The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks 
| August 25, 2010 |
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 From Your Pastor On Sunday morning we'll conclude the sermon series "Shared Intimacies" by focusing on intimate families. As you might guess, we'll be spending a good amount of time looking at our MCC Austin faith community as an intimate family.
Before that, though, I want to share with you a letter from a young lesbian Christian to her church family. The writer of this letter, Charlette, attended the Spiritual Pride Project last spring, a retreat held for LGBTQ teenagers to meet one another and explore their spirituality. MCC Austin had several ties to the Project: We provided a $500 MCC Cares grant to help subsidize the camp, and Rev. Alycia Erickson served as chaplain to the campers.
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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 Sunday Worship on August 29 9 & 11 a.m.
"Intimate Families" Rev. Karen Thompson
Genesis 25:21-34; 27:1-40
Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. The children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is to be this way, why do I live?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger." When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, "Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!" (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright." Esau said, "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?" Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright....
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Sign language interpreter for the 11:00 a.m. service
available upon request after September 12.
For more information, please contact Courtney Webster by email. |
 H2O ~ Living Water Worship
Sunday, August 29 at 2 p.m.
"Saddu-whos?"
Rev. Alycia Erickson
Join us at H20 this Sunday afternoon as we explore Jesus' conversations with Pharisees and Sadducees in Chapter 12 in Mark. We'll sing "Meet with Me," "Everlasting God," "Though I Speak," and favorite Taize songs. Come to meet Christ, not expectations! Mark 12:13-17Then they sent to him some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in
what he said. And they came and said to
him, 'Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no
one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of
God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor,
or not? Should we pay them, or
should we not?' But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, 'Why are
you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.' And they brought one.
Then he said to them, 'Whose head is this, and whose title?' They
answered, 'The emperor's.' Jesus said to them, 'Give
to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things
that are God's.' And they were utterly amazed at him.
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 MCC Austin's 35th Anniversary Planning Team: How Would You Like to Help?
As we begin to plan the events that will gather us all together to celebrate 35 years of blood, sweat, tears, joys, laughter, and community, we need your help to plan this wonderful occasion. If you are available to participate on the planning team or would like to contribute ideas for it, please contact Courtney Webster at the church or by email. |
 Holy Conversations:
An Invitation to Faithful Dialogue
In our ongoing attempt to provide you with more opportunities for spiritual growth and personal connection, we will be offering Holy Conversations, a series of theological discussion guides prepared by the MCC Theologies Team. This is one of many new resources that our denomination is providing to local congregations.
Beginning on Wednesday, September 1, and continuing the first Wednesday of every month for the next 9 months, we will engage in open, safe, affirming discussions about our understandings of these faith topics:
September: Ministry (Laity, Clergy, etc.)
October: Sexuality & Spirituality
November: Ecumenical / Inter-religious Issues
December: Trans-formations & Trans Experiences
January: Baptism
February: Holy Communion
March: Who is Jesus?
April: Global Justice
May: Ecclesiology (Church)
Rev. Thompson will be the host for each of these conversations, but others will share in facilitating our gatherings also.
Holy Conversations is open to everyone who is still seeking and who enjoys seeking in the company of others. You do not need to be a member of MCC to attend, and you do not need to attend every gathering. You are welcome to join us whenever a topic strikes your interest or whenever you want to spend time with other people in a safe, positive, meaningful way. You are encouraged to bring friends.
At this time, we have received an offer from one of our centrally located couples to host most or even all of our monthly conversations. If anyone else wishes to offer your home or another venue (apartment complex community room, conference room, etc.) please send an email to Rev. Karen Thompson. We will ask that those attending bring simple snacks to share so that we can impose a little less on our hosts' hospitality.
The address and directions to our September gathering will be available in this Sunday's worship program. If you are unable to be with us Sunday, you may send an email to Courtney Webster, and she will send directions to you.
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 Children's Sunday School
Begins September 5
Welcome back, children! Sunday School for children ages 3 years through 6th grade will start on Sunday, September 5 in the Wray Education Building. We are looking forward to having all of our children back at Sunday School.
