The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks 
| February 2, 2011
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From Your Pastor
Last November, when we were planning worship services for January 2011, I knew right away I wanted to do a sermon series on renewing our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. It would have worked beautifully, except that there were 5 Sundays in the month. I thought about starting the series a week later, having a mostly music service at the end of the series, or even taking a Sunday off and letting our guest preacher do whatever he or she wanted to. But I finally realized that the 5th Sunday offered a perfect opportunity for having a "healing service" for our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls...
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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February is Black History Month
This month we will join the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) as they "...present a month long series of Black History profiles focusing upon highly accomplished Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender men and women both past and present."
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Sunday Morning Worship on February 6
9 & 11 a.m.
"Our Prayers"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Acts 4:23-31
After they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them, it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:
'Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples imagine vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
and the rulers have gathered together
against the Lord and against his Messiah.'
For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Each of the four Sundays in February will focus on a different type of prayer. We hope you'll join us for all four!
Feb 6 - Our Prayers (Prayers of the People)
Feb 13 - My Prayers
Feb 20 - Jesus' Prayers
Feb 27 - Answered and Unanswered Prayers
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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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Black History Month
Alberta Hunter
(1895-1984)
Blues singer, lyricist, and actress Alberta Hunter, a distinctive stylist and one of the top recording artists in the 1920s and 1930s, experienced a dramatic comeback in her old age. Read more...
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An Invitation to Faithful Dialogue "Baptism"
Tonight at 7 p.m. Yes! We're still meeting tonight. Come warm up with lively conversation.
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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Journey Retreat
Due to inclement weather this retreat has been postponed until Saturday April 2.
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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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 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 read the Bible but get stuck not long after you start? 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 Monday, February 7. 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). [There's only one copy left!] 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. You can join this study at any time.
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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 Spiritual Pride Project 2011
April 1-3, 2011
The Spiritual Pride Project is offering a weekend camp retreat as a safe, accepting and loving community where GLBTQIA (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Question Intersex and Allies) youth can discuss how their sexuality and spirituality are beautiful gifts from God. We will accompany each other on the faith journey as we celebrate and struggle with our faith, family, friends, school, relationships, and everything in between. This is still camp after all, so we will enjoy God's creation and have a blast sharing our creative talents, playing games, and challenging each other. All People of all belief backgrounds are welcome! Our very own Pastor Alycia will be participating as staff at this retreat.
When: April 1-3, 2011
Cost: $90 General Registration (ends March, 1 2011) Registration includes all housing, meals, and programming [MCC Austin has scholarships available. Please contact Pastor Alycia in the office (512) 291-8601 or by email for details.]
Where: The camp is located at Lutherhill in LaGrange, TX
Who can attend: There are three tracks this year:
- GLBTQI Youth, grades 6-12
- Young Adults ages 18-25 who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or intersex and straight allies,
- Youth who identify as Allies, grades 6-12 who would like to learn from and support GLBTQI youth.
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 People of African Descent Conference
2011 MCC Conference for:
People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies
Loving Ourselves into Liberation
19-21 May 2011
The Fairmont in Washington, DC
Since 1998, the MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies has been a landmark MCC event. While being firmly rooted in the African-American cultural experience, the MCC PAD Conference is for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality.
The 2011 PAD Conference theme LOVING OURSELVES INTO LIBERATION reflects our commitment to continue our rise from victimhood to victory and to lift others as we climb. To inform and empower us to reach higher heights, workshops and keynote speakers will focus on physical, political, and spiritual health and wholeness. Worship will inspire us to celebrate the fullness of who we are and to embrace the fullness of who God has liberated us to be.
The Chair of the 2011 PAD Conference is Rev. Candy Holmes. The Planning Committee includes conference hosts representing MCC and The Fellowship congregations in the Washington, DC area and volunteers from across the United States. The Human Rights Campaign is also working with us to offer you the largest and most powerful PAD Conference experience to date.
