Upcoming Events
From fun, community building activities to educational and spiritual growth opportunities, there are always great events happening at UUMC. If you want to stay in the loop about upcoming events, sign up for our newsletters!
Pentecost Sunday
Join us for worship this Sunday! It is Pentecost Sunday and you are invited to WEAR RED! We will hear the traditional reading from Acts about the coming of the Holy Spirit and Pastor Teresa will be preaching about the gift of the church.
Special music this Sunday will be brought to you by our talented teen treble ensemble! These young adults from 8-12th grade will share some fiery selections for you, including "Raging Fire" by Phillip Phillips, and a beautiful setting of indigenous poet Pauline Johnson's work "Fire Flowers" by Timothy Corlis. They are accompanied by multi-instrumental Austin musician Carolyn Trowbridge (percussion), as well as local folk heros Paul Harper (guitar) and Katie Bennet-Hobson (violin).
About Carolyn Trowbridge
Austin Music Award-nominated multi-instrumental musician, performer, and composer, Carolyn Trowbridge is an energetic, multifaceted artist and performer. She has recorded, collaborated and performed with several well-known artists including Jaime Wyatt, Adrian Quesada, Grammy Award nominees Black Pumas and many more.
Trowbridge is an established music educator with 20+ years of experience teaching theory, composition and practical skills, delivering masterclasses across the country and competing internationally. In 2018, she co-directed the Walsh Middle School percussion ensemble, leading them to win the award of the International Percussion Ensemble Competition, where they performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.
Senior Sunday
We would like to recognize all UUMC graduating High School Seniors during the service with a small gift and a moment in front of the congregation. Parents of Seniors, please reach out to Natasha to help us prepare for this special event.
An Extra Joyful Noise - Bach Cantata
Join us to celebrate the Ascension of Jesus with Bach's "Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen" (BWV11)! Sung by our Sanctuary Choir and accompanied by Dr. EunJoo Fierro on the organ.
We will bring you a multi-movement work which spotlights our talented UUMC Section Leaders- Soprano Cami Everitt, Mezzo-Soprano Annisha Mackenzie, Tenor Andres Ojeda, and Bass George Sani.
Our music department is excited to bring you this new version of our "Extra Joyful Noise" service in the form of this extended musical meditation on the rising and ascension of our savior. Alleluia, Christ is Risen Indeed!
Easter Sunday
Join us for worship Easter Sunday morning!
Event Information
Parking
Parking will be available in the Platinum Parking Lot from 6 - 9 pm or in the UUMC Lot.
Doors
The Education Building Doors and South Sanctuary Doors on 24th Street will be open.
Easter Vigil
Held in the chapel at 7pm, this service includes a time of prayer and special music as we hold vigil for the return of Christ. We will sing the Holden Evening Prayer liturgy together, and have space for meditation and prayer by candlelight.
Event Information
Parking
Parking will be available in the Platinum Parking Lot from 6 - 9 pm or in the UUMC Lot.
Good Friday - Evening Service
At 7 pm in the sanctuary, we’ll have a moving and reflective service featuring congregational singing, special music, scripture readings, and other selected readings. In keeping with our congregation’s ongoing work in Anti-racism, the service will include readings from James Cone, founder of Black Liberation Theology and Cole Arthur Riley, author of Black Liturgies. Special music will also include the song “Strange Fruit” written by Abel Meeropol and covered by Billie Holiday.
Event Information
Parking
Parking will be available in the Platinum Parking Lot from 6 - 9 pm or in the UUMC Lot.
Good Friday - Midday Service
At 12:15 pm in the chapel, we’ll have a service designed with families of children in mind as well as working persons who are able to get away from the office for a brief noon service.
Event Information
Parking
Parking will be available in the UUMC Lot only.
Maundy Thursday
Held in the Sanctuary at 7 pm, this service will include communion, optional prayer stations (including foot washing), hymns, and a brief meditation by Megan Otto.
