Sunday, June 19
Preacher: Rev. John Elford
Scripture: John 5:2-9
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This Sunday, we will observe Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of the state-sanctioned enslavement of Black Americans several years after the Emancipation Proclamation "freed" them. Our guest preacher, Rev. John Elford, will ask us to get curious about the question, "Do you want to be made well?" Since his retirement last year, Rev. Elford has been working on a book about (white American) Methodism through the lens of racism, white privilege, and white supremacy. |
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9:00AM and 11:00AM | Sanctuary
Austin/Travis County's community COVID level has increased to medium. At this time, masks are recommended during worship at FUMC Austin. Masks are also required for staff and children (age 3 and up) in Childcare. They are also required for adults and recommended for children participating in Children’s Sunday School. For more information about this community of faith's approach to masking, visit our website.
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Coffee Talk
Sundays, June 19-July 24
10:00-10:45AM | EDU Murchison Chapel
Come as you can to Coffee Talk, a brief, casual time of connection this summer. On Sunday mornings, we will meet in Murchison Chapel to learn together about the power of play, freedom, and joy in the church's shared commitment to advocacy. Whether you are in town one weekend or all summer, you are welcome to this chance to meet people and help us dream about how to help our community flourish. For more information, contact Pastor Cathy Stone or Pastoral Intern Becca Edwards.
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Deep Dive
Sunday, June 19
Noon-1:00PM | Sanctuary
Join us for our monthly, churchwide Bible study! Every third Sunday of the month, Pastor Brad will lead an hour-long discussion of one or more passages read in church that month. If you're interested, just stay in your pew after the 11:00AM worship service, or come back to the Sanctuary at Noon.
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Over the Rainbow
Pride and Advocacy in 2022
Pride is not a single parade or even a month devoted to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. In June, and throughout the summer, FUMC will explore how Pride and allyship are a part of our everyday life together. Here are the latest opportunities:
Pray Away Screening & Discussion
Tuesday, June 21 | 6:00PM | Boyd Auditorium | 2305 Speedway
FUMC is co-hosting the Austin screening of Pray Away, the Netflix documentary that follows former leaders and a survivor of the “conversion therapy” movement as they speak out about its lasting harm and devastating persistence.
As hosts, FUMC needs volunteers to help set up. We are also forming a care team, who will serve as a listening and supportive presence to those who need that at the event. To volunteer in one of these ways, email Pastoral Intern Becca Edwards.
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Community First! Cinema:
Back to the Future
Friday, June 24 | 8:00PM
9301 Hog Eye Road
Nestled into Community First! Village, the cinema is one of the coolest outdoor venues in town, even in this heat. The Mercy & Justice Team invite you to make a night of it. All proceeds help the residents of the Village earn a dignified income. Purchase tickets>
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FEAST: Reproductive Freedom
Sunday, June 26 | 7:30-9:00PM
FLC Garrison Chapel
Modeled on an ancient form of Christian gathering, we meet monthly to share a meal and talk about the complexities of following Jesus in today's world. In the wake of last month's leaked Supreme Court opinion on abortion access, this month we will discuss abortion and miscarriage in the Christian tradition. In addition to key scriptural and historical considerations, we will also take a look at Reproductive Justice and what it would mean for us, as a community, to take a stand. Dinner will be provided. RSVP by Saturday, June 25 here>
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Feed My People Breakfast
Tuesday, June 28 | 5:15-7:00AM
Family Life Center
We need volunteers! Preparing and cooking this meal that feeds our vulnerable neighbors begins at 5:15AM and clean-up is finished by 7:00AM. June 28 is a fourth Tuesday, for which First Church sponsors the meal and provides volunteers. Sign up here>
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Lunch & Learn: Voting as an Act of Love and Anti-Racism
Sunday, July 3 | 12:15-1:45PM
FLC Garrison Chapel or Zoom
What better way to celebrate our nation's independence than to join us for a Lunch & Learn discussion about Voting as an Act of Love and Anti-Racism? We are focusing on voting issues in July to equip us to use our votes and voices to advance God's kin-dom in Austin and around the world. Lunch will be provided by our Mercy & Justice team. Donations are welcome. Zoom link sent when you register here>
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One Person, No Vote
Tuesdays, July 5-26
6:30-8:00PM | Zoom
Join Pastor Cathy Stone to read and discuss Carol Anderson’s book, One Person, No Vote. Anderson chronicles the rollbacks to African American participation in the vote since the 2013 Supreme Court decision that eviscerated the Voting Rights Act of 1965, known as the Shelby ruling. In gripping, enlightening detail she explains how voter suppression works, from photo ID requirements to gerrymandering to poll closures. With vivid characters, she explores the resistance: the organizing, activism, and court battles to restore the basic right to vote to all Americans. Zoom link will be sent with registration. Sign up here>
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Caregiver Support Group
Wednesday, July 6 | 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 recently in this role, whether in-home or miles apart.