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 Lay Delegate Report from
MCC's General Conference Sunday August 29 following the 11 a.m. service
On Sunday, August 29, following the 11:00 worship service, our Lay Delegates will share information with the congregation from our recent General Conference. You will have a chance to learn about MCC's newly adopted structure and bylaw changes. Additionally, you will learn how our Lay Delegates voted on specific issues and why, as well as their impressions of the state of MCC Churches. If for no other reason, come just to see the pictures of beautiful Acapulco!
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 The Other Side of the Rainbow: Domestic Partnership Planning on Your Terms
"...planning for the unexpected is the ultimate protection and the greatest gift you can give your family"
Tracy L. Kasparek
MCC Austin, Saturday, September 11 from 1-3 p.m.
Whatever the size of your estate, you should decide where it goes. If you don't have a Will or a Trust, the State of Texas will dictate the distribution of your estate property. Unfortunately the State of Texas does not include your partner, whether for inheritance purposes, incapacity decision-making or other planning decisions. This seminar will discuss death and incapacity partner planning in spite of Texas' default laws, titling issues with your partner, and will also touch on other areas such as estate taxes, second parent adoption and cohabitation agreements. For more information on general planning or the presenter, Tracy L. Kasparek, Attorney at law, click here. For general questions or to register, please contact Courtney Webster by email or by calling the church. |
 New Member Class
Monday, September 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Come learn about the history of MCC Austin, what our current ministries are, and where God is calling us as a church for our future. You will also find out how to get involved in ways that are meaningful to you. We'll provide dinner. If you're interested in attending the class, please RSVP to Courtney Webster by email or by calling the church (512) 291-8601. Please include your first and last name, email, and the best contact number for you. |
 Rediscovering the Radical Jesus
At MCC Austin
Saturday, September 25 from 9 a.m. - Noon
Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Mona West
In recent years many theologians and church leaders have claimed we have 'domesticated' Jesus by worshiping him instead of following him. The church has forgotten the radical nature of what Jesus came to teach and the way Jesus came to show. This retreat will revisit the life and teachings of Jesus and explore what it means to be 'followers of the Way' which is what the first Christians were called. We will also explore the question, "What does it mean to be a radical disciple of Jesus and what are the spiritual disciplines for radical discipleship?"
This church is covering all costs of the retreat so it is free for all who wish to attend. To register for this retreat please contact Courtney Webster in the church office or by email. |
BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News & Updates
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| MCC Impact Newsletter, August 2010
Filipino
MCCers on CNNMembers and
officers of MCC Quezon City (Philippines) were part of the motorcade of
the Ang Ladlad (Come Out), a national organization of the LGBT community
active for the purposes of legislation, prior to the recent elections. CNN was
there observing the event and chose some MCCers to interview on the last
day of the campaign. MCCQC is
actively involving the political arena in the Philippines and
participating in social activism as part of the Core Values of MCC
globally. MCC
New York Charities Launched a
New Mental Health Care ProgramAs part of their
extensive program for queer runaway and homeless youth, MCCNY Charities
has now added crucial mental health services for those young people.The mental health care program is under the direction
of Dr. Andres Ricardo Schneeberger, chief resident psychiatrist at the
Albert Einstein College of Medicine.He brought
together a dynamic team of experienced mental health professionals to
provide such vital services as psychiatric evaluations, short-term
therapy, case management, life skills training, social work services,
psychiatric nurse practitioner services, and on-site medical services. Read more...
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
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| GAYBYBOOM SEEKS VIDEO ENTRIES
Parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender are invited to submit videos to be included in a feature documentary, Gayby Boom, exploring the ever-evolving definition of family values. LGBT parents and their children of all ages are encouraged to participate. Filmmaker toolkits are available online.
"We need parents from around the globe to submit home videos to represent the many faces and lives involved in LGBT families. In a time where it is still illegal for LGBT individuals to marry and/or adopt in many countries, it is also the time to share our lives in the spirit of education and awareness for all communities," said filmmaker Lisa Marie Evans. "This will be an education tool for LGBT individuals seeking to bring children into their lives as they learn from the stories and experiences of others." For more information, visit our website. The submission deadline is September 1. Click here to view the video trailer.
