e-communications from University Presbyterian Church February 19, 2020
TRANSFIGURATION
OF THE LORD
FEBRUARY 23, 2020

WORSHIP 11:00 AM

the Reverend Matt Gaventa preaching
"Ready or Not"
Old Testament reading is

Laudate Children’s Choir sings Ted Taylor’s setting of African American spirituals, “I’m Gonna Sing” and “Over My Head”. The Handbell Choir plays arrangements of two familiar hymns.
The Chancel Choir sings John Rutter’s setting of the familiar hymn, “Be Thou My Vision”.

TAIZÉ WORSHIP 7:00 PM

Shelton Chapel, Austin Seminary

On this week's Sunday Morning Matinee, Matt and Adam talk comedy, identity, and Billy Wilder's classic, Some Like it Hot. In the first segment, Matt and Adam talk about how a radical vision of gender ambiguity animates the comedy. They discuss how the famous last line of the movie has deeply theological implications. In the second segment, the two discuss the scripture passages for Transfiguration Sunday and how Christ's new form and Some like it Hot intersect at questions of revealed identities and what is hidden in the midst of revelation.
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
6:30 PM, UPC SANCTUARY

RECENT SERMONS


February 16, 2020, the Reverend Matt Gaventa, The Name on the Front

February 9, 2020, the Reverend Matt Gaventa, Packing and Unpacking

February 2, 2020, the Reverend Krystal Leedy, Do, Love, Walk

January 26, 2020, the Reverend Karen Greif, Witness to the Light

January 19, 2020, the Reverend Rykie Marx, Comfort My People

January 12, 2020, the Reverend Matt Gaventa, The Repair Shop

Find our sermon archive at
Subscribe to our sermon podcast:
Our Lenten journey begins with communion and the imposition of ashes by UPC deacons on Ash Wednesday, February 26, at 6:30 p.m., in the UPC Sanctuary.

During the six weeks of Lent, we invite you into a season of intentional discipleship of simplicity. As disciples, or followers of Jesus Christ, we walk this path toward Easter in preparation to hear again the Good News of God’s love for us and for the world. Lent continues for 40 days, not including Sundays, and concludes with the Great Vigil, the third part of our Great Three Days Triduum Service. Join us on the journey to Easter Sunday!
Christian Formation:
GENDER JUSTICE SERIES BEGINS FEBRUARY 23
The UPC Christian Formation Committee is excited to host a new spring adult education series called “Gender Justice.” Beginning on February 23, this six-week series features an incredible line up of speakers who will guide us in exploring a range of topics related to gender in the church and our culture. Throughout the series, we will explore issues related to dismantling patriarchal systems of sexism and gender discrimination, feminist biblical interpretation and theology, Womanist and Latina theology, toxic masculinity, and more. All adults and youth are welcome to this class series.

All classes will be held the UPC Great Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Refreshments will be provided. Members of the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary community are also invited to attend.

For questions about the Gender Justice Series, please contact the Reverend. John Leedy at associate@upcaustin.org.

February 23: Orientation & Seeing the Patriarchy
the Reverend Dr. Cindy Rigby & the Reverend Krystal Leedy
Professor Cynthia Rigby is the W.C. Brown Professor of Theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She is a general editor of the nine-volume lectionary commentary series, Connections (Westminster John Knox).

An energetic scholar, Dr. Rigby's latest book is Holding Faith: A Practical Introduction to Christian Faith (Abingdon Press, 2018). She is also the author of The Promotion of Social Righteousness (Witherspoon Press, 2010) and is co-editor (with Beverly Gaventa) of Blessed One: Protestant Perspectives on Mary (Westminster John Knox Press, 2002). She is currently completing a book on Christian feminist theology for Baker Academic Press and a book on "grace and play."

Dr. Rigby holds a BA in Religious Studies from Brown University, an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Systematic Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
The Reverend Krystal Leedy is an Associate Pastor at University Presbyterian Church and cares deeply about faith matters for college students and young adults. Krystal is the pastoral liaison to the UKirk, Social Witness, and Mission & Service Committees.

