College students join us for our annual Super Bowl Party! Even if you don't like football you can join the fun. There will be food and games.

Looking to join? Contact Megan at motto@uumc.org!

All families with any kiddo 4 years and under is welcome to join our Little Ones crew for yummy food and good time together! Please plan to bring a small dish to share. This is always so fun and important for our little guys to know their church friends.

Email Jillian at jillian@uumc.org to get the address!

All are welcome to hear Rev. Jim Harrington, a Texas civil rights icon who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice. Rev. Harrington will share stories from his recently published book, The Texas Civil Rights Project: How We Built a Social Justice Movement, reflecting on his lifelong fight for equality—from advocating for farmworkers alongside César Chávez to securing major reforms for people with disabilities—and his work to build a movement for social justice.

Questions? Contact Pastor Earl at pastorearl@uumc.org.

Join us as we rejoice in the progress our queer and trans community has made, and recommit to the work that remains before us.

After worship, join us in the Fellowship Hall for an intergenerational Drag Brunch, showcasing two of Austin's own Queens, Diamond Dior Davenport and Monica Monae! Check out AV’s video about what to expect this Sunday. If you’re curious about Drag Etiquette in general, we recommend this excellent video created by Waterloo Spectrum featuring kings and queens from their local community.

Questions? Want to help out? Contact AV at av@uumc.org!

Planned and led by our Queer Council, this week in worship we celebrate UUMC's anniversary of our affiliation with the Reconciling Ministries Network. We’ll welcome Rev. Dr. Adama Brown as our guest preacher.

Meet Rev. Dr. Adama Brown

The Rev. Dr. Adama Brown currently serves as the Director of Impact and Grants at the United Methodist Foundation of New England, where she brings more than twenty years of experience in research, data, and evaluation to the Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Adama directed research and data work at United Way of Rhode Island, where she utilized quantitative and qualitative analysis to better understand and reimagine social impact. Adama is particularly interested in the ways that data and narrative inform philanthropic work and can serve as a catalyst for change.

Adama has served in social justice ministries at the district and conference levels of the United Methodist Church. From 2015 to 2017, she served on the Amos Commission, the social justice arm of the Capital District of the Rio Texas Annual Conference, where she secured grant funding for Undoing Racism work. Beginning in 2010, The Rev. Dr. Brown became involved in the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), where she served as a board member and became a reconciling church consultant, helping churches, including her home church, First UMC of Austin, in their discernment to become a reconciling congregation. From 2019 to 2021, Adama co-chaired the Open Spirit Task Force, designed to facilitate discussion about whether or how the NEAC would engage or create new expressions of Methodism. Since 2019, Adama has been a member of the New England Annual Conference Commission on Religion and Race, where she has co-created anti-racism curriculum and co-facilitated anti-racism training for NEAC clergy.

Adama is a sociologist by training and earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in sociology from Iowa State University with an emphasis on mental health, research methods, statistics, and social policy. She also earned an MDiv from Iliff School of Theology with a specialization in pastoral counseling and spiritual care. Ordained in the New England Annual Conference, The Rev. Dr. Brown is a Deacon in Full Connection and the Deacon in Residence at Arnold Mills UMC in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

In her spare time, Adama is passionate about genealogy, jazz, justice, and joy.

If you missed our last presentation with Christopher Kennedy we will offer a final virtual opportunity to hear his presentation on January 29 at 12 pm. We will record that presentation and make it available to watch at your convenience. It will be helpful context to have ahead of our next meeting so we encourage your to attend or watch as able. Find the Zoom link below.

Our next church-wide Land and Legacy meeting will be in late February to talk about next steps in our discernment process around our property.

If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to Chad—chad@uumc.org—he’s more than happy to chat with you.

POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER

Middle school and high school youth are welcome to join in our annual Game On and Cabo Bobs adventure! The cost is $20 per youth for dinner and games.

Questions? Contact Natasha!

POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER

Diversity Fellowship is kicking off the New Year with a collective celebration featuring traditional Korean New Year food! Diversity Fellowship is a great way for our community's ethnically diverse members to come together, enjoy food, and build meaningful friendships. Have questions or want to know more?

Feel free to contact Pastor Earl—pastorearl@uumc.org—we'd love to connect with you!

