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Sanctuary Worship Service | 8:30 & 11 am

"Finding Your One Wild and Precious Life." Mark 8: 27-28. Sermon by Rev. John Elford. Our worship service will include songs from Vacation Bible School.

"The Well" Chapel Worship Service | 11 am
"Touchy Subject." Sermon by Rev. Bill Frisbie based on Ephesians 5: 21-25: "Wives should be subject to their husbands..." Last of a three-part preaching series: "He Said. She Said. God Said? Rethinking the Scriptures That Have Led to Gender Inequality."

Young Adults at UUMC
The UUMC Young Adults Group gathers each Sunday night in June at 6:30 pm at Rev. Bill Frisbie's place, 2304 Bowman. Join us for a lively chat and a light supper. If possible, bring a side dish to share. Contact Pastor Bill for more details at [email protected].

uumc events + news
Parking Garage Changes
UUMC members, guests and visitors are welcome to park for free on Sunday mornings in UT's high-rise parking garage on San Antonio Street. However, the entrance arms to the garage now will be down when you arrive on Sunday mornings. You will need to pull a ticket to open them up, but you will not be charged for parking. The arms at the exit will remain open.

Capital Campaign Update
UUMC members on Sun. June 16 voted to authorize three construction projects -- a kitchen renovation, renovations for all church bathrooms, and new HVAC systems for the Sanctuary and Heinsohn Hall. Pledges and gifts to our Capital Campaign continue to be accepted. Make your contribution via the "giving" section of our website: www.uumc.org.  
After a week of mission work in Houston, UUMC Youth will gather for a relaxing evening as we cook dinner together and watch the movie, "Holes." View a trailer here. For more information, contact Mary Ann Kasier, youth director, at [email protected].
 
Bluegrass Sunday | Sun. June 30 at 11 am | Sanctuary
We will celebrate a Bluegrass Sunday with music provided by The Lost Pines. One of the fastest rising groups on the Austin music scene, The Lost Pines took less than two years to go from busking on the street corners of South Congress to finishing runner up in the bluegrass category of the Austin Chronicle's Annual Readers' Poll. Click here to listen some of the group's music and make plans to join us for this special worship experience at UUMC.

The Church Office will be closed on Thurs. July 4 and Fri. July 5 in observance of Independence Day. We will have one worship service in the Sanctuary at 10 am on Sun. July 7. Our regular worship schedule will resume Sun. July 14.

As a progressive church living among great diversity in a central urban setting, University United Methodist Church presents an opportunity for those in the community to watch four films (two features and two documentaries) and have an open dialogue on challenging social topics, with connections to action. Join us for this free event in the Fellowship Hall; bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Pizza, snacks and childcare will be available. The films are:
  • Wed. July 10: Dead Man Walking [Feature: 122 minutes] - A nun, while comforting a convicted killer on death row, empathizes with both the killer and his victim's families.
  • Wed. July 17: Burned [Documentary: 69 minutes] - A year in the life of two boys committed to maximum security youth facilities in Texas. Through these tense, personal narratives, the film examines the troubled Texas juvenile justice system. Filmmaker Emily Pyle will be in attendance.
  • Wed. July 24: Shawshank Redemption [Feature: 142 minutes] - A convicted murderer maintains his sanity and dignity over 20 years in prison. This is a patiently-told, allegorical tale of friendship, patience, hope, survival, emancipation, and ultimate redemption and salvation.
  • Wed. July 31: Incendiary [Documentary: 99 minutes] - Tried and convicted for arson murders, Todd Willingham was executed in Texas in February 2004 despite overwhelming expert evidence. Equal parts murder mystery, forensic investigation and political drama. Filmmaker Steve Mims will be in attendance.
Join us for a half-day road trip to the Driftwood Winery and the Salt Lick for supper. Pastor John will be our designated driver. Contact Pastor Bill for more details at [email protected].

Sometimes lost in the struggle for social justice for lesbians and gays in our church and across our culture is equal rights for transgender people. What are the key challenges facing transgender people, and how has the movement for transgender equality evolved? How can we, as allies, help improve the lives of transgender Americans? All are welcome to this important LGBTQ Fellowship meeting for lunch and conversation with our very own Michelle Martin, who will guide us in a discussion about these issues.
 
