Pentecost Sunday | May 24, 2015
Gather with us in the UUMC Sanctuary as Megan Otto, our director of Campus and Young Adult Ministries, preaches on "The Holy Spirit Is Constantly Ruining My Makeup" (Acts 2:1-21). To listen to our sermon archives, visit our UUMC podcast page: http://universityumc.podomatic.com/.

Graduate Recognition | 11 am 
If your child is graduating from college or high school this year, please send us information about this achievement. We will recognize graduates during our 11 am worship service on May 24. Send your details to Rev. Heather Lee at [email protected] or Megan Otto at [email protected].

Church Office Closed on Mon. May 25
The UUMC Church Office will be closed on Mon. May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

Our "Christian Simplicity" Emphasis Continues
Community Sustained Agriculture Coming to UUMC | June 7 through Aug. 2
Eating local and leaning toward a plant-based diet can help reduce your carbon footprint. Discussions about ethical food choices that emerged from our recent "Christian Simplicity" class led to an interest in aligning UUMC with a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group. From June 7 to Aug. 2, weekly or biweekly "shares" of organic produce from
Green Gate Farms will be available for pickup in the front office between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm, at a cost of $25 per week. Any produce not picked up by 12:30 pm will be donated to the ministries of the church (such as Campus Ministry, Street Youth, Open Door, etc.). Sign-ups begin May 28! Register at our website at www.uumc.org. Please contact Lisa Wahlgren at [email protected] or Rev. Heather Lee at [email protected] with questions.     
 
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 Rev. Heather Lee, our Justice Associate, at [email protected] with mission or social justice updates, opportunities, pictures and event notices.
 
Volunteer with Open Door and Fig Leaf This Weekend
We are in need of volunteers to help during our weekly Saturday morning brunch and clothes store for the homeless. If you can lend a hand this weekend, we'd be grateful for the help. Please contact Judy Trejo at 512-474-2885 or [email protected].

UUMC Lends Its Support to the One Key ATX campaign
UUMC is supporting the One Key ATX campaign -- an initiative that is calling on Austin-area landlords and property owners to commit at least one unit to veteran families that may have rental barriers. We are currently looking for landlords and property owners willing to partner with OneKeyATX to help end veteran homelessness. In November 2014, Mayor Lee Leffingwell boldly took a stand among other mayors across the country to end veteran homelessness by January 2016. To ensure the progress of this vital initiative, Mayor Steve Adler has continued this commitment. To learn more, please click here. 
 
University UMC News + Church Events
Jesus at the Movies | New Sermon Series Begins May 31 
UUMC kicks off its first sermon series of the summer next week as we begin "Jesus at the Movies" -- an exploration of cinematic portrayals of Christ and Christ-like figures. Our series includes explorations of the themes in:
  • Godspell: Sun. May 31, sermon by Rev. John Elford
  • Jesus of Montreal: Sun. June 7, sermon by Rev. John Elford
  • Life of Brian: Sun. June 14, sermon by Rev. Heather Lee
  • Last Temptation of Christ: Sun. June 21, sermon by Rev. John Elford
  • Jesus Christ Superstar: Sun. June 28, sermon by Megan Otto

We're hosting a free sing-a-long version of "Jesus Christ Superstar" on June 7 at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We'll have popcorn and root beer floats as we enjoy this musical classic. Check out the other movies on your own at home -- you can find them on sources such as iTunes, Amazon, Netflix and others.     

 

Joining Sunday | Sun. May 31, 11 am   
UUMC welcomes you to join the church as a new member during our worship service on Sun. May 31 at  11 am. For more information about membership, contact Rev. John Elford or Rev. Lisa Blaylock -- they would love to talk with you!
 
Offering for Nepal | Sun. May 31, 8:30 & 11 am 
UUMC will collect an offering for UMCOR in support of relief efforts in Nepal, where devastating earthquakes and aftershocks recently killed or displaced thousands. Please write "Nepal" on the memo line of your check or designate it on a giving envelope if you wish to make a gift during our worship services.

Churchwide Fifth Sunday Gathering | Sun. May 31, 9:45 am, Fellowship Hall
Join us for our churchwide Fifth Sunday Gathering as we view and discuss the short film "No Sanctuary: Big Business and Family Detention." This film comes to us after several UUMC members, including representatives from our community's UMW circles, recently traveled to Dilley, Texas to protest the family detention center there. In the 1990s, the US government began using immigrant detention as a means to enforce national immigration policies. Today, the Dilley facility is used to detain mothers and children who are seeking asylum. 

