Trinity United Methodist Church - Austin, Texas

Children's Corner - Nov/Dec 2009

2009-11-28T01:09:28Z

Due to the combined services on Sunday November 29th, children's choir will be rehearsing at 9:30 am instead of their usual time.Children's choir will also be performing "Welcome Christmas #1" during the story for all ages.
We are proud to announce the new Children's Program website! Visit www.children.tumc.org for general information, news, and upcoming events. You can also join the Children's Program mailing list from the site.

Combined Services - Nov. 29th, Dec. 27th, and Jan. 3rd

2009-11-28T01:00:28Z

Trinity celebrations will come together again on December 27th and January 3rd. Sunday School is at 9:30 and services are at 10:30. We hope to see you there!

Interfaith eLert - Eid al-Adha - Muslim

2009-11-22T16:15:15Z

From CommonTables.org (www.commontables.org/eLerts.html)

The word Eid is an Arabic word meaning a festivity, a celebration, a recurring happiness, a feast. In Islam, there are two major Eids: Eid al-Fitr ("The Festival of Fast-Breaking”) at the end of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha ("The Festival of Sacrifice" or “Greater Eid”) at the end of the Hajj – the religious pilgrimage to Mekkah (Mecca).

Edi al-Adha (pronounced EED al-adHHHA) is the most important festival of the Muslim year. The holiday is celebrated worldwide as Muslims (including the Druze) remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham).

Traditionally, the holiday celebrates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael when he was commanded to show his commitment to Allah (God) and Allah’s revealing to Ibrahim that, by his willingness, he had already fulfilled his “sacrifice”. (NOTE: Muslims believe the son to be Ishmael rather than Isaac as told in Christian and Jewish traditions.) At Allah’s direction, a lamb was sacrificed in place of Ishmael.

In 2009 Eid al-Adha will begin on Friday, the 27th of November and in most countries the festival will last for three or four days. Muslim holidays begin at sunset on the previous day, so this year observing Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha beginning at sunset on Thursday, November 26th.

Eid al-Adha is a happy time. On the first morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer in a large congregation in an open area or mosque. Prayers are followed by visits to family and friends, the exchange of gifts, and by festive meals. Sweets, including dried fruits and sweetmeats, are plentiful.

In many countries, those Muslims who can afford to do so may sacrifice a domestic animal (such as a sheep, camel or goat) in an act known as qurbani. One-third of the animal’s meat is then consumed by immediate family, while the remaining two-thirds is given away to friends and to the poor Islamic residents of the community, respectively. The animal is offered as a symbol of Abraham's sacrifice and the distribution of the meat to others is an expression of Zakat (giving to the poor and needy), one of the five pillars of Islam.

Traditional Greeting: Eid mubarak (EED moo-BAR-ak) is a greeting specifically for use on the festivals of Eid al-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. In English the greeting can be paraphrased as meaning "may you enjoy a blessed festival".

Trinity's Annual Christmas Banquet, December 11th from 6-8 PM

2009-11-20T23:15:16Z

As most of you know by now, Trinity’s annual Christmas Banquet will be on a Friday this year (December 11th from 6-8 PM) due to space conflicts. Even though we had to move the banquet from a Sunday this year, we are grateful for Tarrytown’s hospitality and generosity. It is a great venue! Here are some reasons why you should come:

If fuzzy slippers and white clothing after Labor Day are accepted at Trinity, then whatever you happen to be wearing on Friday will be welcomed (smiles encouraged, birthday suits do not qualify as apparel.)
It isn’t cheating if you get it from a store! Heck, many of us still don’t realize that cranberries come in a form other than canned-shaped gelatin... The rest of us are just grateful that we didn't have to open the can! I promise no one will turn up a nose at anything brought through the door as long as the main ingredient is love (which can be easily sprinkled on top of store-bought food of any sort.)
I promise you that no other entertainment around Austin can even come close to comparing to the amazing program we have in store for you. We’ve got the premier choir and children’s acting troupe in the nation performing live for you. We were fortunate enough to catch them early in their rise to fame and were able to book them for our event this year! You do not want to miss this opportunity so that someday you will be able to say you saw them before anyone else even knew their names...
Trinity wouldn’t be Trinity without each and every one of you, so how can we have a party without each and every one of you there? We really do hope/pray/beg that you will join us.

