Sunday, May 10
5th Sunday of Easter
Preacher: Rev. Taylor Fuerst
A Strong Spirit in Troubled Times: The Practices that Sustain Us
Scripture: Proverbs 11:24-28
Sermon: "Generosity"
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Children's Sunday School
Sunday, May 10, 9:00 a.m.
Join Lara Greene, Director of Children's Ministries, for a live 20-minute Sunday School time of song, prayer, and fellowship.
Interactive Time of Worship
Sunday, May 10, 11:00 a.m. (Opens at 10:45 a.m.)
Join 15 minutes early to chat with our church family.
Join your church family for music, a greeting time, announcements, Scripture, and prayer.
Virtual Worship Podcast
After you join us for the live portion of worship, we invite you to continue by listening to an audio worship podcast. The sermon link will be emailed Sunday morning and posted on our
website
,
iTunes podcast
, and
YouTube Channel
.
FEAST/TOAST for Young Adults
Sundays at 5:00 p.m.
All young adults ages 20-45 are invited to join us weekly to check in, share, and connect on Zoom! We'll treat this time as a virtual happy hour. Bring a drink. Bring a story. Bring a friend. Let's do our best to stay connected while we have to stay apart.
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Stories from people building community and fulfilling the mission of the church in new ways during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Transformation of Feed My People Breakfast
By Randy Teich
COVID-19 has dramatically changed our Feed My People Breakfast. We have gone from a sit-down meal, complete with showers, haircuts, prayer time, AA, and book giveaways, to a sack breakfast handed to each client from behind a door that protects both the giver and the receiver. What was once an all-you-can-drink coffee, eggs, sausage, biscuits, juice, and milk breakfast has now changed to a simple meal of one juice box and a bottle of water, two tortillas and a mix of scrambled eggs, bacon bits, hash browns, and cheese served in a folded foil square.
Pre-coronavirus breakfast welcomed any volunteer who showed up. We usually had at least 35 volunteers, mostly UT students from service groups. Now we limit our morning volunteers to 14 people who must sign up in advance. Masks are required and everyone’s temperature is taken when they arrive. An additional 7 volunteers do prep work the night before each breakfast to prepare the sacks and crack the 450 eggs for the following morning. The morning team prepares the scrambled egg/bacon/potato/cheese mix, fills the bags, and delivers them downstairs where they are handed to clients through the slightly opened doors. Most volunteers have little or no opportunity to interact with most of the clients.
The pandemic has seriously impacted our clients’ lives as well. Many spent hours at the libraries which are now closed. They have a much harder time accessing computers to email others, to check for job opportunities or just fill time in an otherwise boring day. Several of the shelters have experienced virus outbreaks with major consequences. People have very little to do and many are concerned that they may become infected if they remain downtown. Our attendance has dropped from an average of around 225 clients to fewer than 50. We continue to try to reach those experiencing homelessness and Scott Wilder now picks up our leftover meals and delivers them to other areas of town in the Mobile Loaves truck.
Feed My People continues to serve and clients continue to appreciate our work. It is truly a different experience for all of us involved. We are all, none the less blessed to participate.
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Alternative Gifts for Mother's Day
Thank you for your generous donations to honor your Mother—and other women who are important to you—by making an alternate gift that helps a mother and family in need.
Blanket for asylum seekers along the Rio Grande border.
Daviss King in memory of Rosa Rodriguez
Becky Ratliff in memory of Barbara Ratliff
Adam Wooderson in honor of Barb Stockdale & Jan Wooderson
Books for learning English for immigrant children arriving in the US.
Cliff Archey in honor of Barbara Archey
Amber Epps in honor of Robbie Ausley
Mary Higgs in memory of mothers, Stella Higgs and Louise Newman
Mary Higgs in honor of our daughters-in-law, Jan Higgs, Debbie Higgs, Jean Higgs, and Brenda Higgs
Jeff Jackson and Rev. Cathy Stone in honor of Diane Dwight
Jeff Jackson and Rev. Cathy Stone in memory of Billye Stone
Daviss King in memory of his grandmother, Melissa King
Daviss King in memory of his grandmother, Margaret Golden
Becky Ratliff in memory of Barbara Ratliff
Adam Wooderson in honor of Barb Stockdale & Jan Wooderson
Hygiene Kit that includes towels, toothbrush, nail clipper, and more.
