Early Bird Registration Ends This Week!

Vacation Bible School

Now-March 17: $35 Per Child

VBS: June 10-13, 2024

Surrounded by water, trees, and hills, Camp Firelight is the perfect location for every Camper’s favorite summer activities! With the help of Lu the Lightning Bug and the Camp Counselor Guidebook, Counselor Sam and our Campers explore Bible stories and learn to trust that God will go with us, lead the way, share wisdom, to give us peace, and spark joy as we celebrate the good news of Jesus in our own lives and in the lives of others. The cost is $35/per child.

Extend the day with Austin Youth Fitness’ Fit n’ Fun aftercare camp!

where kids develop running skills and fitness through games and play. The cost is $240/participant. Sign up for VBS and Fit n’ Fun camp at fumcaustin.org/vbs.

Easter Egg Festival

Saturday, March 23

9:30-11:00AM | Capitol Grounds

First Church welcomes you to our annual Easter Egg Festival in our “backyard” at the Capitol Grounds at Colorado and 12th Street for egg hunts (infants-preschoolers) and egg races (elementary ages). This event is free and open to the public. A visit from the Easter Bunny is a special tradition along with fun activities like face painting and games by our youth. Participants are invited to bring one or more of the following donations to help us love our neighbors as we celebrate and share the gift of Easter: non-perishable food donations for the Capital Area Food Bank or unopened baby wipes and unopened diaper cream for the Austin Diaper Bank. For more information, contact Lara Greene, at children@fumcaustin.org or 512-478-5684 (ext. 211).

Pssst...The Easter Bunny Needs Your Help

Help us ensure there are treats for children at our Easter Egg Festival

on Saturday, March 23.

• Conveniently shop from our Amazon wish list to donate individually wrapped candy and egg-sized plastic toys or stickers.
• If you prefer to shop in person, we recommend candy like Lifesavers, Starbursts, or small wrapped bubble gum. All candy should be nut free and fit inside an egg. Place donations in the bunny boxes found near the entrances of the children’s Sunday School wing and the Sanctuary.
• Volunteer to stuff eggs at home or during a class or meeting by contacting children@fumcaustin.org.
• Volunteer at the Egg Festival on Saturday, March 23.

March Construction Update

It is easy to see the progress on our Sanctuary Building restoration, as workers have begun removing shingles from the dome. In addition, more than 70 panels of stained glass have been transported to Waco, where each piece is being restored. While the windows are out, each frame is being repaired and made ready for the window's return. Meanwhile, stonemasons and engineers are preparing and testing samples of newly cast stones, which will replace the 100-year-old cracked and broken ones. It is as busy as a beehive onsite, and we are excited for all that is happening!

Sanctuary Building Scaffolding & Attic Tour

Sunday, March 24 | 1:00-2:30PM Church Parking Lot

The pace of the restoration and renovation of the Sanctuary Building has picked up in the new year. In fact, during worship you have a great vantage point from which to view the progress since the first five stained glass windows have been removed for restoration. If you think that is exciting, you should join Mark Steves, Director of Special Projects, for an up close and personal look at the work your capital campaign gifts are making possible. Tour the scaffolding and attic and learn more about the scope and progress of the project along with information we have discovered about our Sanctuary Building during the construction. Long pants and closed toed shoes are required. Hats, sunscreen, and water bottles are recommended. This tour is limited to 14 participants, but with interest, more opportunities will be offered. RSVP at fumcaustin.org/sanctuary-tours. Contact Mark at mark@fumcaustin.org with questions or to schedule an alternate tour date.

FEAST: Lament and the Death of God

Sunday, March 24 | 6:30-8:30PM

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 are taking a bite out of “lament and the death of God.” Our faith puts a great deal of importance on the violent death of Jesus of Nazareth. But what does it mean to say that Jesus died? And what does it mean for our lives together and as followers of this Jesus? Join Dr. Brad King and the FEAST community on Sunday, March 25th to dig in! Dinner is provided for those who register by Friday, March 22. Doors open at 6:30PM and the conversation starts at 7:00PM.

Women's Spirituality Book Study Group: The Amen Effect

Beginning Monday, March 25 6:30-8:00PM | Zoom

If you have a sense that the spiritual work of our time is to find our way to one another in celebration, in sorrow, and in solidarity, join the Women’s Spirituality Book Study group as we read and discuss The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World by Rabbi Sharon Brous. This group is a great fit for those who want to explore the works of women authors and theologians in community and meets on Monday nights via Zoom. Beginning Monday, March 25, we will consider Brous’ book, which makes the case that showing up for each other in moments of joy and pain and investing in relationships of shared purpose to build communities of care—these are acts of deep spiritual significance. For the Zoom link or more information, contact Cheryl Bias at cherylberrybias@gmail.com.

