Book Study: A Complicated Choice

Essential work from people of every gender identity, A Complicated Choice: Making Space for Grief and Healing in the Pro-Choice Movement by Rev. Katey Zeh invites us to nuanced conversation and the sacred act of listening to those impacted by the decision to end a pregnancy. The book is also a call to all people, especially "pro-choice" people of faith to examine our judgments about people who have had an abortion.

As we move toward a congregational vote about becoming a Reproductive Freedom congregation, we are hosting two more opportunities for holy conversation about this complicated choice. Starting the last week of September, Pastor Cathy will host this four-week study for people who were assigned female at birth on Sunday afternoons, and Devon Bailey will host one for people assigned male at birth on Tuesday evenings. We know that people of every gender have stories about ending a pregnancy, and there is power in de-stigmatizing those stories. These book studies are one space where we can practice that work. 

Agape and Advocacy

Sundays, September 18 and 25

10:00-10:45AM

EDU Murchison Chapel

For three weeks in September, come as you can and join Pastor Brad King for this relaxed conversation about agape, the Greek word for that most precious form of Christian love, and how it has led Christians across time to embrace advocacy as an essential part of our shared lives in Christ.

Engage Goes to Pecan Street Festival

Sunday, September 18 | 3:30-7:00PM

This week, Engage, our regular Sunday youth fellowship event, will meet one hour earlier than usual to walk down to the Pecan Street Festival. Meet at the church at 3:30PM. Pick up will be at 7:00PM as usual. Questions? Contact Devon Bailey, Director of Youth Ministries.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes for First Timers

Sunday, September 18 | 4:00-7:00PM

FLC Great Hall

Help feed people experiencing homelessness daily on the streets of Austin. We are offering a monthly opportunity, primarily for first-time FUMC individuals or families, to serve with Mobile Loaves and Fishes. We will have 1-2 veteran volunteers for each run who will be there to lead the way! Volunteers can serve on the make-ready team (4:00-5:00PM), the truck team (5:00-7:00PM), or both! This is a great way for families with children to serve together. Learn more and sign up here>

Celebrating The Truth in Our Stories and Book Study

Book Party: Wednesday, September 21

6:00PM | Reverie Books

Book Study: Tuesdays, October 4, 11, 18, and 25 | 6:30-8:00PM | Zoom

Celebrate immigrants and their stories, support the work of Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON), and buy local by getting your copy of JFON's recent book, The Truth in Our Stories, at  Reverie Books during their September storytelling event or anytime you are in South Austin. 

FUMC Austin is excited to welcome Rev. Elizabeth Wright, executive director of JFON Austin, in October for a four-week exploration of the book, a collection of twelve stories, centering the voices of immigrants in their own words. These unapologetically honest testimonies challenge the public narrative about immigrants and dismantle the myths that lead to their persecution.

Sign up for the book study here>

Cheers Picnic

Thursday, September 22 

6:00PM | Pease Park 

Cheers, First Church's community for those young-at-heart who are recently retired and semi-retired, is hosting a picnic at the new Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park. Bring your grandchildren and enjoy the park and the company! Dinner and chairs recommended. For more information, contact Dick Young. Dick and grandson Jack look forward to seeing you there! RSVP here>

Fall Baptism Preparation Class

Sunday, September 25 | 12:15-2:00PM

SAN Library

Are you ready to have your child Baptized? Lara Greene, Director of Children’s Ministries, and Pastor Taylor Fuerst host this class to learn about our beliefs about Baptism, information about scheduling and service preparation, and ways to help your child live the Baptized life. This class is required for those preparing for a child’s Baptism and is only offered twice each year. Lunch provided. Childcare can be requested within the registration form linked below. Questions? Contact Lara Greene.

Confirmation 2022-2023 Class Begins Soon

Open to 8th-10th Graders

Confirmation offers young people a chance to learn about faith in the United Methodist tradition—our identity as Christians, history and heritage, practices, and beliefs. With weekly gatherings in participant families’ homes from October to April, Confirmation lets youth question, wonder, and learn together in a casual, pressure free environment. Participating families will have input on the day of the week we meet. If you have an 8-10th grader who is interested in exploring faith through Confirmation, register below or contact Devon Bailey with questions. 

FEAST: The Shame of Purity

Sunday, September 25

7:30-9:00PM

FLC Garrison Chapel

Modeled on one of the earliest forms of Christian gathering, FEAST meets monthly to share a meal and discuss the complexities of what it means to follow Jesus in today's world. This month, this community of people in their mid-20s to mid-40s will take a look at something that comes up almost every time we meet: "Purity Culture." Purity Culture ruled the day when many of us were growing up, and it taught us that sex is bad, that modesty is good, and also that we are supposed to have lots of children. We will consider the movement's origins as well as some of the reasons for Christianity's incompatible ideas about sexuality. Dinner is provided for participants who register by Friday, September 23. 

Young Family Playdate and Picnic

Sunday, October 2 

4:00-6:00PM | Pease Park

If you navigated adding a child to your family during a global pandemic, worked from home, scheduling zoom calls around nap time and changing diapers off-screen, and/or watched older families return to normal life while you waited for what seemed like an eternity for vaccines to finally become available...bingo. You won the opportunity to raise your young family during an incredibly stressful season and, while that may be no big prize, the church sees and celebrates you and all that you've managed in this season. Pastor Taylor invites all families with children, ages 7 and younger, for fellowship and fun at Pease Park. Bring a picnic blanket and dinner to let the kids play while the parents enjoy each other's company in a relaxed, outdoor setting. RSVP below. If you have questions, feel free to email Pastor Taylor. See you there!

United Women in Faith Presents

Understanding Transgender: a Primer for Families and Allies

Sunday, October 9 

12:15-2:00PM

SAN Wesley Hall

The transgender community is incredibly diverse. If you want to understand more about what it means to be trans, if you know and love someone who is trans, or if you want to learn how to better show your support for this community of people who have been politically targeted, join United Women in Faith. First Church's own Janet Duke, founder and board chair of the Strong Family Alliance, a nonprofit that works to save lives and preserve families by helping children come out and parents become informed supporters and allies, will be our speaker. All women of faith are invited to this gathering, where we will also get an update on what the three FUMC circles are doing. Lunch will be provided for those who register by October 2. Questions? Contact Patricia Kenrick.

Appalachia Service Project:

2023 Team Registration and First Meeting

Sunday, October 9 

12:15PM

FLC Garrison Chapel

It’s one of the most exciting times of the year for high school youth and their families! For more than 40 years, FUMC Austin has been inviting high school youth and adults to serve on a summer Appalachia Service Project (ASP) team. This week of service is focused on making homes warmer, safer, and drier. After this year’s floods, the work in 2023 will be more important than ever. Join us for our first team meeting, as we answer questions, eat lunch, and get started on the forms needed to be part of our team. If you have a high school youth who already plans to join the team, you may register them at this meeting with a non-refundable $50 deposit. Contact Devon Bailey with questions. 

S'More The Merrier! Middle School Retreat to Mo Ranch

October 21-23 | 2229 FM 1340, Hunt, Texas | Cost $150

All middle school youth are invited to a wonderful weekend in the Texas hill country! We will hike, kayak, eat s’mores, run wild, and share some meaningful time together. The retreat costs $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 middle schoolers who don’t currently attend youth) will have their trip fees refunded and can enjoy the fun for free!