Dear friends and members of University UMC:
It was so good to see many of you at the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and Ash Wednesday services. Our Lenten journey has begun! This Sunday in worship, we begin a new sermon series, "Hope is Here," inspired by a book of the same name. It’s written by African-American theologian Dr. Luther Smith. The book will also be referenced in the Lenten study that begins this Sunday. Below, you’ll find a video where Children’s Director Jillian and I share more details about the Lenten study and activities for children and teens. Worship this weekend will include a few special pieces this Sunday. Melissa Wiginton and Ray Williams will present a piece on the gift of storytelling and Chad Seales will share about the food insecurity issues at the University of Texas. Note that our Lenten Special Offering will go to assist the food pantry at UTOutpost, an on-campus food pantry supplying food-insecure students with free food. Jillian will also lead in a wonderful time with our children as we ‘bury the Alleluias’ until Easter. This practice is observed by many Christian traditions and is a kind of fasting. We let the “Alleluia” lie dormant during Lent as we anticipate the joy of the resurrection on Easter Sunday.
I’m also still riding high from the wonderful sanctuary worship service Feb 11 where we welcomed guest preacher Dr. Marlon Johnson and received beautiful music from the Sanctuary Choir. Director of Music Ministries Alicia Villarreal also shared Joni Mitchell’s song “Both Sides” during the offertory. Thanks to our communications team, we have been recording the sanctuary service in addition to our pre-recorded service each week. This means we have two online worship offerings each week. The pre-recorded service is about 20 to 30 minutes and premiers at 11am on our YouTube channel. You can find the recorded sanctuary service by Tuesday of the following Sunday. Here you can enjoy Dr. Johnson’s message and the music.
In sorrowful news, our hearts join together in prayers for the friends and family of Lisa Lopez who was killed in the shooting earlier this week in Kansas City. As fans gathered to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs and their Super Bowl championship, the time of celebration turned tragic as we experienced the trauma and agony of yet another shooting in our country. We pray for the victims and their families, including many children who remain hospitalized. Below I include a short video I made following another incident of gun violence in Kentucky. The video includes the reading of a Psalm, a reflection by Maren Tirabassi, and my commitment to never grow weary in the work of praying for victims of gun violence and doing what I can to stand up for common sense gun reform.
Below I also share a few resources as we continue to observe Black History Month. You’ll find a link featuring Rev. Dr. Elford’s book on racism in The UMC. Discipleship Ministries of The UMC shares various articles and that link is also provided below. There’s also a recording of folk singer and songwriter Tracy Chapman. Following The Grammys there’s been a lot of press about her song “Fast Car.” Below is another of my favorites by Tracy Chapman - “Talking About a Revolution.” It's about socio-economic injustice and how hard it is to change the way things are. Singer Songwriters like Tracy Chapman who address the work of justice sustain my hope even in the face of so much despair. Finally, I leave you with an electronic version of the “Practice a Day” invitation for the season of Lent. We’ll also have paper copies on Sunday mornings in the narthex.
What a joy to be your pastor!
Teresa