P.S. – You are in luck! There are still several spots available for Table Hosts. Now is the time for all of you who were holding yourselves back in order to let others have an opportunity to step forward and be recognized. Just email me at mail@tumc.org to stake your claim!

Charter for Compassion

2009-11-15T17:44:36Z

From http://charterforcompassion.org/

On February 28, 2008 Karen Armstrong won the TED Prize and made a wish: for help creating, launching and propagating a Charter for Compassion. Since that day, thousands of people have contributed to the process so that on November 12, 2009 the Charter was unveiled to the world.

Visit http://charterforcompassion.org to learn more about this project and how you can get involved.

Don't Forget - First Sunday Food Drive This Sunday! 11/1

2009-10-29T22:00:44Z

Hope Food Pantry Austin greatly appreciates your continued support!

Trinity's Celebration Choir - Nov/Dec

2009-10-29T21:07:36Z

Join the choir for Christmas! We will be rehearsing Christmas music on Wednesdays (beginning 10/14) at 7:00pm in the sanctuary (click here for the rehearsal schedule.) We have sectional rehearsals as well on Sundays immediately after the first service 'til 10:45am (schedule TBA). We will also have three Saturday morning rehearsals on 10/24, 11/7, and 11/28. All, but especially tenors and basses, are always welcome!

Halloween & All Saints Day

2009-10-29T20:50:48Z

All Saints Day is the celebration of those who have contributed successfully to the creation of the kingdom. The saints were not perfect, but they were whole, holy, and they were certainly human. They lived their unique fate with creativity and participated in the evolution of human consciousness. Such a great feast, as every great feast, is preceded by an “eve” or vigil. At sunset, we turn toward the coming celebration of the next day. We launch our celebration of all that is holy with a consideration of all that is “unholy.”

All Hallows Eve, or Halloween, carries these overtones. A Christian veil has been thrown over the ancient, pre-Christian festivals for the dead, which celebrated both good souls and evil. The feasts of All Saints and All Souls were placed on top of ancient feasts. So some of the old traditions entered and mixed with the new practices. The ancient British Celtic traditions of fire festivals on this last night of October, of fear of witches and invitations to ghosts, have prevailed to this day in parts of Great Britain . . . What is unseen and unknown is so often treated as evil or dangerous. But with a contrasting intuitive gesture, the ancients also felt that, on this night when autumn made its transition to winter, the dead departed, returned to their old homes to be invited to the fireside, to be warmed and fed, by the living . . . Invitation into the light of consciousness does make unknown dangers safe, indeed full of energy and blessing. These ancient practices still color the way people enter into Halloween festivities today.

Gertrud Mueller Nelson

Dia De los Muertos, All Saints, and Samhain Celebrations - Nov. 1

2009-10-29T20:39:02Z

Don't forget to bring any pictures you would like to place on the alter for these celebrations.

Don't forget the time change - Nov. 1st!

2009-10-29T20:37:19Z

Yeehaw, it is time to fall back! Don't forget to set back your clocks before you go to bed this Saturday, October 31st, then lay back and enjoy your extra hour of sleep. :-)

Children's Corner - Nov 2009

2009-10-29T20:34:37Z

Upcoming Events

Christmas Play Rehearsal - This year we are doing a version of Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." All children and youth are encouraged to participate. Rehearsals are Sunday mornings at 10:15 in the yellow classroom.

Parents' Night Out - Our next PNO will be on Friday, November 13th from 6:30 - 10 PM. PNO is a program for children ages 3-12. We have games and crafts, then watch a G-rated movie. Admission is $10 per child.

Christmas Play - The children will be performing at our annual potluck Christmas party, which will be Friday, December 11th from 6-8 PM at Tarrytown UMC. After the play, there will be a special appearance by everyone's favorite jolly old elf.

For more information on any of these events, please contact Jen at children@tumc.org.

Letter from the Trail - Kelli Hardin

2009-10-29T20:18:06Z

Dear Trinity Family,

After a journey of almost six months, I reached the summit of Mt. Katahdin on October 11th - the weather was dangerously cold & windy, so we didn't spend much time at the summit. We had spectacular views on the approach and descent, so I was not disappointed. I summitted with about 10 other people, some of whom I had grown really close to - my trail family. Now that Gracie and I have begun our return trip to Austin (by car - not on foot!) I feel as if I'm between two worlds - no longer thru-hiking, but not yet integrated back into life off the trail. The blessing is that I know I am a valued and valuable member of both of those worlds and I have a treasure of friendships in both of them. Next up is a visit with family in Tennessee, then back to Austin by the end of October.

