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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 August 10, 2011
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From Your Pastor
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These words and phrases fill our news reports: recession, depression, cuts to social services, cuts to education, US credit rating downgraded, unemployment at 9%, Dow plummeting, no relief in sight. If we weren't impacted by them, we wouldn't be human. But the irony here is that it's not the human, highly evolved part of our brain that kicks in when we're frightened and when we perceive threats. Instead, it's the very most primitive part of our brain, our amygdala, that kicks in. Once that happens, according to Peter Steinke, we become "fixated on what is endangering us." Simultaneously, Steinke goes on, "...we forfeit our imaginative capacities. Our mind is set in imaginative gridlock; we obsess about the threat and our chances of changing our thinking are almost nonexistent."
However, if we keep our wits about us and faith within us, we can change these destructive processes...
Read More...
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What's Happening at MCC Austin
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August
14 Worship at 9 & 11 a.m.
21 Worship at 9 & 11 a.m.
School Supplies Drive deadline
27 New Member Class 9-11:30 a.m.
28 Worship at 9 & 11 a.m.
Rite of Receiving New Members at 9:00 service
Fall Growth Group Registration begins
September
10 Austin PRIDE Parade & Festival
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Sunday Morning Worship* |
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August 14 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Rev. Alycia Erickson
1 Kings 19:9-18
At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Then the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
*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.
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Notes from the Board of Directors
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Last night the MCC Austin Board of Directors held our monthly meeting. We began our meeting as we always do, by reminding ourselves exactly what it is we are about to undertake. Here is the Call to Service that we read:
God has called us to a special ministry! May we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit as we lead this congregation. May we strive in every way to do God's will and not be misguided by our own desires. May all that we are about to do be done for the reconciling of the world, for the upbuilding of the church, and for the great glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.
We invite you to make this prayer your own.
Faithfully,
MCC Austin Board of Directors
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| Sunday School Notice | |  Sunday School will NOT be held during the month of August. The teachers look forward to seeing everyone return in September!
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| Deacon School Supply Drive | |  Sunday August 21
MCCA PROGRESS REPORT CARD
The deacons of MCC Austin have organized a school supply drive to benefit youth in our community in need at the Travis County Leadership Academy. Your deacons are making every effort to 'play well with others' and invite you to participate. On August 21, we will be collecting the school supplies and hosting hospitality to thank you for your efforts. The following supplies have been requested:
- Binders
- Dividers
- Pens (blue/black)
- Pencils (#2/mechanical)
- Erasers
- Folders with pockets
- Spiral notebooks
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Backpacks
Join us as we lift up prayers for the coming school year for students and educators everywhere. Any questions can be addressed to any deacon. Let's go for an A+!
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| New Member Class | |  Saturday, August 27 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Come learn about the history of MCC Austin, what 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 RSVP to 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.
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Show Your Pride! T-Shirts on Sale Now
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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 walking 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! We have a new MCC Austin t-shirt to wear for Pride this year. T-shirts cost $10 each and will be available for sale starting this Sunday, August 14, between services. Back to Top |
| Our Prayers... | |
- For our area struggling through the drought and its effects.
- For all affected by the famine in Somalia.
- 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 struggle with epilepsy and their loved ones.
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| From Your Pastor, continued | |
Parker Palmer, author and spiritual teacher, encourages us not to focus on scarcity and scariness, but rather to focus on blessing and abundance. Here is what he wrote in one of his essays:
"In the human world, abundance does not happen automatically. It is created when we have the sense to choose community, to come together to celebrate and share our common store. Whether the scarce resource is money or love or power or words, the true law of life is that we generate more of whatever seems scarce by trusting its supply and passing it around. Authentic abundance does not lie in secured stockpiles of food or cash or influence or affection but in belonging to a community where we can give those goods to others who need them - and receive them from others when we are in need...."
You can't imagine how grateful I am to God and to this community for your continued choice to create abundance through generosity. The evidence is overwhelming: Over $140,000 raised in only 3 weeks to help us toward our financial goals; over $700 worth of grocery gift cards given for those who need assistance; a growing pile of school supplies for kids who need every break we can offer; hours and hours of your time and talents through music, teaching, photography, worship, and many other ways.
It reminds me of last Advent and our hope that "Christmas Can Still Change the World." All that's changed is the date and the temperature. Other than that, it's "continuing to look a lot like Christmas"!
Seasons Greetings,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Senior Pastor
512-291-8601
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| Beyond Our Walls: Community News & Events | | |
HOLY AND WHOLE: An LGBTQ Multi-Faith Pride Service
Featured Speaker: Dr. Stephen Sprinkle
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2011
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: University United Methodist Church
2409 Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78705
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Austin PRIDE 2011 - Want to celebrate Austin PRIDE 2011 AND do it at a discount? Visit the Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation site for information on discounted 5K Run, Festival, and VIP tickets.
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499 Dresses Project!
Your dress WANTS to make a difference!
Donate your gently used dresses to help The Winding Road to Recovery
a film about disabled veterans that use cycling as a means of recovery from missing limbs, PTSD and life after coming home. 499 Dresses Project is a grassroots fundraising effort - all of the dresses donated will be sold at a HUGE one-day sale in late August with 100% of the proceeds going to help the film show the world these amazing veterans and their story of recovery through bicycling.
ALL DRESSES WELCOMED - ALL SIZES APPRECIATED
Any dress - formals, prom, bride's maids, little girls' dresses, sundresses, that hot little black strapless number, or even a wedding dress - all colors of the rainbow are wanted - please be sure that they are good condition.
Drop off your dresses at Jack Brown Cleaners (3231 Bee Caves Road--Bee Caves Road & Walsh Tarlton--512-327-4752). Donations accepted from now until August 15, 2011
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