e-communications from University Presbyterian Church February 5, 2020
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
FEBRUARY 9, 2020


WORSHIP 11:00 AM

the Reverend Matt Gaventa preaching
"Packing and Unpacking"
Text is

Patricia Combs is soloist with the Chancel Choir singing “This Little Light of Mine”, an arrangement by Moses Hogan.
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RECENT SERMONS
February 2, 2020, the Reverend Krystal Leedy, Do, Love, Walk

January 26, 2020, the Reverend Karen Greif, Witness to the Light

January 19, 2020, the Reverend Rykie Marx, Comfort My People

Find our sermon archive at
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO SING!
It’s not too late to sing with Laudate for their next Anthem on February 23.

Join us this Sunday in room 210 at 9:30 as we prepare to sing in worship. See you there! 

Questions? You can email Laudate Children's Choir Director Austin Bradley at
Notice of Corporate and
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 2020
Our first congregational meeting for 2020 will be held Sunday, February 9, following worship. As is our practice, we will review our 2020 budget (including approval of proposed changes to terms of call), entertain a full slate of ruling elders and deacons from the Nominating Committee for the Class of 2023, celebrate all that God has made possible in the past year, and look with joy and excitement to the year ahead!

Also at noon, on Sunday, February 9, we will meet in the sanctuary after worship as the members of University Presbyterian Church, a Texas nonprofit corporation . The main purpose of that meeting is to ratify and confirm for corporate purposes our long standing principle of church polity – that the ruling elders in service on the Session also serve as the directors of our corporate body. Watch for a written notice to UPC members of this meeting.

Why are we doing this? Simple good prudence: corporate forms and laws have changed substantially over the years, and updating our own documents helps prepare us for whatever this century may bring.

The good news is, we don't expect this to add any significant time to our normal congregational business, so plan to remain after worship February 9.
Join us for our annual All Church Retreat at Mo-Ranch the weekend of April 17-19, 2020! This special event is always one of the highlights of the year and is filled with opportunities to worship, rest, play, connect with friends new and old, grow in our relationship with God and with members of all ages, and enjoy God's creation in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Stop by the table in the central courtyard following worship on Sundays February 9, 16, 23 and March 1. Registration is on a first come basis and spots tend to fill up fast! Your spot is reserved once we have both the registration form and payment.

To inquire about financial assistance or for questions about the All Church Retreat, please contact Pastor John at associate@upcaustin.org. Our guest speaker this year will be the Reverend Julie Emery. Looking forward to a great retreat this year! Hope to see you there!
ABOUT OUR RETREAT SPEAKER

The Reverend Julie Emery has been serving as the minister/head of staff of another Westminster: Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, CT, since October 2014. Before her call to Connecticut, the land of “steady habits”, Reverend Emery served churches in New Hampshire and New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from the University of Michigan and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2004. Between her undergraduate work and heading to seminary, Julie worked at the Domestic Violence Project (SAFE House) in Ann Arbor, Mi and spent a year as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer serving in Juneau, Alaska.

Julie currently serves as the co-moderator of Roundtable, the governing board of the Presbytery of Southern New England, and has served as co-chair of the Committee on Representation for the last two years. She served as a commissioner to General Assembly in 2018 in St. Louis, and recently presented at NEXT Church on the value of Intergenerational Christian Education. She was recently accepted as one of a cohort of twenty into the Pastoral Innovation Network of New England. 

Julie and her husband, Jason have two boys, Aiden (13), and Chase (11), a black Labrador retriever named Juneau and two crazy kittens, Ben and Tate. A proud “hockey mom,” she can be found throughout the fall and winter at various Connecticut ice rinks watching her boys play. Julie’s heart for justice, creative worship, authentic faithful expression all help feed and fuel her ministry.
NEW MEMBERS MINISERIES BEGINS FEBRUARY 16
9:30 a.m, Fellowship Hall
If you've joined UPC in the last year (or so), your Congregational Connections Committee invites you to the New Members miniseries, beginning Sunday, February 16, and continuing for the next two Sundays.

The miniseries will kick off this coming Sunday, February 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. in Fellowship Hall (main level, opposite side of the church from the Sanctuary). We'll go on a historical and theological walking tour of the church building so you can get a feel for all the amazing facets of our church's life and ministries. You'll also have the opportunity to connect with some of the folks from our Congregational Connections Committee who are excited to meet you. You'll learn about who's who on the staff, where the best places are to find snacks, and even get a behind the scenes look at some pretty interesting places in the church. We will have coffee, refreshments, and childcare available.

The miniseries will continue on Sundays February 16 and 23. Sunday, February 16, we will gather again at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall and talk about the mission and vision of UPC and learn more about the various ministries and missions that make up the life of the church.
Sunday, February 23, you and your family are invited to gather with some of our elders, deacons, and Pastor Matt for a special luncheon after church from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. During lunch (free, of course), you'll hear a welcome from Pastor Matt and have the opportunity to connect with some of the friendly faces of our church leadership. Everyone is excited to get to know you and answer any questions you might have.

