Econnection: December 21, 2023

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*

**Please Note: Our office will be closed next week December 25 - 29. We’ll return to the office on January 2. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email if you have an urgent need.** Featured Events Worship | Sunday @ 11 am Online or In-Person Merry Christmas! Join us for worship Sunday, December 24th on Christmas Eve as we celebrate the coming of God in the Christ child. We have several sanctuary worship services and welcome you to one or more!  11 am -  Informal Service 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 several traditional carols led by our Organist Eun Joo Fierro.  3:30 pm - Family Friendly Service Designed by Children’s Director Jillian Moore and Senior Pastor Teresa Welborn including a fun “pop up!” children’s pageant with room for every child present to choose being Mary, Joseph, a shepherd, or an angel. Music led by Director of Music Ministries Alicia Villarreal. This service also includes communion and candlelight. 5:30 & 10:30 pm - Traditional Service Featuring a brief homily by Senior Pastor Teresa Welborn, Christmas carols, special music by the Sanctuary Choir, communion and candlelight. At the 5:30PM service we welcome Bishop Laura Merrill, Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church.  Online Our online service premieres at 11 am on our YouTube channel. Enjoy it at a convenient time during the day! Our theme for Advent this year at University UMC has been centered on dreams and the Christmas story reminds us that we are all dreamers. Like those gathered around the manger, we come to this night each year with awe, wonder, and holy imagination for what is possible. Like Mary, we treasure God’s dream in our hearts and commit to keeping it alive. Like the holy family, we believe and trust in a God who comes to us in the vulnerability of a child. As we prepare our hearts for worship, hear this poem written by poet Guyan Claire Smith: I dream Of a loving world Where we see each other With God’s eyes: I dream of a resourceful world Where we cherish the unique gift Of each other; I dream Of a hopeful world Where we recognize the power of God’s grace To transform and make new; I dream of peace. Information for Sanctuary Services News 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. 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. 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.  December Fun! Here are some photos of the fun we’ve had this month! Gardeners Christmas Party Youth Volunteering at Fig Leaf Advent Festival End-of-Year Giving At University UMC, our hope 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. You have a long tradition of social justice ministries that you’ve extended in recent years to tackle poverty, homelessness, racism, climate change and economic injustice. You are a church in the tradition of John Wesley, because the world truly is your parish.  You are receiving so 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, it 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 Friday, December 29. Advent Season Christmas Eve 12/24 @ 11 am , 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm & 10:30 pm Learn More Hymn Sing 12/31 @ 9:45 am in the Chapel Learn More In The New Year Epiphany Sunday & Clothing Drive 1/7 @ 11 am Learn More Tween Time & MYF 1/7 @ 12 pm Learn More Caregivers Support Group 1/9 @ 6:30 pm Learn More Tween Lock-In 1/7 @ 12 pm Learn More MLK & Baptism of the Lord Sunday 1/14 Learn More Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman 1/14 @ 11 am Learn More OWL Sex Ed K - 2nd Grade begins 1/14 @ 12 pm Learn More MLK March begins 1/15 @ 8 am 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? Click here to update your preferences or unsubscribe or unsubscribe from this list