Please Note: Our office will be closed from December 23, 2024 through January 3, 2025. We’ll return to normal operations on Monday, January 6, 2025. Staff will be checking voicemails and emails should any urgent issues arise. |
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 | Longest Night ServiceDecember 21 | 7 pmThe Longest Night service is a reflective time when we will hold sacred space for any who are experiencing a difficult time, or for whom the Christmas Season can spark memories of grief or loss. For all who struggle against the darkness, we will sing meditative and peaceful music, including some Taizé selections. |
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 | Christmas Eve Services
11 am | Daytime ServicePerfect for those who don’t wish to drive at night or are traveling later in the day. We’ll hear the Christmas story and join together in several traditional carols.
3:30 pm | Family-Friendly ServiceDesigned by Children’s Director Jillian Moore and Senior Pastor Teresa Welborn. This service will help tell the Christmas story to the youngest members of our community. We’ll also share in Holy Communion and sing some of our favorite carols.
5:30 pm | Traditional ServiceA traditional Christmas Eve celebration with a brief homily by Senior Pastor Teresa Welborn, Christmas carols, special music by the Sanctuary Choir, communion and candlelight. Join us 15 minutes early for a some special gathering music: some extra carol singing!
10:30 pm | Traditional ServiceA traditional Christmas Eve celebration with a brief homily by Senior Pastor Teresa Welborn, Christmas carols, special music by the Sanctuary Choir, communion and candlelight. Join us 15 minutes early for a some special gathering music: a folk quartet composed of AV, Kenzie Slottow, Paul Harper and Laura Martin!
Important Service InformationParkingAll our usual parking will be available–the Platinum Parking Lot and the San Antonio Garage (see the Front Office for Parking Validation). There is limited parking available in the church parking lot on 25th, reserved for guests and those who might have some difficulty with the extra walking. If you are safely able to park in the platinum lot or San Antonio Garage, please consider doing so.
DoorsThe South Sanctuary Doors and Education Building Doors will be open 30 minutes prior to the start of each service. If you arrive after the service has started, the best way to enter will be through the South Sanctuary Doors on 24th Street. |
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Service of Worship Sunday @ 11 amScripture: Luke 1:46-55Join us for worship as we light the candle of Love on this Fourth Sunday in Advent. Pastor Earl will be preaching and we will hear Mary’s Magnificat in the scripture reading. On this Sunday we will also bless the preemie blankets made by people in our community to be shared with area hospitals. |
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“Mary’s song is a war chant, God’s battle song enmeshed in human history, the struggle to establish a world of egalitarian relationships” - Ivone Gebara & Maria Clara Bingemer,
“Mary, Mother of God. Mother of the Poor”
“Like other great biblical prayers, Mary's song refuses to be relegated to the past. Entering into its cadences, the community at prayer identifies with Mary of Nazareth bearing the Messiah, pregnant with hope. We enter into her faith stance and relate to God along the lines of her witness. Time becomes permeable. Her passionate joy, protest, and hope flow through the centuries and become ours.” - Elizabeth A. Johnson “Truly Our Sister:
A Theology of Mary in the Communion of Saints” |
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A Reading & Song
for the Longest Night |
|  | |  | Advent OfferingThis 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. |
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 | Office ClosedPlease Note: Our office will be closed from December 23, 2024 through January 3, 2025. We’ll return to normal operations on Monday, January 6, 2025. Staff will be checking voicemails and emails should any urgent issues arise. |
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Advent DevotionalWhat 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 |
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Queer Fellowship Cookie ExchangeLast Saturday, the Queer Council hosted a Cookie Exchange. Delicious cookies were eaten and great fun was had by all! |
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End of Year Update!
What an incredibly successful pledge season we’ve had and we owe it all to your generosity. We are now at 156 pledge cards totaling $787,995 pledged. We are just $22,000 shy of our $810,000 goal for 2025.
Our hope here at University UMC is that we not only take good care of each other but that we endeavor to be a church in the world, constantly reaching out to help our neighbors. Together we have a long tradition of social justice ministries because you are a church in the tradition of John Wesley. The world truly is your parish. We know you are receiving many letters and emails this year from worthy organizations vying for your end-of-year gifts. Supporting this incredible church not only supports the key work of connecting people in worship and education, but also creates hope for a better world.
As you consider your giving, we hope you’ll remember UUMC. You can make end-of-year contributions through December 30. |
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Texas United Women in Faith Legislative EventUnited 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. |
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| Longest Night Service12/21 | 7 pm |
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| Children & Youth: Retirement Home Caroling12/22 | 12:30 - 3:30 pm |
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| Christmas Eve Services12/24 | 11 am, 3:30 pm,
5:30 pm & 10:30 pm |
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| Christmas Hymn Sing12/29 | 9:45 am |
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| Epiphany Sunday1/5 | 11 am |
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| Tween Time & MYF: Outdoor Movie Night1/5 | 5 pm |
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| College Ministry Dinner returns 1/12 | 5:30 pm |
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| Short Stories and Lasting Wisdomreturns 1/16 | 10 am |
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| Queer Fellowship: Coffee & Chat1/17 | 5 pm |
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| Confirmation Retreat1/19 | 8 am |
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| TNL: John Wesley’s Sermons through a Rainbow Lensbegins 1/21 | 7 pm |
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| MYF & Tween Time: Game On! Night2/1 | 5 pm |
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| Our Whole Lives Sex Education:4th & 5th Gradebegins 2/2 | 12 pm |
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| Children’s MinistryIf you have kiddos that you’d like to get involved in our children’s ministry, or just to learn more, reach out to Jillian |
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| Youth MinistryIf you have youth that you’d like to get involved in our youth ministry, or just to learn more, reach out to Natasha. |
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| College & Young AdultCollege Students and Young Adults, we have programs for you too! Contact Megan to get involved. |
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| Music MinistryUUMC is proud of its rich tradition of outstanding music. We offer opportunities for anyone, of any age or skill level. To get involved, contact AV. |
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| Continuing Adult EducationUUMC provides a variety of Sunday School groups, classes, and mission and justice ministries. Contact Pastor Earl to learn more. |
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| Worship & AdministrationThere are a lot of moving parts to operate this wonderful place. If you'd like to learn more or potentially volunteer, contact Pastor Teresa. |
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