News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin

The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks

December 15, 2010

From Your Pastor

Last night, on my way home from our Board of Directors work session on the 2011 budget, I saw two falling stars. I won't tell you about the first, but on the second I wished that Christmas time could be the most wonderful time of the year for everyone. Then I prayed for the same thing.

Psychologists offer us all kinds of explanations for "Holiday Blues." Here are a few:

-Financial stress that accompanies the guilt of overspending and accumulating debt as well as the guilt of moderating spending and disappointing someone

What's Happening at MCC Austin

December

        15   Blue Christmas Service at 7 p.m.
        18   MCC Austin's day at Habitat for Humanity's 2010 Pride Build
        19   Worship at 9 & 11 a.m.: "Christmas Can Still Change the World: Love All"
        21   Positive Perspectives meets at 7 p.m.
        23   God in My Life faith sharing group at 7 p.m.
        24   Christmas Eve Services (ASL Interpretation available at both):
                      6 p.m. Service especially for families and children
                      8 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service
        26   Worship at 9 & 11 a.m.**

**Please note: Children's Sunday School will not meet on December 26 and January 2.
                     Classes resume regular schedule on Sunday, January 9.

Sunday worship Sunday Morning Worship on December 19
9 & 11 a.m.

Christmas Can Still Change the World:

Love All

Rev. Karen Thompson

Luke 2:1-5

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.

ASL interpretation for the 11 a.m. worship service is available upon request. For more information, please email Courtney Webster.

Blue Christmas Service Tonight

Tonight Wednesday, December 15

In the MCC Austin Sanctuary at 7 p.m. During the holiday season many of us feel 'blue' or sad because of the loss of loved ones, strained family relationships or worry about finances. This candlelight service of prayer and song in the Taize tradition will provide a sacred space of comfort and peace for those who may be feeling blue in this season.

Christmas Cookie Collection

We are in need of cookies for receptions following Christmas Eve Services. If you are able to donate cookies please label them "Christmas Cookie Collection" and drop them off in the kitchen at the Sunday services or any time during normal office hours. For more information, please contact Courtney Webster at the church office or by email. Thank You and Merry Christmas!

surviving holidays

Surviving the Holidays after a

Loved One's Death or a Divorce

People who've experienced the death of a loved one often face Thanksgiving and Christmas with dread. But grieving people can find actionable strategies and encouragement to make it through the 2010 holiday season at the GriefShare Surviving the Holidays website. Those in a marital breakup can find practical strategies and encouraging counsel to make it through the holiday season at the DivorceCare Surviving the Holidays website.

At the GriefShare Surviving the Holidays website, people in grief can enter their zip code into a searchable database to find a nearby holiday seminar. The website also contains downloadable holiday-centric articles and helpful video clips featuring expert teaching and personal testimonies on holiday survival after grief. The DivorceCare website also contains downloadable holiday-centric articles and helpful video clips featuring expert teaching and personal testimonies on holiday survival after a breakup.

PRIDE BUILD 4 (PB4)

Join MCC Austin's PB4 Team

Saturday, December 18 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For the fourth year in a row, the Austin Pride Build is partnering with Austin Habitat for Humanity to embrace Austin's diversity by bringing together the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender community and our friends to build a healthy and affordable home for an Austin family in need. The 2010 build begins in October and once again the hard work and big hearts of Austin's LGBT community will come together to pull off another amazing Habitat for Humanity project. For more information on Pride Build 4 please click here.

MCC Austin is providing a team to go out on December 18 to dig in, help out, and show our pride for the community. So climb on board! No experience necessary, just the willingness to swing a hammer, slap some paint, spread some caulk and a variety of other tasks. If you would like to be on this AMAZING team and help MCC Austin represent, please contact Courtney Webster at church office or by email.

Holy Conversations

An Invitation to Faithful Dialogue

"Trans-formations & Trans Experiences"

January 5 at 7 p.m.

Holy Conversations is a series of theological discussion guides prepared by the MCC Theologies Team. January's topic is "Trans-formations & Trans Experiences." 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.

For location information, please email or call Courtney Webster at the church office and she will give you the directions.

God in My Life

Thursday, December 23 at 7 p.m.
This faith sharing support group is open to everyone, and meets every other Thursday evening in the Wray Education Building. If you have any questions, please email Carol Wagner.

Positive Perspectives

HIV/AIDS Support Group

will meet on December 21

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).

BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News From Around the World

MCC Headline NEWS

News from our denomination.

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MCC Impact

News from MCC churches around the world.

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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events

Volunteer Healthcare Clinic

In continuous operation since 1966, and operated by over 400 volunteers, the Volunteer Healthcare Clinic (VHC) was founded for the purpose of providing healthcare services to people in Austin who have nowhere else to turn for this care. Over the years the Clinic has grown and evolved to meet community needs but our steadfast goal has remained the same, to effectively provide healthcare services to those individuals who would otherwise have to go without. With continued volunteer and community support, we look forward to many more years of service to the Austin community. To find out more click here.

Our Prayers...

For MCC Churches around the world.
For our Building Team and Board of Directors as they work with our General Contractor in the next steps of the building process.
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 all who struggle with the blues during the holiday season.
For the Habitat family that members of MCC Austin are helping build a house for on Saturday.

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.

In This Issue

Sunday Worship

ASL Interpretation

Blue Christmas Service

Christmas Cookie Collection

Surviving the Holidays: Grief Support

Habitat for Humanity PB4

Holy Conversations

God in my Life

Positive Perspectives

MCC Headline News

MCC Impact

Volunteer Healthcare Clinic

Our Prayers

Submit E-link Articles

Our Sponsors

Quick Links

MCC Austin

MCC in the World
Give to MCC Austin online

Pastor's Message

continued...

--Grief of all kinds: loss of a job, broken relationships, death of a loved one, failing health. Sometimes the grief is from a recent event, and sometimes it is grief that has been left unresolved

--Drinking more alcohol or drinking alcohol more frequently

--Tension that arises from spending time with extended family members who may not share your interests, values, or traditions

--And the most frequently mentioned reason for holiday depression: unmet expectations.

If you find yourself feeling especially blue during the days and weeks ahead, here are some suggestions you might try:

--Come to the Blue Christmas service tonight, December 15, at MCC Austin at 7:00

--Visit one of the websites mentioned in the adjacent E-Link article on coping with grief during the holidays

--Contact Rev. Alycia, Rev. Bill, or me for a pastoral conversation and prayer

--Reach out to our Deacons either at church or through the Deacon Care Line at 512-291-8601.

--Most importantly, stay close to Jesus during this season of celebrating his birth. Take a look up at the night sky...imagine the stable beneath the star...wonder at the miracle of Emanuel, "God With Us"...believe in the unfailing love that God offers us now and in every season.

I'll leave you today with a poem written by the poet Kabir. When I feel the blues coming on, I remember this poem, and peace slips over me quickly, softly, silently...like those falling stars last night.

I had to seek the Physician

because of the pain this world

caused

me.

I could not believe what happened when I got there-

I found my

Teacher.

Before I left, he said,

"Up for a little homework, yet?"

"Okay," I replied.

"Well then, try thanking all the people

who have caused