Chili Cook-Off!

Sunday, October 30

12:15-1:30PM

FUMC Parking Lot

Dust off your crockpot and put on your chef’s hat because we are having a chili cook-off! Fall is here and, with it, a chance to test your skills and tempt tastebuds at a time of food and fellowship after church. The competition is heating up, so sign up today to enter your chili or cornbread! Register by Sunday, October 23 and get details and rules with registration. Just want to eat award-winning chili for $5 per person? Let us know you are coming by registering today.

Gather with Bishop Schnase

Saturday, October 1

10:00AM

Oak HIll UMC, 7815 US Hwy 290 - W

Hear Bishop Robert Schnase, resident bishop of the Rio Texas Annual Conference, share his heart on the state of the church, offer his perspective on the future of The United Methodist Church and the Rio Texas Conference. Bishop Schnase will receive and answer many questions, as time allows, and those gathered will worship together and pray together as we continue to discern our future. No registration is required. Learn more by watching a video invitation from the Bishop here.

Coffee Talk: Grateful

Sunday, October 2 

10:00-10:45AM

EDU Murchison Chapel

For the first four weeks of October, we will explore what it really means to be grateful and how our biggest flex—individually or as a community— might be to build a practice of gratitude. Join us October 2, 9, 16, or 23. Each week stands alone, so come when can for this casual time of conversation and connection. Contact Rachel Wright with questions. 

Young Family Playdate and Picnic

Sunday, October 2 

4:00-6:00PM | Pease Park

If you navigated adding a child to your family during a global pandemic, worked from home, scheduling zoom calls around nap time and changing diapers off-screen, and/or watched older families return to normal life while you waited for what seemed like an eternity for vaccines to finally become available...bingo. You won the opportunity to raise your young family during an incredibly stressful season and, while that may be no big prize, the church sees and celebrates you and all that you've managed in this season. Pastor Taylor invites all families with children, ages 7 and younger, for fellowship and fun at Pease Park. Bring a picnic blanket and dinner to let the kids play while the parents enjoy each other's company in a relaxed, outdoor setting. RSVP below. If you have questions, feel free to email Pastor Taylor. See you there!

Young Adult Lunch

Sunday, October 2 

12:15PM 

Front of Sanctuary

All young adults and young professionals (mid-20s to mid-40s) are welcome to join Pastor Brad King and the FEAST community for this monthly event. Whether you are new to our church or just looking to get plugged in, this is a great opportunity to meet others. To get more info on this or any FEAST events, email Pastor Brad King.  

Book Study: The Truth in Our Stories

Tuesdays, October 4-25

6:30-8:00PM

Zoom

The Truth in Our Stories presents twelve stories, centering the voices of immigrants in their own words. Rev. Elizabeth Wright, executive director of Justice for Our Neighbors - Austin Region, will lead a four-week exploration of these unapologetically honest testimonies that challenge the public narrative about immigrants and dismantle the myths that lead to their persecution. 

Understanding Transgender: a Primer for Families and Allies

Sunday, October 9 

12:15-2:00PM | SAN Wesley Hall

The transgender community is incredibly diverse. If you want to understand more about what it means to be trans, if you know and love someone who is trans, or if you want to learn how to better show your support for this community of people who have been politically targeted, join United Women in Faith. First Church's own Janet Duke, founder and board chair of the Strong Family Alliance, a nonprofit that works to save lives and preserve families by helping children come out and parents become informed supporters and allies, will be our speaker. All women of faith are invited to this gathering, where we will also get an update on what the three FUMC circles are doing. Lunch will be provided for those who register by October 2. Questions? Contact Patricia Kenrick.

ERT Training Coming to FUMC Parking Lot

Tuesday, October 11

6:00-9:00PM | Zoom 

Saturday, October 22

8:00AM-1:00PM

FUMC Campus

Early Response Teams are specially trained to offer assistance after the disaster strikes, helping those made vulnerable by floods or fires to clean up, make homes habitable, or make minor repairs to prevent further damage. ERTs are an essential part of disaster response and recovery. If you have the skills for this work and a passion for helping people, join the Capital District for the ERT Basic course by attending a two-part hybrid training. This training is split into two sessions over two days, an online session and an in-person practical session. All participants MUST COMPLETE BOTH session to receive the UMCOR credential. Register now or contact Mark Steves.