For our July gathering, you are invited to email Pastor Cathy a picture of the person you are or were caring for. Please email Judy Breckbill with questions or for the Zoom link.
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“A river cuts through rock not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” - Jim Watkins, American author
The nearly 40 sedimentary rock layers of the Grand Canyon range in age from 200 million to 2 billion years old. Long before it had a name, the Colorado River began its work of reshaping those already ancient stones and, 6 million years later, it has created a wonder of the world. Like the formation of the Grand Canyon, the work of deep change takes time and, in reality, effective advocacy is often the work of power and persistence.
Advocacy requires those with explicit and implicit power and privilege to use those persistently on behalf of those for whom they are advocating. One first step in effective advocacy is to listen to individual human beings affected. Draw close to show you want to advocate for them. Proximity matters. Make sure you understand the nuances of the change they need, not the change you want to make. Use your privilege and platforms to lift up their stories and hold the space for their voices.
Effective advocates also learn the collective stories of an issue or problem as those stories are reflected through data, budgets, policy, and past actions. Advocacy can include, but isn’t limited to, grassroots efforts to communicate with changemakers through social media, texts, emails, phone calls, and personal visits.
Voting is advocacy, even when your side doesn’t win. Even in systems that appear to be all or nothing in culture, your vote helps to hold space for change. In the same way, an organized march or protest shows solidarity with those who are oppressed or marginalize and demonstrates the power in numbers to those who make policy change.
From that first march through the Red Sea, ours is a God of collective action for liberation. Prophets old and new remind us that, like the Colorado River, as God’s change agents, our individual acts may feel like a drop in the bucket, but they can roll down like waters and make streams in the desert and a way where there is no way.
Stay tuned next week for what inspires our advocacy!
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Submit a prayer request online.
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Within Our Congregation
The Drazic Family, Pat Freeman, Marcia Houston, Martin Morales, Sallie Novinger, and Dan Wood.
Condolences to the family and friends of Beth Pomeroy.
Condolences to Nancy Haines and Amy Monkman on the death of their sister and aunt, Betsy Henson.
Beyond Our Congregation
Jo Rene Altenberg, sister of Fay Brown; Nate Barns, cousin of Teresa Baker; Rachel Cook, friend of Debbie Rippetoe; Samuel Cutrone, father of Jason Cutrone; Pat Davis, friend of Bob Block; Carly Faulkner and Colton Wimberly, friends of Cindy Reidland; Dick and Bonnie Fuerst, parents of Brad Fuerst; Becca Gordon, daughter of Kristin Robertson; Mackey Greene, father of Bert Greene; Catherine Hicks and family, friends of Peggy Davis; Johnnie Houston, mother of Marcia Houston; Laura Kelly, friend of Betty Bird; Genie and Bill Kilday, parents of Dan Kilday; Elissa Marek, friend of Curt Ashmos; the Maynard family, friends of Caroline Jones; Robert McCarroll, son of Virginia McCarroll; Jason Miller, brother of Jennifer Barry; Olivia, daughter of Sue Maple; Spencer Pace, friend of Alan Stephens; Vicky Patrick and Mitzi Moore, friends of Jan Ashmos; David Potts, father of Annemarie Potts; Rev. Josie Rodriguez Rose, friend of Lee Sloan; Lauren Stafford, niece of Cheryl Bias; Tonya Basler Stout, sister of Grady Basler; Jacqueline Vidal and family, friends of Scott Cook; and Dr. Robert Wootton, friend of George Gaston.
Condolences to the family and friends of Glenn Johnson.
Condolences to the family and friends of Rev. Susan Sprague.
Continued prayers for the people of Uvalde, TX.
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Contact Us
First United Methodist Church
1201 Lavaca St. Austin, TX 78701
(512) 478-5684
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