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 Sunday Morning Worship on January 30
9 & 11 a.m.
"Healing Our Hearts, Minds, Bodies, and Souls"
Rev. Karen Thompson
An excerpt from Christianity for the Rest of Us
by Diana Butler Bass
Not long ago, a reporter called and asked me about the practices of vital mainline churches. "What do they do that is different? What's new?" "Well," I began to answer, "they practice things like hospitality and healing..."
He interrupted. "Healing? All churches do healing! There's nothing new about that." "Healing is ancient," I replied. "What is new is that these mainline churches are practicing it. When I was a girl, growing up in the Methodist church, nobody talked about healing."
His comments got me thinking. Why the renewed interest in healing--especially from a faith tradition that had largely lost the practice? In my childhood Methodist church, healing was not often discussed. We learned about Jesus healing people in the Bible, in that remote world that seemed to exist only on the yellowed Bible-land maps in our Sunday school classrooms. Healing was an ancient miracle or-as we became more theologically sophisticated-an ancient metaphor, largely inaccessible to modern people. Healing, it appeared to me, was part of premodern history.
In an enlightened society like ours, healing had become the business of doctors and hospitals; we awaited miracles of new medicines and cures. Except for faith in science, faith had nothing to do with it. This was the work of researchers and surgeons. Although occasionally we would celebrate Jesus as "the Great Physician" or hear in a sermon that Saint Luke was a doctor, healing-with the exception of giving money to medical missions-was certainly not the work of the church! Even in our Methodist world, however, we heard rumors that some Christians still believed in healing. They were mostly Pentecostal faith healers and revivalists who held tent meetings and met in storefront churches. My parents--and my pastors--referred to them as Holy Rollers and looked down on them and others who did not share our scientific sensibilities. They recognized that good people sought supernatural healing, but they equally thought them victims of religious crooks and spiritual snake-oil salesmen.
Indeed, by the twentieth century, mainline Protestants had, in effect, accepted the modern dualism of science and faith and overreacted to the excesses of supernaturalism. Although Christian in name, they functioned as secularists in regard to healing. As a result, they downplayed Jesus' healing ministry and relegated healing practices to the world of science. Eventually, the antisupernaturalism of mainline Protestantism left many people cold and sent them searching for a more transcendent God.
Healing has become a key theme in contemporary spirituality, growing more dominant as the population ages. Scholarly research projects explore the links between faith and wellness, entire magazines focus on spirituality and health. Pentecostals are no longer alone in their belief in supernatural healing; many people pray for health, hoping that God will reach into the soul and touch their deepest needs. There exists a strong cultural current of desire to feel and experience God's power personally and to participate in God's purposes for humanity-people want to be part of healing the universe.
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ASL interpretation for the 11 a.m. worship service is available upon request. For more information, please email Courtney Webster.
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 Automated External Defibrillator Update:
Thanks to all of you who jumped at the chance to offer your support and contributions to help us keep our AED. Because of the generosity of one of our members we were able to order everything that we needed to continue the use of the AED. The spirit of generosity and kindness that is expressed at MCC Austin is such a blessing. Thank you.
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An Invitation to Faithful Dialogue "Baptism"
Wednesday, February 2 at 7 p.m.
Holy Conversations is a series of theological discussion guides prepared by the MCC Theologies Team. February's topic is "Baptism." 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.
This group meets in member's homes each month. For location information, please email or call Courtney Webster in the church office and she will give you the directions. Please note that we are meeting in a new location this month for the first time.
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 Transgender Basics Plus workshop
Saturday, February 19, 2011
At MCC Austin from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join Metropolitan Community Church of Austin and Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) as we jointly host Transgender Basics Plus workshop. The workshop will explore the many challenges faced by the transgender community, provide an opportunity to celebrate and share stories of transgender lives and experience. This workshop is free and lunch will be provided for a $5 donation. Please register by February 10 with Courtney Webster by phone at 512-291-8601 or by email. If you need additional information about the workshop, please contact MJ Allen by email.
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Journey Retreat
Saturday, February 5
At MCC Austin from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is a $10 registration fee.
Registration required, only 7 available spots!
JOURNEY is an 7-hour experience to better understand and appreciate self, others and God. It is a retreat-like experience which deals with such topics as: Do I wear masks? Why? How can I better learn to communicate who I am and not just what I think? How can I grow in trust? Who is Christ? What does Church mean to me? Do I pray? Why? It is a non-threatening opportunity to really get to know yourself, others and God.
To register, please contact Courtney Webster at the church office or by email. It will be facilitated by Carol Wagner and presented by a team from MCC Austin. It will be awesome! The cost is only $10 and lunch will be served. Please be prompt and plan to spend the entire day. It will definitely be worth your time. Open to 21 years and older.
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 New Online Group Study:
The Book of God: The Bible as a Novel Study begins February 7
Can't make it to church during the week for class due to work schedule or travel? Live too far from church to make it back during the week? Want to learn more about the Bible in an interesting way? We have a new study group just for you!
