events

HELP THE AMBERS

Early Sunday morning, Mosaicians Elizabeth and Jamie Amber jumped to safety from their 2nd story apartment while their apartment burned down, along with all their possessions inside of it.

Many of you responded quickly with donations of toiletries, clothes, money and other items. Thanks so much for all the responses so far! It’s been amazing to experience everyone pulling their resources together to help.

At this point, the Ambers are looking at starting over with everything from new drivers’ licenses, to wedding rings, clothes, towels, a new address, new furniture, you name it. As you might imagine, they will also be grieving and recuperating from this stressful (to say the least) event. They will need to process. They will need to rest. They will need to laugh and smile as the weeks and months make ways for the Ambers to start over, and to do so with some serious support! This means that we, as the Mosaic family, have a chance to respond lovingly and proactively to their short and long-term needs. If there was ever a chance to “be the church,” here it is. We are calling on you to respond.
Here are some great ways to TAKE ACTION:
1. Donate money or gift cards. This is the most effective way to help right now, since immediate needs are hard to keep track of, and new ones still come up at every turn. You can bring these donations to liturgy at Mosaic (put cash in an envelope marked for the Ambers), or you may send them to:

Mosaic
PO Box 4764
Austin, TX 78765.

Checks can be written directly to Jamie and Elizabeth Amber, though if you write them to Mosaic with “Ambers” in the memo, it will also all go straight to them.

2. Sign up to bring the Ambers dinner. At liturgy this Sunday, we will have a sign-up sheet for those who can bring the Ambers dinner where they are staying downtown. Bringing dinners will begin on Tuesday. This will be a great stress reliever for them.
3. E-mail Carrie if you’d like to volunteer to be on a team devoted to helping with needs that a) could use some creative effort or b) will serve to cover needs that come up in a few months. Carrie can give you more details if you are interested.
Where are the Ambers?
Right now, the Ambers have secured a place to stay in a hotel for a while and are going to tend to other decisions before figuring out where their next residence will be. This means decisions about certain bigger items, such as furniture, will not come into play for a while. In the meantime, the Ambers are going to be figuring out the best way they know how to get back on their feet, and how they might recreate a home environment that can truly feel like a home to them. They have asked that people go through Mosaic with questions or concerns about this situation. Feel free to e-mail Carrie.
How else can we be helpful?
If you have large or small items or even money that you’d like to donate to help others affected by this tragic fire, you may inquire about donations through Red Cross at (512) 928-4271 ext. 242. You may also donate directly to their South Austin apartment complex that was affected, Bainbridge Villas.
Thanks for all you have already done and for all you are willing to do to help!
Mosaic Staff

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FALL MOSAIC GROUPS

Beginning the week of September 13th (or next  Thursday the 9th for the College Group), Fall Mosaic Groups will be starting up. So you still have some time to pray/think/investigate your options for the Fall.

Check out the Groups page on our website & let the leaders know you’re interested in finding out more or being a part of their group.

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SUNDAY DINNER

This Sunday is the 1st one of the month, which is when Mosaic goes out for dinner after liturgy. Anyone who’s interested can head over to the Mueller Center for some good times.  People can pick from the several establishments there, then meet outside to eat and hang out.

These dinners are a great way to meet new people or see old friends again.

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RETREAT! RETREAT!
Hey gang,

Our first community-wide retreat is happening on November 6-7! This message l has two retreat-related purposes:
RESPOND QUICK LIKE

We need you to reply right now and say “Yes,” “No,” or “Maybe” to whether you think you will be there or not. We are trying to get an initial estimate of how many people to plan for in November. It will help so much if you take just a sec to respond!

Your response is NOT an official commitment to come or not. Do you still need to check with your grandma and make sure she doesn’t need your help that weekend? If you’re thinking she’ll be okay without you, but you’re not 100% sure, go ahead and say “Yes.” If later it turns out that you’ll need to help her that weekend or else, we won’t hold you to it at this point. Who’s going to want to cross your grandma, anyway? Not us.

So go ahead and finish reading this e-mail, and then respond right then and there. You’ll be so glad you did!  (Well, let’s be real. Who knows how you’ll feel? But we certainly hope it’s glad).   Then email Carrie with your Yes, No or Maybe.

THE 411

There are a few things we’d like to tell you about the retreat, so you can be getting in gear as it approaches this fall:

-The retreat is primarily about making decisions based on all those 1on1’s we did a few months ago. We will be having lots of intriguing conversations about how to take themes and ideas from your 1on1’s and, in a way that honors God’s involvement in our lives, turn them into concrete changes we make so as to better love one another and the city of Austin.

-This means that the retreat is a culmination of preparation we have done and will be doing to be ready to make such decisions in November. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more info regarding the best way to be ready for these convos, especially if you are new and did not have an opportunity to participate in the 1on1’s (and/or are wondering what in the world 1on1’s are right now).

-There will be no snake handling, no Jesus Camp-esque experiences, no singling people out, no forcing people into embarrassing situations, no awkward book endorsements by speakers with unnaturally white teeth, no messages about how to fully bring in the Kingdom of God by following three bullet pointed phrases that all conveniently begin with the letter “A.”

-There will be a chance to connect to the community that makes up Mosaic!

THE CALENDARIO PLEA

So please do show up, ma’ams and sirs! Mark those calendars. If you’re a planner, get it on that googlecal. If you go where the wind blows, try to feel like writing it on your hand or forehead every week until the weekend approaches. This is an important time for us as a community, whether you are old or new to the family!

Please do not hesitate to send questions about the retreat to Carrie.

Ok, time to respond and say “Yes,” or if you hate fun and happiness, “No” or “Maybe.”

Thanks!
Carrie

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Men’s & Women’s Get Togethers

Remember that the Men of Mosaic have weekly nights together at The Draught House.  Every Monday night at 8:00 you’ll find guys telling stories, cracking jokes, playing games – and sharing needs for help or prayer.  For more info, email Sam.

And every First Thursday of the month – the women of Mosaic hang out at Spiderhouse Cafe.  Every lady is invited to show up, get to know each other better and have some fun.  Women start showing up there around 6:30 pm. For more info, email Darby Perkins.