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E-Link Newsletter
News from Metropolitan Community Church of Austin |
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 November 16, 2011
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| From Your Pastor | |  Quite often someone will ask me after they've read an E-Link article, "Wow, were you writing specifically to me today?"
We both know the answer is "no," but still, I'm glad to have touched someone--I'm glad God has chosen to touch someone through me.
Today, I'm breaking with the norm. Today, I'm writing directly to you....
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E-Link Submissions
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If you have information to share through our E-Link, please email it to the editor no later than Monday evening of the week you would like it published.
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Our Sponsors
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| What's Happening at MCC Austin | |
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| Sunday Morning Worship | | November 20 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.*
"The Old Testament: A Love Story"
Rev. Dr. Mona West
Numbers 6:22-27
The LORD said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
"The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."
"So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."
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*ASL Interpretation for the 11:00 service will be available upon request. Please send your requests via email to Courtney Webster in the church office.
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Advent and Christmas at MCC Austin
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| | This year we anticipate and welcome the birth of Jesus through the theme of "Lessons and Carols." Each Sunday in Advent, both Christmas Eve services, and our Christmas Day worship will be focused on the meaning and message of one of our best-loved Christmas carols. We hope you will join us for every opportunity to celebrate the "reason for the season"!
Advent 1 - November 27
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Advent 2 - December 4
"Come, Thou Long Long Expected Jesus"
Advent 3- December 11
"O Little Town Of Bethlehem"
Advent 4 - December18
"The First Noel"
*MCC Austin Christmas Concert and Open House
Christmas Eve - December 24 "O Holy Night" Christmas Day - December 25 "O, Come All Ye Faithful"
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| New Member Class | | 
Saturday, November 19
9 - 11:30 a.m. - 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. |
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Children's Sunday School Christmas Presentation
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Attention Parents!!!
The Children's Sunday School Choir is beginning practice for their annual Christmas Presentation. The children's choir will sing on Sunday, December 18 during the 11 a.m. service.
If your child wants to be part of this fun, praise-full experience, they need to attend Sunday School as much as possible between now and then. Our classes are for ages 3-Kindergarten, Grades 1-4 and Grades 5-8. Please join us as we practice for this Christmas event.
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Fall Homeless Outreach Project
| | Sunday will be the last opportunity to donate items!!! 
Caring with Care Packets Project
Project: Providing Care packets to the homeless
What can you do: We will be collecting donations of these items for homeless care packets: socks, bottled water, lip balm, toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, washcloths, bus tickets, anti-bacterial wipes, canned meats with pop-tops, and granola or breakfast bars. There is a large basket located by the front door of the church to receive these donations.
Our goal: We would like to distribute at least 50 complete kits. For more information, please email Courtney Webster.
*We really need more socks and bottled water. Thanks"
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| Soul Connections Luncheon | | 
December 4 following the 11 a.m. service
Soul Connections gathers on the first Sunday of each month after the 11 a.m. worship service.
Please join us for lunch on December 4th at Macaroni Grill, 701 East Stassney Lane, Austin, TX 78745
Please plan to join us. We'd love to see you!
Future activities for Soul connections are available on the Soul Connections website. If you have any questions regarding this event, please email Dana McVey.
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| Photo Romp Silent Auction Fundraiser | |
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Photographer: Bob K.
Title: Bleeding Hearts
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November 20 through December 11
Photo Romp was one of many Growth Groups offered this fall at MCC Austin. We focused on exploring unique ways of viewing the world through our eyes, heart, soul, and digital cameras. We are offering photographs from our Group as a fundraiser for MCC Austin.
Six photographs were produced on 12"x16" wrapped canvases and are on display in the Fellowship Hall of MCC Austin for this silent auction fundraiser. The gallery display
continues from November 20 through December 11. All proceeds, minus the cost of
production, will go toward supporting the ministry of MCC Austin.
Each photograph is titled and bids will start at $38. The auction continues until Sunday, December 11 at the end of the 11 a.m. service.
These unique, one-of-a-kind, canvas prints are a wonderful way to support our community while encouraging the gifts in each other...procrastinate and you may lose out. Thank you for your support!
Meet the photographers with the canvas photograph on December 11.
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Photographer: Nancy G. Title: Lighthouse
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Photographer: Dell L. Title: White Sands
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Photographer: Gail W.
Title: Covered Bridge
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Photographer: Toni L.
Title: Sunset
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Photographer: Becky B.
Title: UT Tower
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| Our Prayers... |
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- For all who hunger in our world, especially those areas affected by famines.
- 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 process.
- For all who suffer from economic injustice and inequality.
- For justice and healing for all children and youth who are victims of rape and sexual abuse.
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| From Your Pastor, continued | | |
The main thing I want to say is "thank you." Thank you for the role that you play in my life. Whether you are one of the wider circle of our MCC denomination, a part of our Austin area or GLBT community, a member of MCC Austin, or a person whose life intersects with mine in some other way (known or unknown), thank you.
Especially (and in no certain order) thank you to those of you who...
...have and continue to mentor me
..."get" me without explanation
... allow me to be your pastor
...defend me ferociously
...give all you give joyfully
...pray for me and my family and the church
...extend grace and accept grace
...assume the best intent even when I've screwed up
...make me laugh
...inspire me with your courage, creativity, passion, faith...
...encourage me to be my whole self
...offer me different ways of seeing things
...check and balance me with a gentle hand
Before my current Bonhoeffer obsession, Henri Nouwen was my go-to guy. In The Inner Voice of Love, he reminds us: "Love that comes to you through human beings is true, God-given love and needs to be celebrated as such....Be grateful for it and see it as what enabled you to open yourself to God's first love."
That's what I'm celebrating today. Join me, won't you?
Always in Hope,
Rev. Karen Thompson
Senior Pastor
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Beyond Our Walls: Community News & Events
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Transgender Day of Remembrance
TENT, Transgender Education Network of Texas, will host the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance event on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 6:00 PM at Austin City Hall Plaza.
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World AIDS Day Service of Remembrance & Hope
The 14th annual Central Texas area World AIDS Day Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Hope will be held on Thursday, December 1st at St. David's Episcopal Church, 301 E. 8th Street, beginning at 7:00pm.
The community is invited to gather for this annual World AIDS Day service of remembrance, which marks one of many World AIDS observances for 2011. This service consists of reflection, music, drama, poetry, prayer and the annual AIDS Bell banner. The Care Communities sponsors this along with other HIV/AIDS organizations and the St. David's community. If you know someone who is living with HIV/AIDS or has died from complications, please join in this annual Service.
If you want details about the Service, please call Roger Temme, Outreach Director by email or at 512.459.5883.
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