Hands on Housing

Tuesdays, October 22 & 29

9:00AM-4:00PM

Location Details TBA

Want to make a difference in the life of a low-income, elderly, and/or disabled homeowner? First Church is putting together a team to participate in iACT’s Hands on Housing program. Hands on Housing uses volunteers and skilled professionals to do minor repairs and paint homes of senior citizens and disabled individuals who are living in deep poverty. We need people with carpentry skills, painters, and yard cleaner-uppers. Youth (ages 12+) may volunteer with a parent or guardian. Register today or contact Terri Purdy.

Lunch & Learn: The Changing Landscape of Reproductive Freedom

Sunday, October 16

12:15-2:00PM

FLC Great Hall

This summer, the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturned the constitutional right to abortion, returning the U.S. to a pre-Roe reality where reproductive freedom is decided state by state. Shortly before that decision, First Church began a discernment process to consider becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation – a faith community committed to eradicating stigma around reproductive decisions.

Join us for this Lunch & Learn as we engage a panel of experts in faith, advocacy, and law including Bee Morehead with Texas Impact, Sarah Wheat with Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, and civil rights attorney Austin Kaplan, to learn more about changes to the landscape of reproductive health in the U.S., especially in Texas. Lunch available with registration. 

FEAST: We Don't Eat Our Friends

Sunday, October 23

7:30-9:00PM

FLC Garrison Chapel

Like the ancient Christians, we will meet to share food and fellowship and to talk about what it means to be a Christian in today’s world. For October, we will turn to something appropriately spooky! This year, we will consider the strange history of Christian cannibalism. (Spoiler: it’s mostly made up, but a common accusation through history.) Did you know, for example, that early Christians were accused of cannibalism by people that didn’t understand Communion and the way Christians "eat Christ's body and drink Christ's blood." Vampires, cannibalism, and more! Dinner is provided for those who register by Friday, October 21. 

Q&A: Becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation

Sunday, October 30

10:00AM

Sanctuary

First Church is in a discernment process as we consider becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation with Just Texas. These are faith communities committed to eradicating stigma around reproductive decisions. Please join us for more information and conversation about what this means for First Church and why we are considering it.  Learn more about Just Texas and Reproductive Freedom Congregations.

Info Round Up

From allergies to photo permissions, birthday celebrations to family updates, FUMC Children's Ministry wants to make sure that the information we have about your child is accurate and up-to-date. Whether you are brand new to this faith community or are part of a multigenerational family, please take five minutes to fill out this quick form so that we can better serve and care for your child any time they participate in programs, events, and fun at FUMC Austin. Questions? Contact children@fumcaustin.org.

Appalachia Service Project:

2023 Team Registration and First Meeting

Sunday, October 9 

12:15PM

FLC Garrison Chapel

It’s one of the most exciting times of the year for high school youth and their families! For more than 40 years, FUMC Austin has been inviting high school youth and adults to serve on a summer Appalachia Service Project (ASP) team. This week of service is focused on making homes warmer, safer, and drier. After this year’s floods, the work in 2023 will be more important than ever. Join us for our first team meeting, as we answer questions, eat lunch, and get started on the forms needed to be part of our team. If you have a high school youth who already plans to join the team, you may register them at this meeting with a non-refundable $50 deposit. Contact Devon Bailey with questions. 

S'More The Merrier! Middle School Retreat to Mo Ranch

October 21-23 | 2229 FM 1340, Hunt, Texas | Cost $150

All middle school youth are invited to a wonderful weekend in the Texas hill country! We will hike, kayak, eat s’mores, run wild, and share some meaningful time together. The retreat costs $150 per person. Sign up now, and don’t be afraid to rope your friends into the fun, too! In fact, want to make things interesting? The student who recruits the most new friends (other middle schoolers who don’t currently attend youth) will have their trip fees refunded and can enjoy the fun for free!