Sunday, May 2
5th Sunday of Easter
Preacher: Rev. JD Herrera
Scripture: Acts 8: 26-40
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Sunday School
Children's Sunday School meets weekly on Zoom at 9:00 a.m. for Kindergarten-5th Grades. Youth Sunday School meets bi-weekly at 10:00 a.m. (next meeting is 5/09). Check the Sunday morning email for Zoom links. Adult Sunday School classes continue to meet weekly, all interested should reach out to class contacts for more information.
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Holy Communion
Sunday, May 2
Sign up to attend a brief Communion Service in the FUMC parking lot, where we have devised the safest possible way to share in this Sacrament together. One car per registration and up to 22 cars per time slot. Bread and juice will be individually bagged.
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Sprouts
Sunday, May 2, 10:15 a.m.
Our Children's Ministry hosts bi-weekly parent and infant/toddler (0-3 years) meetings with baby-friendly curriculum led by nursery staff and teachers, including everyone's favorite, Ms. Pam. Check Sunday morning email for Zoom link.
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Middle School Hang
Sunday, May 2, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
All Middle School are invited to Whole Foods on Lamar for a socially distanced hangout. No agenda just fun, games and community! Bring a mask! We will meet on the rooftop at Whole Foods at 525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78703.
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Senior Hang
Sunday, May 2, 5:45-7:00 p.m.
All High School Seniors are invited to meet at Auditorium Shores for a socially distanced hangout. No agenda just fun, games and community! Bring a mask! We will meet at Auditorium Shores at 900 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704.
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Creating Spirit, Practicing Presence: We Are Family
May 1, 2021, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Join us for a conversation with Steven Self, ACC faculty librarian and professor, on family history and genealogy as spiritual practice. How does learning about your family history and understanding your roots bring you closer to understanding the kindom of God? Steven will offer practical research tips as well as share engaging discoveries of his own family history. Register Online.
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Picnics for 8
Registration now open!
This last year was such a hard year of disconnection. Now that we are able to start coming together again, it’s time to celebrate! We’re assembling a light-hearted, playful mini-session of “Picnics for 8” to help you gather for in-person fellowship with other members during the summer months. This opportunity is open to new and returning members alike and it’s a great way to start feeling connected (again)! Register online by May 20 to be placed in groups of 8 adults to meet for monthly meals in June-August. Groups will be created geographically, if possible. We encourage groups to follow appropriate CDC and Austin Public Health guidelines as they change over the summer months, but mostly we want you to really enjoy each other’s company. Don’t worry, there will still be a chance to register for the full season of Table for 8, to begin in person in September – this is just a bonus round! If you have any questions, please email Emily Buchanan, Director of Discipleship, at [email protected].
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Alternative Gifts for Mother's Day
Order Deadline: Monday, May 3
On Mother's Day, May 9, you are invited to honor your mother—and other women who are important to you—by making an alternative gift that helps a mother and family in need. Get started now by selecting the gifts you wish to symbolically provide using our online form. Make your online payment from our website by donating toward the Mother’s Day Alternative Fund. Order Online.
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Reception Desk Opens May 3
Yes, it is true. Monday, May 3, we will open up the exterior doors outside Murchison Chapel in the Education building to allow our church family and guests access to the reception desk at the main office suite greeted by office staff. We will begin with the adjusted hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, closed on Fridays. Please call ahead if you are wanting to connect with a specific individual to make sure that they are onsite to meet with you. Masks and social distancing are required upon entering the building.
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ASP Stock Sale
For more than forty years, FUMC Austin has been sending youth and adults to the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) to build relationships and repair homes to make them warmer, safer, and drier. This service trip is one of the backbones of our high school youth ministry. Last year, ASP was unable to host volunteers due to COVID-19 but we have created a plan to safely return this June 18-29. In order to go, our team of 26 youth and 15 adult team leaders must raise a total of $25,000. In years past, we raised this money through our sidewalk "stock sale" after worship on Sundays, but this year, our stock sale has gone online and we're raising money as a team instead of individually. This trip cannot happen without the generosity and support of our FUMC family. Please consider donating toward this important mission of the church. For more information, contact Youth Director Devon Bailey at [email protected].
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Farewell
We have greatly benefitted from having Mary Heckmann on our staff as Director of Communications. We are sad to say, but happy for her that, after six years at the church, she has decided to take the leap back to corporate America and return to her roots at Dell where she worked nine years prior. On May 17, she begins her new role at Dell in an online product marketing role. Her last day with FUMC is May 14. Please send your thanks to her for her amazing service and contribution to all the communication processes she has developed during her time on staff....the new website and mobile app are two perfect examples. You can reach her at [email protected].
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Senior Pictures
Due by May 9
All high school and college graduates will be acknowledged in worship on May 16. Please submit your graduate photos or senior portraits to [email protected] by May 9. Please include with their portrait: 1) full name, 2) the school they are graduating from, and 3) any after graduation plans.
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Rethinking Atonement
Sunday, May 9, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Many American Christians believe that Christ had to die a violent and humiliating death to save us from something worse, but in fact, this notion completely misunderstands both Scripture and tradition. On May 9th, join Dr. Brad King for a frank discussion of the problems with this model as well as several others with better historical and theological footing. Register Online.
