Join us for worship as Rev. Susan Sprague preaches on "What Light is Guiding Us This New Year?" (Matthew 2:1-12).

Sunday Chapel services at "The Well" and our Campus Ministry programs resume again on Sun. Jan. 19.

Fourth and Fifth graders are invited to Tween Time at UUMC. We'll get to know each other, explore secular music, movies and books with religious themes, play games and eat. Contact Natasha Ulack, our children's ministry director, at [email protected] for more information.

news + events
Pardon Our Dust: Construction Ongoing at UUMC 
Construction crews continue work on improvements to the kitchen and the third- and fourth-floor bathrooms. You'll notice some construction vehicles in the parking lot adjacent to Heinsohn Hall. Help us reserve the remaining spaces in this lot for people with limited mobility. Free parking is always available on Sunday mornings in the Platinum parking lot across the street or the UT high-rise garage on San Antonio. 

Baptism Renewal | Sun. Jan. 12 at 8:30 and 11 am 
Join us as we remember our baptisms and reflect on how we're joined in community with God and one another. As UUMC begins the new year, we invite everyone to come forward during our Sanctuary worship services at 8:30 and 11 am for a special blessing and a keepsake stone, which serves as a year-round reminder of the foundation we find in God's grace, love and acceptance.
       
Meet Us in the Courtyard | Sun. Jan. 12 after our 11 am worship service
Go to lunch with members of UUMC after our late worship service as we meet up in the Courtyard for an informal meal together. This is a great way to get to know others in our community of faith. Hosts are Richard Bates and Joe Santoyo.

Gar Alperovitz, a leading scholar and activist in the movement to build a new economy, will speak on "The Quietly Deepening Political and Economic Crisis: Possibilities for an America Beyond Corporate Culture." This free event marks the conclusion of this year's Wilson Wade Lecture Series, which has focused on "The Spiritual Practice of Economic Justice."
 
Tuesday Night Lights community education classes are back at University UMC on Feb. 4 to Mar. 4 from 6:30 to 8 pm. The cost for each class is $20, including books and materials. Registration begins next week -- watch for more information soon! 
The Heart of Christianity: Marcus J. Borg's book, "The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith," shows how we can live passionately as Christians in today's world by practicing the vital elements of the Christian faith. For the millions of people who have turned away from many traditional beliefs about God, Jesus and the Bible -- but still long for a relevant, nourishing faith -- Borg shows why the Christian life can remain a transforming relationship. Facilitated by Rev. John Elford, Senior Pastor. Note: Borg will speak and preach at UUMC on April 4-6. 
What Then Must We Do? Gar Alperovitz's book, "What Then Must We Do," is a compelling account of how we can move beyond the piecemeal transformation of our political economy to truly systemic change. Alperovitz makes a case for democratizing the ownership of wealth as a way to strengthen our communities and our nation. Facilitated by UUMC's Economic Justice Study Group. Note: Alperovitz will speak at UUMC on Fri. Jan. 24 at 7 pm.
Spirituality in Our Everyday Lives: Part A (Feb. 4 & 11) Explore Anne Lamott's new book, "Stitches," which examines ways to find meaning and peace in our loud and frantic times. Learn how we can start again after personal and public devastation, and how we can recapture wholeness after loss. Facilitated by Rev. Susan Sprague, Associate Pastor. Part B (Feb. 18 & 25 and Mar. 4): Corrine Ware's book, "St. Benedict of the Freeway," outlines ways we can heal the rift between our daily lives and the sacred. Ware identifies key practices and insights which have been helpful to pilgrims throughout the ages. Facilitated by Lynda Young Kaffie.

Retired Bishop Melvin G. Talbert will preach at UUMC on Sun. Feb. 9 as we celebrate our Reconciling Ministry's third anniversary. Bishop Talbert has served the United Methodist Church as a mentor, pastor, conference staff member, district superintendent, general secretary and bishop. An institute was created in his name by Black Methodists for Church Renewal to engage and encourage young lay and clergy to reach their leadership potential. The day's celebration will include an installation in the Sanctuary from the Shower of Stoles project, a collection of more than 1,000 liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of LGBTQ people of faith. These religious leaders have served in 27 denominations and faith traditions, and come from six countries on three continents. This collection celebrates the gifts of LGBTQ persons who serve God in countless ways while also lifting up those who have been excluded from service because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. After worship at UUMC, our friends at MFSA are sponsoring a lunch and conversation with Bishop Talbert to discuss events surrounding his ministry and the future of LGBTQ issues in the church. This lunch event will be at Trinity UMC's Fellowship Hall beginning at 12:15 pm. All are welcome.

SAVE THE DATE: Marcus Borg Weekend at UUMC | April 4-6 
University United Methodist Church invites you to join us for a weekend of teaching and conversation with Dr. Marcus Borg, one of the most widely known and influential voices in progressive Christianity. The weekend event -- "What Does It Mean To Be Christian Today?" -- includes a Friday lecture on "Reclaiming Christian Language" at 7 pm, and two Saturday lectures on "Where Do We Meet the Sacred?" and "Radical Discipleship in an Unjust World" at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm. Borg will preach at UUMC's Sanctuary worship service at 11 am on Sun. April 6. Registration for the Friday and Saturday events is $40. Student registration is $20. Online registration will begin in February. There will be question-and-answer sessions and book signing opportunities during the weekend. Online registration will begin in February. A major figure in scholarship related to the Historical Jesus, Borg is the author of 20 books and serves as Canon Theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Ore. Described by The New York Times as "a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars," Borg has appeared on NBC's "Today Show" and "Dateline," PBS's "NewsHour," ABC's "Evening News" and "Primetime," NPR's "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross, and several National Geographic programs. A Fellow of the Jesus Seminar, he has been national chair of the Historical Jesus Section of the Society of Biblical Literature.