There is a teaching widely shared among religions, commonly called the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” We believe this universal rule has the power to bring people together, so we are joining a grassroots movement to be intentional about letting this rule shape both our interactions with others as well as the policy decisions we support during this election season. No matter what party or candidate we support, “Do unto others” is a rule we can all live by.

Election Connection

Sunday, September 8

10:00AM | EDU Murchison Chapel

Thursdays, September 12, 19, and 26

8:00PM | Zoom

For many reasons, this election year is more challenging than most. If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you are not alone. Gather with your FUMC community on Thursday nights to check in with each other and to practice ways to stay connected to God so we can continue “doing unto others” in our thoughts, words, and actions. Each month we will meet three times on zoom (Thursdays at 8:00) and once in person (Sunday morning at 10:00 at FUMC).

FEAST Brunch at Haymaker

Sunday, September 8

12:15PM | 2310 Manor Road

Let's FEAST! As the summer begins to wind down, this is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends or invite a new one to join you for good food and good company. Contact Pastor Melissa at with questions or for more details.

Engage Kick-off And Parent Meeting

Sunday, September 8

4:30-7:00PM | Family Life Center

Engage, our weekly Sunday evening youth gathering, returns! We cannot wait to hang out with new middle schoolers, see old friends, swap stories of the summer, and start our school year together. Parents are invited to stay this week to meet in Garrison Chapel for the first of four parent conversations scheduled for this year.

The primary focus of this meeting is to create a safe and encouraging environment to discuss the mental health and wellbeing of our young people. We will be using Jonathan Haidt's research from The Anxious Generation as a guide for this time of check-in and conversation as we share challenges, strategies, and best practices for raising healthy tweens and teens.

We will also go over the upcoming calendar and share a meal and activity with the youth. If you have a rising 6th grader or a youth of any age who is new(ish) to FUMC, join us a few minutes early at 4:00PM for a pre-meeting so that Devon Bailey, Director of Youth Ministries, can share more details about what to expect from our programming throughout the year.

Conversations on The Anxious Generation

Tuesdays, September 10, 17, 24

7:00-8:30PM | Zoom

Wednesday, October 2

11:30AM-1:00PM | Zoom

In The Anxious Generation, social pscychologist Jonathan Haidt investigates the nature of modern childhood. The book is a call to action, prioritizing the mental health of Generations Z and Alpha. Whether you are just beginning to think about having children or you are a parent or grandparent, join us for one of the following conversations.

• On September 10, we will consider what people who care about children and teens, but don't necessarily have them in their homes, can do.
• On September 17, our focus will be on families with young children, from infants through elementary school.
• On September 24, we will consider what this means for families with tweens, teens, and young adults.
• On October 2, we will use the lens of play-based learning to discuss the developmental needs of preschool children with FUMC Preschool Director Sandy Pennington.

Join us for the conversation(s) that resonate most with your stage of life and experience or come to the one that best fits your schedule. RSVP for the zoom links using the buttons below. Copies of the book are available for purchase here. No time to read the book but want to be part of the conversation? We understand and welcome you to any of the conversations. We have also compiled a list of short articles, videos, and other resources linked here that can also help orient you to the issues in a few minutes.

Online Study: Centering Immigrant Voices for Faithful Growth

Day and Evening Options beginning September 12, 14, and 15

This September, overlapping with Hispanic Heritage Month, our partners at Justice for Our Neighbors (with support from UMC Discipleship Ministries) will offer a six-week online study called Centering Immigrant Voices for Faithful Growth. Using the book and videos from the collaborative project The Truth in Our Stories, the study will explore themes of faith and life interwoven in the narratives shared by 12 immigrant neighbors. To accommodate the reality of modern schedules, there are day and evening options on a range of days of the week, beginning on September 12, 14, and 15. Learn details here or use the button below.

Purchase Your Do Unto Others Kindness Campaign Yard Sign

Online and Sanctuary Foyer

Share the message of the Do Unto Others campaign with your neighbors by displaying a "Do Unto Others" yard sign this fall. Preorders are open now for this 2 -sided sign (18x24 inches in size with included metal stand). Signs cost $20.00, which includes applicable TX state sales tax.

