 Sunday Worship on January 17
9 & 11 a.m.
"Shine the Light on the Prophets"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Now the word of God came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I said, "Ah, God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy." But God said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a boy'; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you." Then God put out a hand and touched my mouth; and God said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over dominions, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant."
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 New Member Class THIS Saturday
January 16, 9-11:30 a.m.
It's not too late to register for the upcoming New Member Class. Find out more about MCC Austin and how you can get more connected. For more information or to register contact Courtney Webster, Director of Programs. |
 Sunday School Garden Party
Saturday, January 16 at 10 a.m.
The Sunday School Staff invite children and their parents to a Garden Party on Saturday, January 16 at 10 a.m. We will be planting the small garden area in front of the Education Building. Light refreshments will be served. Please join us for some joyful work, fun and fellowship.
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 We Want Your Input!
Within the past several months the leaders of Metropolitan Community Church of Austin have prayerfully sought God's guidance as they have considered the future facility and ministry needs of MCCAustin. Recent meetings have been dedicated to identifying and prioritizing these needs. The next step is to collect ideas and opinions directly from a large number of congregation members prior to finalizing any plans.Your input will assist us as we consider your insights, thoughts and opinions. Please consider taking a few minutes to complete this Capital Campaign Survey.
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 PRIDE 2010 Planning Committee
Once again its time to represent! Calling all individuals who would like to participate in the planning, presentation and representation of MCC Austin at this year's Annual PRIDE Parade and Festival on June 5. You won't want to miss being a part of this! For more information or to sign up, please contact Courtney.
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 Sew N Sews Meeting on January 17
The Sew N Sews will meet THIS Sunday, January 17 after the 11 a.m. service. We are going to discuss Beginner Quilting classes. If you are interested in learning how to quilt, please come to this meeting. Machines are not necessary for this meeting. Advanced quilters are also welcome. If anyone in the congregation has a working sewing machine collecting dust and would let someone have, buy, or borrow it, we would appreciate it. For more information please email Sandy Mayon.
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 Hibiscus Trees Need Temporary Home
We need someone to take all or one of our beautiful hibiscus trees home and keep them inside or on a sheltered porch for the winter months. If you have any questions, please contact Donna Scott here.
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 Annual Congregational Meeting
Please mark your calendar for our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 24 following the 11 a.m. service. We will be calling for several votes during this meeting, so this is one that you don't want to miss!
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 New Affinity Group Forming
Our MCC Austin mission
statement invites us to affirm each person's joys, journey and unique
gifts; connect people to God, each other and the community; and to create hope,
healing and spiritual growth. Each of our ministries and informal affinity
groups aligns with all or part of this mission statement.
We are beginning a new,
informal affinity group of all MCC Austin members and friends who are
self-employed, who are business owners, or whose job performance and/or
compensation is determined by their sales or recruiting performance. This new
group will have two primary goals: First, it will support our mission statement
by helping connect the people in our community who share professional
similarities. Second, the group will support individuals by offering them an
opportunity for business networking. Our organizational, first meeting
will be Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the restaurant in Central Market on 290 at
Westgate. Please see Bud Twilley or Greg Morrison at church for more
details.
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 Pioneers and Prophets: An Evening of Love and Relationships with Jeff Lutes and Lindsey Kane
Research shows that all couples, regardless of sexual orientation, face many of the same challenges and share a similar path to staying happy together. However, research also demonstrates that same-sex couples have some particular strengths. Come learn what all people can do to create intimate and resilient connections with their partner or partner-to-be. Couples, Singles, and Straight Allies welcome! Join us here at MCC Austin on Saturday, February 13 from 7-9 p.m. for this very special Valentine's evening. Advance tickets are $15 per person and $20 at the door.
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 The "F" Word:
A Lenten Retreat on Forgiveness During the Lenten season we are asked to
enter into a time of self reflection and examination. Often this leads to
work we need to do around forgiveness-of ourselves and others. During this half day retreat we will spend time in Bible study, exploring
themes of forgiveness from scripture. We will also work in small groups and
through ritual and story telling to ponder such questions as: "Does
forgiveness always imply reconciliation and restoration of former relationships?
How do we forgive a whole community such as a dysfunctional family? What
do we do with our feelings of anger and hurt when trying to forgive?" We
will also celebrate the ways God forgives us and invites to move together in "an
environment of mercy" for all people. Join Rev. Mona West on Saturday, February 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at MCC Austin. Pre-registration is required for this retreat. Please email or call Courtney Webster in the church office to register. Cost: $10.
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 Meet our Newest Staff Member:
Dustin DutcherDustin is our new part-time Administrative Assistant. He has a passion for helping people with anything--no matter how big or small it might be. He recently completed an Administrative Assistant certification program. He is very proud to work for an organization where he can not only be himself, but he can also serve in an active role in the GLBTQ community of Austin. Be sure to introduce yourself to him when you see him in the office! |
BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News & Updates
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GENERAL CONFERENCE 2010: Imagination
New 6 Month Payment Plan Available
Begining January 4 you can register for conference and spread the registration cost over 6 months. This is only availabe in the month of January so register today. The payment plan allows registrants to break up the total cost of the registration fee and make smaller monthly payments. The 6-month payment plan is 6 payments of $75.00 USD for all registrant types and groups. Click Here for registration information and to register.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
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2009 Q Community Assessment
We are conducting a survey to find out more about gay men's health in Austin. The results of this survey will be used by various community organizations and groups to provide better services, and by area students for primary research purposes. Participate here...
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2009 Pride Build Dedication Ceremony
After three exciting months building the dream of a new home for a mother and her son, it's time to celebrate the completion of the 2009 Pride Build! With each home we build together as a community, the fight to end poverty takes one giant step closer to reality. Read more... _______________________________________________________________ |
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Equality Texas Foundation and HRC Austin
Kicking Off 2010 With Equality Project Training
The Human Rights Campaign, Austin Steering Committee and Equality Texas Foundation are teaming up to provide lobby education training on Jan. 23, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Read more...
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Our Prayers...
- For all who have lost loved ones in the devastating earthquake in Haiti yesterday. We also ask for strength for all who are helping in the recovery and rescue process.
- For all who face the challenges of unemployment.
- For God to help us as we reflect on who prophets are for us today.
- For a year of renovation and restoration!
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 E-Link Submissions
If you have information to share through our E-Link, please email it to the editor no later than Monday evening of the week you would like it published.
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(continued from above)
I'll be sharing many thoughts with you on Sunday as we "Shine the Light on the Prophets," but for now, I want to encourage you to look beyond identifying prophets as fortune tellers, or future tellers.
In the Christian tradition, we identify prophets as persons called by God at a specific time for a specific purpose. Quite often we think of these persons as forecasters of what will occur if we do not turn from our sinful ways. Today, I ask you to consider that what is more valuable to us than a prophet's ability to "foresee the future" is the prophet's ability to see the present with prescription clarity.
As we move toward the celebration of MLK Day, I know many of you will be thinking of Dr. King when you think of prophets. But who are the others? Let me know...If you don't, I might harass you with a deluge of emails!
Love and Peace, 
Sr. Pastor |
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