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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 May 4, 2011
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From Your Pastor
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Each Tuesday, The Sunshine Cathedral (MCC) and the MCC Office of Formation and Leadership Development offer a webinar based on the Common Lectionary biblical texts for the week. The webinar provides a wonderful opportunity for preachers and teachers to consider a variety of insights and voices as they prepare for their upcoming sermons or lessons. The presenters--Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins, Rev. Dr. Mona West, Rev. Brian Hutchison, Rev. BK Hipsher, and Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin--are outstanding preachers and teachers in their own right, and I never fail to come away from the sessions with ideas, inspiration, and resources.
I'm telling you about this today because I wanted to share part of this week's webinar with you... Read more...
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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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What's Happening at MCC Austin | | |
May
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Sunday Morning Worship
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May 8 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
"Walk to Emmaus"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Luke 24:13-35
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him."
Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on.
But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
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| Holy Conversations | |  Tonight at 7 p.m.
Topic: The Church
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, or call her in the church office [291-8601].
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| SOUL Connections Events | | Wednesday, May 18 at 5 p.m.
 Dinner at ARTZ RIB House, " Home of Smokin Ribs and Music". ~ Hosted by Phyllis and Nancy Horvath
Begins at 5 p.m.
Music presented by Nancy Scott Song Circle. Come between 5:30-6 p.m. so we have time to visit and eat. Show goes on between 7-9 p.m. (can eat during show). It is a South Austin lay back. casual, kind of place. Food and drink reasonable and no cover. Address: 2330 South Lamar. We need a head count by Sunday May 15 to reserve tables together so please RSVP to Nancy and Phyllis by email.
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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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| Proud Parenting: Chutes & 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.
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| Our Prayers... | |
- For all who are still homeless after the tornadoes in Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia and North Carolina.
- 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 the upcoming election in Austin.
- For our church as we discern next steps for our building and/or building search process.
- For GLBT people seeking asylum in the United States because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
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| From Your Pastor, continued | | |
Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins, Sr. Pastor of The Sunshine Cathedral, shared a prayer yesterday that he had written in light of the US raid on Osama Bin Laden's compound and Bin Laden's death. I had been planning to include a response to Bin Laden's death in either the E-Link or our Sunday service, but I knew as I listened to Durrell's prayer that I could not hope to speak about this event as wisely, carefully, prophetically, or pastorally as he did.
I've included the prayer here, and you will see what I mean when you read it. I also want to let you know that you can find a daily devotional at The Sunshine Cathedral's website. I recommend it as a wonderful way to start your day.
Prayer Responding to Death of Osama Bin Laden
by Durrell Watkins, MA, MDiv, DMin
Dear God who places within our hearts a reverence for all life as well as a passion for justice: The teachers and preachers, sages and saints whom you have raised up to help raise us up have all taught the power of forgiveness, the divinity of love, and the possibility of redemption.
And so we find ourselves this week conflicted.
We have called Bin Laden our enemy; we have remembered with pain and anger the lives lost because of his terrorism. We may have wanted him to be captured to stand trial in a court of law, but that was not to be.
Perhaps his killing was a sad inevitability; and we, at least in some moments, have felt a desire to rejoice even while knowing that our higher Selves would require better of us. We wonder if we can prevail over our enemies without celebrating their downfall. We struggle to remember that even those we hate are loved by you.
We now give our complex and competing emotions to you, trusting that your grace will balance and heal them.
And as the rush of feelings begins to calm within us, draw us together as one human family to work together for peace in our time and for all time; for the sake of your goodness. Amen.
Love and Blessings,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Senior Pastor
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| Beyond Our Walls: News from MCCs Around the World | | |
MCC Impact: News from Churches Around the World
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MCC Headline News: Moderator Responds to the death of Osama Bin Laden
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P.A.D. Conference (People of African Descent): Loving Ourselves into Liberation
Emergence Newsletter, May 19-21 in Washington, D.C.
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| Beyond Our Walls: Community News & Events | | |
FLOURISH The Evangelical Network 2011 Conference
July 7-10, 2011, at the Omni Austin Hotel
The 2011 conference is designed to educate and inspire every Christian to FLOURISH in their individual lives, relationships, and ministries. The conference workshops and sessions focus on helping better understand, develop, and further our God-given gifts for greater ministry in the body of Christ. The 2011 conference will feature four days of transforming teaching, intimate worship, and building relationships.
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ALLGO Community Anti-Violence Forum
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National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Update
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Transgender Education Network of Texas
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Jimmy Creech Author of "Adams Gift" will be at Trinity UMC the weekend of May 7 and 8
Trinity United Methodist Church & The Southwest Texas Reconciling United Methodists are honored to host Jimmy Creech, former United Methodist Pastor & author of Adam's Gift: A Memoir of a Pastor's Calling to Defy the Church's Persecution of Lesbian Gays.
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Interfaith Action of Central Texas - iACT Newsletter
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Going Up Kick-Off Day Community Service
A Call to Volunteers, Project Leaders, and Project Creators, we are reaching out because we need you!Austin's 1st Annual "Day of Giving Back, Never Giving UP" on May 14, 2011.
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