3M Half Marathon This Weekend

Sunday, January 22

The 3M Half Marathon is this Sunday. While it does not cause congestion close to the church, we encourage you to check the race course to determine if your usual route is affected. Many major city streets north of the church are unavailable. Please use Mo-Pac or I-35 instead and, if using I-35, exit at 11th Street instead of 15th.

Usher Training:

Join the Ministry of Welcome at FUMC

Sunday, January 22 or Sunday, February 26 | 10:00AM | Sanctuary

Current ushers and those interested in joining our awesome welcome team are invited for a brief time of training on one of two Sundays: January 22 or February 26. This is a chance to review the various tasks ushers perform during a worship service, updated safety information and procedures, and how to best welcome the people God sends through the Sanctuary doors each week. While that may sound like an imposing list of tasks, ushering is a fun and easy way to meet new people and serve the church. Questions? Contact Rachel Wright.

Feast Dinner Event: Love and Marriage

Sunday, January 22

7:30-9:00PM

FLC Garrison Chapel

Like the earliest followers of Jesus, we meet (once a month) to share a meal as we grapple with what it means to be a Christian in today's world. This month, we're interrogating Christian traditions around marriage: Over the course of its 2000 year history, Christianity has variously endorsed and condemned almost any kind of marriage that you can imagine. From polygamy to asceticism, join us this month to discuss our faith's long ambivalence about the purpose and value of marriage as we take a look at some of the best (and worst!) ideas about Christian marriage, child rearing, and divorce. Dinner provided for folks who register by Saturday, January 21.

Movie Screening: Till

Saturday, January 28

2:00-4:30PM

SAN Wesley Hall

Bring your favorite movie snack and join Pastor Cathy and others to watch the movie, Till. We will watch the movie together before gathering on February 5 to discuss this film as part of our Film Series: Listen. Learn. Laugh. Love. Register for this screening and for the follow-up conversation about racial justice at fumcaustin.org/social-justice. Building entry information will be emailed prior to event. Contact Pastor Cathy with any questions.

Black Mamas ATX

5th Sunday Mercy & Justice Presentation

Sunday, January 29

10:00AM

Sanctuary

The Mercy & Justice Team invites you to join us as we hear from Kelenne Blake-Fallon, Executive Director of Black Mamas ATX. The organization's goal is to reduce and ultimately eliminate the alarming maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black mothers in Central Texas. Black women have identified systemic racism as the biggest obstacle they face in their healthcare. One area of focus for Black Mamas ATX is transforming these systems by working to engage institutions in the process of understanding and interrupting institutional racism as an upstream determinant of health and contributor to disparate health access and outcomes. Learn more about these critical issues and ways we can support this work. Contact Pastor Cathy Stone for more information. You can learn more about Black Mamas ATX at blackmamasatx.com.

Caregiver Support Group

Wednesday, February 1

8:00-9:00PM

Zoom

Henri Nouwen writes, “Caregiving feels solitary. We look out from our own lives and see so many people who seem not to experience what we feel. But we are not alone. Christ and caring friends are our companions.” Caring for a loved one in their season of need is a sacred trust and holy work. 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. As we move into the new year, reflections from Henri Nouwen will guide this time for caregivers to renew their spirits, to just be themselves, and to connect with others in similar circumstances to receive support and encouragement. Whether you have attended before or are wondering if you may need this group, please join us. For questions or the Zoom link, email Judy Breckbill.

Tour the George Washington Carver Museum

Saturday, February 4

10:00AM

1165 Angelina Street

Some pilgrimages, like the Civil Rights Pilgrimage, take us far from home, but you don’t have to travel far to go on a spiritual journey where the gifts of Black people to history, culture, and justice are honored. We will visit the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center. Through the preservation and exhibition of African American material culture, history, and aesthetic expression, this museum works to create a space where the global contributions of all Black people are celebrated. We will meet at the entrance to the museum and plan to spend a couple of hours there. When finished, we will find somewhere nearby for an optional lunch and conversation. Entrance is free and masks are strongly encouraged. Contact Cindy Walter with any questions.

Conversation with Just Texas

Sunday, February 5

10:00AM

EDU Garrison Chapel

A project of the Texas Freedom Network, Just Texas organizes people of faith to shape public policy around reproductive health issues. First Church continues our discernment process about becoming a Reproductive Freedom Congregation with Just Texas. As we move toward a churchwide vote March 5 and 12, this is an opportunity to bring your questions and learn more about the goals and commitments of a Reproductive Freedom Congregation directly from Shan Schaffer, Faith Organizer of Just Texas.

Leadership Kickoff and Charge Conference

Sunday, February 5

12:15-3:00PM

FLC Great Hall

All leaders are asked to kick off a new year of FUMC ministries at this exciting event! We will share lunch, learn and grow together as church leaders, and divide into ministry teams to plan and set goals for the coming year. This meeting also includes approval of our 2023 budget, clergy compensation, and a vote to proceed with a Capital Campaign to restore and renovate the roof and worship space of our Sanctuary Building.

Film Series: Live. Laugh. Learn. Love.

Sunday, February 5

5:00-6:30PM

Stotts Dining Hall, Austin Seminary, 100 East 27th St., 78705

Because movies can help capture our imaginations, pique our curiosity, and start conversations about injustice, we continue our spring film series with a chance to explore the themes of racial justice in the 2022 film, Till. In this emotional true story, Mamie Till-Mobley relentlessly pursues justice for her 14-year-old son who was lynched while in Mississippi in 1955. We will use clips to guide our conversations so participants are invited to watch the full film before we meet. This event is jointly sponsored by First UMC, St. Luke UMC, Westlake UMC, and in partnership with Education Beyond the Walls of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Register at fumcaustin.org/social-justice.

Deepen Your Spirituality with New Women's Book Group

Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, 27

6:30-8:00PM | Zoom

Calling all women who wish to deepen their spirituality and faith, and share with other seekers of God! Join members Cheryl Bias and Kristin Robertson on Zoom weekly for four weeks to read, discuss, and meditate on the book Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence by Diana Butler Bass. We will start each meeting with a reading or prayer followed by a few moments of silence and then discuss one or two chapters of the book. Please read the introduction and first chapter for the first meeting. Zoom link sent with registration. For more information, contact Emily Buchanan.

Book Study: Killing the Black Body

Tuesdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28

6:30-8:00PM | Zoom

In a media landscape dominated by racially biased images of welfare queens and crack babies, Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty by Dorothy Roberts exposed America’s systemic abuse of Black women’s bodies when it was originally published in 1997. Join Pastor Cathy as we read and discuss this groundbreaking book by Dorothy Roberts. Killing the Black Body remains a rallying cry for education, awareness, and action on extending reproductive justice to all women and is as crucial as ever, even two decades after its original publication. Zoom link sent with registration.

Welcome the newest members of this community of faith, who joined FUMC Austin on Sunday, January 15.

Vacation Bible School (VBS): Hero Hotline

June 12-15, 2022

Early Bird Registration Now Open

What’s that sound? It’s the Hero Hotline Headquarters and its leader, Super Meer the Meerkat, calling all kids to join the Hero Team at Vacation Bible School. Super Meer wants kids and their adults to spring into action to join this awesome time of arts and crafts, drama and storytelling, games, music, science, and snack. Together, we will learn from the amazing heroes in the ultimate Hero Handbook—the Bible!

Our youngest heroes must be four by June 1 and fully potty trained to attend. Heroes who have completed 4th and 5th grade will participate in special mission activities with the Service Squad. Save $10/child by signing up today. Early Bird registration is open now and the cost is $35 through March 12.