UUMC Youth Events in July
Youth at UUMC are invited to join us for two adventures in July. We'll visit the Urban Roots Project on Sat. July 13 and enjoy a day-trip to Krause Springs on Fri. July 26. For more information, contact Mary Ann Kaiser, our youth director, at [email protected].

Have a "date night" together as your kids enjoy time at UUMC with their friends. Parents' Night Out is for children 8 months to 10 years old. The cost is $12 for one child, $6 for siblings and $24 for families of three or more. A pizza dinner with fruit and vegetables will be served. Activities include games, crafts and cooking. For more information about registration, please contact Natasha Ulack at [email protected].

The UUMC Welcome Committee hosts an Ice Cream Social for the congregation -- and we're bringing in Austin-made Amy's Ice Creams. Enjoy Mexican Vanilla, Belgian Chocolate, Strawberry, Oreo and two non-fat, non-dairy, fruit-flavored vegan ices. We'll also have dry toppings to put a little bit of sundae into your Sunday!

Thursday Night Centering Prayer
UUMC's Thursday Night Centering Prayer group follows the same format as the current Centering Prayer group that meets during our Sunday School time. Participants will begin their "sit" at 7:15 pm followed by a reading, DVD or lectio divina, and group discussion. Please contact Jan Reed at [email protected] for more information. The Thursday group plans to continue through the end of June and resume again on Aug. 15.

"Spiritual Practices" Adult Retreat | Sept. 13-15
Mark your calendars now to reserve the weekend of Sept. 13-15! Seton Cove's Will Fiorello will lead our retreat at the Wellspring Retreat Center on the Wessendorff Ranch near Blanco. 

volunteer + community opportunities
Call to Action: Stand With Mary Ann
Please send your letters of support for Mary Ann Kaiser, our youth director and justice associate, to Bishop James Dorff now. Copies of a support letter can be found on our website, on clipboards near church office and in the north Narthex.

Open Door & Fig Leaf Volunteers Needed Throughout the Summer 
Do you have time to help with our Open Door and Fig Leaf ministries? Each summer, we face a decline in volunteers and we need your help to fill in the gaps. We need volunteers on July 6 & 13, and Aug. 10, 17 & 24. Volunteers help prepare and serve food, help guests find clothes, lend an ear to our guests, and help put the church back in order after the brunch. If you can assist, please contact Judy Trejo at 512-474-2885 or [email protected].  

Open Door Ministry Update 
Our Open Door ministry served brunch to 214 guests and Fig Leaf distributed clothing to 107 people on Sat. June 15. Volunteers from St. Michael's Catholic Academy, UUMC and the Austin community assisted. If you'd like to volunteer with Open Door, contact Judy Trejo at 512-474-2885 or [email protected]. Open Door's handbook and news updates are now available on the church website.
 
Fig Leaf Clothes Closet Needs Donations of Men's Clothing

Fig Leaf needs donations of men's clothing such as shorts, shoes, caps, belts, socks, underwear and t-shirts. Sizes 30 to 36 are especially needed. Drop off these items in the collection bin near the north entry of Heinsohn Hall during regular business hours on Mondays through Thursdays, and until 12:30 pm on Fridays. To volunteer with Fig Leaf, please contact Judy Trejo at 512-474-2885 or [email protected]. We need assistance with this ministry each Thursday from 2 to 4:30 pm. Other dates this month include: June 21 from 10 am to Noon.

about us: uumc sunday school class profiles
University UMC's Questors Class | 9:45 am on Sundays in Room 202
The Questors Class at University UMC has been around for decades. Back in the day, the Questors format was unique, and some considered it not "religious enough" for a Sunday School class. Nonetheless, class founders including Howard Simmons believed that Christians should understand current issues and events in the world around them.

Questors Class programs have covered a diverse array of topics including: Jesus' parables; changes in weather patterns; Texas culture; human trafficking; single member districts; the history of the first Thanksgiving, and much more. Additionally, class members often present programs concerning their travels to faraway places.

Eclectic and interesting are the best descriptors of the Questors Class. Several members began attending the class in the 1950s, '60s and '70s -- and loyalty to the program and to each other is strong in Questors. The class is open to all and Questors always welcomes guests and new members.