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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin
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 September 7, 2011
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From Your Pastor
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A great paradox of our human nature: It takes the worst to bring out our best.
Another great paradox of our human nature: It takes the best to bring out our worst.
Let me dispense with that second one right away. Unfortunately, our response to the success or good fortune of others is sometimes to downplay or even dismiss that success. How often have you heard, or maybe even uttered, that seemingly innocuous comment "It's all about who you know" when someone is hired or promoted? Ever been at a youth ballgame and heard a jealous parent remark that the team's outstanding player is "just tall"? For some sad reason, we quickly slip into those belittling comments instead of acknowledging hard work, perseverance, or special skills. It's a case of someone else's best bringing out our worst....
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What's Happening at MCC Austin | | |
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Sunday Morning Worship*
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| | September 11 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. *
Mark 3:13-19
Jesus went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, and to have authority to cast out demons. So he appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Luke 6:13-16
When day came, Jesus called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
*ASL Interpretation for the 11:00 service will be available upon request. Please your requests via email to Courtney Webster in the church office.
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| Thanks Be to God! We Did It! | | 
Through God's goodness and your generosity, we have paid off our "Big Bond." Over the last 4 weeks, our friends and members who were able to have accelerated their capital stewardship campaign pledges and raised an ADDITIONAL $160,000 to pay off our 11 year-old bond and free us from bond payments of $10,000 per month.
Thank you to all of you who have been with MCC Austin since the purchase of Freedom Oaks. You have provided us a rich legacy of courage and generosity.
Thank you to all of you who have taken up the call to continued courage and generosity and have helped us in more ways than we can name toward this goal.
Thank you to all of you who have recently joined our fellowship and whose presence, prayers, and generosity are already blessing this congregation.
Thanks be to God, who has opened the doors of heaven and showered down overflowing blessings!
Faithfully,
The MCC Austin Board of Directors
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Notes from the Board of Directors
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Most of you have seen the For Sale sign in the front yard of the church or have heard that it is there. You're probably wondering what activity is going on and if anyone is looking at the church or property. Let me take this opportunity to fill you in on all that's taking place.
First, we have had a number of inquiries. A local church that is in exactly the situation we were in 12 years ago has toured the building and the property; it seems the size of our building is exactly what they are needing. Other groups are also looking at our property. Two that we know of are interested in developing the property for multi-family dwellings: apartments, condominiums, or duplexes.
Second, we have not ruled out the possibility that we can stay on our property. We continue to follow up on every possibility that could reduce the projected cost of our new building so that it falls within our budget.
Believe it or not, we are now three years into our commitment to increase our facilities. For some of us, it feels we're moving at a glacial pace. For others, it feels like we're rushing.
We understand and value all of those feelings and remain committed to keeping everyone fully informed as we move forward. ~ Peggy Garrison
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| Sign Up for Fall Growth Groups | | |
 It only takes 90 seconds!
Growth Groups are groups of 10-15 people who get together each week in a convenient Austin location to grow and have fun together. It's a great way to meet new people while growing in your faith.
Fall 2011 Growth Groups begin the week of September 25 and last for 6-10 weeks. We have 19 different groups meeting all around town with lots of different topics. Growth Groups will meet for 60-90 minutes each week. To register and for more information, please go to our website.
It's a short term commitment for something that could change your life!
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| Sunday School Notice | | 
Sunday School classes are back in session! We meet every Sunday in the Wray Education Building. We have three classes this year: Preschool age 3 through Kindergarten, Grades 1 through 4, and Grades 5 through 8. Please note that this year our classes include 8th Graders.
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| Sunday School Teachers Wanted | | |
Do you like kids? Want to serve your church in meaningful ways and have fun at the same time? The Sunday School Ministry needs teachers and helpers for elementary grade children. Please contact Rev Alycia Erickson or Phyllis Ringdahl.
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| Be a Part of Pride with MCC Austin | | 
Beginning Tomorrow night through Saturday September 10
Multi-faith Pride Service: Thursday, September 8 at 7 p.m.
Pride Parade Saturday morning
The parade starts at 10 am and we will have a trailer available to ride in for people who can't walk the full two miles. Seating on the trailer will be first come, first serve for those who need it. Our float theme this year is the 80's so get out your parachute pants and neon socks--we're going to party like it's 1999! Roller skates welcome! We will have a DJ rocking out to 80's faves and it will be a great time. A map of the parade route can be found here. The Parade staging area is by Auditorium Shores and onto Riverside Drive in front of the Long Center. Look for the MCC Austin group there. Please meet for the parade by 9:00 am.
Pride Festival Saturday afternoon
The festival is at Fiesta Gardens from 12-5 p.m.. We will be handing out beads again this year, along with information about our church. We still need people to help staff the booth for parts of the afternoon.
Sign up Now!
If you're interested in walking with our group or helping at the booth, 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!
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| Our Prayers... | |
- For all who have lost their homes or had damage to their homes from the wildfires in our area.
- Gratefulness for the generosity of God and God's people.
- 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.
- MCC staff and governing board as they continue to lead us.
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| From Your Pastor, continued | | |
But the opposite paradox--the paradox of the worst bringing out our best--is the one that, at least for the last few days, has consistently trumped the other.
Since Sunday evening, we've been under siege by numerous small and several huge fires. The numbers--sterile, impersonal things--tell us of 1,000 homes; over 35,000 acres; miles of fence and utility lines; and now, devastatingly, 2 lives lost so far.
Our staff and deacons have been doing our best to keep our prayers continuous, to keep connected to all of our MCC Austin family and friends in harm's way, and to organize assistance of all kinds for victims of the fire. Our efforts have been simplified by the dozens of you who also are praying continuously, checking in with people in fire threatened areas, and making yourselves and your homes available to those who need safe space.
Suddenly, the things that usually matter a great deal to us don't matter at all. It doesn't matter that this person supports a political candidate that we're sure is out to do us personal harm. It doesn't matter that that person didn't follow up with my email in a timely way and I felt slighted. It doesn't matter that I wasn't told thank you as often as I should have been. And it doesn't matter that a certain couple has hurt me terribly by choosing to remain friends with my no good, very bad "ex."
I guess the thing to ask ourselves day by day is "Do those things ever matter?" Or perhaps more appropriately, "Do those things ever matter as much as I act like they do?"
Now, you know I'm not advocating for boundary-less lives or for failure to take personal responsibility. We are not living the abundant life that Jesus promised when we allow others to take, take, take from us materially or emotionally. We're not living the abundant life when our unkindness or carelessness bruises and batters others.
I'm advocating for constant celebration of others' successes and constant compassion for others' difficulties. I'm advocating that we pray for each other always, stay connected to family and friends, seek assistance for all who are threatened, and make ourselves and our homes available to those who need safe space.
Fires are always burning; we just don't always see them.
Peace and Grace,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Senior Pastor
512-291-8601
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| Beyond Our Walls: News from MCCs Around the World | | |
MCC Headline News: News from our Denomination about recent meetings and decisions of the Senior Leadership team and Governing Board.
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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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