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 – Responding to General Conference
Responding to General Conference Dear First Church, I want to share a few updates with you regarding our response following the 2019 General Conference a couple weeks ago.Our Executive Team met on Wednesday,...
General Conference Debriefing & FAQ Response
Video Recording of General Conference Debriefing On Sunday, March 3, Rev. Michael Mumme and Rev. Pastor Taylor Fuerst led a debriefing of the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference. The briefing, recorded on video, covered key items that were found...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Reflections on General Conference
Reflections on General Conference Dear Church, Many of you followed the Special Session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church this past week. The conference adjourned on Tuesday evening, and I’m writing to share with...
First Word from Pastor Michael – General Conference
On 2019 Special Session of the General Conference Dear Church, On Saturday, February 23, 864 delegates and thousands of observers from across the world will gather in St. Louis, Missouri for the opening Day of Prayer of the 2019 Special...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – State of the Church
Dear Church, If you weren't ready for it, 2019 may have caught you by surprise. Another year has gone by, and we are already a month into a new one. It's hard to keep up! Life feels the same way at First United Methodist Church–it's hard to keep up! The momentum of...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Christmas Offering
Dear First Church, Each year we remember that Advent is a season of anticipation. We anticipate the coming celebration of Christ’s birth, and we anticipate Christ’s return—the time when God will restore all things through God’s own loving presence. In Christmas, we...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Election Day and Prayer Service on Wednesday
Dear Church, Election Day is here. Ordinarily, I would end that sentence with an exclamation point. Usually, I wake up on Election Day with a heart full of excitement and gratitude to live in a country where we enjoy a free and peaceful opportunity to choose leaders...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Generosity and Baptism
What does generosity have to do with Baptism? A couple weeks ago, Lara Greene and I led our semiannual Baptism class where seven families came together for learning and discussion about having a child in their family baptized. I've also been meeting with two adults in...
First Word from Pastor Michael – Continuing to Find A Way Forward
Continuing to Find A Way Forward As a United Methodist Church, FUMC Austin exists in a tension between our denomination’s official position—prohibiting our clergy from officiating same-sex marriages and prohibiting lesbian and gay...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Active Learning
Occasionally, someone actually asks me the question. The question they've been carrying around with them. The question that's been haunting them, lingering above their head, or nibbling at their heart. The question about God, whom they thought they knew, but who...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Back to School
Dear Church, Can you feel it? The city, your neighborhood, maybe even your own household is bracing itself for what's coming. Syllabi. School buses. Bouquets of sharpened pencils. Dorm rooms. Traffic. It's that time of year again. And somehow, whether or not you have...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – Reflections on Upcoming PRIDE Week
We believe that all people are created with sacred worth. We welcome all persons regardless of race, gender, age, physical disability, and sexual orientation to join us on our journey with God. Dear First Church, I grew up in the...
First Word from Pastor Cathy – Bridge Building
Dear Church, We believe that relationships are the primary way in which God transforms lives. Relationships matter. Through our connections with one another we can be challenged, encouraged, loved, and transformed…both as individuals and as a community. Blessings,...
First Word from Pastor Michael – On God and Country
On God and Country “We freely admit that we do not have all the answers, but we believe that Jesus points the way.” -From “Our Invitation,” FUMC, Austin Storytelling is one of our values at First UMC,...
First Word from Pastor Taylor – We Value Service
"I joined this church because I could see that these people don't just say they care about others; they actually get out there and get their hands dirty to serve others." These words are music to my ears....
First Word from Pastor Michael – Finding A Way Forward
Finding a Way Forward: Our 5-Year Reconciling Anniversary & the 2019 Special General Conference Dear Church, Stories of our journey to inclusion and affirmation of LGBTQ persons filled Wesley Hall last Sunday during the 5-Year...