing Democracy & Diversity), to Central Texas, May 6-8, 2011.  Students who attend LEADD become immersed in the history of the First Amendment, particularly its Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses, and learn about current policy, legislative and legal issues regarding religious freedom.

iACT
2011 HOPE Awards
April 26

Buy your tickets now for the iACT Hope Awards Gala and Fundraiser, the  signature spring celebration of iACT, formerly Austin Area Interreligious Ministries (AAIM). The Hope Awards honor those who have inspired the Central Texas community through lives of dedicated service and their work to improve interfaith understanding. This year’s honorees include Bishop John McCarthy, singer-songwriter Sara Hickman, and Rev. Joseph C. Parker, Jr. of David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. 6 p.m., April 26, University of Texas Alumni Center. For tickets and more info, click here.

Monday, April 20 at 6:00pm
Panel on “Working for Social Justice: Career and Life Choices”

Many students with commitments to social justice struggle with career and life choices. What paths can young people pursue that will allow them to contribute to making a better world? In this event, local organizers and activists will discuss the decisions they have made and answer questions from students.
The panelists will be Lisa Byrd (Executive Director, Pro Arts Collective), Josué Guillén (Trainer, Progressive Technology Project), and Cristina Tzintzún (Executive Director, Workers Defense Project).
This event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Social Justice Institute of the UT Community Engagement Center. There will be free pizza and beverages. For more information, contact Robert Jensen at 471-1990 or rjensen@uts.cc.utexas.edu.

Location: University of Texas, University Teaching Center (UTC), Room 3.102.

5604 Manor
Thursday, May 12, 5:30–10pm – Anniversary Celebration

In May 2010, the progressive community center opened.  Now they will celebrate a great first year with an anniversary party. Staff and volunteers from the groups with offices in the building — the Workers Defense Project, Third Coast Activist Resource Center, and Third Coast Workers for Cooperation — will be on hand to give guided tours and explain their work.

The evening’s performers will include Cerronato (6-6:45 p.m.) and Eliza Gilkyson (8-9 p.m.).

Cerronato plays an authentic yet innovative version of Colombian vallenato and cumbia, merging ornate melodies from the accordion with rumbling and quirky bass lines, the eccentric syncopation of the guacharaca or scraper, the steady beat of the small drum, and the frenzied flourishes of the bongo.

Eliza Gilkyson, a politically minded and poetically gifted singer-songwriter, has become one of the most respected musicians in roots, folk and Americana circles. The Grammy-nominated artist has appeared on Austin City Limits, Mountain Stage, and etown, and in 2003 was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame.

Dance music throughout the evening will be provided by Dj Chorizo Funk.

The big backyard provides lots of room for conversation, and there’s playground equipment for kids. There will be great food and beverages from a variety of local food folks.  The suggested donation of $10 (no one turned away for lack of funds) will benefit the Workers Defense Project, with a $10 suggested donation.

Location: 5604 Manor Road, Austin, 78723

Sunday, May 22 at 12:15pm – Screening of Video of Tim Wise talk  on Illusions of “Post-Racial” Politics

In February, author Tim Wise spoke in Austin about his 2010 book, Color Blind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity.  This program will screen the video of that talk, followed by a discussion.

Wise is a frequent speaker on campuses across the country and a regular commentator in mainstream media.  His other books include: Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama; White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son; Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White; and Speaking Treason Fluently: Anti-Racist Reflections From an Angry White Male.

The talk, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Social Justice Committee at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. For more information, contact Robert Jensen at 471-1990 or rjensen@uts.cc.utexas.edu.

Location: St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 14311 Wells Port Drive (exit off I-35, west on Wells Branch Parkway)

Trinity United Methodist Church
&
The Southwest Texas Reconciling United Methodists
are honored to host
Jimmy Creech
Former United Methodist Pastor & Author of
Adam’s Gift: A Memoir of a Pastor’s Calling
to Defy the Church’s Persecution of Lesbian & Gays.

Saturday May 7th
Book Signing & Conversation
with Jimmy Creech
10am-12pm
* Books will be available for purchase.

