12 Days of Christmas

Celebrate the whole season of Christmas—all 12 days of it—with First Church by following @fumcaustin on Instagram and Facebook, where we will be sharing fun facts and favorite stories about Christmastide and Epiphany along with information about Austin Diaper Bank, the recipient of our diaper donation at the Epiphany Party on January 8.

Book Study: Jesus and John Wayne

Tuesdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31

6:30-8:00PM | Zoom

Jesus and John Wayne is a sweeping, revisionist history of the last 75 years of white evangelicalism, revealing how evangelicals have worked to replace the Jesus of the Gospels with an idol of rugged masculinity and Christian nationalism. Join Pastor Cathy Stone and FUMC member and seminarian Becca Edwards as we read and discuss this book by historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez. Zoom link sent with registration at fumcaustin.org/social-justice. We encourage you to purchase the book locally at Black Pearl Books or Book People. For more information, contact Pastor Cathy.

Caregiver Support Group

Wednesday, January 4

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.

Epiphany Party! Celebrate Jesus' Birthday!

Sunday, January 8

10:00-10:45AM

FLC Great Hall

Crowns and camels and cupcakes, oh my! You are invited to a birthday party for Jesus! Decorate your own festive treat and participate in the Epiphany fun as we ring in the new year together. Children and youth will not have regular Sunday School classes, so bring the whole family. We will tell the story of the wise ones who brought Jesus his first gifts. Want to bring a birthday present for Jesus, too? We are collecting diapers in sizes 4, 5, and 6 to donate to the Austin Diaper Bank. Bring yours to add to the party. You can also sign up to bring breakfast food items or bake Epiphany cupcakes.

MLK Day Community March

Monday, January 16

The annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. Join FUMC member Cindy Walter at 9:00AM with a short program at the MLK Statue on the University of Texas campus and march from there or grab a breakfast taco in the Family Life Center at 9:30AM before joining the rally on the south steps of the State Capitol and then march on to Huston-Tillotson University for the Community Festival where exciting festivities are planned.

Film Series: Listen. Learn. Laugh. Love.

Sunday, January 15

4:30-7:00PM | Stotts Dining Hall, Austin Seminary, 100 East 27th

Movies can help capture our imaginations, pique our curiosity, and start conversations about injustice. In The Best of Enemies, civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C. P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina, over the issue of school integration. Join us for this film, kicking off the first in our spring film series, Listen. Learn. Laugh. Love., and follow our viewing with a short conversation. 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.

Disciple Bible Study:

New Testament

Wednesdays, January 18 - April 12

6:00-7:15PM | FLC Room 104

At the center of Christian faith is a library of twenty-seven books that we know as the New Testament. These texts preserve the foundational stories of our great faith and point the way to the lives that we can have together and with God. At the same time, they also expose human worries and imperfections and highlight the long history of our struggle to understand what it means to be a child of God. Whatever your stance on scripture, join Pastor Brad and FUMC member, Pete Meeker, for this 12-week study of the history, interpretation, and meaning of the New Testament in its original contexts as well as the ways that it continues to breathe life and hope into our communities today.

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 and the cost is $50/participant.

Get Fired Up! High School Retreat Registration Now Open

February 17-19 | Mo Ranch

2229 FM 1340, Hunt, TX

All high school youth are invited to the hill country where we will hike, kayak, run wild, eat s’mores, and share time together. The cost is $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 high schoolers who don’t currently attend youth) will have their trip fees refunded and can enjoy the fun for free!

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.