The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks 
| September 15, 2010
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From Your Pastor
Karen is on vacation this week. This week's column from from Rev. Alycia Erickson.
 MCC Austin is in the midst of many changes. We are in the
process of growing and building a new church home for our congregation. As our
church grows and changes, we must adapt and grow to reflect these new
realities.
Our Elders, Rev. Ken Martin and Rev. Lillie
Brock, have helped us understand the dynamics of church size and what we as MCC
Austin need to do to continue to grow and help new people find ways to connect
with our church. One very important piece of church size theory says that the
larger a church gets, the smaller it must become. This means that as more
people join a church, the church must provide more connecting points for
people. We must offer a variety of classes, groups, events and programs that
people can participate in so they can grow in their faith and meet each other. Worship
is a central part of who we are, but it is very difficult to get to know people
only through worship services.
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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 Sunday Morning Worship on September 19
9 & 11 a.m. "Straight Is the Gate and Narrow the Way"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Luke 16:1-13
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was squandering his property. So he summoned him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.' Then the manager said to himself, 'What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.' So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?' He answered, 'A hundred jugs of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it fifty.' Then he asked another, 'And how much do you owe?' He replied, 'A hundred containers of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill and make it eighty.' And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal homes."
"Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." |
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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, September 19 at 2 p.m.
"I Witness"Rev. Karen Thompson Romans 1:18-32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be
known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation
of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they
are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So
they are without excuse; for though they knew God,
they did not honor God as God or give thanks to God, but they became
futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they
became fools; and they exchanged the
glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or
birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them
up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their
bodies among themselves, because they exchanged
the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature
rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
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MCC Austin's 35th Anniversary
 "Christian and Queer--Identities Made for Each Other: Reflections on Claiming Them Both"
David Weiss
Join us on Friday, October 1 from 7-8:30 p.m. here at MCC Austin for this special event with David Weiss. This event is free and open to the public. David
Weiss is a theologian, writer, poet and hymnist committed to doing 'public
theology' around issues of sexuality, justice, diversity, and peace. In his
work he seeks to bring the strength of his academic training into fruitful
conversation with the wider audiences of church and society. His writing has
appeared in newspapers and periodicals throughout the U.S, most recently as a
monthly columnist for Q View Northwest, a GLBTQA publication out of Spokane,
Washington. His first book is To the Tune of a Welcoming God: lyrical
reflections on sexuality, spirituality, and the wideness of God's welcome
(Langdon Street Press, 2008).  On Saturday, October 2, at 10:00 a.m., we will hold our annual Blessing of the Animals service at MCC Austin. If you have a pet that you are unable to bring to the church, bring a picture or something that is special to your pet and we will bless your pet in absentia. Please note: all animals must be on a leash or in a carrier at all times.
 Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson joins us for our 35th Anniversary Weekend
We are privileged to have the Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of MCC Churches, join us for our 35th Anniversary weekend. She will be our special guest preacher on Sunday morning. Come celebrate our 35th anniversary and hear her inspiring words about MCC from around the globe.
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 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 any who wish to attend. To register for this retreat, please contact Courtney Webster in the church office or by email. |
 Join the MCC Austin Team for the Austin AIDS Walk
Sunday, October 17, 2010at Austin City Hall Plaza
(301 W. Cesar Chavez Street)
Time: 12:30 p.m. - Sign-In Opens; 1:30 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies; 2:00 p.m. - AIDS Walk Step-Off
Please join us for the 23rd annual AIDS Walk Austin, benefiting AIDS Services of Austin. Help us to support and raise funds that will provide direct care and education to those in our community living with HIV and AIDS. AIDS Walk
Austin is almost 5K, or 3.1 miles,
and takes under an hour to
complete.If you are unable to walk there are several other options for supporting AIDS Walk.To register, click here, then click "Join a Team." Our Team Name is "MCC Austin," and our Team Division is "House of Worship." If you would like to make a donation for our team, simply click on the "Support MCC Austin" link and choose your method of support. |
 MCC Austin Volunteer Opportunities
Currently MCC Austin is in need of several office volunteers as well as Special Event Set-up/Take-down Crews.
Office Volunteers are an important part of helping MCC Austin to run smoothly behind the scenes. Volunteers work closely with the office staff to keep up with the many administrative tasks necessary to keep us functioning efficiently. Office volunteer opportunities are available from Tuesday - Friday. The shifts available are between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Duties may include: Answering the phones, entering data into the software system, preparing mailings, assisting with various activities, assisting with filing and paperwork, participating in special projects, and organizing event materials. Skill Requirements: Good general organization skills and comfortable with computers.
We are also in need of Special Event Set-up/Take-down Crew. If you have wanted to serve MCC Austin but do not have the ability to commit to a regularly scheduled volunteer opportunity, this might be a good fit for you. We need people that can be available for on-call setting up or taking down of different special events. If you volunteer to serve on this team you would receive monthly notices of upcoming events, you would then check your personal schedule and reply if you are available to come in and help. You would have prior notice as well as flexibility.
If you are able to fill one of these immediate needs, please contact Courtney Webster at the office or by email. |
 "God In My Life"
This Thursday, September 16, at 7 p.m.
In the MCC Austin Education Building This faith sharing support group is open to everyone, and meets every other Thursday evening in the Wray Education Building. The next September meeting will be on Thursday September 30, from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Wray Education Building. If you have any questions, please email Carol Wagner. |
A new Youth Group is starting for kids that are in Middle and High School grades. Our first meeting will be on September 19th after the 11 a.m. Service in the Wray Eduction Building. Come and bring a friend even if they are not a part of MCC. We will be discussing upcoming meetings dates, as well as Youth Group events. Pizza will be served for lunch.