Side 1 text: This election season, we're campaigning for kindness, respect, love, humility, and compassion. What's your word? #dountoothers www.fumcaustin.org. Side 2 text: Do Unto Others Heart logo and the words: kindness. #dounotothers www.fumaustin.org plus the rainbow logo of FUMC Austin which includes the tagline "Transformation happens here."

Signs are available for purchase and/or pick up in the Sanctuary Foyer after each worship service. Buy yours now using the button below or at fumcaustin.org/merch. If you have questions about preordering the yard sign or need to request that it is mailed to you or delivered to you home, please contact Rachel Wright.

Young Families Play Date

Sunday, September 15

10:00-10:45AM | SAN Wesley Hall

Infants through preschoolers and their grownups are invited to join our childcare staff for a time of music and play. This is a great chance for you to get to know our Sunday morning childcare staff and other families with children near the same ages as yours.

Acolyte Training Opportunities

Sunday, September 15

Sunday, October 13

10:00-10:45AM | Sanctuary

Children, 2nd grade and older, are invited to practice acolyting and learn what it means to assist in worship services in this way. During the Sunday School hour, participating children will check into their classrooms before moving as a group to the Sanctuary for Acolyte Training. 2nd and 3rd graders will be trained on Sunday, September 15, and 4th and 5th graders will be trained on Sunday, October 13. If your child is interested in becoming an acolyte, but cannot make the training date for their age group, they can join on the alternate date. If they cannot attend either training, email children@fumcaustin.org so that we can schedule a day to meet with them.

The Pride: LGBTQ+ Community Lunch

Sunday, September 15

12:15PM | TBD

It's not quite sweater weather yet, but The Pride, our newly named LGBTQ+ community, invites you to come together for a cozy start to the fall season with brunch on Sunday, September 15. Enjoy good food and great company with The Pride on the third Sunday of every month after the 11:00AM worship service concludes. We pick a different brunch location each month based on the number attending, so please let us know if you plan to attend.

Movie and Discussion: God & Country

Sunday, September 15 | 3:00-5:00pm FLC Garrison Chapel

The Mercy & Justice Team invites you to watch and discuss the important themes explored in God & Country. This documentary delves into the complex and often contentious relationship between faith and nationalism, examining the rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States, and inviting viewers to consider whether that movement truly aligns with the teachings of Christianity. Registration is requested at fumcaustin.org/social-justice and snacks will be provided. For more information, please email Pastor Cathy.

FUMC Austin Festival Choir Fall Opportunities

Wednesdays, September 18 and 25 7:00PM | Choir Room 

Celebration of Music in Worship: Sunday, September 29 9:00 and 11:00AM | Sanctuary

Do you love to sing, but struggle to attend weekly choir practices? The FUMC Austin Festival Choir offers singers who want to offer their gifts in worship the opportunity to do just that with the commitment of only two rehearsals—a wonderful way to serve the church and your inner singer! This fall, the Festival Choir will sing at both worship services on Sunday, September 29, for a Celebration of Music in Worship. Rehearsals for this will be Wednesdays, September 18 and 25, at 7:00PM in the Choir Room. Save the dates: we will also sing during both worship services on Sunday, November 3, for All Saints Sunday. Rehearsals for this will be on Wednesdays, October 23 and 30, at 7:00PM in the Choir Room. Take this chance to make sacred music in community with these easy and rewarding opportunities to sing in worship. Contact Scott Davis if you plan to sing or for more information.

Baptism Preparation Class

Sunday, September 22

12:15-2:00PM | SAN Library

Thinking about having your child baptized? Pastor Taylor Fuerst and Lara Greene, Director of Children’s Ministries, host this class for parents to discuss our beliefs about Baptism, logistical information about scheduling and service preparation, and ways to help your child live the baptized life. This class is required for those preparing for Baptism, and is only offered twice each year. Lunch is provided and childcare is available upon request. Register using the button below.

