The Electronic Newsletter of MCC Austin at Freedom Oaks 
| March 2, 2011
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From Your Pastor
 The last month has been a life-molding one for me in many ways. In the last month I've faced challenges-alone and with others. In the last month I've had some "end of an era" experiences and started some things-like yoga-that I never thought I would. Those things, however, as big as they are, are not the ones that have reshaped my life. What's reshaped me has been this journey into prayer that we have taken together. For the past four weeks I've been preaching about, studying about, and practicing prayer more than ever before as we journeyed together through My Prayers, Our Prayers, Jesus' Prayers, and finally Answered and Unanswered Prayers. In addition, I've been talking with and learning more about prayer from Alycia as she shares with me some of the experiences she's having leading the weekly "Way of Prayer" series.
I've been more or less immersed in prayer, and I have been drinking deeply. |
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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Sunday Morning Worship on March 6
9 & 11 a.m.
"Fat Times and Lean Times"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Matthew 17:1-9
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigures before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son has been raised from the dead."
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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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 Fat Sunday Worship Service
Sunday, March 6 at 9 & 11 a.m.
At MCC Austin, we're not ones to pass up a chance to celebrate. That's why we've begun celebrating Mardi Gras in our own MCC Austin way with Fat Sunday.
Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday," refers to the tradition of feasting on rich, fatty foods on the Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Because our congregation is not all together on Fat Tuesday, we celebrate Fat Sunday on the final Sunday before Lent with special music, lively worship, and yes, even Mardi Gras beads!
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 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 repentance and mortality. Ash Wednesday begins our Lenten season in an attitude of prayer, repentance, and humility.
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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 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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SOUL Connections Monthly Meeting
Texas Land & Cattle
March 6, 2011 following the 11 a.m. service
To assure adequate space, please RSVP your plans to attend by emailing Bob.
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 Positive Perspectives
HIV/AIDS Support Group Tuesday, March 15 at 7 p.m.
This Group Meets 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 email Courtney Webster or call the church office for directions and information about the meeting location (291-8601).
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 LGBT Parenting: "Out" Parenting in a Straight World
Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
The cost is $5 per person and $10 per family.
Lunch will be served and childcare is available.
Do you have questions about:
- Making the decisions about how to create your family?
- Talking to children about our nontraditional families?
- Interfacing with grandparents, schools, workplaces, etc. as nontraditional parents?
- Conflict resolution and collaboration in families with more than two parents or with parents who are not also romantic partners?
- Keeping the romance alive with children in the picture?
- When to seek help?
Or would you just like to hear some encouraging words and share some stories about what you've done that's working? This workshop will explore these issues and more! To register, please contact Courtney Webster in the church office (512.291.8601) or by email.
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Come spend a Saturday morning helping the Capital Area Food Bank, a nonprofit that provides food for food pantries throughout Central Texas. MCC Austin is looking for 20 volunteers to help sort donations at CAFB on Saturday, March 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Children 8 years and older may participate as long as they have an adult with them. For more information about safety rules and volunteer guidelines at the Food Bank, click here. Terry Goin has organized this service opportunity and you may email him with questions. Please sign up to volunteer by emailing Courtney Webster in the church office.
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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. |
 Boundaries Workshop Part 1
Saturday, March 26 from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Ever have trouble saying no to people who take advantage of you? Every have trouble saying yes to people who sincerely want to help you? Every found yourself unable to set limits on the time, energy, or resources you spend on others? Ever accept unfair or even abusive behavior because you'd rather do that than show your anger or risk a confrontation?
If you've ever felt any of these things--especially if you've felt them because they cause conflict with what you believe is the "Christian" thing to do, this workshop is for you.
Rev. Karen and Rev. Alycia will lead this two part workshop. Look for more information coming in the next weeks. |
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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 struggle with autoimmune disorders.
- 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 our sisters and brothers in Christchurch, New Zealand beginning recovery after the earthquake last week.
