Christian Formation Update
In this week's Update...

  • Coming This Sunday, October 28
  • Reformation Fair 501
  • Parenting & Faith Series Continues
  • Stewardship & Kids

Hello UPC Families!

Reformation Fair is almost here! We hope everyone can join us this coming Sunday for a fun celebration of our Reformed heritage hosted by the UPC Youth.

Be sure to check out the new pop up Reformation Library right outside the side Sanctuary door on the main level for books for kids, youth, and adults.

Thanks to Jon Eddison and the Parenting & Faith class for a great first class in our new series, "Decency in the Midst of Disorder". Looking forward to more conversation about how our everyday lived faith can make the world a better place.
Coming This Sunday
October 28

Children's Ministry
Laudate Choir, 9:15 - 10:00 am @ Room 210.
Director: Austin Bradley.
 
Check in Table Greeter: Mary Dodd
Please remember to sign in!
 
Sweaty Sundays (Intergenerational), 9:30 - 9:55 am @ Youth Room
Current Project - Sniffle Kits
Leaders: Stephanie Holmsten & Adrielle Chew.
 
The BIG Hello, 10:00 - 10:15 am @ Youth Room
Leader: Adrielle Chew
Lesson: David is Chosen
 
Treehouse Class (3-5 Graders), 10:15 - 10:50 am @ Room 206
Leader: Margaret Aymer

ARK Class (Pre-K - 2nd Graders), 10:15 - 10:50 am @ Room 205
Leader: Rachel Watson

Parents may pick up their kids for worship at 10:50 am from the classrooms listed above.

Bridge to Worship, during Worship in Room 202.
Leader: Kendal Gladish

Nursery care from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm is available every Sunday morning on the lower level.

Youth Ministry
Reformation Fair 501 - 8:30 am - 2:30 pm, all youth
Reformation Fair 501

The big day is almost here! Plan to join us for our fourth annual Reformation Fair on Sunday, October 28 after worship until 1:30-ish pm. If the weather is nice, we'll host it in the Central Courtyard, if not, then we'll move indoors to the Great Hall.

The UPC Youth will be providing a "Build Your Own Oktoberfest" food bar with special catering by Mighty Tiger. There will be fall carnival games for kids, a costume photo booth for families, educational and craft booths, and some cool freebies that you won't want to miss.

ALL YOUTH:
Please arrive at 8:30 am to help us get set up. Wear your blue youth group T-Shirt. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Clean up will end around 2:30 pm. We've got lots of different jobs and we need all the help we can get.

**This event counts toward your Sweaty Equity Points for the summer mission trips! Every point you earn is money your family saves on registration fees. Youth must earn at least one Sweat Equity Point to be eligible for youth mission scholarships.
Parenting & Faith Series Continues

In case you missed the first class, never fear! You have plenty of time to get caught up and jump in this coming Sunday, October 28 as our very own Jon Eddison will continue the discussion in our Parenting & Faith series entitled, "Decency in the Midst of Disorder."

Click the purple button below to read the short article from Presbyterian Outlook we are using as a foundation for the class.

Drawing together scripture and the everyday practice of Christian faith, Jon will be helping us unpack the indecency and turmoil in our politics and society and will help us brainstorm how we as parents can respond faithfully when our kids ask questions or are directly affected by what they hear at school or see on television. With midterm elections coming up and in light of the news cycles of the past few weeks, we hope for this to be a time where you can voice your feelings in a supportive environment and think creatively about how we as Christians are called to respond in faith.

"Decency in the Midst of Disorder" Series Topics
October 28 - Advocacy & Generosity
November 4 - Systems & Worthiness
November 11 - Neighbors & Faith
November 18 - Kindness & Suffering

We hope you will join us for this timely class series on Sundays from 9:30 - 10:40 am in Room 1 on the lower level.

Curious about what other great topics we have in store for Parenting & Faith? Please click the red button below to download the 2018-2019 Topics & Presenters Calendar! We've got some amazing speakers lined up including Austin Seminary faculty, TEDx presenters, brilliant UPC Members, and authors!
Stewardship Season & Kids

Stewardship season is a great time of year to talk with your children and youth about the importance of living generous lives. Talking with your kids about how they might help other people and sharing your own practices of generosity are lessons that set the stage for a lifetime of giving. Whether it's setting aside a dollar from their allowance for the offering plate, asking for donations to a cause they care about for a birthday, or setting up their own micro-fundraiser to support a non-profit, kids are able to participate in stewardship in real, memorable, and meaningful ways. Giving also allows children to build a sense of commitment here at church and they can see the ways their gifts matter to those around them.

Your generosity as a family during stewardship season directly impacts what Christian Formation is able to offer in the coming year. Everything from our Sunday School curriculum, mission trips, retreats, VBS, internship program, adult class guest speakers, youth group, confirmation, church-wide events like Mother's Day and Reformation Fair, supplies, and books are funded by your pledges and ongoing generosity each year. We know that you are busy, so UPC has made pledging easier than ever with online tools to pledge and schedule giving automatically. We all want our children to grow up with every opportunity for spiritual and personal growth, and I hope you'll join us in our mission as we plant seeds and harvest hope!

Looking for a cool way to help teach your kids about money and generosity? Check out this Moonjar on AmazonSmile by clicking the blue button below. *You can also support UPC by designating "University Presbyterian Church" on your personal AmazonSmile account!
That's all for now friends. See you Sunday!

Grace and peace,

John
_________________________
Rev. John Leedy
Associate Pastor
University Presbyterian Church - Austin, TX
(512) 476-5321