Branching Out Newsletter
 Weekly News
March 13th through March 20th, 2019
Sunday Worship Services
9:00am in the Sanctuary

11:15am in the Sanctuary
Choir Practice: Wednesdays 6:45pm in Sanctuary

Praise Band Practice: Wednesdays 7:45pm in the Sanctuary
Sunday, March 17th

Psalm 27

Sermon :“Seeking God’s Face”

A Letter from Pastor Darlene

It is a bittersweet moment that I let you know that I have requested a Personal leave of absence, effective July 1 st . I do not know where God is leading me in the next part of my journey nor what form my ministry will take. This will be a time of quiet discernment.
 
While I am looking forward to spending more quality time with my family, it is difficult saying goodbye to you, my KUMC family, whom I dearly love. I give God thanks for the opportunity to have been in ministry with you and for the many ways you have blessed my life.
 
It brings me comfort knowing that you are being left in good hands – in the lay and clergy leadership at KUMC, but most especially in the loving hands of our God.
 
In Christ’s love,
 
Pastor Darlene
Pastor Appointment

We are sad to prepare to say good-bye to Pastor Darlene Boaz, who has been our spiritual guide and leader for four years. But in the Methodist way, at the same time we prepare to say hello to our new pastor, Rev. Stella Burkhalter. Bishop Schnase will appoint Pastor Stella to KUMC at the RioTexas Annual Conference in June, and she will begin her leadership with us on July 1. Her first Sunday with us is July 7.

Pastor Stella joins us after five years as Senior Pastor at Covenant UMC in Austin, having previously served as Associate Pastor at Oak Hill UMC in Austin. Our District Superintendent, Andy Smith, introduced Stella and her husband, Hunter, to members of the SPRC and Chair of Church Council last week. 

Pastor Stella comes to us with a broad religious background, having grown up in a large family in Laredo in the Roman Catholic faith and later the Assembly of God church, before becoming a Methodist as an adult. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin School of Communication and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. 

Hunter Burkhalter is a judge in Austin and the Burkhalters have two adult children, Wyatt, 21, and Emery, 19.    

Pastor Stella says she loves to preach the Word and enjoys engaging people through a weekly blog ( www.pastorstella.net ) where you may learn more about her. She looks forward with great excitement to joining us for her first worship on July 7. 

Church-wide Work Day
March 30, 2019 from
9 am - 3 pm.

There’s something for everyone. There will be a list of tasks with a sign-up sheet this Sunday in Fellowship Hall but even if you don’t sign-up, please join us for whatever time you may have.
Easter Flowers

Easter Lilies: If you would like an Easter Lily in Memory/Honor of a loved one, you can purchase one for $10 through KUMC.

Please fill in the name of your loved one on the bulletin insert and drop in the offering plate or office with your payment. You will be able to take your lily home after Easter Services. Deadline to order is March 24 th .
Flowers for the Cross : On Easter Sunday, please bring a live flower from your garden to place on our Easter Cross in the Sanctuary.
Faithful Heart Yoga

Instructor: Krystyn Jensen, 200-hr certification

WHEN: Last Sunday of the Month beg. Mar 31 st  

TIME: 12:30pm – 1:30pm

WHERE: KUMC Family Life Center

WHO/WHAT: Anyone who wants to feel a Christian connection while working to heal and/or strengthen your body while building your connection to Christ!

COST: $5/person (for family rates, contact Krystyn Jensen, k.jensen0713@gmail.com ); 10% of all monies collected will be donated to KUMC!

If you do not have your own yoga mat, contact Krystyn by March 24 th
Lighten Your Life for Lent
Do you have gently used or never worn clothing, shoes, and accessories lying around your home? What about kitchen items, bedding, décor, or furniture that is still in good condition, but you do not need/want it anymore? If so, Lighten Your Life this Lenten season! Please collect the suggested items below throughout Lent.

When you’re ready, bring your items (washed/cleaned and sorted – hangers are appreciated) to the old Craft room behind the sanctuary so that volunteers can sort the items in preparation for a Free Garage Sale hosted by the KUMC Young Adults and Missions Team! All donations must be received by April 28 th .

