March 6,  2017  

Day Saving Time Begins
Sunday, March 12

Don't forget to turn
your clocks forward!

March 12, 2017
Second Sunday in Lent
No Children's Sunday School
Nursery Care Available at 9:30 a.m.
Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
UPC Sanctuary

Evening Worship 7:00 p.m.
UPC Fellowship Hall
Farewell
from David Evans

March 5, 2017
Dear Friends,
 
In all of my forty four years as an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church, I have never received a standing ovation. I am both embarrassed by your tribute this morning, and deeply honored to have served as your Acting Head of Staff for the past six months. Your gifts were so appropriate. Thank you for the inflatable “life saver.”  The grandchildren will enjoy it in our neighborhood pool this summer. Thank you, John Parker, for the live oak carved cross. It is obvious that much love was invested in this work of art and it has already found a treasured place in my home study. But frankly I have never in all my years of ministry received a gift that touched me as much as the Houston Astros pennant. Then to discover that it includes an all-expense paid weekend in Houston with dugout seats to an Astros game is simply the best gift I have ever received. Several of you generously offered to accompany me!  I appreciate the offers, but Linda and I plan to have a fabulous time in her hometown sometime this summer.  
 
The past six months have been an adventure. What I have discovered is a confirmation of what I already knew:  that University Presbyterian Church is an extraordinary congregation full of wise and devoted and passionate disciples of Jesus Christ. We have had to raft through some incredibly turbulent waters in the past six months. We have navigated our way through a budget crisis, a painful staff reduction (I miss Kathy every day), and a divisive national election. Yet since the beginning of the new year I have witnessed a renewed confidence and enthusiasm.    
Astros Bound!
And I have been privileged to work alongside an incredibly gifted and devoted ministry team at UPC. Staff meetings on Tuesday afternoon are full of love and laughter and lots of hard decisions.  And I appreciate all of my colleagues who serve you faithfully. I need to say that John and Krystal have been invaluable colleagues in ministry who are devoted to UPC. I have leaned on their wisdom time and again.

Now, after a week of baseball spring training in Florida, I will be returning to my pew on the far right aisle of the UPC sanctuary.  Matt Gaventa will usher in a new chapter in the 125th anniversary year of UPC. In my brief times with Matt, I could not be more hopeful and more confident in the future of this incredible congregation.   Not only do Matt and I share a seminary alma mater, I have recently learned that he is as passionate about baseball as I am. Evidence of his character and wisdom!!!  Seriously, Linda and I are looking forward to having Matt as our pastor.  
 
So I do not have to say farewell. After ten months as your Acting Head of Staff over the past twenty months, I am looking forward to new adventures and spending quality time with Linda and my grandchildren. There are trips to spring training and a river cruise to Europe and soccer games and baseball games and gymnastic events calling to me. Life is good. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the Church of Jesus Christ.  
 
Blessings,
David M. Evans
Acting Head of Staff
Moderator of the Session
Matt Gaventa Preaches Sunday, March 19
Reception to Follow

We hope to see everyone on the 19th, so please reach out to friends you haven't seen in church for awhile and invite them to return on this special day in the life of UPC.

Please help us make the Gaventas feel welcome and sign the card in the narthex. If you’d like to include your own well wishes for our new start together, you’ll find baskets for cards and letters in the narthex and outside the church office.

New Senior Pastor Matt Gaventa
Christian Formation Town Hall
We Want to Hear
from YOU!
 

As the Christian Formation Committee begins to look at the future of Sunday School here at UPC, we want the congregation to be able to add their voice to the conversation. Join us at one or both of our upcoming Christian Formation Town Hall conversations scheduled for Sunday, March 19 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am in the Fellowship Hall Chapel and on Sunday, March 26 from 12:15 - 1:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall Chapel. If you are a participant or leader in children's ministry, youth ministry, young adult ministry, or adult education classes, we want to hear from you!