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 Red Carpet Luncheon
September 19 after the 11:00 serviceThe Red Carpet Ministry invites everyone to lunch on Sunday, September 19 following the 11 a.m. service. We will meet at Chi Buffet (at 9900 S. IH 35, Ste O500 in Southpark Meadows next to the movie theater). We especially welcome visitors and others who are new to the church to come join us so you can get to know more people in our church family. For information, email Scot Kibbe.
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 Positive Perspectives at Freedom Oaks
HIV/AIDS Support Group
Meets September 21 at 7 p.m. at a confidential location
Positive Perspectives is a monthly support group with an emphasis on the spiritual aspects of life with HIV/AIDS. Positive Perspectives meets on the third Tuesday usually in members' homes and sometimes at MCC Austin.They focus on information sharing in a confidential setting for those affected by HIV & AIDS, while providing support for one another by letting each individual discuss what is on his/her mind. With members at various stages of the disease, this group offers a tremendous amount of first-hand knowledge, experience, and support of life for those infected & affected by HIV/AIDS. Please call the church office for directions and information about the meeting location (291-8601).
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 MCC Austin Cruise Meet and Greet Calling all passengers booked on the upcoming MCC Austin cruise in November! We are gathering for lunch to meet and greet each other and hold a question and answer session, if needed. Port of Call for this event: Serranos Tex-Mex Restaurant, located in South Park Meadows. This lunch will take place on September 26, 2010, at 1 p.m. (following the 11:00 service). I am looking forward to seeing all passengers on board! For more information, please email Carlos Soto. |
BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News From Around the World
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MCC Headline NEWS
From The Desk of The Moderator I am pleased to announce the appointment of Barb Crabtree as Director of Operations for MCC. Over the past year, Barb has served in this role as Interim Director of Operations, and we are now making it official.
Read more here.
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MCC Impact: News from MCC Around the World
YOUTH SUNDAY AT MCC OMAHA
For six weeks the Sunday School teachers at MCC Omaha (Nebraska) worked with the youth, ages 8-15, learning about the various parts of a worship service and their meaning. The students chose the Scripture for the service, Revelation 22:1-2, which talks about the Tree of Life bringing healing to the nations.
The youth read scripture, gave the call to generosity, lead the community prayer, consecrated Communion and prayed with congregants. It was incredibly moving to see 50 year old congregants kneeling down so a 10 year old could say a prayer of blessing. Continue this article here. Back to Top______________________________________________________________
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
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Operation Bingo
Did you know that MCC Austin is the sponsor of Bingo three nights a week? We are, and this provides us with a significant source of revenue each month to support our mission. Our bingo games are held on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. The games are played at Lucky Lady Bingo, 1107 North I-35, Austin, Texas 78702 (east of I-35 at 11th Street). If you have the opportunity to take in an evening of bingo during one of our games you will not only be having fun, and (hopefully) winning prizes, but also helping MCC Austin finance its operations and outreach.
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"Trevor Tour"
STEP 3 ENTERTAINMENT KICKS OFF NATIONAL "TREVOR TOUR" IN AUSTIN, TX TO BENEFIT NATIONAL LESBIAN, GLBTQ YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE.
GEORGE WALSH/MIKE BURNS -
Tonight at 10 p.m.,- Rain on 4th for the CD Release of INDIGO
Step 3 Entertainment's upcoming "Trevor Tour" will be used to raise money for the nationally known Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is the non-profit organization that operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis/suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ youth. This tour will be supported by the national release of the new compilation CD "INDIGO" of which Proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project. Come join us at Rain on 4th St. tonight for the official Trevor Project Benefit night. For more information please visit the website.
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allgo Presents
Shay Youngblood: Reading and Exhibition
allgo Artist-In-Residence This Thursday, September 16, 2010, 7 p.m.
BookWoman 5501 N Lamar, Austin, TX
Free Reception following reading and exhibition The reading and exhibition will feature artistic expressions of Shay Youngblood and participants of Bookmaking: A Workshop for Writers and Artists. The Bookmaking workshop series held by allgo created a space for eight writers and visual artists to generate new writing, build a portfolio of future projects, design and craft original handmade books and altered artists books. In the workshops participants learned to make a variety of hand-made books and explored possibilities for publishing their creative works. Books made in the workshop will be available for purchase . For more information please visit the website.
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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 the people of Boulder, Colorado as they deal with the effects of the forest fire in their area.
- For the Central Texas region as people continue to recover from the torrential rains of Hermine.
- For MCC Churches around the world, and especially this week: MCCs in Kenya.
- For our Building Team as they continue the process of planning for our new church building.
- 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
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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
Courtney Webster and I work together to create meaningful
ways for people to connect to God, each other, and our community through classes,
programs, events and retreats. Our goal is to provide a variety of ways for
people to come together for fellowship and learning.
Karen has charged me as
Pastor of Faith Formation to hold the overall vision for the spiritual growth
of the congregation. I plan and facilitate spiritual growth opportunities, and identify
and develop leaders for ministries and groups.
Courtney, as the Director of
Programs, handles the logistics (registration, meals, etc.) of events, classes
and groups. She also coordinates the master calendar and special events.
This summer we offered a variety of special gatherings for
our community. We offered "Proud Parenting" for GLBT parents and "Inclusive
Recovery" for those in recovery. The "God in my Life" faith sharing group grew
out of a class we offered last spring. We hosted fellowship opportunities at "Blues
on the Green" in June and a movie night in August. The middle and high school
youth gathered for a night out at Austin Park and Pizza.
I would love to hear your ideas for new ministries, groups or
events, and ask for your help to make them a reality in our church.
This is an exciting time for MCC Austin. I look
forward to all that God has in store for us!
On the journey together,
Alycia
Pastor of Faith Formation
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