FUMC eNews February 27, 2020 - The Spiritual Work of Resisting Racism Begins

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This Sunday

Sunday, March 1

1st Sunday in Lent

Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Sermon: "Asking"

Worship Series: The Spiritual Work of Resisting Racism

Sundays, March 1-April 5

This Lent, we are focusing on the Spiritual Work of Resisting Racism. Recognizing that we cannot be complacent with neutrality, we will engage in the steps it takes to actively work against racism in our lives and our world, moving in hope toward the Easter promise and the world that God intends.

Easter Bunny Needs Help

Sunday, March 1-April 5

Please bring nut-free candy that can fit in an Easter egg, empty Easter eggs, and toy trinkets and place donations in the “Bunny Barrels” located in the Church Office, Sanctuary Foyer, Preschool Hallway, or Wesley Hall.

Resisting Racism Sunday School Class

Sundays, March 1–April 5, 10:00–10:45 a.m.

Sanctuary (3/01, 3/29, 4/05), Wesley Hall (3/08, 3/15, 3/22)

Join Pastor Cathy Stone and Director of Youth Ministries Devon Bailey for a series of classes covering themes from White Fragility with no reading or preparation required.

Sneaker Sunday

Sunday, March 1

The Children's Ministry Team invites everyone to wear their walking shoes/gear to church in support of those walking in the CROP Hunger Walk hosted later that Sunday at Camp Mabry (2210 W. 35th St.). Please see Austin CROP Hunger Walk information below.

Austin CROP Hunger Walk

Sunday, March 1, 2:00 p.m. Registration, 2:30 p.m. Step-off

Camp Mabry, 2200 West 35th Street

This family-friendly interfaith community event raises funds for hungry people around the world and here in Austin. This year’s walk is focusing on providing animals for people in the Dominican Republic. Austin CROP Hunger Walk is featuring a petting zoo for all ages to enjoy. Be a partner in this fun event by joining our First Church Walk Team. Sign up at fumcaustin.org/crop .

Conversations on Racial Justice

Sunday, March 1, 4:30-6:00 p.m., FLC Room 104

Join us as we work to be anti-racists, seeking to undo racism in ourselves and to recognize and understand our participation in systemic racism. This group meets monthly and is currently watching and discussing the video web series The Next Question: Imagining How Expansive Racial Justice Can Be , hosted and produced by Austin Channing Brown and co-hosted by Jenny Booth Potter and Chi Chi Okwu. Register at fumcaustin.org/conversations .

At a Glance

Click on the links below to learn more.

Upcoming Events

Easter Egg Hunt Donations , 3/01-4/05

Austin CROP Hunger Walk , 3/01

Resisting Racism Class , 3/01-4/05

White Fragility Book Studies Begin , 3/03

FEAST Happy Hour , 3/08

Contemplative Worship Service , 3/22

FEAST for Young Adults , 3/22

FMP Breakfast Fundraiser , 3/28

5th Sunday Presentation: Civil Rights Pilgrimage , 3/29

Youth News

Tacky Prom , 3/08

Connect for Tweens , 4/17

Service Spotlight

Manna Bag Sale , 3/15

Feed My People 4th Tuesday , 2/25

Children's News

Kids' Night Out/Kid's Club , 4/17

Love in Action Retreat , 5/01-5/02

Kids' Night Out , 5/08

Click here to view the full FUMC calendar.

New Director of Finance

FUMC welcomes Deanna Fairchild as the new Director of Finance. Deanna brings many years of non-profit experience and holds her certified non-profit professional designation. Her experience includes accounting, financial analysis, budget, and forecasting as well as full cycle GAAP accounting and operations. She recently relocated to the Austin area with her husband, Mike. Deanna welcomes your input and questions at [email protected] .

Little Red Library

Throughout Lent in Sanctuary

Looking for a resource to support conversations on race, racism, and resistance? Books can be a great place to begin, offering new information, insights, and representing perspectives broader than our own. The Little Red Library will be available before and after worship throughout the season of Lent. This red cart houses books for adults and children, all available for checkout. Children’s books are one of the most effective and practical tools for initiating these critical conversations; and they can also be used to model what it means to resist and dismantle oppression. We invite you to browse our Little Red Library any Sunday morning at the front right of the Sanctuary. Please contact Pastor Cathy Stone with any questions at [email protected] .

The Spiritual Work of Resisting Racism

How is God calling you to respond? All are invited to 1) attend worship, 2) subscribe to Daily Interruptions, 3) participate in Sunday School series, and 4) join a book study.

Learn More

Tacky Prom

Sunday, March 8, 4:30-7:00 p.m.,

FLC Great Hall

All Middle and High School youth are invited to an evening of exceptional ridiculousness. Come dressed in the most antithetical outfit you can imagine as we dance the night away with fun and games and a prize for the worst dressed! This event is an open invite to youth in our community. We will be joined by other faith communities and look forward to the boogie.

FEAST Happy Hour

Sunday, March 8, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Scholz Garten, 1607 San Jacinto

In addition to our monthly FEAST dinner gatherings for young adults (ages 20-45), we are adding a monthly happy hour that we are calling TOAST! Come join us. Register at fumcaustin.org/feast .

Contemplative Worship Service

Sunday, March 22, 9:00 a.m. EDU Murchison Chapel

Contemplative prayer can provide a welcome respite, a place to find the inner resources to actively serve a chaotic world from a place of strength and peace. This 30-to-40 minute service is offered to beginners and experienced

practitioners of mindfulness meditation.

Feed My People Breakfast Experience 2020

Saturday, March 28, 8:00-10:00 a.m., FLC Great Hall

Foundation for the Homeless (FFH) is pleased to host a Feed My People (FMP) Breakfast Fundraiser for the benefit of First United Methodist Church of Austin and its kitchen remodeling project. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, FMP serves breakfast to over 300 of our homeless neighbors, the primary users of the kitchen. Feed My People, a Foundation for the Homeless volunteer-run program, has fed Austin’s homeless in FUMC’s Family Life Center since May 2000—that’s 20 years of kitchen use! Come experience our FMP breakfast and learn about the impact of this ministry in our community. Enjoy a typical FMP breakfast including scrambled eggs, biscuits, sausage patties, gravy, coffee, milk, and orange juice. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. for coffee and fellowship. Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. followed by a program of speakers including State Representative Gina Hinojosa. Register at foundationhomeless.org/fmp .

Civil Rights Pilgrimage Presentation

Sunday, March 29, 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary

The Civil Rights Pilgrimage during Spring Break is journeying through Jackson, Selma, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Memphis to experience the history, the horror, and the hope of the Civil Rights Movement. Join this team as they share highlights and its significance in today’s world and the lessons we still have to learn.

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

March Mission Emphasis

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)

When we want to buy fair-trade products. When farmers need help with appropriate agricultural technology. When a natural disaster strikes somewhere around the globe. When a community needs clean water and effective sanitation. When these and many other disasters occur, UMCOR is there because our contributions support the life-saving work in sustainable development, global health, relief supplies, and disaster response. Your gifts, marked “UMCOR,” may be left at the communion rail or placed in the offering plate today or any Sunday in March. You may also send them to or bring them by the church office.