- Tommy McReynolds, CF Chair  

UPC Welcomes New Staff
UPC welcomes two new part-time staff, serving as facilities coordinators / hosts. You may have seen both of them the past two Sundays. Whitney Milam will be on site as facilities coordinator Sunday mornings and evenings, and Tuesday morning. He will assume a few of the responsibilities formerly handled by Danny. Ruth Lorío will serve UPC as a second host, working with Barbara Litchford, whenever there are concerts and other events held in the sanctuary or the Great Hall evenings and weekends.
Please say hi next time you see Whitney or Ruth!
Whitney Milam
Whitney is a graduate of the University of Austin with a bachelors degree in Radio-Television -Film. In 2008, Whitney earned a masters degree in Public History-Documentary Film from Texas State University. He is married to his wife of 18 years and has two sons; Benjamin (15) and Max (13) He has created video projects, live sports specials and marketing pieces while working in broadcast television, hi tech, and at Southwestern University.
Whitney has his own production company, Milam Film Works, and recently completed a podcast series for the Austin-based non-profit,  "Hand to Hold." In his spare time, he enjoys camping, hiking, running and walking his dog, Scout. He is a long-time member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in NW Austin.

Ruth Lorío
Ruth just moved to Austin last September, where her son and daughter also live, and is enjoying getting to know the area. Ruth was raised in the Presbyterian church in Mexico, MO, and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. After she married, Ruth lived in Nicaragua, Central America, for seven years, speaks, fluent Spanish, and has lived in St. Louis, Chicago, Brownsville, and Dallas…all interesting places to live.

Ruth likes the arts, music and visual arts, and feels blessed to live in such a culturally active community. She enjoys attending UPC and hopes to get to know you all soon.

Meals for UKirk
Spring Semester
Following spring break, students will be back and ready to experience all that UKirk Campus Ministry offers them. Their Sunday evening program includes Bible study, an opportunity for them to share a meal, and discussion-based worship. A great way to support our students is by helping prepare the Sunday meal. Spring dates open include March 19, and April 2, 23, and 30. If you’d like to help, sign up by clicking the link below. 
For more information, email randalwhittington@gmail.com or call Randal at 512-636-9789. Thanks!  

Click here to sign up to be a UKirk cook!
UKirk Logo
Lent and Fair Trade
This sounds like either an odd combination or something that Cathy Morgan has cooked up.

In fact, the possible relationship might be found in the Ash Wednesday sermon by Krystal Leedy last Wednesday night.

I strongly urge you to read it.

Isaiah 58:5-6, 8

5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?

6 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 

UPC, committed to fair trade products, offers fair trade coffees and teas through Equal Exchange.

What we each choose to do to observe Lent is a very personal choice. Giving up something special has been a long-held, valued tradition that can be very meaningful. Perhaps it is time to add something - a certain mindfulness – to be mindful of the stories behind what we purchase and to let those stories impact what we buy. This mind set is one way “to do justice.”

8 Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly;

Blessings in this season of Lent,

- Cathy Morgan
March Events

Dinner and Dogma: Immigration
March 11, 5:30 p.m. at the home of Sarah and Byron French

This edition of our Young Adult Dinner series will focus on the complicated issue of immigration from a Christian perspective. Come to learn and share your thoughts on the role of UPC in this issue!

Volunteer at Micah 6
March 16, 5:30 p.m. at UPC

Micah 6 serves hundreds of Austinites every week and operates right out of our basement! They are especially in need of help during Spring Break, so come and get your service on!

Email Sarah French at sbradbur@alum.trinity.edu with questions.

Faith & Grief
Gathering March 9

The Mission of Faith & Grief Ministries is to provide ongoing comfort to persons who have experienced the death of a loved one. As we prayerfully discern our mission, we value most the gifts of the Holy Spirit’s gentle and restless source of comfort; community that understands grief and mourning; compassion revealed in silence, listening, tears, and surprising laughter; stories that speak truth in love and promote wholeness; and collaboration that joins strength to strength. The Austin area Faith & Grief Gathering occurs March 9, at noon, Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Click here to register

March Mosaic Marathons
Saturday, March 11
9:00 a.m. to noon

Friday, March 17
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 18
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Click here for more information.