Amber Epps in honor of Robbie Ausley
Daviss King in memory of Thelma Norsworthy
Daviss King in honor of stepmother, Gail King
Becky Ratliff in memory of Barbara Ratliff
Adam Wooderson in honor of Barb Stockdale & Jan Wooderson
Craft & Woodworking Kit for women in Serbia.
Daviss King in honor of sister, Margaret Morse
Becky Ratliff in memory of Barbara Ratliff
Sponsor a School Reading Festival in Vietnam.
Daviss King in memory of his mother, Peggie King
Howard and Marijo Hartman in memory of our mothers, Mary Nan and Annabel
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Grief Groups Now Forming
We are living in such an unprecedented time that almost everyone is struggling with grief and loss, whether it's the loss of health and safety, the loss of a job, the loss of community, or the loss of normalcy or a daily schedule. Add to that the grief that you may have already been experiencing over the loss of a loved one or a relationship, the loss of a job, divorce, or other life transitions, and it's almost overwhelming. If you find yourself struggling to process and in need of a small group support community, sign up at
fumcaustin.org/grief
now to be included in groups that are forming. Groups will meet for 8 weeks on Zoom, co-facilitated by trained FUMC church members. Once it is safe to do so, additional groups may form for in-person gatherings. If you have questions, please contact Daviss King at
[email protected]
.
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Payroll Protection Program
With gratitude we report that FUMC has received funding for a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan through the Small Business Administration. These funds provide 8 weeks of payroll support, which enables us to pay our 48 staff members through this uncertain time, as we plan for an expected loss of income this year in both our preschool and church operations. Our primary concerns are loss of tuition income for the preschool and loss of building use income and non-pledge giving for the church. The bulk of our ministry support comes from pledged giving, which remains strong thanks to your incredible generosity. By leveraging the PPP loan, we are able to stay focused on our mission to build community, invite all people to know God’s love, and join in God’s transformative work in the world. A big thanks to our Finance and Administration staff for all their extra effort to make this possible!
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Farewell to Kim Block
With tremendous gratitude, we bid farewell to Kim Block from her staff position as FUMC Audio-Visual Technician as she takes on exciting developments in her “weekday work” position. Kim has taken great care to enhance our worship experience through sound and slides, and her love for this congregation has shined through everything she does. Thank you, Kim!
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Recognizing Graduating Seniors
Deadline May 8
Graduation is an important milestone—at any age! We want to recognize all graduating seniors—high school, college, or graduate school—in an upcoming eNews. Please provide as soon as possible a picture of the graduate, name, school graduated from, degree(s) received, and future plans. Email information to Devon Bailey at
[email protected]
.
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Online Giving Step-by-Step Guide
Did you know that setting up online giving is easy to do? This
step-by-step guide
will show you how to set up giving in Church Life. Giving can be set up as a recurring automated gift and you will receive an email confirmation with each gift. Your gifts are a blessing to the ministry of FUMC Austin. Questions? Contact Deanna Fairchild, Director of Finance, at
[email protected]
.
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Mercy & Justice Book Study:
Loaded
Tuesdays, May 12, 19, & 26
6:30 p.m.–7:45 p.m.
Zoom Online
Gun violence greatly affects individuals, families and communities.
Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment
, is a deeply researched—and deeply disturbing—history of guns and gun laws in the United States, from the original colonization of the country to the present. As historian and educator Dunbar-Ortiz explains, in order to understand the current obstacles to gun control, we must understand the history of U.S. guns, from their role in the "settling of America" and the early formation of the new nation, and continuing up to the present. Please register on our website and a Zoom invitation will be sent. To register and view chapter readings,
click here
.
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Mercy & Justice 5th Sunday Presentation: Gun Violence
Sunday, May 31, 10:00 a.m.
Zoom Online (link sent after registration)
The prophet Micah casts a hopeful vision of the future where nations will “beat their swords into iron plows, and their spears into pruning hooks.” (Micah 4:3) Gun violence greatly affects individuals, families and communities. The Mercy & Justice Team invites you to a presentation by FUMC Member Melanie Greene, an active volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. We’ll discuss facts of gun violence in the United States, what the UMC says about gun violence, and ways to respond to the call upon United Methodists to prayerfully address gun violence. A zoom link will be sent after registration.