Event Information
Parking
Parking will be available in the Platinum Parking Lot from 6 - 9 pm or in the UUMC Lot.
Easter Festival
Join us for our Annual Easter Festival at UUMC full of fun and fellowship.
Food: We will provide barbecue and lots of fun but we could use your help with the sides. Sign up here to bring something.
Egg Hunt: Kids 2yrs - 5th grade are invited to come find 10 eggs! Meet a the Littlefield gate across the alley.
Games: Kids will earn coins as they play games. On your way out, kids are invited to donate their coins to UUMC Ministries. Coin donations will be sponsored by our Sunday School classes.
Hope to see y’all there!
Schedule of Events
12:15 PM
Egg Hunt in Littlefield Yard
Lunch begins in Fellowship Hall
12:45 PM
Games & Popcorn open in Courtyard
Bounce House available in Littlefield Parking Lot
Egg Dyeing starts on Balcony
Wesley Choir Performance!
Our Wesley choir (1st-12th grade) will sing “Hosanna, Hosanna” by Stan Pethel at the 11 am service on Palm Sunday, March 24th.
Wesley Choir Participants should arrive by 10:30 am.
Email Alicia for questions or to register!
Austin Marathon
February 18th is the annual Austin Marathon. Since the route runs right down Guadalupe we will all need to plan a little additional time for travel.
As always, you can try using Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze. However, sometimes those applications don't work as well on these type of occasions. We’ve put together some handy tips for getting to church this Sunday!
Ash Wednesday - Evening Service
We begin our Lenten journey with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time of remembering Jesus' journey to the cross and a reminder of our deep dependence upon God and God's continuous invitation to turn away from sin and towards God and others in love.
The service begins in the Sanctuary at 7 pm and worshipers are invited to also gather earlier to participate in a special ritual of burning last year's Palm branches led by Pastor Earl. We will meet Pastor Earl at 6:30 in the courtyard. If you still have yours from last year you are encouraged to bring them! Also, you can watch Rev. Earl Kim prepare the ashes last year.
Ash Wednesday - Midday Service
We begin our Lenten journey with Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time of remembering Jesus' journey to the cross and a reminder of our deep dependence upon God and God's continuous invitation to turn away from sin and towards God and others in love.
Join us at 12:15 for a brief Mid-day Ash Wednesday service including imposition of ashes.
Guest Preacher: Dr. Marlon Johnson
On Sunday, February 11 we welcome Dr. Marlon Johnson to the pulpit as we commit to the ongoing work for full inclusion in the life of the church. Dr. Johnson is Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Seminary of the Southwest.
Reconciling Ministries Network Sunday
In February 2011 at a called church conference, University UMC voted overwhelming to affiliate with Reconciling Ministries Network. On Sunday, February 11 we welcome Dr. Marlon Johnson to the pulpit as we remembering this important vote at UUMC and as we commit to the ongoing work for full inclusion in the life of the church. Dr. Johnson is Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Seminary of the Southwest. RMN is committed to intersectional justice across and beyond the United Methodist connection, working for the full participation of all LGBTQ+ people throughout the life and leadership of the Church.
Guest Preacher: Diana Butler Bass
After join us for a lecture on Saturday night, Diana Butler Bass will join us as a guest preacher on Sunday morning.
Diana Butler Bass (Ph.D., Duke) is an award-winning author of eleven books, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America's most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality, especially where faith intersects with politics and culture.
Her bylines include The New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN.com, Atlantic.com, USA Today, Huffington Post, Christian Century, and Sojourners. She has commented in the media widely including on CBS, CNN, PBS, NPR, CBC, FOX, Sirius XM, TIME, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Mother Jones, and in multiple global news outlets.
Her website is dianabutlerbass.com and she can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She writes a twice-weekly newsletter - The Cottage - which can be found on Substack.
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Join us for worship Sunday, January 14 as we remember the legacy of MLK, renew our baptism and welcome guest preacher Dr. Marcus Freeman. Dr. Freeman, District Superintendent of the Capital District will preside at a brief called Church Conference as the congregation votes to approve an anti-racist statement.