Until we meet again,
Peace & blessings,
Kel & Gracie (woof!)

P.S. Thanks for all the prayers, encouragement, & support - I couldn't have done it without you!

Hope Food Pantry Austin - November and December

2009-10-29T20:04:40Z

Thank you all for sharing your Sunday service with me as the Hope Food Pantry Austin Director. It is such an honor to work among so many people who really care for their community. Hope Food Pantry Austin's Holiday Drive will continue through December. With donors generosity Hope will be able to purchase and distribute 150 turkeys as well as increase the number of clients served by 10 each week. The following are the many ways you can still contribute.

1. A special basket for the Holiday Drive will be provided during each Sunday service through November.

2. Check out our new website HopeFoodPantryAustin.org where you can donate on line.

3. DOUBLE YOUR DONATION! Starting Nov. 2 visit Natural Grocers at 3901 Guadalupe St 78751 and with the cashiers help, get your donation matched.

4. Bring in Thanksgiving food items so that Hope can provide a Thanksgiving Turkey and the trimmings to our clients during the month of November.

Thank you to those who have already provided their support. Happy Holidays to you all!!

An Uplifting Message

2009-10-23T16:30:59Z

Equality Texas Austin Pride Build Needs Volunteers!

2009-10-23T16:15:29Z

For the third year in a row, the Austin Pride Build is partnering with Austin Habitat for Humanity to embrace Austin’s diversity by bringing together the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community and our friends to build a healthy and affordable home for an Austin family in need.

And for the third year in a row, Austin Pride Build is honoring Bettie Naylor for her part in the LGBT rights movement in Texas. Bettie Naylor has been an activist for both women's and LGBT rights for the past 38 years. Bettie was the first lobbyist for the Texas Gay Task Force in 1978. The Texas Gay Task Force would later become Equality Texas.

Equality Texas is again participating in Austin Pride Build and we would like you to join us.

Equality Texas Volunteer Day
Austin Pride Build - Habitat for Humanity

Saturday, November 7th
8am - 4pm
204 Towbridge Circle
Austin, TX 78723

If you would like to volunteer to help build the house, please contact Lindsay or call 512-474-5475. Advanced registration is required, so contact us today.

Click here to download/print a flyer.

2009 AIDS Walk Picture

2009-10-22T22:08:18Z

Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make a difference at the 2009 AIDS Walk.

Sunday Readings: Amos 5:18-24

2009-10-22T21:29:59Z

The Day of the Lord a Dark Day

¹⁸Alas for you who desire the day of God!
   Why do you want the day of God?
It is darkness, not light;
¹⁹   as if someone fled from a lion,
   and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
   and was bitten by a snake.
²⁰Is not the day of God darkness, not light,
   and gloom with no brightness in it?

I hate, I despise your festivals,
   and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
   I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
   I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
   I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
   and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Notes from Juanita Series (From Oct. 11)

2009-10-22T19:08:59Z

Speaker: Janice Huie, Bishop

6 practices faithful women want embodied in their religious community:

mission that offers hope and tools for survival for her and her children, good, clothes, housing, health care
challenges to be very best self – not to settle – invites spiritual depths and resolve, determination, fosters resisliency
inspires and embodies shalom, peace, health, wholeness of whole planet, not just ourselves, stretch out for whole earth, humans and beyond, interfaith
persons and programs that inspire and empower future generations, women investment much higher benefit for future, women use money earned to send children to school
remember the past, women honor best contributions, asking forgiveness for pettiness and violence, recover stories of women in the scriptures and in history
beliefs and practices both shape each other, emphasize practice that cuts across beliefs – affirms a God whose compassionate nature is love, mercy, justice and peace

Notes by Deana Henry

Don't Forget to Support North Central Caregivers Tonight (10/22)

2009-10-22T14:54:06Z

Join North Central Caregivers tonight, Thursday, October 22^nd from 4-6 PM for tasty desserts, specialty coffees, and teas, a silent auction, and raffle prizes. Admission is a $10 donation, and 100% of the proceeds directly benefit Faith in Action Caregivers – North Central.