Preorder Your Next FUMC Rainbow Logo T-shirt

Deadline: March 27

Cost: $20.00 As spring comes to Austin, are you ready for a wardrobe refresh? Preorder your next FUMC Austin rainbow logo t-shirt for $20.00 now and wear your love for an inclusive and welcoming community of faith all over town. This is also a great staple t-shirt to wear when you are volunteering at church events. We are taking preorders now for a wide range of sizes. Order yours today at fumcaustin.org/merch for April delivery. Contact Rachel Wright, Director of Communications, at rachel@fumcaustin.org.

Butterfly Helpers Needed During Holy Week

March 24-29 | San Parlor

During Holy Week, the church needs helpers to assist with our beautiful butterfly display, which, once again, will transform our Lenten prayers into a colorful sign of resurrection on Easter morning. Help glue the butterfly displays by signing up during open times. This can be a meditative individual project or a great group project with the opportunity for conversation as you glue our paper prayer butterflies. Instructions and supplies will be available in the Parlor. Please note that you can come and go as needed during those times. Every little bit helps, so even stopping by for 30 minutes will make a difference! If you would like to come during a time that is not listed, just let us know! We also need a team of people to help us Friday night to install the butterflies after worship. Sign up at fumcaustin.org/lent. For more information, contact Pastor Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org.

Labyrinth Experience

March 24-29 | EDU Murchison Chapel

A labyrinth is an ancient pattern for prayer, meditation, and contemplation and can provide space for time set apart to re-center oneself. FUMC welcomes everyone to take part in this Lenten practice during Holy Week: Sunday from 8:30AM-12:15PM, Monday-Thursday from 9:00AM-3:00PM, and Friday from 9:00-10:00AM or 12:00-2:00PM.

Lunch & Learn: What's Love Got To Do With It?

Sunday, April 7 | 12:15PM

FLC Garrison Chapel

While climate change is a scientific problem, the church’s response should be driven by the Greatest Commandment: love God and love your neighbor. Dr. Becca Edwards, FUMC candidate for ordained ministry and Climate Action Fellow with Texas Impact, will share how the church’s mission of love depends on U. S. Christians to approach climate change mitigation with faithfulness. Lunch is available for those who register by April 4. Email Pastor Cathy Stone with questions.

Connect for Tweens

Friday, April 12 | 6:00-9:00PM

Family Life Center

All 5th-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, 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.

First Steps

Sunday, April 14 | 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.

Music Under the Dome: An Invitation to Perform

Sunday, April 21

3:00PM | Sanctuary

As we prepare for a Music Under the Dome event celebrating Earth Day and all of God’s creation, we invite all experienced vocal and/or instrumental musicians to participate in this concert. If you are a professional or non professional musician with concert performance experience and repertoire or you are a middle or high school student who has placed in UIL competition and you want to share your musical gifts, contact Scott Davis, Director of Music Ministries, at scott@fumcaustin.org for more information.

Love in Action: Preteen Service Retreat

April 26-27

Friday at 6:30PM-Saturday at 1:00PM

FLC | Cost: $75/participant

Micah 6:8 tells us “...to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” That’s love in action! Join other 4th, 5th, and 6th graders on Friday night for dinner, games, small groups, and prep for Saturday morning, when we will show our neighbors love through a service project. Register at fumcaustin.org/children by Friday, April 19.

As we prioritize innovation and good stewardship, FUMC Austin is changing from ACS to Subsplash as the provider for our giving platform and gifts processing. In the coming weeks, as you make one-time gifts or event payments, you will see this transition in action, with the hope that by the end of the month one-time gifts will be made through Subsplash, the same provider we use for our app and livestreaming. We expect improved user experience through a more modern interface that is secure, simple, intuitive, quick, and more easily integrated into our website and app. This spring, FUMC staff will work with all who make recurring gifts to transition those as well. We will share more details about that process soon. Thank you for your patience as we work to align our tools to put more resources toward our mission and ministry. If you have questions or encounter difficulty in this transition, contact Rachel Wright, Director of Communications and Strategy, at rachel@fumcaustin.org.

We are committed to caring for and serving with our unhoused neighbors. This is especially true for women, who are traditionally more vulnerable and at risk in this population, and who have few resources available. 

Inspired by God’s Spirit, At the Well welcomes women experiencing homelessness into the Great Hall of our Family Life Center each Friday morning. We provide coffee and a hot breakfast, showers, new underwear, computer access, mats for sleeping, clothing, books, and much more. At the Well provides a short time of sabbath, moments of respite from the weather and the hardness of life these women experience each day.

Celebrating five years of ministry this May, At the Well is making a difference in both the lives of women experiencing homelessness as well as those serving on Friday mornings. Your financial support ensures that we are able to provide basic necessities in a caring, safe, and accepting environment that affirms self-worth and dignity.

Gifts, marked “Easter Offering,” may be placed in the offering basket, mailed to or brought by the church office, or made online during the month of March. To donate online, use the button below or go to fumcaustin.org/give and select “Easter & Christmas” from the drop-down menu.