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U N I V E R S I T Y P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H
2014
UPLift Christmas Party Tuesday, December 9
9 a.m.—12 noon
UPLift has seen its client numbers go up because there is great need for the services we provide, so we are relying on your generosity once again to make the UPLift Christmas Party a time of rejoicing for our clients. Last year we asked for $10 gifts cards and you responded so generously that we had enough to give to one to every guest at the party with some left over that we used throughout the year. We are asking again for $10 gifts cards for this year’s party. Recommended stores are HEB, Walgreen’s, Goodwill, Walmart, and other stores. Watch for specially marked cards in the pews during the next few Sundays and place them in the offering plate. Or, you may deliver them to the church office by Monday, December 8.
FOR CHILDREN - Crayons and coloring books in gift bags; children's books and toys in gift bags
FOOD - Ham or turkey, fruit, cheese, muffins, other brunch-type food
And, if you're looking for a family project this Christmas, how about baking cookies and putting them in gifts bags to give our guests when they leave the party? We need 100-120 cookie bags and it would be especially meaningful if some of the bakers could be there to give them out. The UPLift team is grateful for your contributions, and asks that you please consider attending the party — your presence there would be the greatest gift of all.
In This Issue Pastoral Transition page 2
December Birthdays page 2
Welcome Our Newest Members page 3
Tamales Lovers! page 3
Alternative Gift Market page 3
Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior SOUND OF ANGELS page 4
Childrens Sunday School in Advent page 4
Christmas Joy Offering page 5
Advent Calendar page 5
A Festival of Lessons & Carols page 6
A Thrill of Hope Advent Study, FAITH & LIFE page 6
Ministry Opportunities page 7
Fellowship Opportunities page 8
Youth Group UPdate page 9
UKirk UPdate page 9
Preparing for 2015 page 10
Session Highlights & Commendations page 11
H e comes almost every week. He comes through the door with a wide, almost toothless grin, gives me a firm
handshake and a hearty “Good morning!” I’m ashamed to say I still don’t know his name. He always sits near the back of the rows of chairs, but listens intently to all the announcements. I, or another of our volunteers, tell our clients about parking their Lexuses, BMWs and Caddies (always good for a laugh in the parking garage, keeping their red ticket for the buss pass drawing, and waiting patiently to hear their names called for assistance. I have a little ritual for closing the announcements: “Now I’m going to tell you the most important thing you need to know, so I want you to listen very carefully. You are welcome here!” As I look over the faces of this day’s clients, I can see him on the back row. He is silently mouthing the words along with me, “You are welcome here.”
Isn’t this what all of us want? To know that there is a place where we are always welcome? Thank you, UPC, for making UPLift such a place. —Bobbie Sanders
Pastoral Transition As you know, San has announced his retirement effective May 1, 2015. Over the next few months,
the Session, in consultation with our Presbytery liaison, will be making plans for this time of pastoral
transition. Session will discuss the process for pastoral transitions at our November 19 meeting.
Then we’ll invite Phil Barnes, our Presbytery liaison, to meet with us for our December 17th meeting
to further discuss the process. Any interested church member is welcome to attend the Session
meetings, which are at 5:30 p.m. in the Great Hall. Our congregation’s Annual Meeting, which is
called for February 1, 2015, will be opportunity to share the transition process with the congregation
and invite questions and comments.
Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have. Tyson Payne is chair of the Staff
Committee, and will respond to any inquiries. The Session will keep the congregation informed as
we move forward. Transitions are challenging times, but they can also be exciting times as the
congregation looks to the future with hope and expectation.
2 Donna Linn
3 Frank Covert
3 Jamie Asghar
3 Madelyn Mitchell
4 Tiernan Harris
4 Xander Greenway
5 Miles Whitten
5 Joshua Turpin
6 Casey Fox
7 Martha Ernst
7 Suzanne Freeman
7 Daniel Rhodes
8 Christa Jeffers
9 John Caballero
9 Thomas Baskin
10 Marian Payne
10 Saro Mohammed
11 Edith Holmsten
11 Natalie Holmsten
12 Emily Jenkins
12 Pat Thiede
13 Vlad Glouchkova
13 Andy Bardagjy
13 Joan Ryan
13 Barbara Engstrom
13 Caleb Deats
13 Susan White
15 Cathy Clayton
16 Jimmy Clark
16 Scott Jenkins
16 Lily Jean Bohart
17 Jane Craig
17 Karen Pettigrew
17 Bruce Todd
18 Abigail Martin
18 Amy Toulouse
19 Cora Watson
20 Robert Ferguson
21 Bill Meriwether
21 Rob Lakey
22 San Williams
22 Dick Bryarly
22 Anna Fagerberg
23 Scarlett Baxter
23 Christopher Brockett
25 Heather Pate
25 Susan Kestner
26 Shawn Otting
26 Mark Clayton
26 Natalie Caballero
26 Simone Baskin
27 Holly Bohart
28 Luther Parker
29 Mike Musitano
29 Virginia Gates Park
29 Randal Whittington
30 David Fagerberg
30 Cate Houghton
31 Carolyn McFarland
31 Mike McGinnis
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Please WELCOME Our Newest Members!