You will not want to miss the 2011 PAD Conference.
Register now by Clicking Here!
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Our Prayers...
- For our Building Team and General Contractor as they finalize building plans for our new 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.
- For all who have no shelter, heat or food today.
- For our GLBT brothers and sisters in Uganda as they mourn the loss of David Kato, a human rights activist who was murdered last week.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News From Around the World
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MCC mourns David Kato
Dear Friends,
It was with shock and sadness that the leadership of MCC heard of the murder of David Kato, a human rights defender, a humanitarian and a man of tremendous heart and courage. David has been fighting for the rights of the LGBTI community in Uganda. Most recently David has been working with Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and was the visible voice against the oppressive proposed legislation introduced by the Ugandan government, which would impose the death penalty for those found guilty of being gay. David was brutally beaten to death in his home on 26 January 2011. Click here for complete article.
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News from our denomination.
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News from MCC churches arround the world.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: News & Community Events
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Alzheimer's Association
Brown Bag Information Sessions:
Lots of Learning, Little Time
Are you a caregiver who is looking to expand their knowledge, but has limited time to spare? Grab your lunch and join us the 1st Friday of the month for a Brown Bag Information Session from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm. Contact (512) 241-0420 or email TXPrograms@TXAlz.org to register. All Chapter programs are free of charge. Held at 3429 Executive Center Drive, Hubbard Bldg., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731.
February 4
Selecting, Interviewing, Screening, Hiring and Managing a Caregiver
Presented by Edwin Young of Right at Home - Austin (West)
March 4
Driving and Aging Issues
Presented by Jennifer Perez Del Rio, Senior Occupational Therapist
at St. David's Rehabilitation Center
April 1
Planning and Paying for Long Term Care
Presented by Kyle Barker of New York Life
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Goodwill GoodGuides™ Youth Mentoring Program
Be the Change You Want to See in the World!
The GoodGuides™ program is part of a national initiative by Goodwill Industries International and funded by a grant from the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
The program is designed to promote opportunity and positive choices for youth who are at risk for delinquency and contact with the juvenile justice system. By engaging youth in positive activities with adults who are strong role models, youth receive the encouragement and support they need to maximize their potential. For more information click here.
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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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 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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Quick Links
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Pastor's Message
We've had what we call healing services before, but they have primarily been regular morning worship services with a healing time after the sermon. They haven't been anything at all like, say, Rev. Delores Berry's healing services!
But in last week's services we talked about the need and deep desire for healing that many of us carry. We acknowledged the place of healing in the church from ancient times till now, and we built the service around healing elements rather than dropping healing elements down into a typically structured service.
As you came forward--some for the candle lighting, some for water blessings, some for anointing, many for all three--I was awed and humbled. I felt two things distinctly: First, I felt the people's acknowledgment that our God is eminent, powerful and mysterious and worthy to be praised. As you came forward, you set aside your own intentions and plans and egos and offered yourselves into the care of the Great Physician. Second, I felt your trust that God is immanent, close enough to touch, to speak with, to bind up your broken hearts and sooth your souls. Those are things that matter.
So often these days we talk about consumerism and how its effects are being felt even in the churches, where consumers come to spend portions of their valuable time and then decide whether they will return based on the entertainment value of the experience. That conversation troubles me on many levels. It troubles me because it leaves no room for the soft enticement of the Spirit beckoning us into worship with the beloved community. It troubles me because it elevates our personal needs and pleasures above everyone else's, dropping us into that trap of coming to church only when we think the preaching or the music or the style of worship will suit us. It troubles me because it suggests that we worship planners and leaders are somehow impeding the Spirit that would invite you into the worship experience rather than opening the way for the Spirit to fire your minds and elevate your souls.
Thank you for allowing me to experience once again the joy that you bring to the sanctuary, the trust that you offer to your worship leaders, and the witness that you proclaim through your worship.
May God Bless You,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor
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