News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin

The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks

March 31, 2010

From Your Pastor

I'm often overwhelmed by the gift and blessing of being your pastor, and that has been especially true as we've journeyed through this Lenten season together. My deep thanks go to those who helped imagine, create, and lead us through our Lenten series "Were You There?" as well as to all of you who have braved the journey with us.

As we move reverently through this Holy Week, I want to ask "Were You There?" in a different context...

What's Happening at MCC Austin

March

31 Seder Meal at 6:30 p.m.
April

2 Good Friday Worship at 7:30 p.m.

4 Easter Sunday Worship at 9 and 11 a.m., and H2O at 2 p.m.

Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:30 a.m.

11 Sunday Worship at 9 and 11 a.m., and H2O at 2 p.m.

Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:30 a.m.

14 New Reflecting On My Journey Class begins

17 Brenner-Beckstead Concert

Good Friday Worship on April 2

7:30 p.m.

"Were You There When He Died?"

Luke 23:44-56

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Abba God, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last. When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, "Certainly this man was innocent." And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Easter Sunday Worship on April 4
9 & 11 a.m.

"Were You There When He Rose?"
Rev. Karen Thompson

Luke 24:1-12

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Chosen One must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again."

Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.

Additional Passages:
Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, and John 20:1-18

H2O ~ Living Water
2 p.m. April 4

"Whoever is thirsty, let her come;
and whoever wishes, let him take
the free gift of the water of life." Rev 22:17

Holy Week and Easter at MCC Austin

Seder Meal, 6:30 p.m. on March 31
We will celebrate the traditional Jewish Passover meal with ritual foods that serve to remind us of God's deliverance of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. Please RSVP to Courtney Webster, Director of Programs, in the church office (512-291-8601) by Sunday, March 28, if you will attend. Children are welcome to attend with their families.

Good Friday Service, 7:30 p.m.
Cross

Our Good Friday Service is at 7:30 p.m. on April 2.

Join us as we remember Jesus' last words. Childcare will be provided.

Easter Sunday Services, 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.

Join us for an Easter celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on April 4. Our services will include special musicians and dramatic readings of the Gospel accounts of the first Easter morning.

Easter Egg Hunt
The Children's Ministry will be having an Easter egg hunt after the 11:00 a.m. service. Any and all children are welcome. Please bring an empty Easter basket if you have one.

March is Women's History Month:
Honoring Women's Achievements and Place in History
Re-defining "History"

According to the National Women's History Project, women's history was also part of a larger movement that transformed the study of history in the United States. "History" had traditionally meant political history--a chronicle of the key political events and of the leaders, primarily men, who influenced them. But by the 1970s "the new social history" began replacing the older style. Emphasis shifted to a broader spectrum of American life, including such topics as the history of urban life, public health, ethnicity, the media, and poverty. Since women rarely held leadership positions and until recently had only a marginal influence on politics, the new history, with its emphasis on the sociological and the ordinary, was an ideal vehicle for presenting women's history. It has covered such subjects as the history of women's education, birth control, housework, marriage, sexuality, and child rearing. As the field has grown, women's historians realized that their definition of history needed to expand as well - it focused primarily on white middle-class experience and neglected the full racial and socio-economic spectrum of women.

New "Reflecting On My Journey" Class

Begins April 14

Are you looking for a way to connect and make friends? Are you looking for an opportunity to dig deep, and to think intentionally about your next spiritual step? Then "Reflecting On My Journey" might be just the thing for you. Walk through eight key questions to assess where you are on your spiritual journey, and what might be your next step. The class will meet from 7 - 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings from April 14 - June 2 and will be facilitated by Alycia Erickson, Director of Spiritual and Leadership Formation. The class will explore the following key questions and concepts:

How might my past spiritual and church experiences impact my current spiritual life?
Where am I with Christianity and Jesus?
How might sexual orientation affect a person's spiritual journey?
How might gender identity affect a person's spiritual journey?
Has trauma affected my relationship with God and the Church?
Listening to God
Taking charge of my spiritual life

Whether you are brand new to church or have been around this church stuff for a while, this class is for you! Please register in advance for this class so we have enough materials for everyone. For more information about the class, please contact Alycia Erickson. To register, please email or call Courtney Webster in the church office.

"No Experience Necessary" Bible Study

Stewardship Study in April

In conjunction with our Being Church ~ Building Community capital stewardship campaign, the Sunday morning study group will be discussing "Making Your Life Count." This study looks at giving through the light of scripture thereby helping individuals to gain clarity and establish priorities. Come and join the conversation on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the Wray Education building just behind the Sanctuary.

See Susie Brenner & Linda Beckstead in concert at MCC Austin, April 17

"Our mission in our ministry is to share our stories with others so that they may experience the love that God has for everyone. Our ministry was formed in January 2005 when we decided to answer a call that had been tugging at our hearts for several years. We share our personal journeys with Christ through our music and stories!"

Susie is a singer-songwriter and released her newest CD in 2009. She is a recovering alcoholic celebrating ten years of sobriety and some of her music reflects her journey in recovery and her relationship with God. Linda retired from teaching in May 2009 after twenty-two years at a public high school. She is a storyteller and uses the journeys she's experienced to bring humor and thoughtful moments to the words she shares. To learn more about Brenner-Beckstead Ministries, check out their website.

Pet Memorial Garden

At MCC Austin, we believe that our four-legged companions are important parts of the family. Saying goodbye to our loving animal companions can be a tough and very emotional journey. MCC Austin wants you to know that you are not alone. Because there are many people experiencing the same loss, we provide a Pet Memorial Park and a support system to help walk you through the burial process. A pet burial consultation must be done before the burial of your beloved animal. Pet burial consultations may be done in person or by phone, Monday through Friday. For more information, please pick up a Pet Memorial form from the Pet Memorial mailbox located in the resource room, or contact Courtney Webster by email or at the church office (512)-291-8601.

BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News & Updates

MCC GENERAL CONFERENCE

CALLING ALL MUSICIANS, DANCERS AND ARTISTS

Worship with us at General Conference where we are featuring excellent speakers, dance, praise music, art, hymns, choirs and orchestras, new music, pop music, and creative use of multi-media. All of this to usher us into the eternal presence of the Creative Force that calls us all to IMAGINE! Don't miss out and register today! Read full article...

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Metropolitan Community Churches Stucture Review Update
On 28 February 2010, Metropolitan Community Churches announced its new structure review proposal. Just in case you have not had an opportunity to review the documents that comprise this proposal, click here. All of the structure review documents and information is housed on the new Structure Review website and the comment forums for each section are now open. Read the full article here.

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Metropolitan Community Church
Help Us Recruit!!

. . . For the New Governing Board, which is one of the most innovative and important pieces of the new proposed structure!
Today we are publishing information about the Board Charter and qualifications for service on the proposed Governing Board. If the proposal passes at General Conference in Acapulco, we will elect our first Governing Board. Though the documents will be presented for approval at General Conference, these draft forms are to serve as our guideline for the first round of candidate nominations.

Help us recruit qualified candidates for these vitally important positions. Participate in the process of identifying these leaders who will shape and mold this Governing Board for the first several years, click here to find out how.

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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events

Austin Pride Run

The Austin Pride Run is one the major events of the Austin Pride 2010 weekend and the first ever GLBT race in Austin. It is a 5K (3.1 miles) that will allow participants to enjoy a run in downtown Austin in a fun environment. Starting from the Long Center, the runners will cover two laps of a route that will lead them across Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) up to the 4th street warehouse district. The race will be gun-timed and results will be published but the goal of the race is to welcome everyone and share a good time. This race is a water themed event with a water spray on the course and with a Slip-N-Slide and finisher towels at the end of the race. Everyone; runners, walkers, families, kids, and doggies, are welcome.

For more information or to sign up visit http://www.austinpriderun.org

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Way Off Broadway Community Players Presents:
The Fantasticks
By Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt
Directed by Barbara Schuler
Musical Director David Blackburn

"Try To Remember" a time when this romantic charmer wasn't enchanting audiences around the world. "The Fantasticks" is the longest-running production of any kind in the world, and with good reason: at the heart of its breathtaking poetry and subtle theatrical sophistication is a purity and simplicity that transcends cultural barriers. Its moving tale of young lovers who become disillusioned, only to discover a more mature, meaningful love is punctuated by a bountiful series of catchy, memorable songs, many of which have become standards. For Show schedule and reservations click here or visit http://www.wobcp.org

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Unique Event for Music Lovers

The Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation presents Sounds of Pride on April 11, a unique opportunity to experience an evening of music and memories featuring a unique orchestra made up entirely of local gay and lesbian musicians, and their friendly allies. Guest soloist for this event is UT professor and violin virtuoso Brian Lewis. A reception of hors d, oeuvres and dessert and a cash bar will follow, as well as a chance to bid on products and services from local businesses at a silent auction. The event begins at 6PM and will take place at the Hyatt Regency Austin on Lady Bird Lake. All proceeds will benefit the Austin Pride Festival, which will be held June 3-6 at the Long Center. Everyone is encouraged to purchase tickets online at austinpride.org, or at the door. Prices are $25 and include both the concert, as well as the following reception.

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HUD Press Release: Collecting Data on LGBT Americans

HUD LAUNCHES WEBSITE TO GATHER PUBLIC COMMENT ON FIRST-EVER LGBT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION STUDY
Online 'suggestion box' seeks to inform HUD on design of historic research

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today launched a new website to allow citizens to offer comment on the design of an unprecedented national study that will examine housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. While there have been no national assessments of housing discrimination targeting the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) community, there is a body of evidence suggesting this sort of bias exists. HUD recently hosted town hall meetings in Chicago, San Francisco and New York City to solicit feedback on how it might approach such ground-breaking research. This 'online suggestion box' is intended to offer the public throughout the U.S. an opportunity to comment on HUD's study. Read the complete article here.

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CONNECT: FOUR SHORT PLAYS

By Allan Baker

Directed by Theresa Leckbee

April 1 to 17 at the Off Center, June 4 at the Rollins Theatre of the Long Center as part of Austin Pride 2010

Connect is a two hour program of short plays focused on the need to "connect": across the generations in a family (Voices), at the most important moment of your life (Five Minutes), at a critical point in a relationship (A Midsummer Night's Conversation), or even online on Saturday night (Click)! Though the program's last play, A Midsummer Night's Conversation, is new and rather daring, the other three have been previously produced: Click and Voices at Austin's FronteraFest in 2008 and 2007. Five Minutes was a FronteraFest "Best of the Fest" selection in 2006 and was produced for three weeks in New York City in 2006 as part of Emerging Artists Theatre's Fall Festival of Short Plays. Nominated by Emerging Artists Theatre as part of a nation-wide competition of plays from producing companies, it was produced again in New York City in June of 2007 as part of the Samuel French Festival of Off Off-Broadway One Act Plays. A ten-minute play based on the last scene, ...last and always, was produced by NativeAliens Theatre Collective as part of their Short Stories series during the 2009 New York City Gay Pride celebration. Click here to find out more.

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Our Prayers...

For our GLBT brothers and sisters around the world.
For the people of Chile and Haiti who continue to recover from the recent earthquakes.
For MCC Churches as we study and respond to a proposed change in our organizational/leadership structure.
For all those who will help lead our Capital Stewardship Campaign.
For all who live along the U.S./Mexico as they live daily with the violence caused by the drug cartels.