Sunday May 8th
Mother’s Day Church Services
Sermons by Jimmy Creech
9:15 & 11:15

Events held at
Trinity United Methodist Church
4001 Speedway, Austin, TX

“Jimmy Creech, a United Methodist pastor in North Carolina, was visited one morning in 1984 by Adam, a longtime parishioner whom he liked and respected. Adam said that he was gay, and that he was leaving the United Methodist Church, which had just pronounced that no “self-avowed practicing  homosexual” could be ordained. He would not be part of a community that excluded him. Creech found himself instinctively supporting Adam, telling him that he was sure that God loved and accepted him as he was.  Adam’s Gift is Creech’s inspiring first-person account of how that conversation transformed his life and ministry. Creech was tried twice by The United Methodist Church, and, after the second trial, his ordination credentials were revoked. Adam’s Gift is a moving story and an important chapter in the unfinished struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil and human rights.”
Excerpt from Adam’s Gift.

(Repeated from last month – because it’s still relevant!)

A Wisconsin United Methodist Church panel has brought charges against a lesbian minister that could end in her removal from the clergy – but the same committee praised her courage and criticized the church laws that required that the charges be issued.

The case has helped inspire a letter from 33 retired Methodist bishops urging the church to drop its ban on “self-proclaimed practicing homosexuals” serving as ministers.

A church trial has been set for April in the case, the first of its kind ever in Wisconsin.

The Rev. Amy DeLong of Osceola, in northwestern Wisconsin, precipitated the case in 2009 when she agreed to preside at a holy union ceremony for a lesbian couple, and then separately registered with her partner of 15 years under Wisconsin’s Domestic Partnership Law. She reported both actions to the church’s Wisconsin Annual Conference, the governing body for the church in the state, as part of her annual accounting of her ministry.

She said she knew her actions would have consequences.

“I want to help the church to be true to its proclamations,” she said in an interview. “We don’t have to earn our way into God’s heart. We’ve already been accepted.”

The United Methodist Church, the nation’s third-largest denomination, prohibits ministers from performing same-sex unions and allows gay or lesbian ministers only if they’re celibate, or if they don’t reveal their sexual orientation.

Mark your calendar for the RMN/MFSA Convocation, “Sing a New Song”.
(Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.)

Join hundreds of United Methodists singing of and organizing for justice and inclusion for all God’s children as we celebrate in joyful worship designed by Mark Miller and Tanya Bennett.

In word and song, at rest and play, through action and organizing, being church together, “We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly, we are called to serve on another, to walk humbly with God!”

Sawmill Creek Resort
400 Sawmill Creek Drive West
Huron, OH 44839

For more information, see http://www.rmnetwork.org/sing-a-new-song/

Each evening as I put my ten month old son to bed, I pray and sing familiar hymns with him.  During this time I often find myself wondering what the United Methodist Church will be for him.  Will it be a source of inspiration?  Will it bring him peace?  Will it be a community of love, welcoming all, and encouraging us each to seek justice for the least of those among us?  Will it help him deepen his faith and develop a relationship with God?

I certainly hope it will be all of these things and more.  We can be a church that is fully inclusive.  We can be a church that doesn’t just talk about social justice, but offers a community to perform radical acts of love for all our neighbors.   We can be a church that advocates for peace, protects people’s rights and eradicates poverty.  Thinking of the potential of the United Methodist Church excites me.  We can create these new “verses” for the church, and we’ll get there faster if we work together.

I can’t tell you how excited I am for MFSA and RMN to gather together at Sing a New Song.  I’m looking forward to powerful worship, making new friends, and strengthening our partnership.  To help the United Methodist Church reach its full potential and be the church I think it can be, we need to take both a bottom up and top down approach – both modeling our vision at the local level, and taking action to improve church policy at General Conference.  Sing a New Song will prepare us to do both.  I can’t wait to see you in Ohio!

Please 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 Chapter 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.

Here are two simple 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).

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

To our social action supporters:

Our chapter needs your help.

As you may have read in the recent MFSA e-news, our chapter will have several social action events in motion at Annual Conference in Corpus in June.

