The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks 
| February 16, 2011
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From Your Pastor
Last year I wrote an article for a church publication that wasn't affiliated with MCC Austin or MCCs at all. One of the people who proofed it for me said, "This is very personal."
"How so?" I wondered. I hadn't included anything about me or my family in the piece.
"It's personal in that it feels like you've written it with your own congregation in mind," she said.
I sat with that a minute before I asked her honestly, "Is there another way?" Read More... |
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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 20
9 & 11 a.m.
"Lord, Teach Us to Pray"
Luke 1:1
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
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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 Jewel of the Week:
Reverend George Walker
Walker serves as an adjunct minister at the Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ (Peoples UCC) in Washington, DC, and was tasked with speaking before his church congregation about how his family had personally been affected by the earthquake, which he points out was a "telling moment." You see, Walker spoke not about being a gay man and his partner being from Haiti. He told congregants about
his family. Read more...
Also check out: "Snatch(ing) our humanity out of the fire of human cruelty" A History of the Black LGBT Movement
by Sylvia Rhue, Ph.D.
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 PRIDE 2011 Planning Committee
Once again it's time to represent our church in the larger community! Calling all individuals who would like to participate in the planning, presentation and representation of MCC Austin at this year's Annual PRIDE Parade and Festival. You won't want to miss being a part of this! For more information or to sign up, please contact Courtney Webster by email or in the church office.
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 Transgender Basics Plus workshop
This 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 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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 Holy Conversations
An Invitation to Faithful Dialogue
Topic "Holy Communion"
Wednesday, March 2 at 7 p.m.
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. The topic for the upcoming discussion is Holy Communion.
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.
Holy Conversations takes place in an off-site location, for location and directions please send an email to Courtney Webster. |
Soul Connections Group Event
Join members of Soul Connection for an evening at the theater.
When: Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 7:45 p.m.
Where: Zach Scott Theater
What: Red Hot Patriot: The wit of Molly Ivins starring Barbara Chisholm
Cost: $37.00
For reservations email Toni Lucus on or before Friday, February 18. |
 Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
"I Wonder as I Wander"
If you were raised in an evangelical religious environment or no church at all, talk about Lent and Ash Wednesday may be new to you. For others who grew up with this service, you still may have questions.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent. This observance dates back to the 900's A.D., and it is based on a practice that began in Biblical times, in which a mark placed on a person's forehead symbolized that the person belonged to a particular master. By having our foreheads marked with the sign of a cross, we symbolize that we belong to Jesus Christ. Ashes are used because they are a symbol of penitence. They also symbolize our mortality.
Ash Wednesday invites us to look at our lives and focus once again on developing, and keeping primary, our relationship with God. The ritual of the ashes helps us be honest in our self- evaluation. Please journey with us this Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday, as we explore the great questions of Christian faith and "wonder as we wander."
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 New Member Class
Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m.
Come learn about the history of MCC Austin, what our current ministries are, and where God is calling us as a church for our future. You will also find out how to get involved in ways that are meaningful to you. If you're interested in attending the class, please register to Courtney Webster, by email or by calling the church [291-8601]. Please include your first and last name, email, and the best contact number for you. |
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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 all who are suffering physical illnesses
- For our Finance Team as they continue their work on our refinance and loan proposals.
- For the people in Egypt as they struggle toward democracy.
- 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.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News From Around the World
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Presiding Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches Appointed To U.S. Presidential Advisory Council
The Reverend Elder Nancy Wilson, Presiding Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, was today named by President Barack Obama to serve on the White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Read more...
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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.
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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TENT Announces New Leadership
New Board of Directors brings TENT to new horizons
AUSTIN - On Saturday, January 22, 2011 the TENT board voted on a change in leadership structure to better meet current organizational needs. The new approach will center around a board governed organization with former staff functionality performed by Katy Stewart. Day to day operations will be performed by the chair with other duties delegated to board members. Focus for the new board will be on building organizational capacity through fundraising, network and collaboration with other non profits, expansion of the board member footprint to reflect more areas of Texas, and internal training. Reflective of the new board changes, Oliver Blummer of Dallas will be serving as Vice-Chair to the organization. Oliver brings a wealth of organizational know how to the board having been a board member on Youth First Texas. Lisa Scheps, the outgoing Executive Director and Ex-office member of the Board said, "I am more than excited about this change in leadership and structure. Katy and Oliver, along with the rest of the Board, have a vision for TENT that will grow the organization and extend the reach of education about issues surrounding Gender Diverse Texans. I couldn't be more thrilled!"
Katy Stewart, new board chair, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to TENT. Having been a community educator and GLBT activist in Bryan/College Station, Texas for the past decade she brings those skills to bear with formalized training in Nonprofit Management from the Texas A&M George Bush School of Government and Public Service where she received a professional certificate in Non Profit Management with a concentration in Fundraising and Philanthropy. Her hopes for the future are to enable TENT to become an organization with 2-3 paid full time staff serving the fundamental educational needs about gender diverse people across the state in corporate, interpersonal, public, and legal settings.
For more information about Transgender Education Network of Texas' mission and new board, email info@transtexas.org or visit: www.transtexas.org
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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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AIDS Services of Austin Presents: Viva Las Vegas
Saturday, March 5 from 8:00 - 11:30 p.m.
At The Austin Music Hall
208 Nueces St. Austin, TX 78701
You are invited to have a Knock-Out Good Time at Viva Las Vegas, benefiting AIDS Services of Austin and its Capital Area AIDS Legal Project. Savor food from Austin's most Epicurean restaurants, admire the Viva Past vs. Future juried fashion show with celebrity judges, play hard at faux gambling, and win big at the expansive silent auction while taking in the sounds of DJ Orion and the sight of spectacular entertainment. Purchase your tickets today at asaustin.org/viva or at BookPeople
$50 Early Bird Online through February 16
$65 Advance
$75 Door
For more information contact AIDS Services of Austin by email or
at (512)458-2437
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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
Surely there is, and surely some would criticize my even expressing such a thought as being too "narrow-minded," too "narrowly focused" as I move through God's universe. But for me, keeping the congregation in mind is one of my favorite things about being a pastor. Here's how it often works:
*Interest rates go down again and it never enters my mind to refinance our house, but I think a lot about what it means for our church refinance.
*I read a book with a relevant message and I start talking with the staff about a format for offering it to the congregation.
*I hear an old song on the radio and know it will be perfect for our Lenten series.
*I hear about AISD cutting jobs and think about how many of our people work in Austin schools and what this will mean for them.
It's not always like that, of course. A fragrance or a song or any number of things can take me down other paths and I fall in love again or laugh at a memory or cry on the inside...
I share this with you because of something I read the other day in Barbara Brown Taylor's book, Leaving Church. She was discussing the privilege and responsibility of preaching to a congregation over time, and she told this brief story:
Once, a man who routinely sent me clippings from the Christian Science Monitor included an essay of his own on a topic close to his heart. "We know a lot about what matters to you," he wrote, not unkindly. "I thought you might like to know about something that matters to me."
I very much care about the things that matter to you, but I don't always have the opportunity or occasion to find out. Today, I do.
On February 27, we'll finish the sermon series on prayer with "Prayers Answered and Unanswered." I would love to hear your thoughts on that topic. Are more of your prayers answered or unanswered? What's the difference? What was your most vivid experience with unanswered prayers? How long will you pray for something before you decide your prayers will go unanswered? What would you say to someone who feels their prayers go unanswered?
Please send me your stories and let me know if I may have your permission to share them without using your identifying information.
I would count it a blessing to hear from you.
Always in Hope,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor
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