Econnection: July 18, 2024

Featured Events Blue Jean Sunday July 21 | 11 am We are celebrating BLUE JEAN SUNDAY July 21. Bring gently used or new bluejeans with you to worship to help stock our Fig Leaf Clothing Closet. Blue Jeans (especially men's sizes 34-38) are in high demand so we appreciate any and all donations. You're encouraged to wear denim to worship as well! Confirmation 2024 There’s still time for youth 8th grade or older to sign up for Confirmation! This is the time when youth are provided the space to learn about Methodism and being a United Methodist, ask their questions and explore their own faith convictions. To learn more about the curriculum we’ll be using, dates, or other frequently asked questions, visit uumc.org/confirmation. To register, please email Natasha@uumc.org by July 22. Tenor/Bass Choir Rehearsal: July 24 | 7 - 8:30 pm Performance: July 28 | 11 am Calling all tenors and basses of any experience level–let’s sing some powerful and playful music just for the lower voices! We’ll perform in worship on Sunday, July 28. We’ll rehearse on Wednesday, July 24 in the choir room from 7 - 8:30 pm. Afterwards we'll head to Draught House Pub & Brewery and share a pint, and a drinking song?? Questions? Contact AV! Worship | Sunday @ 11 am Online or In-Person Join us for worship Sunday, July 21st as we celebrate Blue Jean Sunday! You are invited to bring gently used or new bluejeans with you to worship to help stock our Fig Leaf Clothing Closet. Blue Jeans (especially men's sizes 34-38) are in high demand so we appreciate any and all donations. You're encouraged to wear denim to worship as well if you wish! Pastor Teresa preaches and the sermon text comes from Mark 6:30-34 where Jesus invites the disciples to get away for a time of rest. We’ll hear a reading from Psalm 23 as we remember Jesus The Good Shepherd who extends compassion to our weary souls. We will also celebrate the baptism of Max Bernhardt and the Family Choir will share the special music, a piece by Sarah Dan Jones entitled “Meditation on Breathing.”  “A great benefit of Sabbath keeping is that we learn to let God take care of us — not by becoming passive and lazy, but in the freedom of giving up our feeble attempts to be God in our own lives.” – Marva J. Dawn News Sanctuary Organ News UUMC is a church that offers a wide array of sacred music as an integral part of our worship experience, supported and enhanced by a quality pipe organ. We have all experienced the power of Dr. Eun Joo Fierro's playing, whether in a stirring prelude or postlude that shakes the sanctuary, or her masterful accompaniment underpinning the heartfelt songs of our choirs and leading our congregational singing.  But you may not realize that our instrument is 54 years old, and its components are past their "shelf life" and are failing. An organ is a system of interlocking components, from keyboard to electrical control system to wind chests to pipes. Our organ consists of 45 ranks, 2,465 pipes arranged in four divisions: Great, Swell, Choir and Pedal. Every component of our instrument is failing; only Dr. Fierro's skills have disguised the organ's problems.  To address these issues, a dedicated group of UUMC members and staff have formed an Organ Task Force, which has spent the past 18 months assessing and researching the condition and maintenance requirements of our organ. They have brought their findings to our Church Council, which has approved their request to begin discussions with interested congregants and others to assess support for a capital campaign to fund an organ rebuilding project. Now the Organ Task Force is ready to add more participants, and to begin conversations to educate the congregation and discern our wishes for the future of our organ. A rebuilt or refurbished organ would ensure that UUMC can continue offering healing and spiritual renewal through sacred music for the next 50 years. We'll keep you updated on this important process! Help the UUMC Pride Parade Float UUMC's participation in the Pride Parade last year was WONDERFUL- this was due to lots of volunteer energy from congregants! In the week leading up to the parade MANY members and friends cut foam, painted, hammered, sawed, loaned equipment, and donated their skills to make last year a huge success. We're hoping for a repeat performance- but we need your help! We’ve got a few fun events coming up to help us get ready for the Austin Pride Parade! We’re also looking for a truck and driver to help make our float a success. If you have any of these items you’re willing to loan to the float, please contact AV at alicia@uumc.org Sign Up to Help or March! Open Door Library Needs Do you have books or magazines to share with the unhoused neighbors who visit our Open Door and Fig Leaf ministries on Saturday mornings? Please consider donating them! Our guests enjoy popular fiction and nonfiction, general-interest magazines, and religious publications. Westerns, mysteries, and "lawyer dramas" are especially welcome. Please refrain from offering anything you wouldn't consider reading yourself. Boxes of books and magazines may be left in the first-floor elevator lobby, near the bins for clothing donations. Thank you! Bishop Update Our Conference to Receive a New Bishop Bishop Robert Schnase of the Río Texas Conference is making the decision to retire. In a recent letter to clergy and lay delegates, Bishop Schnase writes, "I have a deep commitment to the continued sustainability and fruitfulness of the United Methodist Church and feel that my decision is best for our collective mission and the communities we serve. This places us in a better position to navigate this period of contraction and to emerge stronger and better equipped to serve our current realities. I make this decision for the sake of the new church that is emerging." This means our episcopal area will be receiving a new bishop. This week’s Jurisdictional Conference Meeting assigned Cynthia Fierro Harvey as Bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference. Her term with Rio Texas begins Sunday, September 1, 2024. Learn More about Bishop Schnase’s Retirement Upcoming Events July Blue Jean Sunday 7/21 Learn More Level Up Camp 7/22- 7/26 | 9 am - 3 pm Learn More Tenor/Bass Choir Rehearse: 7/24 | 7 - 8:30 pm Perform: 7/28 | 11 am Learn More Seasoned Supper Club: Ice Cream Social 7/31 | 1 pm Learn More August Pride Parade: Sign Making 8/4 | 12 pm Learn More Pride Parade: March with UUMC 8/10 | 7 pm Learn More UUMC’s Got Talent 8/11 | 12 pm Learn More Confirmation Retreat 8/13 | 9 am Learn More Caregivers Support Group 8/13 | 6:30 pm Learn More August 18 Join us for a Sunday full of getting to know about UUMC! If you’re new to UUMC, want to get connected, or are hoping to make church a priority this year, today is the perfect day to join us! We hope you’ll join us for what is sure to be a fun Sunday for everyone! If you already feel connected, bring that friend you think would love UUMC, it’ll be a great Sunday to introduce us! Back to School Orientation 8/18 | 9:45 am Learn More Sunday School Meet and Greet 8/18 | 10 am Learn More UUMC Ministry Fair 8/18 | 12 pm 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 Jillian. jillian@uumc.org Youth Ministry If you have youth that you’d like to get involved in our youth ministry, or just to learn more, reach out to Natasha. natasha@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 AV. 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