Krystal has known that she wanted to be a minister since the latter part of high school, and has earned a B.A. in Youth and Family Ministry from Abilene Christian University as well as a Masters of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

She serves on the board of Texas Impact and the national UKirk board. She is Doctor of Ministry student at Austin Seminary and in the past, Krystal has worked as a chaplain and at Mo-Ranch. She is currently co-teaching a course on feminist interpretation of scripture through the Austin Seminary Certificate in Jewish Christian Relationships program.  
GENDER JUSTICE TOPICS AND SPEAKERS

March 1: Biblical Interpretation
the Reverend Bridgett Green

March 8: Theology – Feminist, Womanist, Latina
Dr. Jennifer Owens-Jofré

March 15: Toxic Masculinity, Microaggressions, & A New Vision
the Reverend Dr. Phil Helsel

March 29: Gender Justice in the Church
The Reverend Dr. Karoline Lewis

April 5: Conclusions & Where Do We Go From Here?
the Reverend Dr. Cindy Rigby & the Reverend Krystal Leedy
SPECIAL EVENT!
AN EVENING WITH THE REVEREND KAROLINE LEWIS

Saturday, March 28, 7:00 p.m.
UPC Great Hall
The Christian Formation Committee of University Presbyterian Church is thrilled to welcome the Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis for a Gender Justice Special Event on Saturday evening, March 28 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm in the UPC Great Hall. This event is open to everyone in the UPC and Austin Seminary communities, as well as local area pastors, church staff, and elders. This is a free event with dessert provided. We ask that you RSVP by Sunday, March 22 so we know how many to plan for. And download the poster to share with your friends!
The Reverend Dr. Karoline M. Lewis is the Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary and she previously taught at Candler School of Theology, Columbia Theological Seminary, and Augsburg College. Lewis is the author of SHE: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry (including an accompanying facilitator guide, participant guide, and DVD) and John: Fortress Biblical Preaching Commentaries , as well as numerous articles for The Christian Century, Feasting on the Word, Feasting on the Gospels, Currents in Theology and Mission, Lutheran Forum, Word & World, Abingdon Preaching Annual, and Odyssey Network’s ON Scripture .
She was one of the 100 religious scholars in the United States to contribute to the Values and Voices Campaign . Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Lewis holds degrees from Northwestern University (B.A.), Luther Seminary (M.Div.), and Emory University (Ph.D., New Testament Studies and Homiletics). She has served as Treasurer of Academy of Homiletics and Regional Coordinator for the Upper Midwest Region of the Society of Biblical Literature.

Lewis is a regular preacher/presenter at the Festival of Homiletics and leads conferences, workshops, and retreats internationally on the Gospel of John, the New Testament, interpreting the Bible, preaching, leadership, and women in ministry. She is a contributing writer for Working Preacher , author of the site’s Dear Working Preacher column, and co-host of the site’s weekly podcast, Sermon Brainwave . Visit karolinelewis.com for resources on preaching and being a woman in ministry.
BORDER MISSION TRIP UPDATE
We’ve had a great response so far, with a large group planning to go. The trip dates are Spring Break 2020 (Sunday, March 15 - Friday, March 20). The trip is a wonderful way to experience God’s love working in the world, and to learn about our brothers and sisters in Christ living and working in Mexico. It’s not too late to sign up (if your passport is in hand)! If you are interested in going but haven’t yet signed up, please contact Craig Deats for details. He can be reached at: cdeats@ddollaw.com , or call his cell at (512) 567-1419.

Contributions still very much needed!! If you have not yet done so, please consider contributing to help with trip expenses. Construction materials are $6,000 per house, and this year we are building TWO houses; add travel, housing and food, and it’s a lot. We really need your financial help. Place contributions in the offering plate clearly marked for the “Border Mission Trip,” or give them to the church office or Craig Deats. Any contribution, large or small, is greatly needed and appreciated. Those who contribute $250 or more will receive a “thank you” email mid-week from one or more participants about their experiences.
Join us for our annual All Church Retreat at Mo-Ranch the weekend of April 17-19, 2020! This special event is always one of the highlights of the year and is filled with opportunities to worship, rest, play, connect with friends new and old, grow in our relationship with God and with members of all ages, and enjoy God's creation in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Stop by the table in the central courtyard following worship on Sundays February 9, 16, 23 and March 1. Registration is on a first come basis and spots tend to fill up fast! Your spot is reserved once we have both the registration form and payment.