Register Here
.
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Family COVID-19 Care Package Week Three
Is it day 5,628 of the quarantine? What month is it? It’s like we are on vacation, losing track of time without the luxury of being on vacation. So who couldn’t use a good laugh or two? Family Face-Off is a game between parents and kids. Simply click on the link and scroll through each question! (The answer key is at the end.) Your second resource is a brief video just for you! Within days, you became a full-time teacher, referee, and much more. Care for the Soul offers you a little hope in how to be kind to yourself during this time. View our Week Three Package
here
.
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Weekly Prayer & Connection
Wednesdays, 7:30-8:00 p.m.
A simple, low-key time to gather with FUMC family to check in and pray for one another and our world. No frills, no program, just people and the Holy Spirit! We'll gather each Wednesday night.
Zoom Login:
https://fumcaustin.zoom.us/j/805144062
Meeting ID: 805 144 062
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Manna Bags Needed
We are seeking assembled Manna Bags to hand out to our hungry neighbors on the street. Officer Shelly, our officer from the Feed My People Breakfast, is helping distribute the Manna Bags where they are needed the most. Completed manna bags may be dropped off at the Family Life Center. Please email Pastor Cathy at
[email protected]
with any questions about items to include and for her phone number to coordinate drop-off. She will unlock the FLC front door remotely. Manna Bag items could include: tuna or chicken lunch kit, peanut butter or cheese cracker sandwiches, Nutri Grain fruit bar, raisins, juice box, socks, and an encouraging message such as "God loves you."
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Story Submissions
As we wait to gather again for worship, we can still come together as a church. Be part of the
Bolder Than The State of Texas StoryCorps
Project! Download the StoryCorps app and record your stories of living faith and your life with FUMC-Austin. You can tell a 5 minute story or a 45 minute story! Upload your stories to our StoryCorps community archive page so we can listen. To learn more about StoryCorps FUMC visit our
StoryCorps resource guide
.
Spring 2020 Issue
Help us build the next issue of
Bolder than the State of Texas
! We are particularly seeking stories about Change and Resurrection for the Spring 2020 issue. We are open to poetry, essays, photography, or art! Be part of the story this church is telling the world. Submissions accepted continually, with a deadline of May 15 for the Spring 2020, Issue 2. Submit your stories online at
fumcaustin.org/bolderthantexas
. For more information, contact Amy Wink and Caroline Jones at
[email protected]
.
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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! It will cost over $60,000 to fund this ministry during 2020. 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.
Give Now
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Submit a prayer request
online
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Within our Congregation
Sandy Bowles; Marcia Houston; Rosine Martiale Kengne; Mari Perez; Frank Powell; and Dan Wood.
Encouragement for all educators, students and parents.
Gratitude for medical care providers, first responders, essential service workers, journalists and our pets.
Concern for the elderly, small business owners, those out of work, migrants separated from their families, for those struggling with mental health issues, and those experiencing homelessness.
Comfort for those who have lost a loved one and are unable to gather to grieve.
Compassion for all those who may be feeling alone or isolated.
Guidance for our Local, State, and Federal leaders and decision makers.
Beyond our Congregation
Curt Ashmos’ friend, Elissa Marek; Tom & Robbie Ausley’s friend, Gene Brodhead; Tom & Robbie Ausley’s friend, Jacky Spears; Grady Basler’s sister, Tonya Basler Stout; Cheryl Bias’ niece, Lauren Stafford; Bob Block’s friend, Tim Sullivan; Fay Brown’s sister, Jo Rene Altenburg; George Gaston’s friend, Dr. Robert Wootton; Howard Hartman’s brother, Elden Hartman; Judi Hazlett’s grandson, Henry Helwig; Marcia Houston’s mother, Johnnie; Melanie Miller’s and Jen Stuart’s father, Doak Thomas; Cindy Reidland’s friends, Carly and Colton Wimberly; Sally Watkins’ friend Russell Gregory; and Dick Young’s nephew, Jeff Young.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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