Job Opening at UUMC: Evening Proctor Needed 
UUMC is looking for an evening proctor to serve our guests and members during night meetings and rehearsals. The proctor directs congregation members and visitors as needed, and maintains the security of the church by monitoring exits, elevators and locking up the facility. For more information, contact Maren Roberts, our administrative associate, at [email protected]
or (512) 478-9387.

Love Offering for Boyoung Kang
The UUMC faith community is collecting your gifts for a Love Offering for Boyoung Kang, our interim director of music who will soon conclude her time with us. Please write "Boyoung Love Offering" in the memo line of your check and place it in the Sunday offering plate or drop it by the Church Office during weekdays.   

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].

 

Tuesday Night Lights Adult Education | June 9, 16, 23 & 30
Tuesday Night Lights community education classes are back at University UMC on June 9, 16, 23 & 30. Register online now by clicking here. Cost is $20, including books and materials. Classes meet weekly on Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 8 pm, and free childcare is available by reservation one week in advance.

The Meaning of Jesus: A "Smorgas-Borg" 
Facilitated by Rev. John Elford, Senior Pastor
Using the work of Marcus Borg as a guide, this class is a basic introduction to thinking as revisionist Christians about the meaning of Jesus' birth, life and message, death and resurrection. We'll draw from a book called "The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions" by Marcus Borg and N.T. Wright. The study is intended also as a complement to the June sermon series, "Jesus at the Movies."
 

A New Perspective on Paul  
Facilitated by UUMC member Paul Trejo, MA, who has studied independently with UT Professor L. Michael White for seven semesters, including a special focus on the Apostle Paul.
The Apostle Paul is credited by tradition with 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament, making him the most prolific writer of the New Testament. Six of these credits are disputed by modern scholarship, but why? Could the scholars be mistaken in some cases? Paul's doctrine of "justification by faith" over works of the Law is a mainstay of Protestant tradition. What is the 'New Perspective on Paul' which has arisen in scholarship in the 21st century? Why is it interesting in current discussions of anti-Semitism? Our readings will be from Paul's letters as well as a few excerpts from L. Michael White. In this course, we will review:
the most prominent teachings of the Apostle Paul; Paul's place among the other apostles of the Early Church, and the merits and demerits of current scholastic debates about Paul. 

Embracing an Alternative Faith  
Facilitated by Rev. Susan Sprague, retired UUMC Associate Pastor
Using curriculum from Fr. Richard Rohr, we will explore a Christian faith informed by contemplation, mysticism, compassion, justice and centuries of rich Christian history. In five video segments, each a bit more than 30 minutes in length, Rohr explores Atonement Theology, Eco-Spirituality, The Cosmic Christ, Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxy and Mysticism Over Moralism. Rohr is always teaching us how to stretch our boundaries while drawing upon our rich tradition. Here he goes, as only a Franciscan can, to the man who showed us how to love all of creation, St. Francis of Assisi, and Rohr challenges us to do the same. It is a critical message.
Got A College Student At Home This Summer?    

Do you have a college student home for the summer? Megan Otto, our director of Campus Ministry, has got activities and events planned here at UUMC during the summer break, and we'd love for your student to plug in with us. Contact Megan at [email protected] for more information.     

Flower Ministry Team Members Needed

Be a part of UUMC's Flower Ministry group and help deliver bouquets to UUMC seniors who are celebrating birthdays. Many delivery folks say that they don't know who enjoys it more -- the senior pleased with the flowers and the visit, or the delivery person sharing a moment of grace and companionship. Interested folks who can help out occasionally with this ministry are encouraged to contact Judy Trejo512-474-2885 or [email protected], or Pastor Lisa, 512-478-9387 or [email protected]. 


Save the Date: UUMC Roadtrip to "Gather at the River" | Aug. 6-9 
Join your friends at UUMC as we head down to San Antonio for an invigorating time of fellowship, reflection and music. This special social justice event is a partnership of the Methodist Federation for Social Action & Reconciling Ministries Network. Learn more and register now: http://www.rmnetwork.org/newrmn/gather2015/#!  Scholarships are available for interested college or high school students. Please contact Rev. Heather Lee, our Justice Associate, for more information: [email protected].

Save the Date: Jennifer Knapp in Concert at UUMC | Sun. Aug. 9, 7 pm 
Tickets ($10) are on sale now for Jennifer Knapp's concert this summer at UUMC -- just click here to save your seat! You won't want to miss this amazing singer-songwriter -- if you're not already familiar with her music, click here to listen up.