Manna Bag Make & Take

Sunday, November 20

8:30-11:00PM 

Murchison Chapel

Stop by to assemble a few manna bags for our unhoused neighbors. These bags will be distributed by the Homeless Outreach Street Team and our church office. Manna bags are also available to purchase for $5, so make one and take one! During the Sunday School hour we will assemble manna bags while engaging in Coffee Talk. Assemble a few bags while listening to storytelling from At the Well, our ministry with unhoused women, and share in a conversation about the challenges of telling stories about other people. Contact Pastor Cathy for more information.

Coffee Talk: Storytelling

Sunday, November 20

10:00-10:45AM

EDU Murchison Chapel

Once upon a time... all people were welcomed to join Coffee Talk for three weeks of conversations about storytelling. Actually that time is now. We will think about how storytelling shapes us and consider the challenges of telling someone else's story, while also hearing stories from volunteers from At the Well and making Manna Bags for our unhoused neighbors.

iACT's Interfaith Day of Thanks Service and Celebration

Sunday, November 20 | 3:00PM

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church

8134 Mesa Drive

Please join Interfaith Action of Central Texas as we celebrate our 38th Annual Interfaith Day of Thanks Service and Celebration. People of all faith traditions will gather to celebrate what it is they are thankful for in a beautiful display of interfaith unity. Bring your favorite dish, ready to serve and labeled for those with dietary restrictions, to share at the reception to follow. (No pork or shellfish, please!) 

Youth Skate Night

Sunday, November 20

3:00-5:00PM | Playland Skate Center

All youth are invited to bring a friend to Skate Night! We will provide a pizza snack, but bring money for skates and available arcade games. Prices range from $11-15 plus tax, based on what type of skates you rent. Get those details at fumcaustin.org/youth.

Food Drive for Caritas

Sundays in November

Fight hunger and homelessness through our annual food drive for Caritas of Austin. The Caritas Pantry provides take-home groceries to families as people are transitioning out of homelessness. Together with Caritas’ other services, this food assistance builds a strong foundation as people work toward their life goals. Through November, you may bring some of Caritas’ most needed items to church and leave them in collection bins located in the foyers of the Chapel, Sanctuary, and Family Life Center.

Caritas needs:

• Cans of Chili
• Cans of Meat (Chicken, Sardines, Spam, Tuna, Vienna Sausage)
• Cans of Soup
• Instant Coffee
• Mayonnaise (small bottles)
• Mustard (small bottles)
• Peanut Butter and Jelly 
• Regular Coffee
• To-go Tuna Kits
• Tomato Sauce

For Their Flourishing:

A Conversation on Youth Health and Development

Sunday, November 27

4:30-6:00PM 

Last August, we gathered as family to both support and discuss our youth as they develop. We talked about mental health and steps we can take to ensure their well-being. All parents and guardians are invited to participate in a continued conversation. We will have an activity for any youth that accompany you that evening. Snacks and refreshments provided evening, but there will be no structured Engage program.. For more information about youth events, contact Devon Bailey.

Advent Kickoff

Sunday, November 27

10:00-10:45AM 

Explore the meaning of Advent by creating an Advent wreath with your church family. We will make wreaths, play Advent Bingo, and share food and fellowship. Live greens and wreath supplies (one per household) are available on a first-come, first-served basis for a donation of $20. No purchase or registration required to attend and enjoy the fun. Volunteers are needed for check-in, clean-up, and to bring gardening shears and food. Reserve your wreath supplies and sign up to volunteer at fumcaustin.org/advent-kickoff. Children and youth will not have regular Sunday School that day, so bring the whole family to the party! Contact Emily Buchanan with questions..

Decorating and Holiday Stroll

Saturday, December 3

4:00-8:30PM

SAN Wesley Hall and Playground

Kick off your holiday by decorating spaces around the church and offering hospitality to Austinites of all ages heading to and from the Holiday Stroll. We will begin with decorating the Sanctuary, Family Life Center, and outdoor spaces. A come-and-go potluck meal will be shared from 5:30-6:30PM in

Wesley Hall. Beginning at 6:00PM, volunteers will greet event attendees with hot chocolate, cookies, and bathroom access. Sign up for our decorating team, potluck, and/or hospitality team.

