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Fundraising Planning Session

Sunday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. at MCC Austin 

New Year's Eve Party Planning Session 

David Ferguson is searching for individuals who would like to plan and organize MCC Austin's next fundraising event.  The Board of Directors have approved a  New Year's Eve Party and we will be inviting everyone in Austin and surrounding communities to attend this fun and exciting party.  Please be aware that the planning and organizing of this fundraising event may require a moderate amount of your time and energy, so if you are interested in being a part of this team, please plan on attending a meeting at the church on Sunday, July 17, at 1:30 p.m.

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• For all Central Texans who do not have air conditioning and are dealing with the high temperatures so early in the summer.     
• 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 HIV+ or have AIDS and their loved ones.  

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Some of you have experience with different "small group" models in churches. You may have heard them called "cells" or "affinity groups" or "huddles" or "circles" or any number of things. But whatever approach you're familiar with, my guess is that you were part of A Church WITH Small Groups.

I emphasized those five words because we have no intention of becoming A Church WITH Small Groups. We desire to become A Church OF Small Groups. Semantics? Of course. But semantics matter. In this case, A Church WITH Small Groups indicates a church which has small group opportunities as one of its offerings. A Church OF Small Groups describes a worshiping community whose entire approach to ministry is a relational one. A worshiping community whose mission includes things like connecting people to God and each other, affirming individuals, and creating healthy relationships. A church like us!

When Pastor Alycia rolls out our small groups (she has a special name which you'll find out later), she won't be doing it as an experiment or one piece of a whole or an approach for a single season. When she rolls this out, we will become A Church OF Small Groups, committed to small groups, nurturing small groups, praying for small groups, making sure we don't unintentionally set anything up that works in opposition to building strong groups.

Our vision includes engaging 30-50 of you as leaders right off the bat, initially offering 30 small group choices to our members and friends, scheduling groups to meet a variety of times and days, and holding gatherings in numerous places in and around Austin.

YOU will decide the content of our small groups. Of course we're ready to offer suggestions, but we want you to lead and join groups doing things you're passionate about. It might be yoga, flower arranging, ceramics, antiquing, hiking, basketball, guitar jams, recipe sharing, Bible study, a course in miracles or something else...Only your passions and imaginations will limit our offerings.

For those of you concerned about "forced intimacy," that's not what groups are about. The goal is simply relationships, friendships that will connect us as the Body of Christ. It's not group therapy-though you might sometimes feel like you've benefited in that way. It's not about loooonnnnnggg term commitments. Groups will meet for 6-10 weeks, and then after a break, we'll create new groups and begin again. It's not about making a big commitment to study time or preparation time if you're a group leader. It's about facilitating the group, creating an environment conducive to the goals of the group. It's not about being "pushed out of the nest." You will have all the information and support you need to lead a group or feel good about selecting one.

I couldn't possibly tell you all you will need to know or want to know in this one E-Link. But I wanted to let you know what was coming, let you know that Pastor Alycia is the one to share your ideas and interest with, and let you know that I believe this is a wonderful opportunity for us. It addresses our desire for spiritual growth, our space limitations, our traveling concerns, and our efforts to stay connected in meaningful ways as our family continues to grow.

Always in Hope,

Rev. Karen Thompson

Senior Pastor 

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MCC Impact: News from Churches Arround the World         

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MCC Headline News: News from our Denomination 

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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 200 / Austin, TX 78754)

When: June 21, 2011 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

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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