ASP TEAM Commissioning

This week, we will commission our Appalachia Service Project team before more than 60 youth and adults begin their trip to Eastern Kentucky to make homes warmer, safer, and drier. This is also the last week that youth will be selling "stock" to support youth summer mission trips. Make a gift on Sunday or use the button below to make one today and celebrate youth in mission.

Note: Room Change!

Here for the Summer: A New Seasonal Small Group for Young Adults

Sundays, June 2-August 18 | 10:00AM

FLC Room 110

School may be out for the summer, but plans are heating up for a new seasonal small group for young adults who have graduated from high school in the last seven years. Whether you are just home for the summer or are living in Austin year round, join us on Sunday mornings in FLC Room 109 during the Sunday School hour beginning Sunday, June 2. We hope you will enjoy this casual time to reconnect with friends you haven’t seen in a while and meet a few new faces as we catch up on life post-high school. Email Devon Bailey for more information.

Administrative Board Meeting

Sunday, June 2 | 12:15-2:00PM

FLC Great Hall

Join us for the June Administrative Board meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate in discussion, though only Administrative Board members have voting rights. Register for this meeting and optional light lunch. Childcare will be provided in EDU Room 104. Contact Rachel Wright with questions.

Decoration Day for Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Sunday, June 2 | 12:15-2:00PM

Sanctuary

Help transform our Sanctuary and classroom spaces into this year’s Vacation Bible School: Camp Firelight. A pizza lunch will be provided. Contact Jen Seibel with questions.

Going Away FEAST Happy Hour for Brad King

Sunday, June 2 | 2:00-4:00PM Scholtz Garten

For five years, Pastor Brad King has set the table for FEAST, leading our community of young adults and young professionals. Join us for a special Happy Hour as we celebrate the start of summer and send Pastor Brad off with our love and thanks for all he has done to build and build up FEAST.

Scavenger Hunt for Austin Area UMC Youth

Sunday, June 2 | 4:00-7:30PM

201 East Mary Street

We are cluing you in to a special scavenger hunt for Austin Area UMC youth. Church teams will run up and down South Congress, competing as they follow clues, complete tasks, and try to win the most points. The church with the most points will be crowned champion and take home a trophy (Yes...A REAL TROPHY!) We will meet at 4:00PM in the Lively Middle School parking lot to compete in the Scavenger Hunt before we finish the evening with a pizza snack and award ceremony in Garrison Chapel. Pick up at the Family Life Center at 7:30PM. The cost is $5/participant. Invite a friend and sign up today. Contact Devon Bailey if you have any questions or want to volunteer to be one of the Safe Gatherings certified adult team members for this fun event.

Caregiver Support Group

Wednesday, June 5

8:00-9:00PM | Zoom

Caring for a loved one in their season of need is a sacred trust and holy work. Maybe you are caring for a spouse, a child, or a friend; it might be temporary or long-term. Often, caregivers need a brief time away to renew their spirits, to just be themselves, and to connect with others in similar circumstances to receive support and encouragement. Pastor Cathy Stone and member Judy Breckbill will host 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. For the Zoom link or questions, email Judy.

Commissioning of Dr. Becca Edwards and Dr. Brad King

Friday, June 7 | 6:30PM | American Bank Center | Corpus Christi, Texas

We are celebrating two of our own at this year’s Rio Texas Conference Service of Commissioning and Ordination where Dr. Becca Edwards will be commissioned as a provisional deacon and Dr. Brad King will be commissioned as a provisional elder. Commissioning is the last major step on their path to becoming ordained clergy in the United Methodist Church. You are invited to travel to Corpus Christi to offer support at this milestone moment in their ministries.

FUMC will also host a breakfast celebration for Becca and Brad on Saturday, June 8, at 7:45AM at the Switchgrass Landing Restaurant in the Omni Hotel and all who are in Corpus Christi that morning are welcome to attend. Please RSVP by Sunday, June 2, so that we can confirm our reservation at the restaurant. If you are unable to attend in person, you can also livestream the worship service at riotx.org. Please congratulate Becca and Brad the next time you see them!

