Trinity United Methodist Church

New Sunday School Class: “The Happy Heretics”, Begins in June

Trinity UMC — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:02:32 +0000

Who was Jesus? What did he look like? Was he really born in December? What was the Star of Bethlehem? Why was Jesus killed? What’s the real story of the Holy Grail? Who was Mary Magdalene? Did she really have a “thing” with Jesus? Most importantly, are there any objective answers to any of these questions to be found in real science and real history?

Beginning on June 3rd, Russ Harper will begin a new adult Sunday school exploring these and other issues. The class will begin with the television program Science of the Bible which aired on the National Geographic Channel a few years ago. Later, we’ll see other television programs from PBS, or read works from biblical historians such as John Dominic Crossan or Bart D. Ehrman. We’ll learn about biblical archeology. We’ll read works from early forms of Christianity not found in the Bible, and we’ll see how Christianity spread and developed. We’ll see how the Bible was formed, and learn about the struggles to have it translated into English. And we’ll hear all of this from scientific, historical and archeological experts while avoiding supernatural thinking.

North Central Caregivers & First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Garage & Bake Sale This Saturday!

Trinity UMC — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:47:44 +0000

Don’t forget! The North Central Caregivers & First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Garage & Bake Sale is this Saturday, March 19th. Stop by for some great bargains and to support a wonderful organization.

Saturday, May 19^th– 9 am to 1 pm
First Cumberland Fellowship Hall
6800 Woodrow Avenue

New: Online Sermons

Trinity UMC — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:37:41 +0000

Visit our Sermons page to listen online and download associated readings.

Trinity Fundraiser Concert – May 25

Trinity UMC — Sat, 12 May 2012 04:14:31 +0000

We hope you all come out for Trinity’s upcoming fundraiser concert featuring Michael McAdams, with Austin Baker. The concert will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in the Community Hall on May 25 from 8 – 10 PM. Tickets are $15 (children 12 and under free with a paid adult) and can be purchased at the door or Sundays between and after the services. There will be a fabulous light show in addition to the music, and the concert will be videotaped for a music video that will go up on YouTube.

Helping at Annual Conference with Monitoring

Trinity UMC — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:46:56 +0000

The Commission on the Status and Role of Women and the General Commission on Religion and Race are co-sponsoring a new monitoring tools training. Our shared goal is to provide our annual conference leaders more constructive and comprehensive data toward intentional, invitational inclusivity in our churches. Training will be from 9-12 on Thursday June 7th in Corpus Christi at the Convention Center which hosts our Annual Conference every year (1901 N. Shoreline Blvd). We will ask all the trained monitors to select various events at Annual Conference where they will serve as monitors!

What is a Monitor? A monitor is aware of the life and commitment of the United Methodist Church to full and equal participation by all. A monitor acts to promote that participation.

Training will encourage: Respect, love, healthy conflict management and healthy relationships, using sound biblical and theological foundations. Diversity is not to be “tolerated” but sought, affirmed, and developed as a benefit to the whole group. It is not about “political correctness,” but about justice.

And if you attend Annual Conference, you can also help with the MFSA/RMN booth and attend the Church and Society/MFSA/RMN Social Justice Luncheon with a wonderful speaker, Jim Winkler of Church and Society!

Join Us for Fellowship & Healing – Potluck, 5/11

Trinity UMC — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:38:31 +0000

Please join us for community-wide potluck at Trinity UMC’s Community at 7pm this Friday, May 11th. We will come together for support, and to hear stories from local delegates and activists who participated in General Conference, the top policy-making body of the international United Methodist Church. General Conference is the only body that officially speaks for the 11.5-million member denomination, and was a brutal attack on our LGBT brothers and sisters this session. We need to come together now to to support one another and to heal. When all else fails, Methodists know how to put on potluck. Please come and invite others in your circle of concern. Trinity will be providing the main dish and drinks for the potluck. Please plan to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert.

