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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 May 18, 2011
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From Your Pastor
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 What an amazing week! I'm in Minneapolis at the "Festival of Homiletics." It's a preaching school at which thousands of us preachers have the opportunity each day to attend a morning, afternoon, and evening worship service at which the best preachers in the United States are preaching. Each service is followed by a talk from a different excellent preacher or theologian.
I've seen and heard some of the people who have already deeply influenced my "preaching" self. Dr. Tom Long, whose books I read in my seminary preaching courses, blew me away with his ability to weave in and out among the scripture and history and today's realities. He started with the story of Legion, lurking in the graveyards in Gerasene, haunted by his demons; and ended with a customer service call to JC Penny....It was all Gospel as he offered it. Read more...
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What's Happening at MCC Austin | | |
May
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Sunday Morning Worship
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May 22 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
"Bearing Witness"
Rev. Alycia Erickson
Acts 7:51-60
[Stephen said, ] "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it."
When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Chosen One standing at the right hand of God!" But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.
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| MCC Austin Church Size Summit | |  This Sunday from 1-2 p.m. - Free!
Led by Nancy Horvath and Phyllis Ringdahl
"What's Size Got to Do With It?"
The dynamics of Church Size explain what happens as a church grows in worship attendance and membership. Of the six key functions of the church, inadequate facilities, the amount of programming, and required staffing are the three areas where our church has the greatest challenges. The role of the pastor and the way the board functions also changes as churches grow. According to Arlin Routhage, "Size is the most obvious factor affecting congregational life!" Come see what size theory says about MCC Austin and our strategies for the future.
Open to all members and friends of MCC Austin.
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| SOUL Connections Events | | Tonight, 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. Address: 2330 South Lamar.
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. 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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| 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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| 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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| Vacation Bible School Invitation | | |
 Hosted by Central Presbyterian Church
Central Presbyterian Church invites our children to Vacation Bible School again this summer. Some of our children have attended for several years and a good time has been had by all. So SAVE THE DATE of July 25 - July 29 for Vacation Bible School at Central Presbyterian Church located downtown. To register, please click here.
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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, 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.
To register, please email Courtney Webster in the church office.
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| 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 our church as we discern next steps for our building and/or building search process.
- For all who are parents are caregivers for children and youth.
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| From Your Pastor, continued | |
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Last night Rev. Otis Moss III rocked my soul. I don't say this lightly: As I listened to him, I heard the cadence and courage and conviction of Dr. King. This morning I listened to Krista Tippet, whose interviews with people of faith I listen to every Sunday morning as I drive to worship. About half the time, something I hear in her interviews squeezes its way into my sermon that very morning because it sings to be said!
My favorite moment here came yesterday morning as I walked with my lessening limp toward Central Lutheran Church, a cathedral whose stained glass windows alone surely cost more than our new sanctuary will.
Coming from my right was a figure I recognized well, Barbara Brown Taylor. She walked in uneven paces, head down, rushing, shuffling papers. She was late to church! I joined her at the intersection and as we waited for the light, offered to help with the papers she was trying to keep separated between her fingers. "Thanks," she said, "I got it. I'm good now!"
I said, "I know you're intruded upon all the time, but I have to say that Leaving Church helped save my faith."
She looked up at me and smiled with her eyes, "Oh, thank you for telling me. So many people wanted me tried for heresy after that. Used me as a "negative" example."
We chatted away the last 200 yards to church, where she would soon preach to 1,800. I lifted a black string off her pale jacket as we walked in and she thanked me. Then, she made her way to the front as I took one of the last vacant seats, in a pew directly behind a three feet thick column that kept me from seeing her the whole time she preached. I didn't mind though; I know that God can fill us and use us where we are, no matter how broad or limited our vision, if we simply say, "Come, Holy Spirit."
Love and Blessings from Minneapolis,
Rev. Karen Thompson Senior Pastor Back to Top |
| 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: News from our Denomination
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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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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
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