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BEYOND OUR WALLS: MCC News From Around the World
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MCC Celebrates Obama Administration Decision on the Defense of Marriage Act And Calls for Continued Action
Metropolitan Community Churches joins with faith leaders and Marriage Equality proponents around the United States in this time of celebration of the Obama Administration's decision to no longer defend section three of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) because it is unconstitutional. The President's determination that discrimination based on sexual orientation as it relates to marriage equality should be presumed unconstitutional brings us another step closer to marriage equality. 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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Equality Texas Lobby Day 2011
Monday, March 7
Effective participation is one of the many cornerstones of our democracy. Your state legislators are meeting in Austin right now determining the fate of our great state. Equality Texas invites you to participate in YOUR government and to come to Austin Monday, March 7, to meet face-to-face with those who represent YOU! This is an opportunity for YOU to ask state leaders to pass inclusive policies that protect all children, end discrimination and strengthen relationships.
Registration for EQTX Lobby Day is free, but advanced registration is required in order to prepare constituent-matched materials and make strategic lobbying team assignments. EQTX will provide free breakfast and lunch. Continue reading to find out more...
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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
One of the first things I noticed, and one that I think is just beautiful, is how many of you also seem to be drinking deeply from the prayer fountains. Every week a member of our Shepherding Ministry compiles all of your prayer requests from your Connection Cards and sends them out to the Deacons and pastoral staff. The Deacons have covenanted with one another to pray for every one of those prayer requests throughout the week. Likewise, our pastoral staff believes that praying for you is one of the most important things we do each week.
Since the beginning of February, that weekly prayer list has more than doubled, maybe even tripled. More and more of you are sharing your prayers of gratitude, petition, intercession, and praise. In addition, more of you are sharing more requests. We regularly see Connection Cards now that request prayers for 4 or 5 different people or situations.
I don't think you're sharing more prayer requests because you liked the color of blue we used for Connection Cards last month. I don't think you're writing more requests because we've been doing a better job of keeping pens in all the seatbacks. I don't think you're asking for more prayers because we've extended the time in which we invite you to write them. I think you are offering more prayers because like me, you've entered a new level of consciousness about prayer. I hope you are offering more prayers because you've come to believe this: "All prayer is a yearning for closeness with God, and so every prayer is its own answer."
I hope that we are committing, or in some cases recommitting, ourselves to becoming a "praying congregation." Jane Vennard, a United Church of Christ minister, said, "Praying congregations are not temples of holiness. They are not filled with mystics or experts on prayer. Praying congregations are lively places made up of diverse people who are longing to take prayer seriously." I hope we're on our way to being that kind of congregation.
Even these things, though, are not the ones that have most impacted me this month. This is what has.
Last week I wrote about my mom's best friend Marie and what a blessing it was to me that she invited me to pray for her. After I wrote about her, many of you wrote to tell me about similar special experiences you've had. Many of you wrote to let me know that you (and in some cases your whole prayer group or church) were praying for Marie and her family and friends.
I felt that. Marie felt that. My mom felt that. A whole bunch of us felt a whole lot of being lifted up to God in love.
Sunday evening, between the time I left her hospital room and the time I returned home, Marie died. So fast. So very, very fast.
Those of us who loved her can find many blessings in the way she died. Because no one had any idea she was this close to the end, Marie didn't have time to be afraid or worried for her family. Up until the moment she slipped into unconsciousness she was planning on returning home, drinking coffee with her husband, walking her dogs, complaining about the cigarette smoke that accosted her from other people's porches when she was out walking her dogs-she quit 10 years ago.
We can find blessings, but still. It hurts. It hurts terribly and there are no answers and no heartbreak antidotes and no relief from meeting with the funeral director and the cemetery people and dealing with the business of death.
I think about Marie and the unfairness of it all and I remember last Tuesday, the last day she spoke to me, and I remember what she said, "Pray for me." If she hadn't been in a hospital room with nurses present, and if I hadn't been ordained, she would have said, "Pray for me, damn it!"
So if for no other reason than I know it would make her smile to think she can still tell me what to do, I pray. And I feel better. And it wears off. And I pray again. And I feel better...and she has found a way to give me one more gift.
Always in Hope,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Sr. Pastor
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