Faith & Life Class
in Lent

The Faith & Life Class invites you to join us during Lent, March 5 through April 16, for six special classes.

“Art and Transformation: Lenten Reflections”

Led by Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary personnel

March 5, 12, 19, & April 2, 9 

March 12: The Reverend Dr. CD Weaver, Artist in Residence, "Desire and Delight: The Keys to the Spiritual Life."

Click here for more information on the F&L series in Lent.

And, please save the date for

“A Conversation with Matt Gaventa” 

March 26: This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet and visit with our new senior pastor.  Matt has indicated that he would like to hear from us - our hopes and dreams for the coming years - rather than just him speaking to the class. Madelyn assured him that the folks who attend the class have no difficulty talking and that we are not shy!

Faith & Life Class, Room 201
9:15 a.m. coffee & conversation
9:30 a.m. program begins


Parenting & Faith class
will not meet March 12

For more information,
contact Stephanie Morris at stephanietmorris@sbcglobal.net.
March Circle Meetings 

The Martha Circle will meet at the church on Saturday March 11 at 11:30 a.m. Donna Wood is the hostess and Bobbie Sanders will lead the study on Chapter 7.

For more information, email Karen Grice.

The Ruth-Dorcas Circle meets Tuesday, March 14 at 2:30 p.m. at the home of Dottie Penn. Please contact the church office for directions.
THANK YOU!!!! for Amplifying UPLift

For the second consecutive year, UPLift participated in Amplify Austin, 24 hours of giving to worthy causes in the greater Austin area. All together, Amplify Austin raised $9,839,103 between 6:00 p.m. March 2 and 6:00 p.m. March 3, bringing the online fundraising total to more than $34 million the past five years.

The Amplify UPLift campaign had 73 donors and raised

$9,380.60!!!

UPLift Needs Next Week
Every Tuesday morning, UPC volunteers provide some food and coffee, hygiene items, and occasional financial assistance for our clients. While all donations are welcome at any time, here are some items to consider bringing to worship this week.

Thank you for your incredible support of this UPC mission!!
For this week's grocery cart:
A variety of needs:

  • canned tomatoes (large can of diced, regular or Rotel)
  • large jar of jelly or preserves
  • dried beans (pinto, kidney, black, navy, lentils, …)
  • brown sugar
  • snack bars 
Celebrations & Concerns
Click here to download the full UPC prayer list for March 5, 2017
or pick up a copy in the narthex
or outside the church office.

Please pray for 

The UPC / UKirk Border Mission Team as they prepare for their trip to Reynosa this coming Sunday.

David and Linda Evans, traveling to Florida Saturday.

S uzanne Wofford, who will have knee replacement surgery March 7.

Sharon and Jon Bayer. Sharon has been moved to Central Texas Rehabilitation hospital, where she continues to improve. Jon is continuing his chemotherapy treatments on an outpatient basis.

Debbie Warden, who is continuing rehabilitation at Brookdale on Spicewood Springs. Follow Debbie's progress at CaringBridge.org/visit/debbiessupportteam
Please pray for Matt, Sarah, and Charlie Gaventa as they leave their Virginia home and move into their new Austin home this week. Matt's first day in the office will be Monday, March 13.
If you'd like to be part of UPC's Prayer Chain, please email the church office.
You will receive emails asking you specifically to pray for people who have requested prayer support.

To request prayers, email upc@upcaustin.org
Contact
University Presbyterian Church
2203 San Antonio Street
Austin, Texas  78705
512-476-5321

Rooted in worship. . .

   Growing through education & s
ervice. . .

       Connecting to campus & community. . .