To inquire about financial assistance or for questions about the All Church Retreat, please contact Pastor John at associate@upcaustin.org. Our guest speaker this year will be the Reverend Julie Emery. Looking forward to a great retreat this year! Hope to see you there!
ABOUT OUR RETREAT SPEAKER

The Reverend Julie Emery has been serving as the minister/head of staff of another Westminster: Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, CT, since October 2014. Before her call to Connecticut, the land of “steady habits”, Reverend Emery served churches in New Hampshire and New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from the University of Michigan and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2004. Between her undergraduate work and heading to seminary, Julie worked at the Domestic Violence Project (SAFE House) in Ann Arbor, Mi and spent a year as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer serving in Juneau, Alaska.

Julie currently serves as the co-moderator of Roundtable, the governing board of the Presbytery of Southern New England, and has served as co-chair of the Committee on Representation for the last two years. She served as a commissioner to General Assembly in 2018 in St. Louis, and recently presented at NEXT Church on the value of Intergenerational Christian Education. She was recently accepted as one of a cohort of twenty into the Pastoral Innovation Network of New England. 

Julie and her husband, Jason have two boys, Aiden (13), and Chase (11), a black Labrador retriever named Juneau and two crazy kittens, Ben and Tate. A proud “hockey mom,” she can be found throughout the fall and winter at various Connecticut ice rinks watching her boys play. Julie’s heart for justice, creative worship, authentic faithful expression all help feed and fuel her ministry.
On Sunday, March 22, the Heritage Ministry Team seeks to connect the heritage of our January 1892 founding "roots," with our "growing" present. Our old fashioned potluck luncheon will emphasize a Heritage Food & Fellowship theme.

Have a favorite family recipe from a treasured church or community cookbook? Text your mom, call your grandma, or pull out that old church cookbook and plan to make your favorite dish (vintage or newer) that means (church) family to you. Here's a UPC favorite we're sure that someone will bring:
The Heritage Ministry Team serves under the Congregational Connections Committee (CCC). For more information, contact Carol Keller at carolaskeller@gmail.com 
UPLift PANTRY NEEDS THIS WEEK

UPC, your generous donations enable the UPLift Tuesday volunteers to provide a bit of nourishment for our clients. Currently, these are our main needs:

  •   Cans of diced tomatoes
  •   Gently used dish towels
  •   Gently used pot holders
  •   Snack or breakfast bars

Thank you for living Micah 6:8. 
CELEBRATIONS & CONCERNS
Please pray for

Jo Berkman, who fell last Friday, breaking her collarbone and fracturing several vertebrae. After a short stay at Seton Central, she was transferred Monday to Brookdale Lakeway. She would appreciate phone calls: 512-975-7055.

Jan Brunner, who has been diagnosed with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. Jan is a dear friend to Betsy Boyt.

Hazel Grice, who has pneumonia, and is now under hospice care in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Neal Grice is Hazel's son.

the family of Sarah Youngquist, who died Saturday, February 15, 2020, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Suzanna Caballero is Sarah's sister. Arrangements are pending.

the family of Elizabeth Jepson, who died Friday, January 31, 2020. Bryan Jepson is Elizabeth's husband; Linda and George Henderson are her parents. A service in witness to the resurrection will be held Saturday, March 7, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. in the UPC sanctuary, with a reception to follow in Fellowship Hall. Obituary may be found here.
To request prayers for yourself or a loved one, email   upc@upcaustin.org .
To have a deacon pray with you, look for the  Deacon of the Day  on the pulpit side front of the sanctuary any Sunday following the postlude.
Celebrations and Concerns of the congregation are published weekly and include prayers and people to pray for. Download Celebrations & Concerns for Sunday, February 16, 2020, or pick up a copy in the narthex or outside the library.
UPC's Prayer Chain is a group of faithful prayer warriors who commit to praying for people throughout the week. If you'd like to be part of the Prayer Chain, click the button below. You will receive periodic emails (no more than one per day), with specific requests from members to pray. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.