The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks
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January 20, 2010
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From Your Pastor 
This Sunday we'll continue our sermon series with "Shine the Light on Scripture." I invite you to read our Gospel lesson in preparation, and I also invite you to bring your Bibles to church with you. Breathe...It will be okay, I promise.
But that's all I want to say about this Sunday right now because I have two other things to share with you: The first is an invitation, and the second is a New Year's resolution...
An Invitation
I hope you've noticed over the past year our commitment to increasing opportunities for community building and spiritual growth outside of our traditional worship services... Read More
I finally got around to making a New Year's resolution yesterday, and as it turns out, I'm glad I waited. I'm glad I waited because a scientist in the UK has determined that Monday, January 18, was the most depressing day of 2010. Part of that he attributed to unusually wet weather, part to indebtedness incurred over the holidays, part to a variety of other things, and part to failed New Year's resolutions. Well, since I hadn't made any by then, I hadn't broken any by then, and I guess I was less depressed than lots of people!... Read More |
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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January
30 Sunday Worship at 9 and 11 a.m.
14 Sunday Worship at 9 and 11 a.m.
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 Sunday Worship on January 24
9 & 11 a.m.
"Shine the Light on Scripture"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Luke 4:14-21
Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the God is upon me and has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. God has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of God's favor." And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
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 Annual Congregational Meeting
Please join us 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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 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 storytelling 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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 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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Get Your "Fat" On Sunday, Feb. 14th in Cowan Hall At Join us before Lent's "lean times" as we gather for MCC Austin's "Fat Sunday" Celebration: A joyous time celebrating Christ's redemptive journey toward resurrection and the Redeemer's presence among us. We'll gather immediately after the 11 a.m. service in Cowan Hall for a pot luck dinner with a delightful array of sumptuous fare. Don't miss this opportunity to share table fellowship with church family and soak in our unique variety of food, laughter and conversation. We would love it if everyone would contribute a drink or dish of your own colorful spices to the potluck. To get your dish on the list or to find out what is needed please contact Courtney Webster.
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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 MCC Austin. 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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 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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Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches
Calls US Churches to ACT NOW to Save LGBT lives in
Last March, a small group of religious extremists based in the United States traveled to Uganda to hold a conference. The agenda of the conference was simple: to enflame passions against an already bombarded LGBT community in that nation, using religiously-based hatred and animosity. With the claims that gay men are sexual predators, that the LGBT community has as its agenda the destruction of all families, and that we can and ought to change our sexual orientations, the conference organizers were successful. Passions were enflamed. Read more...
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
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| We Need You to Take Action on ENDA Lobby Days:
March 14-16, 2010
Enough delays already!
We need Congress to get the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) moving forward and we need you to come to DC to help convince them. Read more...
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| 22nd National Conference on LGBT Equality:
Creating Change- Dallas, TX.
The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change is a massive undertaking. Each year the number of sessions offered and the human resources needed to make the conference run smoothly is impressive. In order for this event to succeed we rely on the generosity and support of local volunteers. Volunteering with the conference is a great way to experience the work of the conference, both in sessions and behind the scenes, while getting to meet new people in your own community. Read more...
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| allgo, A Queer People of Color Organization,
Presents -- BAILE: The Dance
allgo is excited to announce BAILE 2010 : The Dance, themed "The Colors of our Lives" to be held at the Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street, Austin, TX 78701, on Friday, February 19, 2010, beginning at 8:00 p.m. and ending at 12:00 a.m. We invite you to celebrate with us in a night filled with community, music and dance. 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...
Back to Top
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Our Prayers...
- For all who have lost loved ones in the devastating earthquake in Haiti. We also ask for strength for all who are helping in the recovery and rescue process
- For those suffering with strokes
- For all who face the challenges of spiritual drought
- For strength and peace for those living with ill family members
- For lives of renewal 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)
Our efforts have been aided immensely by the addition of Alycia Erickson, our Director of Spiritual and Leadership Formation.
Now we've added Courtney Webster to our staff team, and her talent with organizing processes and people is allowing Alycia and I to create and offer ever more opportunities for you to connect with God, each other, and the community.
But there's one small problem...our small building. As you know, we can't host more than one event at a time. That means that Thursday nights are unavailable for anything but choir rehearsal (though we sneak the Deacons in once a month) and Monday nights will soon belong to CLM and Sunday nights are reserved for AA and...well, you get the picture.
So we're ready to take our Church Without Walls outside our walls. We're hitting the streets and going to the fairs and the parks and the Habitat builds and the theaters and the concerts and whatever we can find to do together. At frequent but not necessarily regular intervals, staff and lay persons will be hosting informal gatherings for MCC Austin members and friends. Sometimes the events will be strictly social, sometimes service oriented, and sometimes spiritually based.
Your first opportunity to be a part of this new endeavor comes on Saturday afternoon, January 30. I'm inviting any of you who haven't seen Avatar (or who want to see it again) to join me at 3:00 at Regal Gateway Stadium 16, 9700 Stonelake Blvd., Capital of Texas Hwy at 183, Austin, TX, 78759. Simply meet up with us outside the room in which Avatar is showing and we'll sit together, watch the movie, and then convene somewhere to discuss it. If you've already seen the movie and want to take part in the discussion with us, meet us outside the theater at 5:40.
If you'd like to suggest a future activity, let me or Alycia know. We're up for just about anything... except I don't do heights!
See you there!
 Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor
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( continued from above)
But then I saw a news item yesterday that motivated me to make this resolution: From now on, whenever I get into my car, my phone is going into the glove compartment. That's right. I won't be catching up on my phone calls any more or sneaking a glance to see if my LED light is blinking and I've received a new text message.
My motivation comes from learning two things: First, that cell phones contribute to 28% of all automobile accidents, and two, that drivers who are using their smart phones either for conversation or texting are impaired to the same degree as a person who has had four drinks. Four drinks! Our hand-eye coordination, motor skills, reflexes, and decision making abilities are all severely impaired while we're engaged with our phones.
Most of you are aware that talking on cell phones in school zones in Texas is now illegal as is texting while driving in many cities, including Austin. Yet some of you might do those things still, thinking that the odds of your getting caught are small. You might be perfectly willing to take a 5% chance of getting a really expensive traffic ticket. You might be willing to risk a 5% chance that you'll receive a moving violation and your insurance premiums will go up. But will you agree to a 5% chance of injuring yourself or others? Is 5% an acceptable risk for ending someone's life?
Yes, traffic accidents happen all the time that have nothing to do with driver distraction and everything to do with laws of physics and human nature. The sun gets in our eyes. We swerve to avoid an object in the road. We skid on wet pavement. Accidents do happen, but while some are seemingly unavoidable, others are simply careless.
Please think about joining me in my resolution. Oh, it's not going to be easy. I've got so much to say to so many people! But I'll wait till I'm not behind the wheel because as much as I anticipate hearing my name when the roll is called up yonder, heaven can wait.
Faithfully Resolved,
Sr. Pastor
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