Preordered T-shirts Ready For Pick Up

Rainbow logo T-shirts are here! If you preordered a t-shirt, you can pick yours up on Sunday morning in the Sanctuary Foyer, during church office hours, or by special arrangement by contacting Rachel Wright at rachel@fumcaustin.org. If you missed the preorder period and would like to purchase a shirt, they are available in adult sizes S-XXL for $21.60 (which includes applicable sales tax). Order yours at fumcaustin.org/merch.

Whether you tuck these recommendations into a beach bag or a backpack, you are invited to read along with First Church this summer. We are sharing a curated list of books and resources from staff members that we hope you will tuck into your carryon or enjoy as you lay by the pool. As temperatures rise, we are looking at books that help us understand our culture, ourselves, and future generations. We hope these stories will spark conversation and help us think about how this community of faith can help to shape a more flourishing world.

This summer’s recommendations include something for every age and stage of life. You can purchase them at your favorite book seller or using the link below. We will have books available for pick up in the Sanctuary Foyer after each worship service. Be on the lookout soon for next steps and more specific ideas about how we can engage in conversation that matters around these summer reads.

American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church by Andrew L. Whitehead

Recommended by Pastor Cathy Stone

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt Recommended by Devon Bailey

The Peace Table Bible: A Storybook Bible by Teresa Kim Pecinovsky, Chrissie Muecke, and Jasmine Pittman Morell

Recommended by Lara Greene and Jen Seibel

The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth by Christopher L. Heuertz

Recommended by Emily Buchanan

Sunday Funday Family Meet Up

Sunday, June 9 | 10:00AM | Capitol Lawn

All kids (infants - 5th grade) and their grown ups are invited for games for all ages, coffee, juice, and donuts. Come for the coffee and stay for this casual opportunity to meet up with others who are also in the middle of the joys and challenges of raising young children hosted by the Children’s Ministries Team. We will meet on the West side of the Capitol across Colorado Street from the church. Sunday Funday will be our faith formation opportunity for children on this Sunday. While there will be no regular Sunday School, childcare will be available in the nursery (EDU 102) for those infants and preschoolers who are not ready for all the fun and games on the Capitol Lawn.

FUMC LGBTQ+ Community Lunch

Sunday, June 9 | 12:15PM

Nearby Restaurant TBD

First Church is hosting a June LGBTQ+ community lunch on Sunday, June 9, after the 11:00AM worship service ends. Enjoy this opportunity to get to know one another in a casual setting. We will also take some time for conversation and planning about other upcoming events, including First Church's participation in the August Pride Parade and Festival. Please RSVP by Friday, June 7, so that we have an accurate count for the restaurant. Location TBD. If you are unable to attend this event, but want to be included in future gatherings, contact Rose Martinelli.

Farewell Reception for Pastor Brad King

Sunday, June 16 | 12:15PM

FLC Great Hall

You are invited to help First Church send Pastor Brad King to his new appointment at Cross Tracks Church, a United Methodist congregation in Liberty Hill, with all of our love and good wishes. His last Sunday here will be Sunday, June 16, and he will be preaching at both worship services. A reception will follow our 11:00AM service. We will be collecting cards for Pastor Brad and, between now and his departure, we are also taking a Love Offering for him. Make a gift, marked “Love Offering,” by placing it in the offering basket, mailing it to or bringing it by the church office, or making it online by using the button below.

Draw the Circle wide! We delight that the United Methodist Church is a more inclusive and affirming denomination after the recent changes made at General Conference. It is our joy to share our love for all of God’s LGBTQ+ children with the wider community as we celebrate Pride and prepare to participate in the Austin Pride Parade and Festival on August 10.

We are joining other Austin area UMCs to offer hospitality and connection at the Festival. Then we will join the celebration in the streets of Austin as a witness that God’s love is all inclusive. Our goal is to raise $1,500 to cover the costs of our participation in the Pride Festival and Parade. Funds raised beyond this amount will go to Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), an organization committed to intersectional justice across and beyond the United Methodist connection, working for the full participation of all LGBTQ+ people throughout the life and leadership of the Church.

Gifts, marked “Pride,” may be placed in the offering basket, mailed to or brought by the church office, or made online during the month of June. To donate online, select “LGBTQ+ Ministries” from the drop-down menu and indicate “Pride” in the memo section.