Gather with us in the UUMC Sanctuary as Rev. John Elford, Senior Pastor, continues our sermon series on "Christian Simplicity." He'll preach on "Walk This Way" (Luke 24: 13-16, 28-35). To listen to our sermon archives, visit our UUMC podcast page: http://universityumc.podomatic.com/.

Sunday Evening Worship with Campus Ministry | 7:45 pm, Chapel   
UUMC's Sunday evening worship service takes place in the Harris Chapel at 7:45 pm. All are welcome -- not just college students. For more information, contact Megan Otto, Director of Campus & Young Adult Ministries, at [email protected].  

Membership at UUMC


"New to UUMC" Introduction Class | Sun. Mar. 29, Noon
Learn more about the University UMC community of faith and how to become a member of the congregation. RSVP with Maren Roberts, Administrative Assistant, at [email protected] and join us for lunch and conversation in the Heath Conference Room after our late worship service.

Get Involved, Grow in Faith | Social Justice & Missions 
Our community of faith is committed to working toward social justice and caring for the marginalized. "Praxis" serves as our congregation's online hub for news and conversations of social justice and mission at UUMC and within the surrounding Austin community. Please contact Heather Lee, Justice Associate, at [email protected] with mission or social justice updates, opportunities, pictures and event notices.
 
University UMC News + Church Events
Tuesday Night Lights Registration Now Open
Tuesday Night Lights adult education classes are back at University UMC on April 7 through April 28. Click here now to register online. Cost is $20, including books and materials. Classes are from 6:30 to 8 pm, and free childcare is available by reservation one week in advance. 
Centering Prayer:
Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer -- prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer -- verbal, mental or affective prayer -- into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Christ.
Facilitated by UUMC member Jan Reed
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time - New Testament emphasis: 
One of the vital challenges facing thoughtful people today is how to read the Bible faithfully without abandoning our sense of truth and history. "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time" provides a much-needed solution to the problem of how to have a fully authentic yet contemporary understanding of the scriptures. Many mistakenly believe there are no choices other than fundamentalism or simply rejecting the Bible as something that can bring meaning to our lives. Answering this modern dilemma, acclaimed author Marcus Borg reveals how it is possible to reconcile the Bible with both a scientific and critical way of thinking and our deepest spiritual needs, leading to a contemporary yet grounded experience of the sacred texts.
Facilitated by Rev. John Elford   
Jesus, Sex & Violence:
What were Jesus' fundamental teachings about sex? What did he have to say about violence? How feasible are Jesus' teachings for us in the 21st century? Come join this wide-ranging, thought-provoking discussion as we unpack faith-filled ways of understanding these issues.
Facilitated by Rev. Bill Frisbie 

 

United in Prayer Day | Sat. Mar. 21, 9 am to 3 pm  

Join your friends at UUMC as we participate in the 23rd Annual United in Prayer Day, which will be held at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, 501 E. 32nd St., from 9 am to 3 pm. The day will include Centering Prayer periods, a DVD of Father Thomas Keating, Lectio Divina and a luncheon with discussion. Click here to pre-register. A $25 donation is suggested at check-in, but any amount is appreciated.
 

Save the Dates: Holy Week and Easter Events at UUMC

Maundy Thursday worship:
7:30 pm, Thurs. April 2, Sanctuary

Good Friday worship:

7:30 pm, Fri. April 3, Sanctuary

Children's Ministry Easter Season Festival & Egg Hunt:

10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Sat. April 4, Eastwoods Park, 3001 Harris Park Ave., 78705  

Easter Sunday worship:
8:30 and 11 am, Sun. April 5, Sanctuary

 Fifth Sunday Gathering | Sun. Mar. 29, 9:45 am, Fellowship Hall
UUMC welcomes Texas Rep. Donna Howard (Austin, District 48) as our "Fifth Sunday" guest speaker. She'll update us on what's happening at the Texas Capitol during the current legislative session. For more information, please contact Rev. Lisa Blaylock, Associate Pastor, at [email protected]g.

Save the Date! Leadership Workshops with Rev. Susan Beaumont 
Fri. April 17, 6 to 9 pm, and Sat. April 18, 9 am to 3 pm 
Join us for a weekend of workshops with Rev. Susan Beaumont, author of "Inside the Large Congregation." Beaumont is a consultant, author, coach and spiritual director who has consulted with over one hundred congregations and denominational bodies across the United States and Canada. She is known for her ground-breaking work in the leadership dynamics of large congregations. Before establishing her own practice, Beaumont worked for nine years as a Senior Consultant with the Alban Institute.
 
Sign up for UUMC's Vacation Church Camp | June 15-19, 9 am to 1 pm
Click here now to register your children and their friends for the best week of the year at University UMC: Vacation Church Camp! Our activities are geared to kids ages 4 through the completion of Fifth Grade. Cost is $25 per child. For more information about camp, contact Natasha Ulack, Director of Children's Ministries, at [email protected].
      
Flowers in the Sanctuary
If you'd like to place flowers in the Sanctuary on a special Sunday in the upcoming year, please contact the Church Office at [email protected]. We have openings throughout the spring including:  April 12, and May 3, 10, 24 & 31. Arrangements cost $75. UUMC volunteers later use the flowers to make and deliver arrangements for seniors on their birthdays as well as homebound and hospitalized parishioners.