Austin Pride Interfaith Worship Service

Sunday, August 6

5:00PM | upRising Austin

8601 S. First Street

This year's theme is HISstory, HERstory, THEIRstory, OURstory and we will gather to celebrate the faith traditions and spirituality of the LGBTQ+ community. Pride Interfaith Partnership is dedicated to uniting the LGBTQ+ community and allies in order to support spiritual environments for all people to come together.

Volunteer at the Pride Festival

Saturday, August 12

11:00AM-6:00PM

Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse Segovia St.

We are teaming up with other LGBTQ+ affirming churches to host a table at Austin's Pride Festival and are responsible for providing volunteers for the first shift, 10:00AM-12:00PM. We will help with setup and then connect with festival participants visiting our table. You will need to purchase a ticket to the Festival to volunteer at the table. If cost is a barrier, email Pastor Cathy Stone at cathy@fumcaustin.org. Learn more about the festival, sign up to volunteer, and/or purchase your ticket at fumcaustin.org/pride.

Pride Parade

UPDATED TIME!

Saturday, August 12 | 6:30PM

Family Life Center

Walk or ride in the 2023 Pride Parade! Let’s celebrate Austin’s queer community and the gifts that LGBTQ+ persons bring to our city and the church. Meet at 6:30PM in the Family Life Center to make signs and use restrooms. We will leave at 7:30PM to walk to our float starting position as a group. Spots are limited. Wrist bands will be given out at the FLC. Reserve yours online.

Service Project Sunday

Sunday, August 6

10:00AM | SAN Wesley Hall

Join us for an intergenerational time of service. We will assemble manna bags for our unhoused neighbors, make a "Welcome Back!" banner for teachers at Pickle Elementary, and more! There will not be Sunday School classes for children or youth, so we hope families will join us! Manna bags are also available for purchase for $5, so stop by and make one and take one!

FEAST: Young Adult Lunch

Sunday, August 6

12:15PM | Front of Sanctuary

Whether you are new to FUMC or just looking to get plugged in, this is a great opportunity to meet other young (and youngish) adults. For more information about this or other FEAST events and/or to get on the FEAST mailing list, contact Pastor Brad King.

Popsicles in the Park

Sunday, August 6

3:00-5:00PM | Location TBA

Splish-splash! Summer is a great time to cool off at the splash pad and treat yourself to time with other families with little ones at this casual, come-and-go gathering. Light refreshments will be provided by our Children's Ministry Team. For more information, contact children@fumcaustin.org.

Youth Family Bluegrass Night at Radio Coffee

Monday, August 7

7:00-10:00PM | 4204 Menchaca Rd

Get your banjos and mandolins out for a twangy fun night at Radio Coffee & Beer! The whole family is invited to come and just hand out while being serenaded by some of Austin's finest musicians. There are plenty of food and beverage options on site. Parking is available both behind the coffee shop, along the street, and across the way. Music starts at 7:00PM. Come whenever you like and maybe bring a folding chair! Contact Devon Bailey, Director of Youth Ministries, with questions.

Podcast Discussion: Nice White Parents

NEW START DATE!

Tuesdays, August 8-29

6:30-8:00PM | Zoom

Join Pastor Cathy Stone as we explore the goals of public education in America and the relationship between race, social class, and a quality education. This podcast largely focuses on the story of one Brooklyn middle school that opened in 1968 and how white parents have influenced the trajectory of this school over and over, even when their children didn’t attend it. But the issues the podcast raises via this one case study make it a meaningful opportunity to explore the complicated realities of race, privilege, and power across all American schools. Participants will listen to an episode on their own each week to then discuss together Tuesday night. Register below. Zoom link to follow. Email Pastor Cathy with with questions.

Joy Circle Underwear Drive

August 1-27

Sanctuary Foyer/Family Life Center

Our Joy Circle of the United Women in Faith is collecting donations of children's socks and underwear for Pickle and Zavala Elementary Schools in Austin ISD. Please contribute new, unopened packages for both boys and girls, ages 5-12. All sizes are welcome, but sizes 2-6T are particularly needed. Collection bins will be in the Sanctuary Foyer and Family Life Center throughout the month of August.

Back-to-School Blessing

Sunday, August 13

9:00 and 11:00AM | Sanctuary

During both the 9:00AM and 11:00AM worship services, all students, teachers, and administrators will be invited to receive a blessing and a small gift as a tangible reminder of God’s and our congregation’s love and support to carry with them into the new school year. Bring your backpack or a personal item to be included in this blessing.