We are starting an ongoing online study group that will read Walter Wangerin, Jr.'s The Book of God together. It will begin the week of Sunday, February 6. Each week we'll read a chapter together and then share reflections in a private Facebook group. Pastor Alycia Erickson will facilitate the study and Facebook group. A limited number of books will be available for purchase through the church for $15 each (normally $19.99). If you would like to join the group, please email or "friend" Pastor Alycia and request to join the group. Please note: you must have a Facebook account to participate in this study.
More about The Book of God (from the bookflap):
Here is the story of the Bible from beginning to end as you've never ead it before--told with exciting detail and passionate energy. [It] reads like a fine novel, bringing a wise a beautiful rendering of the Bible, retold by masterful storyteller Walter Wangerin, Jr. Wangerin recreates the high drama, low comedy, gentle humor, and awesome holiness of the Bible story. Imaginative, yet meticulously research, The Book of God offers a sweeping history that stretches across thousands of years and hundreds of lives, in cultures foreign and yet familiar in their common humanity. History and fact take on personality and warmth....Gardens, humble homes, olive groves, palaces, temples, and the hills of Judea shining in the afternoon sun--Wangerin makes the places where the events of the Bible tool place come to life in the imagination.
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 SOUL Connections Group Forming
SOUL: Sharing w/Others
Unconditionally and Lovingly
There are groups for almost everyone at MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks...and now we have the opportunity to have one too! Are you an older adult? Would you like to re-new yourself by participating with a group of your peers? We envision information sharing, day trips, volunteering...the list is limited only by our imagination. We all have much to offer, questions to ask and be answered, and sharing of life experiences...and of course, simply enjoy the chance to socialize and have some "phun". Karen Son and Bob Kelly will kick start the new group. One goal is to create a dynamic group with shared commitment in which everyone can host meetings or activities. We plan on having a first gathering on Sunday, February 6, 2011. Details are below. When this sounds interesting and beneficial to you, contact Karen Son or Bob Kelly for additional information.
Their contact information is:
Karen Son kkson@yahoo.com 512-626-4705 or
Bob Kelly bobtex@att.net 512-828-7367
Who: Older, more "mature" adults (e.g., 45+) - Inclusive: If you would like to participate, we'd love to have you
Why: We all have LOTS to enjoy in our lives and LOTS to offer. This group could be a terrific way to truly enable us to re-new ourselves through service to others
When: February 6, 2011 after the 11 a.m. MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks church service
Where: Lunch location Chi Buffet in Southpark Meadows Shopping Center (Separate room has been reserved) 9900 South IH-35 (512) 292-0303 - Next to Cinemark Movie Theaters
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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.
- That we may all find ways to ReNew our heart, mind, body and soul in 2011.
- For all who do not have a job in these difficult times.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News From Around the World
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News from our denomination.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
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Save the date for Baile 2011
Baile 2011: 25 Years and Still Dancing!
Friday, February 4 from 7:30-11:30 p.m.
Mexican American Cultural Center
600 River Street, Austin TX
Doors open 7:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Tickets $25 pre-sale!($35 @ the Door!)
Sponsored by allgo: A statewide queer people of
color organization.
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Gospel Fest at TEXAS STATE University
Featuring Twinkie Clark
Saturday, February 26 from 6-7 p.m.
Gospel Expression Association annual Gospel Fest,
featuring Twinkie Clark at 6 p.m. in the Alkek Teaching Theater.
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Pastor's Message
The fact that MCC Austin is an MCC congregation is the core of this story. The MCC denomination is a very unique and special miracle. God has called this denomination into being to do ministry in ways that no other church before it has done. I believe MCC is a restoration movement in the Christian faith. When one reads the mission and vision statements of Metropolitan Community Churches, it is clear that MCC is not just another pretty faith! MCC is very intentional with it ministry to those of this world who have been marginalized by the Christian faith.
God has blessed me with some very special opportunities to experience and understand the MCC vision. One of those opportunities has allowed me to visit and worship at many of our MCC congregations. Iʼve tried to recall and list all those churches. The total is somewhere around thirty ranging from Austin, Texas to Birmingham, England.
My point here is not to show you that I am a well traveled individual, but rather to let you know that I did not "fall in love" with all these churches. Oh, I came to appreciate the fact that they were MCC congregations and were in fact working to be good MCC folks. But here is the divide----the people of MCC Austin GET IT! You have always had a much deeper understanding and appreciation for equality, diversity, and justice than anybody else. I relate to you because what touches your hearts and souls matters to this denomination and touches my heart and soul.
My vision for MCC Austin is that it will continue to be a pillar of excitement and strength for the total Christian community. In that role, I believe it is imperative that this church remain true to the principles that make it an MCC congregation. I pray for this church to be a people who are as diverse as is the world, and who truly celebrate their diversity.
Faithfully,
Len Shelton
MCC Austin Board of Directors
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