Econnection: December 14, 2023

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Featured Events Advent Festival This Sunday | 12 - 2:30 pm Join us for an Intergenerational Advent festival after worship this Sunday! We’ll have Chili, Crafts, Cookies and lots of fun for everyone! We hope to see you there!   Children’s Christmas Pageant This Sunday | 11 am This is an exciting day in the life of the church and one of our busiest Family Sundays yet! We will celebrate the Advent season with our Children's Christmas Pageant!  All children (ages 2 and up) are encouraged to come to Sunday School that day to put on their pageant costume.  The pageant takes place at the beginning of the 11am worship service.  Following the pageant, volunteers will escort all kiddos back to the classrooms to take off their costumes and do some Christmas activities!  When the service is over, parents are invited to pick up their kids and head to the Advent Festival! Worship | Sunday @ 11 am Online or In-Person Join us for worship as we celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Advent and light the candle of JOY! At our in person sanctuary service the children will lead us in our annual children’s Christmas pageant and the Wesley Choir will sing, “Angels We Have Heard on High.” The scripture lesson will be a retelling of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth from Luke’s Gospel written by Sarah Are of A Sanctified Art. It will be a special Sunday as we also pray over blankets for our preemie ministry and babies born into our UUMC family will receive an ornament.  “Ultimately dreams sow joy, even if that joy doesn’t immediately spring forth. Sowing seeds into the soil always feels risky and feeble - how can something so small become something so beautiful, so big, and so nourishing? Like Mary, we are called to tend and nurture the dreams God has woven into us.” – A Sanctified Art News Blessing of the Premie Blankets During worship on Sunday, we’ll bless baby blankets and share them with local hospitals. Any knitters, crocheters or seamsters who would like to participate can drop off items on the altar on Sunday! Blankets, burial gowns, booties, and hats are welcome (the softer the material, the better). While projects of all sizes are welcome, there is a need for preemie-sized pieces. If you have any questions about the blankets, you can contact Jillian, and for questions about drop-offs contact Renee!  Statement from Rev. Teresa Welborn on Reproductive Freedom Advent Offering About Go! Austin/Vamos! Austin Go! Austin/Vamos! Austin (GAVA) is a coalition of neighbors and community partners breaking down barriers to healthy living and strengthening neighborhood stability in Austin’s Eastern Crescent (Dove Springs, South Austin, the Rundberg area, and St. Johns neighborhood). Resident-led teams work with GAVA organizers to identify and lead efforts to improve nutrition, increase access to safe physical activity, support climate resilience and neighborhood stability, and advocate for equitable policies and practices in their communities. To Donate You can donate by cash, check or online to help us support GAVA. 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 This year’s Advent Devotional is available in the sanctuary, or you can follow along on our website,  Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! Poinsettia Pickup If you donated a Poinsettia in memory or honor of a loved one this season, we invite you to take them home after the evening services on December 24, or at the 11 am service on December 31. Anti Racism Vote: January 14 Last year, our Racial Justice task force, alongside our Church Council worked on and adopted a set of resolutions that aimed to define our values and work ahead as an anti-racist church. Part of that work was developing a statement to articulate our values and commitment around racial justice. The statement reads as follows: “University United Methodist Church is an anti-racist church. We are committed to the elimination of systemic racism and reformation of current institutions that adversely affect people of color seeking health care, education, employment, housing and criminal justice. We resist systemic racism through the promotion of anti-racist education, advocacy for anti-racist reforms in our community, and support for church policies that make us more anti-racist in welcoming, hiring, purchasing and investing. We invite others to join us as we strive to love all our neighbors as Christ loves us.” On January 14, immediately following the 11 am Sanctuary service, we will hold a church-wide vote to adopt the statement as an articulation of our principles here at University United Methodist Church. We hope you’ll be with us that MLK Sunday and support your church community in our effort to solidify our work in becoming a more anti-racist church. To learn more about the resolutions, please visit the Racial Justice page on our website.  Advent Season Youth: Christmas Party and Lock-In December 15 @ 6 pm Learn More December 17 4th Sunday of Advent Christmas Pageant 11 am Learn More Advent Festival 12 pm Learn More Longest Night Service December 19 @ 7 pm Learn More Y’all Come Christmas Eve Choir December 20 @ 7 pm Learn More December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas Eve Services 11 am - Informal Perfect for those who don’t wish to drive at night or are traveling later in the day. We’ll hear the Christmas story from Luke’s Gospel and join together in traditional carols 3:30 pm - Family Friendly Designed by Jillian and Teresa, the family-friendly service will feature a "pop-up" children's pageant, communion, and "candlelight." 5:30 pm & 10:30 pm - Traditional A Christmas Eve celebration with a brief homily by Senior Pastor, Teresa Welborn, Christmas carols, special music by the Sanctuary Choir, communion, and candlelight.  Learn More Hymn Sing 12/31 @ 9:45 am Learn More In The New Year Epiphany Sunday 1/7 @ 11 am Learn More Tween Time & MYF 1/7 @ 12 pm Learn More Diana Butler Bass January 27 @ 7 pm & January 28 @ 11 am We’ve rescheduled Diana Butler Bass’ visit to UUMC! She will now hold her presentation, Q&A, and book signing on January 27 at 7 pm and Guest Preaching during the 11 am service on January 28. Learn more Get Connected Children’s Ministry If you have kiddos that you’d like to get involved in our children’s ministry, or just to learn more, reach out to Pastor Heather. jillian@uumc.org College & Young Adult College Students and Young Adults, we have programs for you too! Contact Megan to get involved. motto@uumc.org Music Ministry UUMC is proud of its rich tradition of outstanding music. We offer opportunities for anyone, of any age or skill level. To get involved, contact Alicia. alicia@uumc.org Continuing Adult Education UUMC provides a variety of Sunday School groups, classes, and mission and justice ministries. Contact Pastor Earl to learn more. pastorearl@uumc.org Worship & Administration There are a lot of moving parts to operate this wonderful place. If you'd like to learn more or potentially volunteer, contact Pastor Teresa. pastorteresa@uumc.org 2409 Guadalupe Street Austin, Texas 78705 512-478-9387 Want to change how you receive emails from us? 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