First Word from Our Pastors
Our pastors observe how God’s transformation is working in the world, within our church, and within people.
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Spiritual Practice of Service
I’ll be honest. When deciding which of the spiritual disciplines to lift up in this Eastertide series of sermons, we intentionally decided not to do a sermon on Service. Truth is, service is an area in which First Church excels; when others ask me about our church, I am always quick to note that this is a church where we don’t just write checks—we get our hands dirty in the actual work of serving others. It’s one part of our “personality” that I appreciate the most. I’d like to lift up a distinction that may be helpful for us in consideration of service, and that is the distinction between service carried out as an act of love and care for another and service taken on as a spiritual discipline. These aren’t mutually exclusive—hopefully all service is done with a measure of love for others, and really any service can help us to grow spiritually, but I invite you to consider what might be different about a practice of serving for the purpose of training your spirit.
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Spiritual Practice of Solitude
We’ve set out to explore the Spiritual habits and disciplines that can help strengthen us during times of trial. With a six-week worship series, we are unable to cover all of the many spiritual disciplines practiced by Christians over these thousands of years, so I’ll use these messages for the next several weeks to reflect on some of the practices we will miss in the worship series. Perhaps the strangest one to talk about right now is the Spiritual Discipline of solitude.
Taylor’s Weekly Pastoral Letter – Spiritual Disciplines
We will spend the next six Sundays exploring the Spiritual Disciplines in our new worship series, “A Strong Spirit in Troubled Times: The Practices that Sustain Us.” Each week our podcast and live worship will be focused around one discipline, with sermon, music, and prayers centered on that theme. We’ll skip some of the more obvious, traditional disciplines and delve into a few you probably haven’t tried, at least not intentionally, and we’ll pay particular attention to the ways that God might use these disciplines to sustain us through this particular moment in history.
First Word from Pastor Taylor – “Yes, and…”
I have always been taken with the idea that the Christian life is one of improvisation. We take the model we are given—through what we see of Jesus and other disciples in scripture, through the witness of the saints—and we improvise on that. We adapt it to new circumstances, a different time, and we add to it, using creativity driven by necessity and the ever-generative Holy Spirit.
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Gift of Simplicity
Perhaps one of the gifts available to us in these days is simplicity. I need regular reminders that not everything has to be complicated! In this crisis times, even small things—the things we would usually take for granted—make a big difference. Think of the scenes of thousands of New Yorkers out on their balconies cheering for the medical workers who are selflessly caring for so many right now; simple applause, and yet it is deeply moving. One day this week, I received two cards—two!—from members of our congregation offering their thanks and encouragement. I wept then, and I’m weeping again now, just thinking about it.
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Times of Suffering
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – New Circumstances
Dear Church, As I write to you, circumstances are changing at a dizzying pace. It’s hard to keep up with the latest recommendations and bans and risk levels and grocery shortages. And yet, I am reminded that God is steady…and steadfast. The rhythms of life that God’s...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Coronavirus
Dear Church, I write to assure you that the leadership of FUMC is monitoring public health communication and advice regarding the spread of novel coronavirus (Covid-19). Based on recommendations from public health authorities, we do not believe there is a need to make...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – General Conference 2020
As we approach the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in May 2020, we can expect the dull roar of anxiety in the UMC to grow louder and louder. To help us prepare for these developments, I held a briefing on Sunday, February 23 in the Sanctuary.
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Safety and Welcome at First Church
Dear Church, First United Methodist Church of Austin exists to build a community where all people are invited to know God’s love and sent to join God in transforming the world. To accomplish this, First United Methodist Church of Austin must strive to make our church...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Update on United Methodist Church
Dear Church, Today is January 4—only four days into the year, and we are already seeing important events unfolding around us. I am writing to give a brief update on happenings within the UMC, but I do so plainly aware of recent events in Baghdad, Iraq, and our call to...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Finding Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity
Dear FUMC Family, This Sunday, September 29, we launch our churchwide generosity emphasis called “Enough.” We all know that money holds great power in our lives. Money is a resource we use to meet our needs and accomplish our goals, and yet it often brings great...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Churchwide Vote Results
Churchwide Vote Results Dear Church, Well, you’ve done it. In the face of a General Conference vote that denied the full measure of God’s love for all people, you have boldly responded by declaring God’s love for all! By passing the...
Marriage Equality Town Halls and Churchwide Vote
Statement from the Pastors Over the last two months, the "Moving Forward" Task Force has developed a resolution to welcome all couples for marriage at FUMC. Last Sunday, May 19, the Administrative Board unanimously recommended the...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Judicial Council Ruling
Updates following Judicial Council Ruling Dear Church, Many of you have heard that a ruling has been made by the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church regarding the decisions made at General Conference 2019. I'm writing to...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Response Task Force Update
Updates on our response to General Conference Dear Church, I am writing to share an update about our church's response to the 2019 General Conference: The Moving Forward Task Force, chaired by Robbie Ausley, has gathered twice. In our...