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Mercy & Justice Book Study:
Minor Feelings
Tuesdays, May 11-25, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Thursdays, May 13-27, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Join Pastor Cathy as we read and discuss Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning. Poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong fearlessly and provocatively blends memoir, cultural criticism, and history to expose fresh truths about racialized consciousness in America. Part memoir and part cultural criticism, this collection is vulnerable, humorous, and provocative—and its relentless and riveting pursuit of vital questions around family and friendship, art and politics, identity and individuality will change the way you think about our world. Zoom invitation will be sent with registration. Contact Pastor Cathy at [email protected] for additional information. We encourage you to purchase the book locally at Black Pearl Books or Book People. Learn More.
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We Need Children's Books
Children’s Books Needed By May 15
Pickle Elementary has requested that we host another “Quarter Book Sale” before the end of the school year in mid-to-late May. Since we haven't had a sale in 16 months, and want to limit the “summer slide” after a challenged year of virtual learning, we’ve agreed to do it. But that means we need more children’s books ASAP. If you or your friends or family members can donate any new or gently used books — current titles please — appropriate for preschool through 5th grade (bonus points for Spanish titles), please contact Heather Schuelke at [email protected] to arrange pick up or drop them off at the Schuelkes’ house at 2702 Carlton Road, Austin, 78703. We also accept monetary donations to purchase new ones.
About Pickle Book Drive
FUMC has partnered with Pickle Elementary in East Austin for several years. The core ministry is our book sale. Because the original principal wanted the students to feel ownership for the books, we “sell” all books for a quarter. Pre-pandemic, we would have these sales two times per year. Since we started in the Spring of 2007, we’ve distributed over 50,000 books to Pickle Elementary students. Please help us keep this important ministry continuing.
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First Steps
Sunday, May 16, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Prior to joining the church, we ask all to participate in a First Steps class to learn about Methodist beliefs and the ministry of FUMC, meet the pastors, and ask questions. Questions? Contact Trevor Harper at [email protected]. Register Online.
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UMW Unit Meeting
Sunday, May 16, 2:00 p.m.
Join us on Zoom for our first unit meeting of 2021. Deaconess Cindy Andrade Johnson will be with us to share an update on what is happening at the border. She is a humanitarian and advocate who has worked with migrants all her life and lives in Brownsville, Texas. We hope you'll join us - all are welcome! Contact Emily George with any questions at [email protected]. The Zoom link to the meeting will be coming soon.
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Curtis Higgs Men's Study Group: St. Francis of Assisi
Mondays, May 17-June 14
6:30-8:00 p.m., Zoom
Men of all ages, who enjoy book studies and discussion based on Scripture and Christian faith, meet almost every Monday night for study, prayer, and fellowship. On May 17, the men's study group will begin discussing St. Francis of Assisi by G. K. Chesterton over five weeks. This magnificent spiritual biography chronicles the beloved St. Francis of Assisi's calling, his extraordinary life, and his influence in the Church. The patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment, Francis of Assisi led the rediscovery of nature in the Christian West. Register Online.
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Mercy & Justice Fifth Sunday Presentation: Gun Violence
Sunday, May 30, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Our Mercy & Justice Team invites you to a presentation from Community Justice Action Fund. CJAF is a nonprofit organization that is changing the conversation on gun violence prevention by leading with the people closest to the pain of everyday gun violence. Their threefold strategy galvanizes the power of the people most affected by the pain to inform solutions that effectively tackle the root causes of gun violence. Our presenters will be Irina Alejandro, the Organizing Associate, and Thia’a Rahman, the Distributed Organizing Manager. Contact Pastor Cathy at [email protected] with questions. Zoom link provided after registration. Register Online.
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New Staff Member
We are pleased to announce a recent addition to our church staff, Kristen Thurman, who is our new Director of Finance. Kristen brings non-profit experience having worked in a financial capacity with the Texas Conference of Urban Counties. She and her husband, Trey, have a daughter, Gus (August) in our weekday FUM Preschool program. She can be reached at [email protected] or 512.478.5684, ext. 205. Welcome aboard, Kristen!
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Mobile Loaves & Fishes
The Mobile Loaves & Fishes downtown Austin truck (based at FUMC) is still serving meals to the homeless and working poor in our community — even during the pandemic — and we are needed now more than ever! Last year our MLF truck provided over 26,000 hearty meals with the help of more than 300 dedicated volunteers. That’s 350 runs completed on 310 days! Please give generously as we try to make a difference for our friends living on the streets. Checks marked “Mobile Loaves and Fishes” may be mailed to the church or donations made online, selecting the Mobile Loaves and Fishes drop-down option. For more information about MLF, contact Scott Wilder at [email protected] or 512-971-1525.
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FUMC Endowment Fund
In memory of Pam Tackett, given by our Downtowners Sunday School Class; Steve and Dixie Houston; and Susan Wright.
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within Our Congregation
Sandy Bowles, Bill and Shirley Derryberry, Melissa and James Jackson Burns; Kathy Morales, Ruby Parker, Mari Perez, Sallie Novinger, Mimi Raper, Dick Raycraft, and Dan Wood.
Beyond Our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; James Jackson Burns’ mother, Karen Burns; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Anna Holland’s friend, Jessica Varnado; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Caroline Jones’ friend, Karen Willis; Patty Calixto Kane’s sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Larry; Joel Leagans’ friend Maggie Blanco; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Alan Stephens’ father-in-law, Bob McBride, and his mother-in-law, Betty McBride; and the University Hills branch of Austin Public Library and its staff.
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FUMC Austin Mobile App
Our mobile app makes it easy to stay up-to-date on opportunities to grow in your faith and connect with others. Download in iTunes or Google Play stores. Learn More.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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