If you would like to be part of our new members mini-series, please email Pastor John by Friday, February 7 at associate@upcaustin.org

Welcome to UPC!
From your Finance Team
2019 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS

We mailed 2019 contribution statements to your home address in mid-January. If you did not receive your statement, or have questions, please contact Financial Assistant Trudi Capotosto by email: trudi@upcaustin.org Trudi is in the office Tuesdays. Thanks for all your support in 2019!
TRUDI CAPOTOSTO TO RETIRE
After 5 years of service as UPC Finance Assistant, Trudi Capotosto will be retiring on February 25. We are sad to see her go, but look forward to hearing stories from her upcoming travels! She will be in the church office the next three Tuesdays if you would like to stop by and say goodbye in person.

Please continue to reach out to Trudi at trudi@upcaustin.org over the next few weeks if you have questions about your 2019 Contribution Statement. After February 25, her responsibilities will be taken over by UPC Finance Manager Carl Floto ( financial@upcaustin.org ). 
A MESSAGE FROM TRUDI

It’s hard to believe that I first walked through the welcoming doors of UPC almost exactly five years ago. I have truly enjoyed coming to the office every week, getting to work with a great staff, and meeting many lovely people over those four years. But, a new phase of life awaits—my husband recently retired, and has been patiently waiting for me to join him. Although I’m excited for our upcoming adventures, I will greatly miss my time and friends at UPC.
Trudi

Bon voyage, Trudi!
Send us postcards from Italy, please!
Social Witness & Christian Formation:
ISSUES IN 2020: Special Screening
Sunday, February 16, 9:30 a.m., UPC Great Hall
The Christian Formation and Social Witness Committees are excited to partner with the American Constitution Society Austin Lawyer Chapter, #StopRepeatingHistory, and the Henri and Tomoye Takahashi Charitable Foundation for a screening and discussion of And Then They Came For Us. This award-winning film brings history into the present, retelling the difficult story of Japanese-American internment during World War II and following Japanese-American activists as they speak out against the Muslim registry and travel ban.

Following the screening, Don Tamaki, one of Mr. Korematsu’s attorneys who overturned his conviction, will offer remarks on the film and the landmark Supreme Court decision in Korematsu v. United States (1944). Attendees will then have the opportunity to engage in a discussion about the themes of the film and the legacy of Japanese-American internment.

The ACS Austin Lawyer Chapter is promoting this event in multiple ways and so we can expect to have a number of visitors for the free screening. They've provided a poster that you can download and share with others. (click the poster image to download) They are also offering registration so we can know how many to expect. Registration of UPC members is not required, but if you'd like to share your attendance with the ACS, click the registration button. Many thanks to Michael Dodd for making this happen!




Cindy Rigby, W. C. Brown Professor of Theology at Austin Seminary, and an active part of our congregation, will lead a two-part discussion with the Faith & Life class Sunday, February 2 and 9. Faith & Life meets in Room 201 on the upper level. Meet, greet, coffee and eat 9:15-9:30 a.m. Discussion begins at 9:30. Everyone is welcome!
Sign UP for
THRIVING IN MINISTRY Training
February 16, 2020, noon - 4:00 p.m., UPC Great Hall

Last week, Pastor Krystal shared some of her experience with the Thriving in Ministry program from the Center for Ministry at Millsaps College. The Thriving in Ministry program is for young clergywomen who are currently serving in or have aspirations of serving in Senior Pastor/Head of Staff roles in their respective denominations.
We are excited to offer a congregational training event Sunday, February 16, in the Great Hall following worship. Led by the Reverend Elizabeth Henry, director of the Thriving In Ministry program, the training will equip laypeople and clergy to create cultures of thriving within their ministry contexts. Reverend Henry will share current research about clergy well-being, help us understand what characterizes flourishing ministry, and how clergy well-being correlates to the health of our congregation. We'll also work in small groups on strategic plans to apply this new information in our own ministry contexts to promote vibrant, sustainable ministry.
Please watch this video if you plan to attend the workshop:


Lunch is provided, but please R.S.V.P if you plan to attend. Just click the button to email Pastor Krystal.
The inaugural Texas Interfaith Advocacy Conference will bring Texans of faith together for three days of advocacy and legislative training on February 16-18, 2020. UPC will host the first two days.

Speakers and sessions will cover immigration, health equity, and climate – with an opportunity for participants to meet with their state elected officials.


Want more information? Download the flyer here.
CELEBRATIONS & CONCERNS
Please pray for

the life of Elizabeth Jepson, wife of Bryan Jepson and daughter of Linda and George Henderson, who died unexpectedly at her home in Wichita, Kansas on Friday, January 31, 2020. Elizabeth and Bryan had just purchased a house in Chicago and planned to move there this spring with their four beloved rescue dogs. Linda and George will be back and forth to Wichita for some time, and services will also be scheduled here at UPC at a later date.
To request prayers for yourself or a loved one, email   upc@upcaustin.org .
To have a deacon pray with you, look for the  Deacon of the Day  on the pulpit side front of the sanctuary any Sunday following the postlude.
Celebrations and Concerns of the congregation are published weekly and include prayers and people to pray for. Download Celebrations & Concerns for Sunday, February 2, 2020, or pick up a copy in the narthex or outside the library.
UPC's Prayer Chain is a group of faithful prayer warriors who commit to praying for people throughout the week. If you'd like to be part of the Prayer Chain, click the button below. You will receive periodic emails (no more than one per day), with specific requests from members to pray. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer.