Upcoming Events
From fun, community building activities to educational and spiritual growth opportunities, there are always great events happening at UUMC. If you want to stay in the loop about upcoming events, sign up for our newsletters!
Queer Fellowship Brunch
Hosted by the UUMC Queer Council!
Join us for an intergenerational queer fellowship event to kick-off pride month. All LGBTQIA+ members and friends of UUMC are invited to this community building event to get to know each other, share our joys and hopes for our church, and eat waffles! All ages are welcome, and there will be coffee and muffins in the library for any ally parents/guardians to hang out with one another and share in their own fellowship time!
Questions? Contact AV!
TNL: Oremus (Let Us Pray) - Learners, Readers & Writers of Prayer
If you wish to learn more about prayer, hope to read and write prayers, or just chat about your experience or doubts about prayer, this group is for you. We will get together and deepen our theological understanding of prayer and explore different types and ways of prayer. In our time together, we will also get to write our own prayers and share them with one another. Contact Pastor Earl with any questions.
Lunch and Learn: What is a Reproductive Freedom Congregation?
Join Shan Saffer from Texas Freedom Network for a Lunch & Learn on what it means to be a Reproductive Freedom Congregation. Over the last year, members of the UUMC Church Council and staff have engaged in conversations about the possibility of affiliating with Texas Freedom Network's "Reproductive Freedom Congregation” program. We are in the beginning stages of exploring such an affiliation and this is a time of learning and discernment. Come to learn more. Wanting to ensure this is a safe space for all with regard to delicate subject matters, we come with our curious questions as well as a spirit of respect for others and the range of tender experiences this subject matter encompasses. You can learn more about Reproductive Freedom Congregations on the Just Texas website.
About Shan
Shan Schaffer is the Just Texas Faith Organizer at Texas Freedom Network. Born and raised in Austin, Shan is dedicated to ensuring all Texans have access to the health care they want and need and has experience providing community outreach, education, and support around reproductive justice and LGBTQ+ issues throughout the state and in Chicago, Illinois. Shan loves calling Texas home and hopes to make the state more equitable and just for all of those who live here.
Reproductive Justice and Faith - Session 2
Pastor Teresa and Earl invite you to join this joint Sunday school session about reproductive justice. There will be two offerings of the same session (2/4 and 2/11) during the Sunday school hour (9:45-10:45 am), so you can choose either of them that fits your schedule.
In the session, Pastors will briefly share pastoral experiences and theological issues, and a time of conversation will follow. You are welcome to come with open and honest hearts to discuss the topic, learn more about helpful resources, and have a chance to think about the meaning of becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation.
Reproductive Justice and Faith - Session 1
Pastor Teresa and Earl invite you to join this joint Sunday school session about reproductive justice. There will be two offerings of the same session (2/4 and 2/11) during the Sunday school hour (9:45-10:45 am), so you can choose either of them that fits your schedule.
In the session, Pastors will briefly share pastoral experiences and theological issues, and a time of conversation will follow. You are welcome to come with open and honest hearts to discuss the topic, learn more about helpful resources, and have a chance to think about the meaning of becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation.
Reading with Elizabeth
This January through April, Elizabeth Hoffman is leading a monthly book club. She has chosen a variety of genres, authors, and voices that highlight different cultures, races, genders, and age groups. We’ll meet the last Monday of the month - 1/29, 2/26, 3/25, 4/29. Come to one or come to them all!
Our first book is “Grateful” by Diana Butler Bass. Let us know if you plan to attend!
An Evening with Diana Butler Bass
Join us as we host Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D on January 27, at 7:00 pm. A presentation, “Awakening or Apocalypse: Reimagining the Times in Which We Live,” will take place at 7:00 pm in the University UMC sanctuary followed by a Q&A and book signing.
Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D will also be guest preaching at University United Methodist Church on January 28 at 11:00 am and all are welcome to attend.
Event Information
Doors
Education Building Doors and Sanctuary Doors will open at 6 pm.
