Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action

This was my first pride parade, and I was not in the best of moods about being in a gay parade. I anticipated an unfavorable reception from the crowd, or at best, only some support. I did not expect what happened; the crowd was wildly supportive and very emotional. Instead of “boo’s” or negative shouting the exact opposite happened. I was overwhelmed with joy. The church universal has sinned against the gays to the point that persons are asked to leave (silently or openly) from churches. The church universal seems to have developed a harshly negative connotation to gay with vehement opposition. I did not attend because I was a supporter, but because I was asked to represent my church. Now I may be radical enough to call myself a supporter. I say radical since other than gays themselves, I never hear people say or show through their actions that they support gays; I can count those people on my hands.
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The Austin District and the Amos Commission are pleased to host the second in a series of opportunities to gain the practical skills necessary to address The United Methodist Church’s four areas of focus. The event, to be held June 27 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Memorial UMC, will feature keynote speaker Robert Linthicum and will focus on ways that individuals and local churches can work to end poverty and the killer diseases that accompany poverty.

Linthicum is a Presbyterian pastor and a renowned writer and community organizer with a passion for urban renewal. His keynote address and workshop times will offer practical advice about how congregations can strengthen their communities by working for Biblical justice.

My Job: Risk-Taking Justice and Mercy offers a sweeping view of Biblical justice and the skills and information necessary for congregations—in both urban and rural settings—to address poverty and health issues.

Besides Linthicum, other presenters include representatives from Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Texas Impact and the United Methodist Committee on Relief as well as representatives from local churches who have already begun to organize their communities so that they can impact poverty. Breakout sessions will be organized around three main concerns: poverty, global health and the environment. Participants will have the option to take an in-depth look how each of these issues can be addressed globally, in an urban setting or in a rural setting.

The event is free, though registration is required by June 15 in order to provide you with lunch or to guarantee childcare. For more information contact (512) 444-1983 or admin@umcad.org or visit www.umcad.org.

We will start decorating the trailer at 4 pm at Grace United Methodist Church at 205 East Munroe Street, Austin TX, 78704.  Paul Hudson has volunteered to bring the trailer and tow vehicle.  He is also coordinating the sound system.  If you can’t meet us there look for the float at the south end of the 1st Street Bridge before the start of the parade at 8:30 pm.

http://www.rmnetwork.org/convo2009.asp

The 2009 Convocation, Justice & Joy, meets over Labor Day Weekend, from Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7 at the beautiful YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado.  Gather with hundreds of Reconciling United Methodists in the wonder of God’s creation in the Rocky Mountains.

“Mainstreaming Restorative Justice: Empowering Communities, Restoring Responsibility”

University of Texas at San Antonio – Downtown Campus,  San Antonio, TX
May 13-15, 2009

This is an incredible conference filled with workshops, panels, special speakers, and more, here in our backyard.  If you are interested in restorative justice, look around the website shown below and be amazed at the breadth and depth of learning here.  There appears to be a registration fee of $280, a bargain for an extensive conference.

Objective: Familiarize justice system professionals and others with restorative and community justice.

Purpose: Promote more effective forms of justice through applications of restorative and community justice principles and practice.
For more information on the conference contact Dr. Michael J. Gilbert, Conference Coordinator at mgilbert@utsa.edu or call (210) 458-2683.  Also, see www.restorativejusticenow.org

2^nd Annual MFSA Book Fair – SWT Annual Conference – June 3

Last year, we began a new activity by featuring a Book Fair at the Southwest Texas Annual Conference in Corpus Christi.  We asked people to give us any religious books that were being rotated out of their libraries, and we would sell them at Annual Conference.  While the effort was originally aimed at allowing retired ministers to reduce the size of their libraries, it became clear that lots of people wanted to clear their shelves (to allow newer books room to breathe!)

We made almost $300 with very little advance advertising.  This year we plan to do better, and we are again asking you for your used religious books – in good condition – that we may offer in the book fair.  We would rather not have pamphlet-style booklets this year or class workbooks; those don’t seem to sell well at all.
Bring your books to the May meeting, or call Rowland at 836-7004 and we will pick them up prior to Annual Conference.

Our MFSA chapter will again be participating in the Austin Pride Parade on June 6.  Last year, we “did it up right” with a float, signs, and songs.  We plan to get a trailer again this year, decorate it – with serious and not-so-serious displays – and have a great time at the parade!  We always want to show support for GLBT inclusion, and this is a great time to do it!

We will be planning the details of this project at the May meeting as well, so if you are interested in helping, please show up.

Our chapter is again purchasing tables and space in the exhibit area at Annual Conference in Corpus Christi June 3 – 6.  We need to plan the details, but right now we want to feature the following:  our tri-fold poster for MFSA; the energy efficiency display that was at our meeting in February; a slide show with Kerry’s Environmental Stewardship presentation; and our second annual Book Fair.  We will also be distributing material from MFSA on the constitutional amendments addressed above.

We will be planning the details of our displays at the May meeting, and discussing who will be available to oversee the set-up and staffing the displays and book fair.  If you are not a delegate and you are willing to work with us on this, please let Deana or Rowland know.