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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 July 6, 2011
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From Your Pastor
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If you only read one book this year (that isn't in the Bible), make it Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, by Jesuit priest, Gregory Boyle.
You'll laugh. You'll laugh so often and so loud that occasionally family members, coworkers, or people on the bus will look at you in a strange way.
You'll cry. You'll cry over all the lost children and broken promises and shattered dreams.
"G," as the "homies" call Father Boyle, has worked over 20 years in Los Angeles County, which contains 1,100 gangs with nearly 86,000 members. Boyle's Homeboy Industries is the largest gang intervention program in the country, offering job training, tattoo removal, and employment to former gang members.
Read more...
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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July
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Sunday Morning Worship*
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July 10 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
"Is That in the Bible? This Too Shall Pass"
Rev. Karen Thompson
Psalm 30
I will exalt you, O LORD, because you have lifted me up, and did not let my enemies triumph over me. O LORD my God, I cried out to you, and you restored me to health. You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead;you restored my life as I was going down to the grave. Sing praise to the LORD, all you faithful, give thanks in holy remembrance. God's wrath is short; God's favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping spends the night, but joy comes in the morning. While I felt secure, I said, "I shall never be disturbed. You, Lord, with your favor, made me as strong as the mountains." Then you hid your face, and I was filled with fear. I cried to you, O Lord; I pleaded with my Lord, saying, "What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; O Lord, be my helper." You have turned my wailing into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.
*Please note: Sign Language Interpretation will not be available during the month of July. Beginning in August, interpretation for the 11:00 service will be available upon request. Please send an email to Courtney Webster in the church office to request it. Back to Top |
| Notes from the Board of Directors | |
 Beginning this week the MCC Austin Board of Directors will be writing a weekly update for our electronic newsletter. Each week a different board member will provide an update regarding the particular areas of focus that the board member is leading. Our hope is that each of you will be able to get the information that you need/want in the format that is most accessible to you during this time of unprecedented change.
Three weeks ago, as the Board continued working on all the complexities involving our financial situation and how it impacts our imminent building plans, we realized that we were becoming too narrowly focused. If we did not have a clear idea of our priorities and a system for addressing those priorities, our building decisions could dominate our time and work to the extent that we let other priorities slip. We didn't want to see that happen for many reasons, the main one being that in several priority areas, such as stewardship and fundraising, we have only recently implemented year round programs. Those areas need constant attention.
Here are the priority areas for each board member:
- Administration (Church governance, bylaws, risk management, etc.) - Glen Hunt
- Building (all things related to securing adequate facilities) - Peggy Garrison
- Capital Campaign (continued progress toward $1 million goal) - Rev. Karen Thompson
- Finance - (day-to-day operations and long term planning) Debbie Cunningham
- Fundraising Events - David Ferguson
- Fundraising Ongoing - Len Shelton
- Size Matters - Debra Hallum
- Stewardship - Rev. Karen Thompson
These areas clearly do not represent all priorities of the church. These are only priorities for which the Board of Directors holds chief responsibility.
We welcome your follow-up questions and comments. Please send them to vice-moderator@mccaustin.com.
Faithfully,
Rev. Karen
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Come Hear Marcia Ball at Blues on the Green
| |  TONIGHT, July 6 at 6 p.m. at Zilker Park
Come hear the fabulous Marcia Ball and get to know other MCCers. Alycia will set up a spot by 6 p.m. and will post the location on her Facebook page and through her Twitter feed (@alyciajo). Look for a pole with blue and pink flags on it back by the trees on the left side (as you look at the stage). Bring a blanket or chair and plan on enjoying an evening out doing what Austin does best! Find out all you need to know about Blues on the Green for parking, food, what to bring, etc. on KGSR's website.
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| Sunday School Notice | |  Sunday School will NOT be held during the months of July and August. The teachers look forward to seeing everyone return in September! The Sunday School needs a portable CD player, new or used. Please email Courtney Webster in the church office if you have one you would like to donate. Thank you! Back to Top |
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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. Back to Top |
| Sunday Morning Study Group | |  9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the Education Building
JT Hicks is leading a study on the 12 Steps of AA through the lens of scripture. The group meets from 9:30 to 10:30 in the Wray Education building. The class is a diverse group of singles & couples, aged 30s-70s. The class is discussion based & informal. Come join us...there's room for you!
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Show Your Pride! Pride Planning Group
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Austin Pride is Saturday, September 10 and MCC Austin will march in the parade and have a booth at the festival. If you're interested in helping out with our group, please email Pastor Alycia or call her in the church office (291-8601). Help us spread the word of God's love to Austinites who haven't heard of us! Back to Top |
| Our Prayers... | |
- For all Central Texans who do not have air conditioning and are dealing with the high temperatures.
- For all still recovering from tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and other recent natural disasters.
- 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 have heart disease and their loved ones.
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| From Your Pastor, continued |
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I can't begin to communicate to you how wonderful this "gospel" is without simply quoting whole sections to you. Boyle is tough and smart and hilarious and humble and cocky and Oh So Human! I think it's that Oh So Humanness that inspired Richard Rohr, an amazing spiritual teacher, to say this about Father Boyle's book: "Sometimes we are allowed to see in our own lifetimes what we were supposed to see in the life and ministry of Jesus. Read, and let your life be changed!"
I think what's most remarkable is that despite having buried over 150 youth (young men and women) in his 20 years of ministry, Boyle somehow has never lost hope.
And so I have a new hero. Read the book and let me know if you don't have a new hero, too.
Always in Hope,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Senior Pastor
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| Beyond Our Walls: Community News & Events | | |
TransTexas Monthly - July 2011
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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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