FEAST Dinner Event: American Heresy

Sunday, September 22

6:00-8:30PM | FLC Garrison Chapel

FEAST is about sharing stories while sharing meals. Once a month, we come together to wrestle with a complicated issue facing modern Christians while we eat, pray, and enjoy one another’s company. This month, we will be joined remotely by Rev. Dr. John Fanestil, author of American Heresy: The Roots and Reach of White Christian Nationalism. We will talk about the complex legacy of America's founding principles, demonstrating how the very same values have produced both good fruit and the bitter harvest of white Christian nationalism. FEAST is hosting this important conversation and invites anyone to participate, so join Pastor Melissa Spence and the FEAST community to engage in this illuminating and pertinent conversation. Dinner is provided for those who register at fumcaustin.org/feast-american-heresy by Saturday, September 21. You do not need to have read the book but, if you have not, please join us at 6:00PM for a 20 minute video overview. The conversation starts at 7:00PM.

Singles Meet-And-Greet

Tuesday, September 24

5:30-7:15PM | Hopfield's

3110 Guadalupe Street #400

Are you single & looking for a way to connect with others in a fun, supportive environment? This fall, we are exploring a new community group for singles of all ages, dedicated to enjoying fun activities, building friendships and creating a supportive environment. Whether you are looking to have fun, meet new people or expand your social circle, we would love for you to join us. Come as you are, bring your sense of adventure and be prepared to make great memories together. Join us for a Meet & Greet on Tuesday, September 24, from 5:30-7:15PM at Hopfield’s. RSVP at fumcaustin.org singles-community-group so that we can make a reservation, save a seat, and create a space for you. For questions or more information, contact Allison Massey.

Connect for Tweens

Friday, September 27

6:00-9:00PM | Family Life Center

All 5th, 6th, and 7th graders are invited to Connect, a time just for tweens! Connect helps kids bridge the transition between child and youth by helping tweens connect with each other and God, all while having tons of fun. Together, we will eat dinner, play games, talk pre-teen life, and give kids and parents a Friday night break. Email Devon Bailey with questions.

First Steps

Sunday, October 6

12:15-2:00PM | FLC Garrison Chapel

Meet the pastors and staff in this informal gathering during which you are encouraged to ask questions about this community of faith and explore what it means to be a member of FUMC Austin. Lunch is provided and childcare is available. For more information, email Rachel Wright.

Confirmation Class Forming for Fall Start

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. Typically meeting on either Monday or Tuesday nights, participating families will have input on the day of the week we meet. If you have an 8th-10th grader who is interested in exploring faith through Confirmation, register now using the button below or contact Devon Bailey to receive more information.

On Sunday, August 25, the Church Conference approved total expenditures in the amount of $13,020,000 to complete the repairs and restoration of the Sanctuary Building that were outlined in the "Exterior Add-On" Package, available for review at fumcaustin.org. We celebrate that work has continued throughout the summer. New guardrails and handrails are being put in at the Sanctuary Building's breezeway entrances, the fire alarm system is being installed, the dome is being prepared for new shingles, and masons continue to repair and replace the building's stone cornice. The Church Conference's decision will allow us to continue the external repair and restoration of the building without interruption, addressing all safety issues and preparing the building for future generations. Thank you for your faithful discernment in this season.

Twice a week for more than 20 years, our Great Hall has hummed to life by 5:15AM to host the Feed MyPeople Breakfast, a program of the Foundation for the Homeless. For our guests, it is a brief escape from dangers of unsheltered living and a chance for fellowship, coffee, and a hot meal of eggs, sausage, biscuits, and gravy. Showers, clothing, and AA meetings are currently available. For the church, the Breakfast has expanded our understanding and care for our unhoused neighbors and continues to anchor and ground our weekly rhythm as a community of faith. It is a key way we use our building in support of our downtown neighborhood and a constant reminder that Jesus gathered with people from the margins of society, ate with them, loved them, and asked us to do the same.

While we raised funds in July for the special Christmas Eve Breakfast, we also underwrite many costs associated with hosting the Breakfast each week and purchase the food for each fourth Tuesday of the month. Your generosity will help to defray the cost of the twice weekly Feed My People Breakfast, as we offer respite and care for our friends living on the streets.

Your gifts, marked “Feed My People Breakfast,” may be placed in the offering basket during worship, mailed to or brought by the church office, or made online using the button below.