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Marcus Freeman
Join us for worship Sunday, January 14 as we remember the legacy of MLK, renew our baptism and welcome guest preacher Dr. Marcus Freeman.
Dr. Freeman is District Superintendent of the Capital and Crossroads District of The UMC. Following worship, Dr. Freeman will preside at a brief called Church Conference as the congregation votes to approve an anti-racist statement.
The statement was written by members of the Racial Justice Task Force and approved by the Church Council in Fall 2023. In addition to workshops and study, the approval of the statement fulfills aspects of a resolution adopted by the Church Council and shared with the congregation. Learn more about the statement on the Racial Justice page!
Epiphany Sunday
Join us for worship Epiphany Sunday, January 7th. Pastor Teresa will preach on the story of the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child from Matthew’s Gospel. The following quote from Vincent Van Gogh floated in her mind as she wrote this week’s sermon, "For my part, I know nothing with certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream." We will also recieve “star words” as an invitation to a prayer practice for the new year. Curious about “star words?” Join us for worship and learn more!
As well, we will be collecting jackets, blankets, hats and gloves for the Fig Leaf closet. Bring items (new or gently used) to worship or during office hours.
Lessons and Carols
Join us for our annual Lessons and Carols service! The choir and congregation will join together to sing traditional carols as well as more contemporary compositions, interspersed with the Christmas Story read by congregants and community leaders. Doors will open at 6 pm, at 6:30 pm, we’ll have a special set of prelude music, which will only be performed before the 7 pm service. Let's sing the songs of the season together!
Lessons and Carols
Join us for our annual Lessons and Carols service! The choir and congregation will join together to sing traditional carols as well as more contemporary compositions, interspersed with the Christmas Story read by congregants and community leaders. Let's sing the songs of the season together!
Guest Preacher: Rev. Nancy Frausto
We’re so excited to welcome Rev. Nancy Frausto to join us in worship as our guest preacher before her Lunch and Learn!
Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, Rev. Nancy Frausto immigrated to the U.S. as a child. She is the first and only DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) beneficiary priest in the Episcopal Church. Rev. Frausto recognizes the importance of honoring diversity in language, culture, social-economic status, and race in people's stories. Her passion for storytelling and finding God amid chaos, pain, laughter, and joy drives her desire to share her personal story and hear the stories of others who seek, name, and celebrate Jesus' loving presence in their lives.
All Saint’s Requiem
Join us for worship as we remember members who died during the year.
The Sanctuary Choir will perform "Lux Aeterna" by Morten Lauridsen, a requiem in five movements. Composed in 1997, "Lux Aeterna" is a relatively contemporary requiem. Lauridsen was moved to compose the piece by the death of his mother, for whom he had great love. The piece is often compared to Brahm's "Ein Deutsches Requiem." Both composers took liberty in the selection of their text, rather than pulling from the traditional latin mass, they focused on readings that would comfort and console the living. "Lux Aeterna" features readings that reference various forms of sacred light. May this work and our singers be a light to you on a heavy day, as we remember and lift up all those in our congregation who have passed throughout the year.
Joining Sunday
We anticipate a couple of new members joining on Sunday, October 29. If you have been visiting with us and are interested in joining as a member at University UMC we'd be thrilled to have you! Please be in touch with Pastor Teresa or Pastor Earl and they will be happy to visit with you about the details.
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Amy Laura Hall
UUMC is excited to welcome Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Duke University. Rev. Dr. Amy Hall will join us as a guest preacher for our 11 am service.
Altar Rail Offering: Habitat for Humanity Build
University UMC and University Presbyterian Church are collaborating on a Habitat for Humanity house building project later this Fall. As a partnering church, we are contributing $5,000 to the project and our August communion rail offering will assist us in raising the necessary funds. Stay posted for more details and let Pastor Teresa know if you are interested in being a part of the building day and/or if you have any questions.