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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 May 11, 2011
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From Your Pastor
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When I tell you I spent much of the early part of this week watching the Lifetime Movie Network, please take into consideration that I'm immobile--recovering from knee surgery--before you disparage me. The truth is, watching LMN turned out to be one of the more meaningful things I've done this week.
As you might expect, several of the movies I watched on LMN had no redeeming qualities, but one did. It's one I have seen before, but it moved me every bit as much this time as it did the first, and it reminded me of things I hope never to take for granted.
Read more...
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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May
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Sunday Morning Worship | | |
May 15 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
"Follow the Leader"
Rev. Karen Thompson
John 10:1-10
"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
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| Randalls Good Neighbor Program | |
 Randalls believes in working together with customers to support programs that improve the quality of life in communities. They are committed to assisting non-profit organizations that are important to customers and their families.
Randalls offers customers a way to direct its donation dollars to customers favorite churches, schools or other non-profit organizations. Since the program began in the fall of 1996, Randalls/Tom Thumb has donated nearly $35 million to over 8000 participating organizations. Through the Good Neighbor Program, organizations sign up to have an exclusive account number. Members of an organization can then link the account number to their Remarkable card. The more people who link their card to the organization's account number, the more money the organization will raise.
The next time you're at Randalls, pick up a Remarkable Card application at the courtesy booth to fill out and link your card to our account # 391. Randalls will pay us a percentage of your account total, so please be sure to use your card every time you shop.
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| Operation Bingo | | 
Did you know that MCC Austin is the sponsor of Bingo three nights a week? We are, and this provides us with a significant source of revenue each quarter to support our mission. Our bingo games are held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings. The games are played at Lucky Lady Bingo, 1107 North I-35, Austin, Texas 78702 (going north it's on the right hand side of I-35 at 11th Street). If you have the opportunity to take in an evening of bingo during one of our games you will not only be having fun, and (hopefully) winning prizes, but also helping MCC Austin finance its operations and outreach.
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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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| Proud Parenting: Chutes & Ladders |
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This event has been canceled due to lack of registrations. We hope to offer again in the future so stay tune for future dates!
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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. Back to Top |
| New Member Class | |  Saturday, June 18 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. at MCC Austin Come learn about the history of MCC Austin, 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 with 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. Back To Top |
| Our Prayers... | |
- For all who are still homeless after the tornadoes in Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia and North Carolina.
- For all whose farms, homes, or work places have been flooded by the Mississippi River and its tributaries this week.
- 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.
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| From Your Pastor, continued | | |
The movie was Prayers for Bobby, based on a true story and starring Sigourney Weaver as a hyper-devout Christian mother who will not accept her son's revelation of his homosexuality. In deep despair, Bobby Griffith jumps from a bridge and ends his young, beautiful life.
I've had Prayers for Bobby on my mind all week as I've taken in these other experiences: preparation for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), preparation for this Sunday's AIDS Candlelight Vigil, prayers for Uganda as their government once again takes up a bill that would institute the death penalty for those convicted or suspected of being gay, Texas's consideration of HB 723 that would remove current provisions which allow for an affidavit of a sex change to be used as an identity document to obtain a marriage license in Texas, visits from yet another parent recently forbidden from bringing his partner to see his grandchildren, and even the news out late yesterday that the Presbyterian Church (USA) has finally voted that qualified LGBT can be ordained as elders and pastors and are already bracing for a civil war.
That's ONE week! It is enough to dishearten even the strongest of hearts. In fact, it will dishearten thousands and thousands of people.
But...
Through the smoke and haze of hatred and ignorance there is one image constantly rising, rising as surely as "broad stripes and bright stars" rose over Fort McHenry and tongues of flame rose on Pentecost. The image constantly rising is the MCC flame, spreading light over all the globe.
I'm not saying this lightly or for effect. I'm saying it because it's true and it matters. In Prayers for Bobby, Sigourney Weaver's wrenching journey toward understanding that Bobby was not an abomination but a gift from God, forever loved by God, began in the foyer of an MCC Church. The first voice to speak a God-story of love and acceptance rather than of anger and retribution was the voice of an MCC pastor. As we pray for Uganda and join together for IDAHO next week, we will have been called together and encouraged by our MCC leaders. In Austin this weekend, the prayers of MCC pastors will begin the AIDS Candlelight vigil and the GoingUp Day of LGBTQ volunteerism.
It is a wonderful blessing for me to "be church" with you like this, praying and working and helping to light a way where there might seem to be no way. When you're out around town this weekend, I hope you'll wear your MCC shirts and find ways to introduce people to what the flame and globe are all about. It could very well end up being the most meaningful part of your or someone elses week.
Always in Hope,
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 Action Alert: Uganda
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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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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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Caring Family Network (CFN)
Foster/Adoptive Parent Recruitment
Information Session
Where: Caring Family Network
1812 Centre Creek Dr. Suite 200Austin, TX 78754
When: June 21, 2011
Time: 6:00-7:00pm
Caring Family Network (CFN) is a private non-profit child placing (foster care and adoption) agency licensed by the State of Texas. Through extraordinary work, dedication, and commitment by our licensed foster parents and experienced treatment teams, we provide therapeutic services to nearly 400 abused and neglected children. We have offices in Austin, Kerrville and Brownwood and families all over Central and East Texas.
Central Texas is in need of more foster homes to provide care for this vulnerable population. Currently in Travis County, there are 416 children in foster care 60.6% of those children were placed out of county due to there not being enough foster homes available in Travis County. In Williamson County, there are 212 children in foster care 70.8% of these children are also placed out of county.
What does this mean? This means a child in foster care is not only taken from their parents they are taken from their friends, school, and city they live in. This can also delay DFPS ability to reunify families.
Please join us on June 21, 2011 to learn more who we are and how you can help by becoming a foster/adoptive parent. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information: Sarah Gomez, Community Relations: Phone :( 512) 719-3222; Fax: (512) 719-4073; E-mail: sgomez@cfntexas.com
Please RSVP by June 17, 2011
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