FUMC News

Church Office Holiday and End-of-Year Giving Schedule The church office will be closed from 1:00PM on Tuesday, December 24, through Thursday, January 2, for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, with the exception of a half day on Tuesday, December 31. For details,...

This Christmas, strengthen community by helping Black Mamas Village (BMV) build bridges to health and belonging that change lives. At a time when many families face housing insecurity, food shortages, and health disparities, Black Mamas Village provides connection,...

Diaper Collection Now-Sunday, January 5 | Sanctuary and FLC Foyers We are collecting diapers for the Austin Diaper Bank from Advent through Epiphany. A clean diaper means a happy, healthy baby, and recent studies say that nearly fifty percent of families with young...

Advent Devotional Materials Available As we enter the season of Advent, First Church is offering a selection of daily devotional materials to help enrich this season of expectant waiting. With options for different stages of life, choose the guide that most speaks to...

Christmas Poinsettia Sale Honor or remember loved ones at Christmas by purchasing a florist quality poinsettia plant to beautify our Sanctuary from the Third Sunday of Advent (December 15) through Christmas Eve. Each plant costs $20. Your poinsettias may be picked up...

Donate Books for December Pickle Elementary Book Sale Donations: Sundays, November 17 and 24 and December 1    Book Sale: Friday, December 6 at Pickle Elementary School Spread the holiday cheer by donating new/very gently used books or money (using the " Pickle...

Jesus said, “Which of these three...was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” [The man] said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” —Luke 10:25-37 Each month we highlight a ministry that we see transforming...

September Mission Emphasis: Feed My People Breakfast Twice a week for more than 20 years, our Great Hall has hummed to life by 5:15AM to host the Feed MyPeople Breakfast, a program of the Foundation for the Homeless. For our guests, it is a brief escape from dangers...

On Sunday, August 25, the Church Conference approved total expenditures in the amount of $13,020,000 to complete the repairs and restoration of the Sanctuary Building that were outlined in the "Exterior Add-On" Package, available for review at fumcaustin.org. We...

Confirmation Class Forming for Fall Start Confirmation offers young people a chance to learn about faith in the United Methodist tradition—our identity as Christians, history and heritage, practices, and beliefs. With weekly gatherings in participant families’ homes...

Do Unto Others Kindness Campaign There is a teaching widely shared among religions, commonly called the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” We believe this universal rule has the power to bring people together, so we are joining a...

Online Study: Centering Immigrant Voices for Faithful Growth Day and Evening Options beginning September 12, 14, and 15This September, overlapping with Hispanic Heritage Month, our partners at Justice for Our Neighbors (with support from UMC Discipleship Ministries)...

Socks and Underwear Drive Sundays in AugustOur Joy Circle of the United Women in Faith is collecting donations of children’s socks and underwear for Austin area public schools that serve vulnerable communities. Please contribute new, unopened packages of these items...

Take Home Your Own Piece of FUMC History You have the opportunity to own a piece of FUMC history in the form of one of the decorative masonry elements that have topped the Sanctuary Building roof since 1928. As part of our ongoing restoration project, all of these...

In July and August, the choir moves to its summer schedule and that is the perfect time for those who sing to join us. If you have been curious about choir or if you would love to participate, but cannot commit to our regular Wednesday evening rehearsal schedule,...

Capital Campaign and Construction Updates Last year at this time, we were celebrating a successful capital campaign to repair, restore, and renovate our historic Sanctuary Building. Not only did this faith community exceed our initial goal in that campaign, but we...

Celebrate Commissioning We celebrate that Dr. Becca Edwards and Dr. Brad King were commissioned for ministry as a provisional Deacon and provisional Elder, respectively, on Friday, June 7. Bishop Robert Schnase presided over their commissioning after Becca and Brad...

Whether you tuck these recommendations into a beach bag or a backpack, you are invited to read along with First Church this summer. We are sharing a curated list of books and resources from staff members that we hope you will tuck into your carryon or enjoy as you lay...

Draw the Circle wide! We delight that the United Methodist Church is a more inclusive and affirming denomination after the recent changes made at General Conference. It is our joy to share our love for all of God’s LGBTQ+ children with the wider community as we...

Dr. Karen Smith Consecrated as UMC Deaconess We celebrate that Dr. Karen Smith was consecrated as a Deaconess in the United Methodist Church at the recent General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Deaconess—or Home Missioner, the male equivalent—is a lay...

Welcome Our Newest Staff Member We are pleased to welcome to the First Church staff our new Director of Facilities and Events, Johnny Duncan. Johnny was born in Philadelphia, PA. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Chaplain Assistant while visiting over 17 countries....

We fervently believe that God can use anyone to transform the world. That is why our youth practice mercy and justice through our middle and high school service trips. This summer, more than 60 young people and adults will travel to Ft. Worth, Texas, and Eastern...

Update On Our Stained Glass Windows For those of us counting how long some of our stained glass windows have been out, the first five were removed and sent for restoration in late January. To check on progress and better understand the process, staff members Emily...

Thank You to Sunday School Teachers! Thank you to our amazing and dedicated Sunday School teachers for children and youth! Because of you, we are able to offer year-round faith formation small groups on Sundays to our young disciples, aged preschool through 12th...