The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks 
| September 22, 2010
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From Your Pastor
I read a book by William T. McConnell recently in which I learned something quite interesting and a little shocking. McConnell's book deals with renewing congregations, and he admits that the task is much more difficult than in used to be. In the 1940s, he says, churches practically filled themselves without pastors or boards or outreach ministries doing anything at all. A contributing factor to that, according to McConnell, was a large number of WW II veterans who made many battlefield bargains with God, often bartering future church attendance for survival. Read More |
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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2 Saturday - Blessing of the Animals - 10 a.m.
3 Sunday Worship at 9 and 11 a.m. with Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson preaching
6 Holy Conversations
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 Sunday Morning Worship on September 26
9 & 11 a.m. We welcome our friend and special musical guest Lindsey Kane at both services. "Two Minute Warning"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Luke 16:19-31
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house--for I have five brothers=-that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" |
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Sign language interpreter for the 11:00 a.m. service available upon request. For more information, please contact Courtney Webster by email. |
 H2O ~ Living Water Worship Sunday, September 26 at 2 p.m.
"Getting to Know God"
Rev. Alycia Erickson
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to Bod, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God's way. For the Scriptures tell us, "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.
Clearly, God's promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God's law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. If God's promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For the law brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham's. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, "I have made you the father of many nations." This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.
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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"
Thursday, September 30th 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. |
 Holy Conversations: An Invitation to Faithful Dialogue
In our ongoing attempt to provide you with more opportunities for spiritual growth and personal connection, we are offering Holy Conversations, a series of theological discussion guides prepared by the MCC Theologies Team.
On the first Wednesday of each month, 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. |
 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. |
 Celebrate Bisexuality Day This year is the 19th anniversary of Celebrate Bisexuality Day. It will be observed on September 23, 2010, with events being held in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington D.C. Events commemorating this day will continue to occur the following weekend.
Bisexuality is traditionally defined as an awareness of one's attraction to others regardless of gender. Some people who fit this definition also self-identify as "fluid," "pansexual," "diverse" or eschew labels altogether. Although the most recent version of CBD was started in 1999, it was preceded by similar events dating back to 1991 -- less than a year after BiNet USA was founded (it's now celebrating its 20th anniversary) and just five years after the founding of the Bisexual Resource Center. Bisexuals have grown in numbers and in strength since the Stonewall Rebellion, but still remain invisible to some degree in LGBT history. An outpouring of bi pride and celebration of bisexual culture, Celebrate Bisexuality Day was founded by Wendy Curry, Michael Page, and Gigi Raven Wilbur. It serves as an antidote to the continued invisibility, marginalization, and even prejudice against bisexual people in both the straight and LGBT communities. Whether bisexual or a bi ally, we invite everyone to join with us in embracing and celebrating bisexual pride until biphobia and monosexism are a thing of the past. Some resources on the Internet include but are not limited to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebrate_Bisexuality_Day http://binetusa.blogspot.com/2010/09/press-release-national-celebrate.html |
BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News From Around the World
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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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Our Prayers...
- For all in the Gulf Coast region who continue to deal with the effects of the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico this summer.
- For MCC Churches around the world, and especially the MCCs in Mexico: MCC in Piedras Negras, ICM Renovacion (Cuernavaca), ICM Guadalajara, and Casa de Luz ICM (Monterrey).
- 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
I don't find it shocking that many veterans promised all kinds of piety in return for safety; I've heard the saying "There are no atheists in foxholes." What I find shocking is McConnell's perception that most of those WW II veterans kept their promises! Most of us probably know of or have experienced ourselves events that have led us to make changes, make bargains or make promises to ourselves, others, or even God. But I'm also aware of how often those circumstantial conversions don't hold up. Have you ever promised not to take another drink, drive without a seatbelt, or text while driving? Ever decided now's the time to change your diet, exercise more, or spend more quality time with loved ones? Ever asked God for help with those things? Ever enlisted friends for support? Ever been surprised how quietly those resolutions slipped away or good intentions fell by the wayside? This Sunday I'll be preaching from the Gospel story about the "other Lazarus" and the rich man who realized too late how he should have lived, what he should have changed, and for whom he should have cared. Part of the blessing of this passage is that, while it's too late for the rich man in the story to change his ways and find God's favor, it's not too late for us. As I worked on my sermon this week, I ran across this anonymous quote: Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. Part of the Gospel message, of the Good News, is just that: We are constantly offered the chance to be new creations in Christ and to co-create with Christ new endings. There is no need to lose hope or to give up-ever. Can you believe that? I pray that you can. Always in Hope,
Senior Pastor
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