On May 4 th , members of our local community will be invited to our Free Garage Sale (see reverse side for details) and they can “shop” for items that they need for their families/homes.

Suggestions for Donation Items
Dress, Casual, and Athletic Clothing (infants – older adults) 
Shoes (infants – older adults)
Toys and baby items
Accessories (scarves, coats, jewelry)
Pots/Pans, cutlery and utensils
Curtains, Comforters and sheets
Wall décor and home accessories
Chairs, tables and shelves

If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Taylor (512.993.9499) or Krystyn Jensen (512.618.7478). 
Save the Date!
Free Community Garage Sale

Saturday, May 4th 8:00am-noon

Open to anyone in the Kyle/Hays community in need!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Bring your clean/gently used/sorted (hangers appreciated) items from the Lighten Your Life for Lent drive to the church during business hours or on Sunday’s during church hours by Sunday, April 28 th . If you have clothing racks we can use we would greatly appreciate it and they will be returned to you.

A sign-up to help sort items April 18 th – May 3 rd , pick-up larger furniture items from members homes (May 3 rd ), and/or to help at the sale itself (May 4 th ) will be available through sign-up genius soon and a copy will be placed the Fellowship Hall!

Most importantly, spread the word and invite people who could benefit from this event!
Join us for an Easter Egg Hunt!
Sunday, April 14th at 12:30pm
All are welcome!

We'll meet in the Family Life Center for refreshments while the eggs are being hidden and then the hunt will begin! This event is open to all, so bring your friends!

We'll also be extending the invitation to those in our community who benefit from our Blessings Box. Join us in welcoming visitors to our event!

** Congregation, we'll need your help collecting FILLED eggs between now and April 14th. There will be a basket for collection in the Fellowship Hall.
Bible on Tap- New Location

Beginning Monday, February 11th at 6:30pm, Bible on Tap will move to Buck's Backyard in Buda. This hour long, weekly bible study will cover a current event topic that provides countless opportunities for discussion and biblical reference! There is nothing to prepare or study ahead of time.

Please join us for this relaxed and fun filled weekly gathering while we explore our current world and how our faith and the bible helps us navigate our daily lives!
Starting February 4, 2019, in the Wallace Classroom in the Family Life Center, the members of the Living the Questions Adult Sunday School class invite you to join in a study of John Wesley and Methodists, the beliefs and actions that started the group of believers called Methodists.

The class will consist of some readings, some presentations, and an extended dialogue about what it means to us today. Travel with us from Epworth, Lincolnshire in 1703 through time attending Oxford, during ordination in the Anglican church, on a trip to the New World in 1735 to preach in Georgia, and onward to return to England, Aldergate Street, and the continued the development of a group of Methodists, in both England and America, as Methodism was born. Live the Questions with us in the faith journey.

We invite you to join us at 10:00 on Sunday mornings this spring.
* No evening Youth Group on Sunday, March 17th or Sunday, March 23rd because of Spring Break.

Join us for Food, fun and fellowship every Sunday from 6-8pm in the Family Life Center. All 6th-12th graders and their friends are invited!

If you have any questions, please contact Youth Director, Alissa Villarreal at childrenandyouth.kumc@gmail.com .
We could really use help with meals and snacks! If you, your family, your ministry group or Sunday School group would like to sponsor a meal or snacks, please sign up below!

You are welcome to make a monetary donation, provide supplies for a meal, prepare a meal and drop it off or come prepare the meal on Sunday and stay to hang out! Our youth really appreciate the support of our congregation! 
YOUTH BLAZER TAG NIGHT

Come join us for Blazer Tag Night to kick off Spring Break. Friday, March 15th.

We'll meet at the church at 7:00pm and be back around 9:30pm. The church will supply pizza and drinks.

Youth should bring $7.99/person for a game of laser tag (20 minutes). You can bring more if you'd like to play 2 games. If you'd like any other snacks or to play arcade games, please bring cash for that.

