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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 April 20, 2011
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From Your Pastor |
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Every night, just before his bedtime, my nine-year-old son and I read together. When he was very young, I read to him. After he started reading on his own, we read side by side. Recently, though, we decided to read together again, and we both agreed the classics were the best bet. He opted for Gulliver's Travels, but since we didn't have that at home, we started with Alice in Wonderland. We take turns reading a paragraph at a time, doing our best with Alice's BIG VOICE and Alice's little voice and the White Rabbit's anxiety and everyone else's eccentricities.
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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April
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Easter Morning Worship
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Sunday, April 24 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
"What about Resurrection?"
Rev. Karen Thompson
John 20:1-18
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes.
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended. But go to my brothers and sisters and say to them, 'I am ascending to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
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| Holy Week | | |
TONIGHT: Seder Dinner
April 20 at 6:30 p.m.
A traditional Jewish Passover meal
Good Friday Service
April 22 at 7:30 p.m.
"What about Heaven and Hell?"
Easter Sunday
April 24
"What about Resurrection?"
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Annual Easter Egg Hunt
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|  Easter Sunday, April 24 after the 11 a.m. service
Save the date and plan to attend the Sunday School/Children's Ministry Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday after the 11 a.m. service. Children of all ages and their parents are welcome.
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| Children's Choir | | 
The Sunday School is planning its next Children's Choir Presentation for the end of May. For a child to be part of this fun, Praise God experience, please make sure they attend Sunday School during the 11:00 service these next two months. Sunday School accepts preschool-aged children three and up, as well as Grades 1 through 6.
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| Boundaries Workshop | |  Part II: Saturday, April 30 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. In this second session, we will offer opportunities for participants to integrate what they're learning into relationships in their own lives (work, family, partners, etc.). Rev. Karen and Rev. Alycia will lead this two part workshop at MCC Austin. Please register by emailing Courtney Webster. **You are welcome to come to Part II even if you couldn't make it to Part I.** Back to Top |
| Holy Conversations | |  Wednesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. Holy Conversations is a series of theological discussion guides prepared by the MCC Theologies Team. 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 member's homes. For this month's location and directions, please email Courtney Webster.
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| SOUL Connections Events | | Saturday, April 30 at 5 p.m.
 Picnic at Pine Lane Farm ~ Hosted by Donna Nichols
Begins at 5 p.m.
Details posted at the SOUL Connections website RSVP on/before April 25th to: Donna at 512-360-4931 or donnaplf@myxol.net. If you wish to carpool, check with someone listed in the SOUL Connection directory.
Sunday, May 1 after the 11 a.m. service
SOUL Connections Luncheon
Lunch at Texas Land & Cattle on Stassney & I-35
Following the 11 a.m. worship service. Y'all come on out! We'd love to visit with you!
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| Proud Parenting: Shoots & Ladders |
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Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at MCC Austin
A Gathering for Parents or Those Interested in Becoming Parents
Whether you have children or are thinking about starting your own family, it takes a village to raise children and we have a colorful village! Come to listen, learn, or share your experiences. If you have specific issues or topics you'd like to hear about, please email Emily and we'll make sure we cover them. Please register for this event by emailing Courtney Webster in the church office.
The morning will include topics like:
- What does the research say about GLBT families that we knew all along?
- What are different avenues for creating a family such as adoption and insemination?
- How do I protect my family legally?
- OMG! I'm turning into MY parents! Help!
- Parenting 101
- Blending families and dealing with custody situations
- Where do I go for.....????
Emily Parks is a Licensed Master Social Worker and has been working with children and families for over 15 years. She and her partner have two children. Her oldest, age 6, was adopted from foster care and her youngest, age 4, was conceived by her partner. Emily currently works for the Department of State Health Services where she oversees the Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women program and the Personal Care Services program for clients needing attendant care services. Emily has worked in a variety of settings including Juvenile Probation and Detention, Child & Adolescent Residential Treatment, Foster Care and State Government.