The Racial Justice Task Force of UUMC invites you to a four-week study on Christian Nationalism. Together, we’ll explore historical examples and how Christian nationalism emerged in American history and continues to shape the political climate today. We’ll also consider faithful ways to respond: how we can be agents of change and reach out to our neighbors with understanding and hope. Please join us in person or via Zoom! Please email Pastor Earl for the Zoom link.

Our Whole Lives is here again! This year, our kinder-1st graders will get 5 Sundays with our trained OWL teachers- Natasha and Kelly. We will meet in the library right after church, eat lunch together and then begin our lesson! Please plan to bring lunch every Sunday!

OWL dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships and improves decision making. This is a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education. Get all questions answered by emailing Jillian.

Click here to register!

Join us for MLK Sunday as we remember the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and re-commit to our ongoing anti-racism work.

Everyone is invited to the Fellowship Hall for a Sunday School hour opportunity. Rev. Dr. Amy Laura Hall will lead this time and give us a book talk on her forthcoming book. Her new book examines how religious rhetoric and preaching have shaped Christian nationalism in modern American history, and its title is "Erecting the Pulpit: Muscular Christianity from Teddy Roosevelt to Donald Trump." You can learn more on her publisher’s website. Contact Pastor Earl with any questions! pastorearl@uumc.org.

This opportunity will be in-person only. Thank you for your understanding.

Join us Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. for a meaningful time of reading and sharing.

Each session will begin with a short story from around the world and from different time periods—across cultures and religions—followed by a lively discussion and interpretation. Together, we will explore the meanings and lessons these stories offer for our lives today. Please join us in person or via Zoom (please email Pastor Earl for the Zoom link.)

For the last few months, on Wednesday afternoons, about 3 - 6 of us have met in the Church Library, from 1 - 3 p.m., to write. It provides a nice, quiet, regular place to just sit down and write, a place where, once you’re there, the “What I ought to be doing’s” might have a little less persuasion in keeping you from getting something written down. If you’d like to join us, please do. And, if you’d have any questions, please contact me, Mark Jones (512-749-3898), or Christy Moore (deebuss@gmail.com).

The Caregivers Support Group will meet via Zoom on the Second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm. It is a safe place for persons to gather and share confidentially about the joys and challenges of caregiving. This group is facilitated by Pastor Teresa. Please reach out to her at PastorTeresa@uumc.org if you have any questions or concerns.

JOIN US ON ZOOM

College Ministry starts a new semester! UT Students, join us for our first Sunday back.

Contact Megan at motto@uumc.org with any questions!

On January 11 we remember the Baptism of Jesus and we will be invited to participate in a renewal of baptism ritual.

Tweens (4th & 5th Graders) & Youth (6th - 12th Graders):

Join us as we volunteer at Partnerships for Children, helping the organization with whatever they need! We will stop for lunch when we're done. Wear work clothes, bring water bottles and $15 for lunch.

Questions? Ready to RSVP?

Tweens: Contact Jillian at jillian@uumc.org
Youth: Contact Natasha at natasha@uumc.org

On Epiphany Sunday we remember the star the Magi followed to worship Jesus. You are invited to bring stocking caps and gloves for our Open Door guests. We will celebrate holy communion and all will be invited to take home a "star word" to use in prayer practices.

Singers age 14-30 are invited to sing in this small group for our Epiphany service. We will sing songs of light and hope.

Bring a friend, bring your roommate, bring your partner: singers of all skill levels are welcome! We’ll rehearse on Saturday 1/3 and sing in worship on 1/4 at 11 am (call time 10:15).

Questions? Want to RSVP*? Contact AV!

*RSVPs are helpful as we plan what songs we’ll sing, but not required.

Come to the Fellowship Hall during Sunday school hour and join us in a hymn sing led by EunJoo. We'll close out the 2025 year together by singing some of our favorite Christmas hymns.

3:00 pm - Family-Friendly Service *NEW TIME*

Designed by Children’s Director Jillian Moore and Senior Pastor Teresa Welborn. This service will help tell the Christmas story to the youngest members of our community. We’ll also share in Holy Communion and sing some of our favorite carols.

5:30 pm - Traditional Service

A traditional Christmas Eve celebration with a brief homily by Senior Pastor Teresa Welborn, Christmas carols, special music by the Sanctuary Choir, communion and candlelight.

10:30 pm - Traditional Service

A traditional Christmas Eve celebration with a brief homily by Senior Pastor Teresa Welborn, Christmas carols, special music by the Sanctuary Choir, communion and candlelight.

