Econnection: December 12, 2024

Dec 12

Econnection - December 12, 2024

Featured Events

Queer Fellowship:
Cookie Exchange

December 13 | 6 pm

Bring a cookie to share and let's sample each other's favorite holiday treats! We will join together in fellowship as a queer community. Questions? Contact AV!

Christmas Pageant

December 15 | 9:45 am

The most wonderful Family Sunday of the year! All children (ages 2 and up) are encouraged to come to Sunday School to find their pageant costumes. The pageant takes place at the beginning of the 11 am worship service. Following the pageant, volunteers will escort all kiddos back to the classrooms to play. Join us after worship for our annual Advent Festival! Questions? Contact Jillian at jillian@uumc.org!

Advent Festival

December 15 | 12 pm

When the service is over, we’ll head to the Chapel for an Advent Garden experience. Then we’ll move to the Fellowship Hall for chili, crafts and conversation. Everyone is welcome! See you there!

Service of Worship

Sunday @ 11 am

Scripture: Isaiah 58:9b-12; Luke 3:7-16

In worship this Sunday we continue our Advent journey and light the candle of JOY. It will be a joy-filled worship service as we enjoy the annual Christmas pageant and special music by The Wesley Choir. In addition to celebrating the participation of children in worship, we invite you to dress in your festive holiday attire as we embrace the JOY of this season. “Ugly” Christmas sweaters, holiday jackets and other fun and festive attire are welcome! The scripture reading reminds us that John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus in the wilderness and Pastor Teresa’s sermon is “The Joy of Service.” Plan to stay after worship for the church-wide Advent Festival with a variety of delicious chili options for everyone!

Advent reminds us that Christ came into a world fraught with the very same issues of injustice and inequality that we face, and he did not turn away. Instead, he showed us a way forward: engaged action rooted in compassion.”

- Kayla Craig

I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.

- Rabindranath Tagore

News

Advent Offering

This year’s Advent Offering will go to UUMC’s Microloan Program. This ministry offers interest-free loans of up to $1,500 to help stabilize and expand small businesses in Travis and surrounding counties. They have been funded solely by donations and loan repayments since 2017–during which time they have provided 37 small business owners with much needed access to capital. This fall, for the first time, loan applications have exceeded available funds. Your generous offerings will help meet that need and grow our ministry into the new year. Visit our page for a list of participating loan recipients past and present—and consider supporting these businesses when you shop this holiday!

You can donate by cash, check or online to help support Microloans. Please write “Advent Offering” on your offering envelope or the memo section of your check. If you are giving online, visit uumc.org/give and select “Give to Special Offerings.” Thank you for your generosity.

Advent Devotional

What brings you comfort? In this Advent devotional, members of our community along with other artists and writers reflect on this question. As you read each day’s entry, may it be an invitation for you to consider the people, places, and things that bring you comfort. List on our Website, Apple Podcast, or Spotify

College Ministry Finals Week

This past week, Megan helped provide the college students with some study breaks. The Petting Zoo gave them the opportunity to spend some time with animals including a chinchilla, rabbit and turtle! They also enjoyed some Christmas Movie Bingo and hot chocolate.

Gardeners Christmas Party

Our Gardeners (Young Adult) Sunday School class met this past weekend for their annual Christmas Party! Any Young Adults (20 - 40 ish) looking to get involved should contact Megan at motto@uumc.org!

Stewardship

Pledges put stewardship campaign on track. Thank you!

As of yesterday, we’ve received 154 financial commitments totaling $777,115. We are so grateful for these commitments as it speaks to the generosity of our church community.

There are several current givers who have not yet submitted a pledge for the new year, but we’re optimistic that those commitments will be made soon, putting us on target to meet our goal of $810,000!

If you have yet to submit your financial commitment for 2025, you may turn in a pledge card in worship or to the church office. You may email Cindy Reeves at finance@uumc.org.

We will continue to tally commitments through mid-November before putting together our budget for 2025. Commitments made now allow us to serve our community in the coming year.

We indeed are people of possibility!

– John Bridges, finance chair

Around the Community

Texas United Women in Faith Legislative Event

United Women of Faith and Texas Impact are hosting a Legislative Event from Sunday, January 26 through Tuesday, January 28, 2025. During the event, you will have the opportunity to learn how to lobby state reps and about legislative priorities that will promote the wellbeing of all Texans. In person registration is $160 until December 10th and $180 after December 10th. Virtual registration is also available and is $50.

UUMC Members Sandy White, Nancy Mossman, Trish Merrill, and Betsy Singleton all plan to attend and hope you will join them! You can register and learn more on Texas Impact's website .