North Central Caregivers & First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Garage & Bake Sale – 5/19

Trinity UMC — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:46:58 +0000

Saturday, May 19^th– 9 am to 1 pm
First Cumberland Fellowship Hall
6800 Woodrow Avenue

Start cleaning out your attics, closets, garages and cabinets—the 4^th Annual North Central Caregivers & First Cumberland Presbyterian Church joint Garage Sale will be held again this May. Last year’s Garage Sale was a great success and a lot of fun, too. Recycle your gently used and unwanted clothing and household goods, and help support senior support services in north central Austin at the same time. You can bring your donations to our office at 6800 Woodrow Ave. beginning on May 7th. You can also contact our Board Member, Bob, at 423-8482, and he will pick up your smaller items or boxes. We will have volunteers available with pick-up trucks to help you get larger items to the church on Friday, May 18th. Call the office at: 453-2273

Once again we will be baking up a storm to raise funds by selling homemade baked goods. We ran out of bakery items so quickly last year; we will be sure to have even more available this year.

Remember, your junk is someone’s treasure. We all love a bargain! Thank you for your continued support of North Central Caregivers and seniors in Austin.

Update – The United Methodist Church General Conference

Trinity UMC — Sat, 05 May 2012 02:04:44 +0000

Day Ten began with legislation on human sexuality. At stake was the removal the clause in our Social Principles which states that “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Well-known clergy Adam Hamilton and Mike Slaughter co-authored an amendment which would have kept the language of incompatibility but add a phrase that United Methodists are not of one mind. The amendment failed 507-441 and the main motion to remove incompatibility language failed 572-368.

During the discussion, a silent witness gathered around the bar of the plenary floor. Members of the Common Witness Coalition kept prayer during the difficult debate. Delegates moved from their seats to the the edge of the plenary floor to stand in witness together. Following the votes a break was called an the silent witness took over the plenary floor. Singing and praying, the witnesses gathered around the table for Holy Communion in which all were invited to participate. At least nine bishops left their place on the stage and joined in the gathering at the center of the room.

Those gathered were still singing and praying when delegates returned from their morning break. Upon refusing to leave when asked, Bishop Michael Coyner of the Indiana Area called an early lunch recess and stated that the afternoon session would be closed to visitors. It was later decided the session would remain open.

Germany Area Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, new president of the Council of Bishops, opened the session with a statement crafted by the bishops. She acknowledged the pain General Conference’s decisions and church policy have caused to the LGBT persons and urged everyone to stay committed to holy conferencing.

In other business, delegates did not approve an amendment to the Constitution that would have allowed General Conference to name a committee to reallocate funds between General Conferences. Likewise, the body rejected a motion to set a time for discussion of a petition directing the General Board of Church and Society and the General Board of Global Ministries/Women’s Division to withdraw membership in the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

LOOKING AHEAD

The work of General Conference continues on the plenary floor. You can view live streaming of General Conference and watch from home.

First Sunday – Children & Youth

Trinity UMC — Sat, 05 May 2012 01:54:59 +0000

The children and middle school youth will join professional teaching artists from Theatre Action Project for some creative activities at this month’s First Sunday community event. Workshop classes will take place from 9:15-10:15 and from 11:30-12:30 Be prepared for some fun games, art activities and wacky performance exercises meant to stimulate your creativity and get us thinking about what it really means to be part of a community. If you enjoy working with us, ask about opportunities to get involed with TAP’s summer camps or audition to be a part of our high school performance ensemble, Changing Lives. At 10:30, we’ll be making May Baskets for our homebound members.

The senior high youth will be preparing lemonade and treats during worship, which will be available after both services as part of our ongoing fundraising to pay for shipping last month’s projects to Ethiopia.

Please bring your kiddos! All are welcome.

Photo Directory – Last Chance Photos!

Trinity UMC — Sat, 05 May 2012 01:48:34 +0000

Now is your last opportunity to get your picture into the Trinity Photo Directory. If you have not yet been photographed with Lifetouch, or have not yet sent in a picture, but would like to be in the directory, here are some options:

Attend a Lifetouch photo session at another church in Austin.

May 7,8, 10-12 at Manchaca Baptist, 1215 West FM 1626. call 512.282.0875 x 10 to sign up.
May 18-19 at Oak Hill UMC. Sign up online at www.securedata-trans14.com/ap/oakhillumc/index.php?page=10.

Email a photo to mail@tumc.org ASAP. Pictures must be:

300 dpi or better.
Vertical pose
.jpg or .tiff format