darost2003Affirmation

"Affirmation is an activist caucus of LGBT people, and our allies [in the UMC]. Affirmation is an independent, not-for-profit organization with no official ties to The United Methodist Church."

http://umaffirm.org/

 

Americans United for Separation of Church and State

"...a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom."

http://www.au.org/site/PageServer

 

Austin Area Interreligious Ministries (AAIM)

"...an inclusive, interreligious, caring community that generates mutual respect, trust and social justice through education, advocacy, social services, and community building."

http://www.aaimaustin.org/

 

Austin Coalition for Marriage Equality

"...works towards full legal marriage benefits for same sex couples and intends to put Austin, TX on the map in the current movement towards full legal marriage equality." SLOGAN: "Separate is Never Equal"

http://austinmarriageequality.org/

 

Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLGS) in Religion and Ministry

[The] "goal in this site is to be the premier source on the worldwide web for reliable and up-to-date information and resources on LGBT... issues & religion."

http://www.clgs.org/

 

Community of the Cross of Nails (CCN)

"...a world-wide community of individuals and groups, who share a commitment to a practical vision of reconciliation..."

http://www.ccn-usa.org/

 

Confessing Movement

"The very moral fiber and fellowship of our Church has been ripped apart," and these are the folks who are doing the ripping.

http://www.confessingumc.org/

 

Cross of Nails Centres

"The Cross of Nails has developed... into a powerful symbol of peace and reconciliation." Learn more from items in left frame.

http://www.coventrycathedral.org/international/ministry.htm

 

Door of Reconciliation in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland

To end a violent squabble between Catholics and Protestants, the Irish used an axe to chop a hole in the door to St Patrick's Cathedral in order to extend a hand. Foto caption provides a link to the complete story.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/48814346/48815449wGyUen

 

Dr Martin Luther King Jr - Letter from Birmingham Jail

This version of MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" appeared in his 1964 book WHY WE CAN'T WAIT.

http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/popular_requests/frequentdocs/birmingham.pdf

 

FaithfulAmerica.org

"...an online community of people of faith who want to build a more just and compassionate nation."

http://www.faithfulamerica.org/main.html

 

First United Methodist Church of Austin

"Welcome to First United Methodist Church of Austin."

http://fumcaustin.org/

 

General Commission on Archives and History for The United Methodist Church (GCAH)

"The purpose of the General Commission on Archives and History is to promote and care for the historical interest of The United Methodist Church."

http://www.gcah.org/

 

Igniting Ministry

The Television and Welcoming Ministry of The United Methodist Church

http://www.ignitingministry.org/

 

Institute on Religion and Democracy -- United Methodist Action

United Methodist Action claims that it "defends traditional Christian beliefs and practices in the spirit of the father of Methodism, John Wesley," but nothing could be further from the truth. Their goal is to divide the church and use its money and property for their own political ends.

http://www.ird-renew.org/About/AboutMain.cfm

 

John Wesley's Sermons -- Index of Scripture References

The next time someone throws a quote from the Bible at you, respond with a sermon.

http://gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/index2.html

 

John Wesley, Sermon 39: Catholic Spirit

"...now run the race which is set before thee, in the royal way of universal love... till thou art swallowed up in love for ever and ever!" You may have to cut and paste the link.

http://umaffirm.org/cornet/catholic.html

 

John Wesley, Sermon 39: Catholic Spirit

"...now run the race which is set before thee, in the royal way of universal love... till thou art swallowed up in love for ever and ever!" You may have to cut and paste the link.

http://gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/serm-039.stm

 

League of Women Voters of Texas

"...a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education & advocacy."

http://www.lwvtexas.org/

 

Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA)

"...an independent voice for justice within Methodism since 1907. MFSA unites activists within the United Methodist Church to take action on issues of justice, peace and liberation in the church, nation, and world."

http://www.mfsaweb.org/

 

National Council of Churches USA

"Reflecting the rich variety of its members, the NCC believes that genuine unity demands inclusivity and a respect for diversity, and strives to embody this belief in its programs, decision-making, and staffing."

http://www.ncccusa.org/index.html

 

Official Website of Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner

"All the great themes of literature and of life are the fabric of this extraordinary novel: love, honor, guilt, fear, redemption..."

http://www.khaledhosseini.com/

 

Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance

"Study of the world's religions will lead to an understanding of religious diversity. Understanding will lead to inter-religious dialogue. Dialogue will lead to peace among religions. Peace among religions will lead to peace among the nations."

http://www.religioustolerance.org/

 

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) - Austin

"...promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons, their families, and friends through support, education, and advocacy."

http://www.pflag-austin.org/

 

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

"...a famous prayer which first appeared around the year 1915 AD, and which embodies the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi's simplicity and poverty." We all need peace.

http://www.franciscan-archive.org/patriarcha/peace.html

 

Protestants for the Common Good

"...was founded out of a concern that organizations from the Christian political right, such as the Christian Coalition, mistakenly portray themselves as speaking on behalf of all Protestant Christians on a wide range of public issues."

http://www.thecommongood.org/home.asp

 

Reconciling Ministries Network

"...a national grassroots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the United Methodist Church, both in policy and practice."

http://www.rmnetwork.org/index.php

 

Rise of the Religious Right in the Republican Party -- a public information project from TheocracyWatch.org

« Pat Robertson tells us who makes up that "well-organized minority. It includes only Christians who share his point of view. As he said on his television program, the 700 Club: "You say you're supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists, and this and that and the other thing. Nonsense! I don't have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist." »

http://www.theocracywatch.org/

 

Sara Hickman

"Sara was raised in Houston, Texas, and launched her professional career at age 14... with just her guitar and voice." She is a member of Austin FUMC and a friend of the Austin FUMC Koinonia class.

http://www.sarahickman.com/flash.shtml

 

Shower of Stoles Project

"To end ecclesiastical discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people of faith."

http://www.showerofstoles.com/

 

Southwest Texas Conference

Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church

http://www.umcswtx.org/

 

Texas Freedom Network

"A mainstream voice to counter the religious right."

http://tfn.org/

 

Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Website

"The South African Truth & Reconciliation Commission was set up by the Government of National Unity to help deal with what happened under apartheid. The conflict during this period resulted in violence and human rights abuses from all sides. No section of society escaped these abuses."

http://www.doj.gov.za/trc/

 

Tutu Peace Centre

"The objective is not merely to memorialize one of South Africa's most famous sons, but to convert his unique leadership into the kinds of practices, approaches and tools that any individual can use to improve society through his or her own personal contribution."

http://www.tutu.org/

 

United Methodism @ Risk

"These warnings sound dire, even sensationalized. They are not."

http://www.ipum.org/

 

United Methodist Church

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

http://umc.org/

 

World Council of Churches

"The World Council of Churches (WCC) is the broadest and most inclusive among the many organized expressions of the modern ecumenical movement, a movement whose goal is Christian unity. The churches that make up the WCC live in very different social, economic, cultural, and political conditions. They have different styles of worship and forms of organization and governance."

http://www.wcc-coe.org/