Genuine Joe - 2001 W. Anderson Lane (across from Lacks)

For more information: 512-380-9339 or http://www.austin-cma.org/events/gen_joe_102209.pdf

10th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty - 10/24

2009-10-22T14:51:44Z

The 10th Annual March to Abolish the Death Penalty will be this Saturday, October 24th at 2PM at the Texas State Capital South Steps at 11th and Congress. Find out more info at www.marchforabolition.org.

Our Blog Just Got Easier to Access!

2009-10-22T14:49:06Z

Now you can access all things Trinity without doing brain gymnastics each time to remember the URL. Just type in www.blog.tumc.org and you are there! You will find current announcements, interesting information, and news on the community. We encourage you to comment on postings when you have more to add as this will enhance the site and make it truly dynamic!

Women's Spirituality Group - Nov. 2nd at 7

2009-10-22T14:30:27Z

Join us on Monday, November 2 at 7 PM to discuss “The Creatrix”. Please find a myth about creation by a divine feminine presence to bring and discuss.

Everyone is an Artist - Wednesday Night Alive

2009-10-22T14:12:09Z

I wanted to pass along some additional information about one of the upcoming WNA classes (Nov. 4 - Nov. 18):

Live Creation Spirituality Principle 5 - Everyone is an artist. Art as meditation is a primary form of prayer for releasing our images and empowering the community and each of us. Join Kim Suvia as she helps us explore our own spirituality and beliefs through art.

In this three class series, we will explore ways to create art as a meditative practice. We are invited to risk and move beyond judgements to allow the process to become a contemplative focus, nonverbal expression, and celebration. We may find meaning through symbolism and metaphor. We may find calmness in shifting to more right brain activities, and we invite the opportunity to engage in the sacredness of an intimate relationship with ourselves, of new ways of seeing, and with the energy of creation.

We will discuss keeping an art journal, playing with exercises that encourage the creative flow, and using symbolic imagery. We will gather some of these images to include in collages or mandalas to create a piece of artwork that is personally meaningful.

Kim Suvia is an artist and practitioner of subtle energy therapies. She has been in the field of holistic practices for twenty five years and through her business, "Creative Balance", offers private and group sessions in Jin Shin Jyutsu, EFT, and art exploration.

Thank You from the Trinity United Methodist Women!

2009-10-20T16:05:17Z

The Trinity UMW would like to thank everyone who made donations for the Mother’s Day and Father’s Day candle burnings. A total of $238 was given. The money was given to two mission programs: “Nothing but Nets” (a program that provides mosquito nets for help in malaria prevention in Africa), and the Mississippi Choctaw Mission (a mission program in Mississippi that works with the Choctaw Indian Tribe).

Social Justice Sunday Class Looking for a Few More People

2009-10-19T19:42:29Z

Hello Trinity! We would like to invite others to participate in our Social Justice Sunday School Class. We meet between the first two services every Sunday (about 10:25-11:10) and in the summer we meet before the shared service (this summer from 9:20-10:25). We do not have homework and we work real hard not guilt trip you if you cannot attend every week! We enjoy each other. We are a sharing group. We share our lives and our struggles to be creators of justice. Please drop by the class at the end of the hall sometime and get to know us. We have read a book as a class but mostly we read a short article and talk about it. Some of the recent things we have discussed:

What Women Want Now, A Time Special Report, by Nancy Gibbs Time Magazine10/26/09
Health Insurance Reform in Three Stages, by Nicholas Beaud
Changing Obama's Mindset, by Howard Zinn The Progressive May 2009
The Rich and Powerful Can Avoid Risk, by Robert A. Johnson
Five Ways of Looking at Risk in The American Prospect: Liberal Intelligence May 2009
A Strong Safety Net Encourages Healthy Risk-Taking, by Jacob S. Hacker
New Zealand Health Care Systems, by Jim and Janice
Policy Framing CD by George Laycoff
A James K Galbraith DVD

Our members bring things to share and we invite each other to various events and projects being sponsored by the outside groups we feel are significant. Also we brainstorm things to put in a letter to President Obama every month. If you have any questions you can contact me at deakenhenry@gmail.com or 784-2951.

Deana Henry