Volunteers with children: 

Children are always welcome to serve with you, but children, Kinder - 5th grade, can also join in activities and crafts from 4:00-6:00PM in SAN Room 110. You may request childcare for children infant-preschool by filling out a childcare request form here.

Some families choose to also participate in the 6:00PM carols and 7:00PM tree-lighting festivities at the Capitol. You can even BYO-cardboard for "sledding" on the grass hill!

New Date: Administrative Board

Sunday, December 4

12:15-2:00PM 

FLC Great Hall

All are welcome to attend and participate in discussion, though only Administrative Board members have voting rights. Lunch will be from Cheryl’s Catering, a local Black-owned business. Reserve yours when you register at fumcaustin.org/admin-board, and choose to make a $13.50 prepaid donation. Childcare will be provided in EDU Room 104. Contact Amy Wink with questions about this event.

Christmas Poinsettia Sale

Deadline: Sunday, December 4

5:00PM

Poinsettias on the communion rails, around the trees, in the foyers... a great way to celebrate someone you love or who is now in God’s hands!

Each plant is florist quality and great for replanting. The cost is $12, with proceeds benefitting our Christmas Offering. You may order poinsettias by turning in the form below, by emailing Tami Kellberg at tami@fumcaustin.org or 512-478-5684 (ext. 226), or online using the link below.

Orders must be turned in by 5:00PM on December 4. Plants can be picked up after worship on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Caregiver Support Group

Wednesday, December 7

8:00-9:00PM 

Zoom

Caring for a loved one in their season of need is a sacred trust and holy work. At the same time, it can be isolating and exhausting—no matter how much we love the recipient. Often, caregivers need a brief time away to renew their spirits, to just be themselves, and to connect with others in similar circumstances to receive support and encouragement. Pastor Cathy Stone and member Judy Breckbill are the hosts for this time that is open to those currently caring for a loved one or who have recently been in this role, whether in-home or miles apart. For questions or the Zoom link, email Judy.

Caregiver Support Group

Sunday, December 10

2:00PM 

8134 Mesa Drive

The FUMC Care team invites you to support caregivers and receivers this season. The Love Notes Chorus, Austin’s first choir specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive issues, their care givers, and volunteers, will present their fall performance, "Music Takes Flight", on Saturday, December 10 at 2:00PM in the Sanctuary at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. Admission is free but donations are always welcome. This performance is guaranteed to begin your holiday season with joy!

Children's Christmas Musical

Sunday, December 11

10:00-10:45AM 

SAN Wesley Hall

With traditional Christmas pageant hymns and costumes, audience members—young and old—will enjoy this interactive musical as the Children’s Choir presents the story of Christ’s birth in song. All children who attend will be invited to participate. Children may attend with their families or with their Sunday School classes. Children who would like a special part in the musical are invited to arrive at Wesley Hall at 9:45AM to prepare for the performance.

First Steps

Sunday, December 11

12:15-2:00PM 

FLC Garrison Chapel

Meet the pastors and staff in this informal gathering during which you are encouraged to ask questions about this community of faith and explore what it means to be a member of FUMC-Austin. Lunch is provided! For more information, contact Amy Wink.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes for First Timers

Sunday, December 18

4:00PM 

SAN Wesley Hall

Help feed people experiencing homelessness daily on the streets of Austin. We are offering a monthly opportunity primarily for first-time individuals or families of FUMC to serve with Mobile Loaves and Fishes. We have 1-2 veteran volunteers for each run who will be there to lead the way! Volunteers can serve on the make-ready team at 4-5 pm, the truck team at 5-7:00 pm, or both! Families are welcome - children can easily participate. 

Wonderfully Made: Preteen Human Sexuality Workshop

January 27-28, 2023

Family Life Center

Wonderfully Made is a weekend workshop that offers you and your young person opportunities to learn, grow, and celebrate that we are all created by God, in all our many facets—including human sexuality—and God calls us good. God also calls us to responsible living as sexual beings. The weekend’s sessions include facilitated conversation for preteens (ages 10-12) and their parents about adolescent physical and spiritual growth. Preteens may invite friends, but all participants must commit to attend all sessions throughout the weekend and at least one parent/guardian is required to attend both sessions for caregiving adults. Spaces are limited, so register soon at fumcaustin.org/wonderfully-made. The deadline for registration is January 13.