Teresa’s Note: October 4, 2024

Dear friends and members of University UMC: John Wesley was known for saying, “The World is My Parish.” As people of faith, our concerns stretch beyond our own little corner of the world and our prayers include people and communities near and far. This week I find myself lamenting the ongoing escalation of violence in the Middle East and praying that somehow peace will find a way. I’ve also been thinking this week of all who have been affected by Hurricane Helene. Over 100 people have lost their lives. The destruction is overwhelming and recovery efforts will take years. Earlier this week I finally heard from a dear friend who lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It was a relief to hear the really good news that she is safe. My thoughts are with each of you who have family and friends in the area.  As United Methodists, we do view the world as our parish. We acknowledge our interconnectedness with people around the globe. As a denomination, we send missionaries to places of need, and, through our worldwide apportionments, we support Africa University and scholarships for seminarians. When we learn of those living in places of violence and war we pray, “This is my song, O God of all the nations, A song of peace for lands afar and mine.” The world is our parish, but this does not mean we can respond to each and every crisis. No one person and no one church can bring healing and hope to every situation. This can leave us discouraged, but I recall the writing I shared in worship Sunday: “We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work…We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.” Of course, we will always care for the wider world and there will be ways for us to continue to be connected to those around the world through prayer, shared ministries, and service. But when the concerns of the world overwhelm us, turning to our local community is a way to strengthen our hope and sense of purpose. Our theme for this year’s Stewardship Season is “People of Possibility”, inviting us to consider how we can make a difference for good right where we are. As this year’s stewardship season begins, church member Marsha Whitton shared with the Odyssey Sunday School class, “We count on each other!” You can read her sharing below and view a video by Finance Chair John Bridges. I also want to leave with you a couple of things I referenced in last week’s sermon. I especially encourage you to take a look at marine biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s list of “problems and possibilities.” As people of possibility here at UUMC, we pray for neighbors near and far. To that point, in Sunday’s worship service our altar rail offering at communion is designated for the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene (find more information in this week’s Worship Note and the Sunday bulletin). And together we dream of the ways God can use us to bring hope and healing to our corner of the world. What a joy to be your pastor! Teresa Writing from Sunday’s Service (words adored by Bishop Oscar Romero and written by a Catholic priest in the late 1970’s) Prophets of a Future Not Our Own a Prayer Blessing  by Cardinal Dearden, 1979 It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No program accomplishes the Church's mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about. We plant the seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own. From Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, author of “What if We Get it Right?” This is the same writer who asks the question, “What if we act as if we love the future?” Problems & Possibilities Words from Church Member Marsha Whitton ahead of last week’s 5th Sunday sharing from the Finance Team. I appreciated these good words as we begin our Fall Stewardship Season! What is one of the most important things we do as a church each year? We pledge our commitment to each other to support: Our ministries; Our Pastors and Staff; Our children, youth and college students; Our Music and Worship Services; and maintain Our Historic Sanctuary and Church Facilities. Along with other Sunday School Classes, we are gathering to kick-off the Stewardship Campaign with an information session in Fellowship Hall tomorrow at 9:45. John Bridges, along with others, will layout our financial hopes and challenges for the coming year. We count on each other, so show up tomorrow! - Marsha Whitton If you missed the 5th Sunday School sharing, be sure to check out this message by Finance Chair John Bridges. 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