Please RSVP on the Facebook Event if you're coming so we can plan accordingly for drivers! **Parent's please let me know if you are able to be a driver. We'll need a copy of current driver's license and insurance.
Join us Sundays at 10:00am in the Family Life Center for Sunday School.

  • More show than tell
Animated Bible story videos use visuals and sound effects, giving kids the opportunity to retell the story in their own words.

  • Bible-centered approach
Kids interact with the Bible in every lesson, following the arc of the biblical narrative.

  • Continue the conversation
Kids walk away from lessons, retelling the stories they’ve learned and taking home completed activities.

We'll have 3 classes for the Fall: Toddler-PreK, Kinder- 2nd, 3rd-5th grade
Youth Sunday School

CORE (Connect, Own, Reveal, Empower®) is a resource designed to help teenagers discover their true identity, value and worth as God’s children and empower them to reach their potential in faithfully following Christ with others.

Dig In is a four session study for groups of all sizes that takes teens on the journey of addressing the obstacles they’ve experienced in understanding who they are in Christ toward connecting with God and others in new and healthy ways.
  • Identity Theft
  • Delete the Spam
  • Connect with God
  • Connect with Others
Young Adults Group
The Kyle UMC Young Adults group is made up of all church attendees (no church membership required) between the ages of 18 - 40! Young Adults at KUMC currently serve in various areas of worship and church life including the Sanctuary Choir and Praise Band, the Missions Committee, Sunday School Teachers/Support Teachers, the Youth Leader, and many more. In addition, the group coordinates the Reverse Advent, support each other through a Facebook group, and will present other service and social activities near future.

If you are a member or simply attend KUMC and would be interested in getting involved with this wonderful group of Young Adults, please contact the Young Adult Representative, Krystyn Jensen at k.jensen0713@gmail.com or 512-618-7478. 
United Methodist Women News

We invite anyone interested in learning more about what we do to in service and to share in God’s love to please come and visit our Circles. We welcome new faces and new ideas. We enjoy working on our ministries and helping support local charities; focusing on women and children’s needs. 

CHEER CIRCLE

The KUMW Cheer Circle will meet on Monday, April 8 th at 11am in the Family Life Center. We are continuing to work on our upcoming Spring activities bringing our “cheer” and love to those we serve. We will share a devotional, fellowship and a light lunch. Please join us!! If you need a ride, call Shirley Ellis at 512-262-7292. 

TWILIGHT CIRCLE

The Twilight Evening Circle gathering is on March 14 at 7pm in the Family Life Center. Our program will be from the UMW Sisterhood of Grace Program Book. Please join us. If questions, please contact Joan Goodwin, 972-679-3600.
Prayer Ministry meets every Tuesday at 2 pm in the Sanctuary

Please visit KyleUMC.com and click on "ONLINE GIVING/E_TITHE at the top of the screen to get started. 

Directions on how to do this are located in the Front of the Sanctuary or in the Fellowship Hall.
Küber -- When you need a Spiritual lift...
The United Methodist Church not only supports helping conserve our earth's resources but also helping those who might need a lift to church. That's why we're starting our latest ministry: Küber. Küber is KUMC's way of giving our congregation a spiritual lift! (thanks  Paul Mojica )
If you feel called to share your ride, please let us know! If you're someone who needs a ride, let us know that too! We would love to help match people up. E-mail: kuber@ kyleumc.org
Dates To Remember!

3/15 Youth Blazer Tag Night, 7:00pm
3/17 No Youth Group
3/18 Bible on Tap 6:30pm (Buck's Backyard, Buda)
3/19 Coffee Hour, 9:30am, Starbucks in Kyle
3/19 Prayer Ministry 2:00pm (Sanctuary)
3/20 Choir Practice, 6:45pm (Sanctuary)
3/20 Praise Band Practice, 7:45pm (Sanctuary)



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|Kyle United Methodist Church| 512-268-2331 |  admin@kyleumc.org | kyleumc.com