Parking
The UUMC Lot and the Platinum Parking Lot will be available for free parking. If those are full, please utilize the nearby meters and San Antonio Garage. We will not be validating parking in the San Antonio Garage on Saturday evening. Parking in University of Texas spaces will require proper UT permits.
Signed Books
Following her speaking engagement, Diana Butler Bass will be signing copies of her books. “Grateful” and “Freeing Jesus” will be available for purchase for $20 on site. Credit cards preferred, but cash will be accepted. Please note, we will not be able to make change.
About Diana Butler Bass
Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D holds a doctorate in Religious Studies from Duke University. She is an award-winning author of 11 books and a trusted authority on religion and contemporary spirituality. She has been a New York Times syndicated columnist and has additional bylines in the Washington Post, USA Today, atlantic.com and cnn.com.
Church Workday!
The Trustees is organizing a church-wide workday for Sunday, December 3 after worship. Come as you can to help us clean up a bit ahead of Christmas!
Items to work on include:
Cleaning South Side Sanctuary Door
Cleaning Windows on Balcony Stairwell
Organize and Inventory Hymnals & Music Stands
Mulch Over PVC
Dust/Mop/Clean floors in Choir Area
Pok-E-Jos will be providing lunch for the volunteers from 12 - 1 pm. Please let us know if you plan to attend.
Advent Study
Tuesday Evenings with Pastor Earl (Hybrid)
Nov 28 - Dec 19 @ 7 pm
Sunday Mornings with Gardeners (Hybrid), Odyssey (Hybrid)
or Nourish (In-Person)
Nov 26 - Dec 17 @ 9:45 am
In this Season of Advent, we invite you to a four-week Advent Study as you make this season a meaningful time to wait for Jesus to come with hope, peace, joy, and love. We will use "Light from Afar," a daily Advent devotional that illuminates the season through the stories and reflections of four writers from around the world.
Habitat for Humanity Build
If you had a chance to build homes for those who need them most, would you like to volunteer? Our church is going to join Habitat for Humanity and other university-area churches to build houses in the Austin area on two Saturdays (October 14 and November 4). Whether you’re a skilled craftsperson or you’ve never picked up a hammer, building with Austin Habitat will be a meaningful experience.
Registration for this event is full
Questions? Contact Pastor Earl.
An Introduction to Centering Prayer
Join us to learn this contemplative and meditative practice of learning to withdraw attention from our thoughts in order to rest in a gentle, open attentiveness to divine reality. Centering Prayer is about enhancing your relationship with God and transformation.
Participants will need a copy of Thomas Keating’s book Open Hearts, Open Minds. Copies are available in the front office for $15. You’re also invited to bring a wrap or cushion to make yourself comfortable.
An Introduction to the United Methodist Church
Pastor Teresa will be leading a three-week Sunday School class (October 8, 15, and 22) for those interested in learning more about The United Methodist Church. The class will meet during the Sunday School hour from 9:45-10:45 in room 203.
Habitat for Humanity Build
If you had a chance to build homes for those who need them most, would you like to volunteer? Our church is going to join Habitat for Humanity and other university-area churches to build houses in the Austin area on two Saturdays (October 14 and November 4). Whether you’re a skilled craftsperson or you’ve never picked up a hammer, building with Austin Habitat will be a meaningful experience.
Please sign up for this event!
Questions? Contact Pastor Earl.
World Day Against the Death Penalty Interfaith Prayer Vigil
Faith leaders, including Pastor Teresa, and anti-death penalty advocates will provide remarks at an Interfaith Vigil on Tuesday, October 10. TCADP and Texas Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty will hold a World Day Against the Death Penalty vigil from 12:00 to 1:00 PM in front of the Texas State Capitol in Austin (on the sidewalk in front of the gates on 11th St). On that same day, Texas is scheduled to execute Jedidiah Murphy, a Jewish man who has spent more than 20 years on death row.
Book Party for Rev. John Elford
You are invited to this exciting party to celebrate Rev. John Elford's recent publication of “Our Hearts Were Strangely Lukewarm: The American Methodist Church and the Struggle with White Supremacy.” There will be a conversation about racism and White supremacy in the church, the main theme of the book, with a panel composed of Chad Seales, David White.
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