• Awards Luncheon – our main event, Growing the Heart of Methodism, in partnership with Reconciling Ministries Network and the Conference Board of Church and Society.  The purpose of this luncheon is to provide a spotlight on social justice, as well as exposure on the works of MFSA, RMN, and CBCS.  Our speaker, Dr. Joerg Rieger, is a professor at Perkins and a well-known author.  Because of his support for the principles of MFSA, he is willing to forego his usual honorarium for this event.  Steve Clunn, our MFSA/RMN Coalition Coordinator, will be in Corpus to promote Sing A New Song, the convocation in Ohio in August, as well as generating interest in General Conference 2012.  Our MFSA chapter will be presenting “Building a Just Community” awards to congregational and individual recipients.  We are planning for the luncheon itself to be self-supporting, and we do not have to pay for the convention center room because of our sponsorship by CBCS.
• Book Fair – This has been a successful fundraiser for our chapter for several years.  We ask our members and friends to contribute their used books dealing with religious, spiritual, or social action topics, and then we offer them to Conference attendees in exchange for donations.  This has been our chapter’s major fundraiser during the past few years.  We will need two tables for the book fair, as that was successful last year.
• Informational Table – This includes a display, brochures, photos, and other information about our MFSA chapter mission and projects.  This year, we will have added information on Sing a New Song as well as a description of issues and activities we will be working on for GC 2012.
• BeadForLife – Back by popular demand, we will again sponsor the sale of beautiful hand-rolled beads which support Ugandan women and communities.  Conference-goers purchased almost $1,000 worth of beads last year, and several persons have asked that it be provided again.
• Shower of Stoles – Our chapter will again co-sponsor this display with the Reconciling Ministries Network.  This is an extraordinary collection of stoles celebrating the gifts of GLBT persons who serve God in countless ways, while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.  Even though we will not be using a table for it, we must purchase the space for this display in the exhibit area.

As you can imagine, we will experience expenses to make these efforts successful.  We estimate that the overall costs will be about $2,000.  The RMN team at First UMC has generously provided $500 to support the luncheon.  We need additional help, and this is why our chapter is seeking special contributions to cover the estimated expenses specified below.

Please let us know if you are able to help with one or more pieces of this special project.
Checks should be made out to “SWTX-MFSA” and should be sent to

Janice Curry, Chapter Treasurer
1509 Mearns Meadow Blvd.
Austin TX 78758

MFSA is a 501 (c) 3 organization and all contributions are tax deductible as provided by law.

Thanks for your continuing support.!
The MFSA Executive Committee

$450            Table/space rental for exhibit hall ($80 per table, $50 for electricity)
$500            Dr. Rieger’s travel and lodging reimbursement
$200            “Building a Just Community” award plaques
$100            Print color tri-fold MFSA chapter brochures
$200            Printing, advertising, posters to direct persons to luncheon
$200            Promotional products – pens, buttons,  ??
$50              Copies of UM Social Principles
$100            Shower of Stoles exhibit, shipping

The next meeting of the Southwest Texas Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action will be Thursday, March 10 at Emmanuel UMC, 200 Brushy Street, in downtown Austin.  The program will focus on immigration issues.  Special guests at the meeting will be members of the host church as well as a representative of the Central Texas Chapter of MFSA, which meets in Georgetown and has been advocating for immigrants for several years.  Ms. Marjorie Herbert, a retired attorney, will discuss what the Central Texas Chapter has learned about immigration and some of the actions the local congregations in Georgetown have taken.

If chapter members want to car pool from north central, we will be leaving Saint John’s at about 5:45 pm.  Respond to this message if you are interested.  For car pooling from Trinity UMC, contact Deana Henry (deakenhenry@yahoo.com) for more information.

The meeting will begin at 6:30pm for snacks and mingling.  The program begins at 7:00.

Join us!  Bring a friend!

March 6, 2011
2.00pm – 4.00pm
University UMC- 2409 Guadalupe Street

The UMW of University UMC invites everyone to attend an Immigration Forum to discuss this critical civil rights issue.  Hear two leading experts discuss the critical elements of this issue as the Texas Legislature is bringing controversial bills for debate.

• Prof. Dr Ray Marshall, LBJ School of Public Affairs and former Secretary for Labor in Carter’s cabinet and a tireless advocate for Immigration reform,
• Prof Barbara Hines, Director of the Immigration Clinic at the UT Law School, will lead the workshop on this important issue.

Our Chapter of MFSA is co-sponsoring this workshop along with the Amos Commission of UUMC, Church and Society UUMC, Parker Lane UMC, and Texas Impact.

RSVP UUMC (512) 478-9387

Saturday, April 2, – BOPA Recycling Event – 8 am to 10:30 am

MFSA will sponsor a BOPA (Batteries, Oil, Paint, Antifreeze) Recycling Event at Trinity UMC, at E 40th and Speedway.

When our chapter conducted its last BOPA recycling event, we collected over 1,200 cans of paint, about 200 containers of oil or antifreeze, 31 car batteries, and lots of other material that was taken to the City’s recycling station.

More advertising to come later on this.

April 14 Chapter Meeting – Presentation on Reconciling Ministries Network efforts in Austin

Representatives from Reconciling Ministries Network and Methodist Churches in Austin who have Reconciling Ministries Teams will discuss their efforts to encourage congregations to affiliate with the Reconciling Ministries Network.