Sponsored by the Amos Commission of the Austin District of the United Methodist Church, Texas Impact, and Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

Peter Storey, one of Methodism’s great preachers, returns to Austin Friday, May 30 for a half-day workshop open to clergy and laity of all denominations.

With eloquence and energy, Dr. Storey offers wisdom and inspiration for engaging in ministries that go beyond helping those who are hurting to working to do away with the causes of that pain. He will offer insights to help and inspiration to motivate us to become more effectively engaged in ministries that address the causes of need and pain – that is, ministries of justice.

Over the next several months, Texans will have the opportunity to participate in a full, public review of several of our state's key agencies through the "sunset review" process. This year's sunset review schedule includes a number of high profile agencies including the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Youth Commission, the Texas Department of Agriculture, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Sunset offers an unprecedented opprotunity for citizen participation in the public policy debate, and unlike the legislative session the sunset process happens over the course of a year, with much of the public participation component taking place during the summer. Texas Impact is involved in the sunset reviews of several agencies. Want to get involved? Call or email us about attending meetings with legislators, hosting public forums, and other ways you can add your voice to the discussion!

Download the newest handout in our Faith in Texas series:

How To Participate in the Sunset Process

Texas' primary elections will be held Tuesday, March 4. After the polls close at 7pm, voters will return to their polling places for precinct caucuses. The main agenda for the precinct caucuses will be to elect delegates to each precinct's county party conventions, but the caucuses also offer the opportunity to pass "precinct resolutions."

Texas Impact is promulgating three precinct resolutions, which you can download HERE.

We also have a helpful handout on how to introduce and pass a precinct resolution, which you can download HERE.

Don't see your issue on our list? Email bee@texasimpact.org if you have a resolution you'd like us to post.

Texas Impact is accepting applications for the position of Membership Coordinator.

If you are passionate about engaging people of faith on core social issues like health care, criminal justice, environmental stewardship and economic justice, consider joining our staff! Texas Impact works with local congregations, social action groups, denominational bodies and individual people of faith to help them engage the public policy debate and bring mainstream faith values to bear in the public square.

"Faith, Science, and Ethics"

Under the theme, “Faith, Science, and Ethics,” the 2008 statewide Christian Life Conference will provide helpful and hopeful insights regarding appropriate and constructive relationships between faith and science and critical ethical issues upon which these relationships weigh heavily. As the following program listing details, very able leadership will help us find our way through the challenging, but immensely rewarding conversation between faith, science, and ethics.

The U. S. response to climate change is being determined RIGHT NOW, every time a state agency approves another coal plant.