Have you blessed the life of a child today?
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| Twelve Step Study - Part 2 | |  Saturday, June 4 from 1 - 4 p.m. at MCC Austin
This Workshop is an overview study of the Twelve Steps. Its focus is not on the drug of choice, but rather the disease of addiction. It is an open meeting, so whether you're an addict, have experience with Al-Anon, or would simply like a better idea of how the twelve steps work, all are welcome.
This Step Study is divided into four parts: Part II examines Step 4, 5 and 6. Each of the parts begins with focused meditations and prayers and introduction of the speakers. Next are the specific sessions on each Step with insightful readings on the Step. A guest speaker will share personal experience on the Step followed by an open Q & A and sharing time. Each session will be followed by a ten minute break. Finally, each attendant will receive a handout that follows this entire series and includes questions that are intended to help focus personal reflective writing on each Step.
To register, please email Courtney Webster in the church office.
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| Our Prayers... | |
- Continued prayers for all affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and for the unfolding nuclear reactor failures and radiation leaks in Fukushima.
- For the people of Libya, Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen and Bahrain.
- 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 Jewish brothers and sisters as they continue their Passover celebrations.
- For our church as we discern next steps for our building process.
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| From Your Pastor, continued | | |
If you haven't read Alice in Wonderland, you might think it's all about catering to the younger crowd--lots of concrete examples and simple humor. Nope. Lewis Carroll can make anyone, of any age and maturity, laugh out loud. Up until now, I'd only read excerpts from Alice in Wonderland when teaching American Literature to high school juniors. Isolated pieces of the story, selected to illustrate particular literary devices, don't in any way convey the magic, delightfulness, and often sophisticated humor woven into the whole.
Those "sophisticated" bits of humor are what I'm writing about today. Every time Aidan reads a passage that contains some of Lewis Carroll's drier or subtler humor, he pauses, looks over at me with a grin, and asks, "Get it?" I assure him that I "got it" while marveling at the fact that he got it!
Here's why I'm sharing this particular anecdote with you today. When we're reading the story together, and Aidan checks in with me with his delighted grin and bright eyes, I realize that this is exactly how Christians should share the Gospel.
Aidan simply wants to make sure I'm enjoying the story every bit as much as he is. He's sharing his joy, period. I'm certain if I ever said, "No, I didn't get it," he would patiently explain it to me in anticipation of that instant when the light came on and I "got it" too. He never tests me. Once I say that I got the joke, he never pushes me to see if I understood it the same way he did.
I pray that all of us, during this Holy Week, Easter, and beyond will share the greatest of all stories, the Good News of God's love through Jesus Christ, in just this way. Don't dwell on terms or orthodoxy or worry about all these tough questions we've been taking on during Lent. Become like this little child, and share the story with others simply because you love it.
Love and Blessings,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Senior Pastor
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| Beyond Our Walls: News from MCCs Around the World | | |
Discover How Your Easter Gifts Support MCC's Partner Ministry In Uganda
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MCC Impact: News from Churches Around the World
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MCC Headline News
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P.A.D. Conference (People of African Descent): Loving Ourselves into Liberation
Emergence Newsletter
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| Beyond Our Walls: Community News & Events | | |
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Update
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Transgender Education Network of Texas
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The Alzheimer's Association Presents: ALZ 101 - Facing the Challenge
April 12, 19, 26 and May 3 Reserve your spot for any or all of these at TXPrograms@TXAlz.org or (512) 241-0420.
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2011 AIDS Candelight Memorial Service
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Interfaith Action of Central Texas - iACT Newsletter
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Going Up Kick-Off Day Community Service
Austin's 1st Annual "Day of Giving Back, Never Giving UP" on May 14th, 2011.
A Call to Volunteers, Project Leaders, and Project Creators, we are reaching out because we need you!
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