Let's Taco-Bout Sunday School

Sunday, August 13

9:45AM | SAN Wesley Hall

Join our Children's Ministry for a delicious morning at our Breakfast Taco Extravaganza! Kids (going into 5th grade and younger) and their grownups are invited to kickstart the upcoming school year in Sunday School with this fun-filled event. Enjoy scrumptious food and fun activities while learning about our exciting plans for the year. Children will have the opportunity to meet teachers and visit their classrooms. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with other families, meet the teachers, and get ready for an amazing year ahead! Questions? Contact Children's Ministry staff at children@fumcaustin.org.

6th Grade Parade

Sunday, August 13

9:45AM | Murchison Chapel Steps

Cheer on the class of 2030 as they officially make the transition from Children's Ministry, crossing the street to be welcomed for the first time into our Youth Ministry in the Family Life Center. Meet at 9:45AM (or directly following the 9:00AM worship service) outside on the steps that lead to Murchison Chapel. 6th graders will parade across the street to their new Sunday School classroom where they will be greeted by current middle and high school students!

Back-to-School Parent Meeting at Rudy's

Sunday, August 13

7:00PM | 2451 S Capital of TX Hwy

Parents and youth are invited to an extended family dinner at Rudy's. At this parent meeting, we will look at the fall calendar, renew or fill out for the first time our annual health and safety forms, and answer any questions you and/or your student may have about the upcoming year. Contact Devon Bailey, Director of Youth Ministries, with questions.

Children's Choir Practice Begins

Sunday, August 20

9:30-10:00AM | SAN Room 111

Make a joyful noice with our children's choir, open to all children from Kindergarten through 5th grade. Led by music education professionals, our Children's Choir meets on Sunday mornings throughout the school year to learn, sing, and prepare for regular opportunities to share the gift of music in worship. For more information, contact Roxie Garza, Children's Choir Director, at roxie@fumcaustin.org.

Kindergarten Gathering

Sunday, August 20

10:00-10:45AM | EDU Room 101

Kindergarten is a time of big change (and even bigger feelings) for children and parents alike! The Children's Ministry team has a special invitation for all new Kindergartners (2023-2024 school year) and their caregivers to help you celebrate and acknowledge all the feelings that come with this transition. We will share a reading of The Kissing Hand and do a family craft. Enjoy a chance to meet other families at this stage of life and to learn more about how to help foster your child's faith formation during a milestone year. 

Youth Party Barge

Sunday, August 20

3:00-7:30PM | Lake Travis

Middle and high school students are invited to start the school year with the chance to explore Lake Travis aboard a two-story party barge. The cost is $45/student and dinner is included. Our group is limited to 50, so get details and secure your spot at fumcaustin.org/youth and indicate if you need help carpooling from the church. Scholarships are available by contacting Devon Bailey, Director of Youth Ministries.

Prayer Beads Workshop

Saturday, August 26

9:30AM-12:00PM | FLC Room 104

Prayer beads are used as a devotional aid for focusing the mind in many religions. Catholics say the Rosary using prayer beads; Hindus and Buddhists use mala beads to repeat mantras; and Protestants use prayer beads in our own way. This summer workshop, led by members Kristin Robertson and Karen Janes, will help you access this ancient practice. Learn about the history of prayer beads, how to use them as you pray or meditate, and create your own bracelet or bead string and a prayer to accompany it so that you can introduce them to your own prayer practice. This is a great way to end your summer with a bit of quiet centering and contemplation. Contact Kristin for more information.

Acolyte Training

Sunday, August 27

10:00-10:45AM | Sanctuary Foyer

Have you ever wondered why children carry the light into the Sanctuary at the beginning of a worship service or when a child is old enough to be an acolyte and serve in this way? Children from 2nd through 5th grades are invited to learn how to serve as acolytes in worship. We will gather at 10:00AM in the Sanctuary Foyer. Children can be picked up in the Sanctuary at 10:45AM. Once children have completed this training, more information will be sent to parents about how to schedule a time for your child to serve. If your child is interesting in becoming an acolyte but cannot make this date, email the children's ministry staff at children@fumcaustin.org.

This school year, we will continue to support our longtime partners at Pickle Elementary School. Last year’s generosity transformed an empty classroom into a Teacher Mindfulness Room, a space for yoga stretches, a cup of tea, coloring, or a few minutes in a recliner. What a gift of peace for this dedicated staff!

Your financial support will enable us to continue to encourage and support the teachers and staff throughout the 2023-2024 school year.

Your Gifts Make an Impact:

• $500 provides yummy treats and encouragement for the staff throughout the year. 
• $800 provides breakfast tacos and coffee for teachers on their first day back to school in both August and January.
• $1300 provides a $20 gift card in each of the 65 back-to-school care packages our VBS children assembled. 

Your gifts, marked “Pickle Elementary,” may be brought to worship, mailed to or brought by the church office, or made online by selecting “Pickle” from the drop-down menu when you follow the step-by-step instructions at fumcaustin.org/giving.