Things you need to know for Sanctuary Services

Parking

All our usual parking will be available–the Platinum Parking Lot and the San Antonio Garage (see the Front Office for Parking Validation). There is limited parking available in the church parking lot on 25th, reserved for guests and those who might have some difficulty with the extra walking. If you are safely able to park in the platinum lot or San Antonio Garage, please consider doing so.

Doors

The South Sanctuary Doors and Education Building Doors will be open 30 minutes prior to the start of each service. If you arrive after the service has started, the best way to enter will be through the South Sanctuary Doors on 24th Street.

Families and kiddos are invited to gather together to bring comfort and joy to our community members who live in retirement and care homes! We will gather in the Fellowship Hall after worship to eat pizza and configure our carpools, and then we will depart to visit three care homes in the area to sing Christmas Carols for their residents.

Questions? Contact AV at alicia@uumc.org, Jillian at jillian@uumc.org or Natasha at natasha@uumc.org!

The Longest Night service is a reflective time when we will hold sacred space for any who are experiencing a difficult time, or for whom the Christmas Season can spark memories of grief or loss. For all who struggle against the darkness, we will sing meditative and peaceful music, including some Taizé selections.

Looking for some additional support? Check out our Longest Night Resources.

Find unique, handmade, and pre-loved gifts made and sourced with intention by Austin artisans at booths in our courtyard and throughout our grounds.

Shopping (12 pm - 6 pm)

Raley Sew & Co (Homemade Bags)
Sarah Cook (Jewelry and Bookmarks)
Air Lush & Co (Hanging Diffusers)
Fab & Glam by Jess (Jewelry, Keychains & Charms)
Hipi Pop (Books & Accessories)
Sisi Art World (Prints, Cards & Totes)
Stitches For Good (Knit & Crochet Goods)
Tati’s Floral Bouquet (Flowers)
Earth & Hand (Soap, Crystals, Oils)
Cindy Reeves (Holiday Serving-ware)
Sharfina Designs (Leather Goods)

Food for Sale (12 pm - 6 pm)

Conchita’s (Conchas, Cinnamon Rolls & Tres Leches)
Crumb & Get It (Cookie Cakes & Cookies)
Open Door (Quesadilla & Soup)
Good Egg Society (Vietnamese Coffee Drinks)
Kids Chem Cook (Hot Cocoa & S’mores)

Live Music

1 pm - Tom Caven
1:30 pm - Christy Moore
2 pm - Dissenting Harmony Choir
2:30 pm - Lockhart High School Choir
3 pm - Austin Community College Choir
3:30 pm - Andres Ojeda
4:30 pm - Panoramic Voices Choir
5 pm - Pano Youth Choir
6 pm - Festival of Carols Concert & Sing-a-long!

About the Festival of Carols

At 6 PM, head to our Sanctuary for a Festival of Carols: sing-a-long to your favorite carols and enjoy beautiful choral music by the combined choirs of University UMC, University Christian Church, and Trinity Church of Austin. These affirming churches share missions of love, inclusion, and justice. Join us in song!

Join us for our annual Lessons and Carols service! The choir and congregation will join together to sing carols alongside choral compositions, interspersed with the traditional Lessons & Carols readings. Let's sing the songs of the season together!

We will only have one Lessons and Carols service this year. In the evening we be joined by University Christian Church and Trinity Church of Austin for a Festival of Carols to close our Musical Christmas Market Let's sing the songs of the season together!

You are invited to the Tuesday Night Lights talk series: Faith and Art: A Conversation on Beauty and the Sacred. Each Tuesday evening, we’ll welcome a different artist or art expert from within our congregation to explore the meaningful intersection between art and spiritual life as they share their stories and lead a conversation. Come for some evenings or join us for them all, and step into a space where stories, questions, and shared reflections can awaken our sense of wonder, stir our hearts with beauty, and renew our hope in a broken world.

Questions? Contact Pastor Earl at PastorEarl@uumc.org.

About Paul Harper

Paul Harper is a musician and music educator. He plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, and bass guitar. He grew up in Minnesota, then moved to San Antonio in 1981 to attend the Southwest Guitar Conservatory. He later studied classical guitar at UTSA, where he earned both a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music degree. He is an adjunct professor of music at Northeast Lakeview College in San Antonio. He sings in the bass section of the UUMC choir. He has played as an extra with the now defunct San Antonio Symphony Orchestra. He enjoys hiking, birding, and watching baseball (go Twins!)