Econnection: January 11, 2024

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***Please Note: The office will be closed Monday, January 15 in observance of the MLK Holiday.*** Featured Events MLK March January 15 | 9 am The annual MLK March is this coming Monday. It is predicted to be below freezing with a chance of participation. We will be monitoring the event website (you can access here) for updates on whether the march happens, but if it happens we will be there! You are welcome to park for free at the church parking lot off of 25th but the platinum lot will be pay to park. This year we are planning on meeting at the MLK statue on UT’s campus at 9 am for a short program and then continue on with the march to the south steps of the Capitol for a rally. At this point, you can decide to walk back to your car or finish the march by walking to Huston Tillotson. If you continue to Huston Tillotson please remember to find transportation back to your car (either arrange for someone to pick you up, uber, or ride the bus.) Diana Butler Bass January 27 | 7 pm We’re so excited to welcome Diana Butler Bass to UUMC. She will present, “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 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. This event is open to the public, so invite your friends! Learn More Worship | Sunday @ 11 am Online or In-Person Join us for worship Sunday, January 14 as we remember the legacy of MLK, Jr. At our online service Teresa will be preaching on the baptism of Jesus. At the 11 am Sanctuary Service we will renew our baptism and welcome guest preacher Dr. Marcus Freeman. Dr. Freeman is District Superintendent of the Capital and Crossroads Districts of The UMC. Following worship, Dr. Freeman will preside at a brief called Church Conference as the congregation votes to approve an anti-racist statement. You can read more about this statement below. 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.” News Fig Leaf Need - Cold Weather Clothes It’s getting cold in Austin, which means there is a high demand for coats, gloves, scarves, sweatshirts, hoodies, blankets etc. If you have any cold weather items to donate, please bring them to the church. You can drop them off Sundays from 9 am - 12 pm or Monday - Thursday from 9 am - 4 pm. Thank you for supporting Fig Leaf! 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.” This Sunday, 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.  Upcoming Events January Tween Lock-In 11/13 | 5:30 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 Our Whole Lives Sex Ed: K - 2nd Grade Begins 1/14 Learn More MLK March 1/15 | 8 am Learn More Thursday Morning Lesson resumes 1/18 | 10 am Learn More Parent’s Night Out 1/20 | 5 - 8:30 pm Learn More Meet the Artists: Hal and Martha Hobson 1/21 | 9:45 am Learn More Family Sunday 1/21 | 10 am Learn More Tween Time & MYF 1/21 | 12 - 2:30 pm Learn More College Ministry returns 1/21 | 5:30 pm Learn More Oremus (Let us Pray): Learners, Readers & Writers of Prayers 1/23 | 7 pm Learn More An Evening with Diana Butler Bass 1/27 | 7 pm Learn More Guest Preacher: Diana Butler Bass 1/28 8 am Learn More Reading with Elizabeth first meeting 1/29 | 7 pm Learn More February Tween Time & MYF 2/4 | 12 - 2:30 pm Learn More Parent’s Night Out 2/10 | 5 - 8:30 pm Learn More Reconciling Ministries Network Sunday 2/11 Guest Preacher: Dr. Marlon Johnson 2/11 | 11 am 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