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Into the Woods
presented by: The City Theatre Company
August 19 - September 17, 2010
 Broadway's most magical musical journey written by the legendary Stephen Sondheim which features a bewitching collection of classic children's characters on a rollicking romp through a "once upon a time" kingdom. A tapestry of wonderfully woven fables that brims with award-winning music and lyrics, this fractured fairy tale will transport you to a land where there are giants in the sky, witches next door, curses reversed and "happily ever afters." Musical entertainment for all ages. To find out more or to purchase tickets please visit the website.
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Our Prayers...
- For Pakistan as they mourn hundreds of deaths in the recent devastating floods, as well as prayers for help as the survivors struggle to find food, housing, and medical care.
- For our GLBT brothers and sisters around the world who live in fear of violence and discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- For MCC Churches in Germany: MCC Köln (Cologne), Salz der Erde MCC in Stuttgart, and MCC Hamburg.
- For our Building Team as they make plans for our new church building.
- For all addicts, those who are in recovery, and their families and friends.
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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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Pastor's Message
As you read Charlette's letter, I encourage you to read it as a young woman's earnest plea to her church family to live into the possibility of being a truly intimate family--a family in which communication is honest, edification is the order of the day, celebration and affirmation are valued over tolerance and acceptance, and love begins and ends and infuses all...
Dear Bishop Michael Rinehart,
(Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod)
My name is Charlette and I was one of the campers who attended The Spiritual Pride Project retreat. My church is in your synod and it's called Lord of Life Lutheran Church. I was saddened to hear that Lutherhill had been criticized for allowing a gay pride retreat at their camp, and that a board member has resigned in protest. Here's why:
As a lesbian, I've struggled in my faith. I was raised in the church, having attended from infancy to now (seventeen years old), and I know the Lutheran position regarding gays was one of non-judgment; but the fact is, I've heard so much anti-gay rhetoric coming from churches it made me afraid to believe in God, and bitter that He was used for hate. Yes, our church never (in my memory) condemned homosexuality, but I never heard anyone in the church say that God loved LGBT people either. The insecurities I had that arose from that made it progressively more difficult to come to church, because I was afraid that if I was honest about who I was, I would be rejected by members of my congregation and by God.
Additionally, I was afraid that the churches saying "homosexuals go to hell" and "God hates fags" were right, for lack of any proof otherwise. I was afraid I was going to hell and that God would damn me from the "crime" of love. This made me afraid to allow myself to believe in God, because if I was wrong (and I had never been shown how I could be right) I would be damned.
So, as you might imagine, I had problems with my faith. I started avoiding church and bible studies and felt resentful of those who could believe so strongly and attend church so easily. Then, my youth director Jen, informed me about the Spiritual Pride retreat, and I signed up.
When I arrived at the retreat, I was very nervous. However, over the course of the weekend the retreat became one of the best experiences in my life and completely re-ignited my faith. I learned there was actually proof that God did not condemn homosexuality, and further, that he loved LGBT people too. I met gay adults who openly served in the church, or even attended seminary, and straight adults who vocally defended gay rights. I also, for the first time, met gay Christians.
At camp, for the first time in years, I felt God's presence when I prayed. I was finally, finally not so alone anymore. It was an intensely powerful experience, and I very nearly cried with the joy of it.
When I left camp, that feeling didn't leave. I had gotten my faith back. I started re-attending bible study and church, and felt comfortable and happy while doing so. Even more, I felt called to do God's work. I'm planning to lead a pro-LGBT bible study in the fall, with a showing of the powerful documentary For the Bible Tells Me So . Had I never attended the retreat, I would still be stuck in the dark without faith. That's why I think Spiritual Pride Project was so important--because there's a lot of other kids like me out there, wanting to believe but too hurt or afraid to do so. As Christians, we are called to evangelism, and the Spiritual Pride Project did just that.
Peace be with you,
Charlette
All that's left for me to say is "Amen."
Love and Blessings,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor
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