We are pleased to welcome Susan and Zane Gonzales to UPC! Their two-year-old son, Avery, was baptized on November 23. Susan and Zane were married at UPC in 2011 and join by reaffirmation of faith. The Gonzales family currently resides in Kyle, Texas. Susan is a Marriage and Family Therapist and practices in Westlake, and Zane teaches Special Education in the San Marcos school district. Susan and Zane are members of the Parenting and Faith class.
We welcome the return to UPC of Sarah Hawthorne Cain! The daughter of Karl and Heidi Spock, Sarah is married to James, and is an
RN at Texas Oncology. She is currently taking time off to be mommy to 6-month old daughter, Violet
Louise. Sarah, who joins by reaffirmation of faith, was confirmed into the faith at UPC in 1996.
Zane and Susan Gonzales
Violet and Sarah Cain
Order in the courtyard after church or e-mail your order to [email protected] by December 2. Tamales are $12/dozen. Tamales will be distributed on Sunday, December 7. Proceeds support Manos’ dental, education, and basic needs programs during the season when their clients need the most help!
Alternative Gift Market
December 7
Noon to 2 p.m.
Great Hall
More than 20 vendors, including Heifer Project, Manos de Cristo, Micah 6, Presbyterian Coffee Project, True Vineyard, & UPLift will offer unique items you can give to express love for the season’s gift of Jesus Christ. Cash, check and credit card accepted. Gifts are in all price ranges!
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Sound of Angels Choir Presents
Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior
10 a.m. December 7, Sanctuary
On a hill just outside of Bethlehem, lowly shepherds were tending their sheep at night. They didn't get much company out there. People had been passing through for several days as the census was underway, but they hardly spoke at all as they walked by on their way to Bethlehem. Nobody really wanted to talk to the shepherds. That is, nobody except an angel! They may have been at the bottom of the social ladder in Bethlehem, but God chose shepherds to be the first ones to see the Savior! This is their story - what they heard and what they saw that marvelous night when God came to dwell with men. Join the Sound of Angels choir as they share this short musical, filled with new songs and familiar carols.
— description from Brentwood-Benson Music Publications
What’s Happening in Elementary Sunday School
As we approach Advent, we have very special events and activities coming up!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23 UPC held its first ever Advent Festival in the Great Hall. There were 12 fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Of course, there were goodies to share as well!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30 is “baking cookies day” in the kitchen downstairs at 9:30 a.m. Please be on time and bring an apron if you can! We will also decide on the project which will get the money we make selling our cookies at the Alternative Gift Market on December 7.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 we will set up our space at the Alternative Gift Market, assign salespersons, and “Create Unique Cookies” *More info on the 30th. Everyone plan to stay, help, and shop at the Market at noon!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 we will be creating a New Testament scene in Room 206. We’ll plan and rehearse a nativity playlet and make invitations for our families for the next Sunday.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21 all our families are asked to come to our classroom at 10:00 a.m. to enjoy our nativity playlet and have special Christmas goodies.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 please come to the Christmas Cookie Reception at 4:30 p.m., and join the Instant Christmas pageant at 5:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28 — no Sunday School
Where to find the UPC Children’s Sunday School Classes
Toddler Class – Room 4, lower level, led by childcare staff
ARK (Almost Reading Kids) – Room 203 on the 2nd floor; teacher – GG Saravia
Elementary – Room 204 – 206 on the 2nd floor; teacher – Winnie Gage
Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m. and dismisses at 10:45.
For more information about Children’s Sunday School or other Children’s Ministry programs, contact Kathy Escandell.
1st Annual Advent Festival for All Ages
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Sunday, November 30—First Sunday in Advent
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
11 a.m. Worship (Communion Service)
7:00 a.m. Taizé Worship, Sanctuary
Sunday, December 7—Second Sunday in Advent
9:30-9:55 a.m. Sunday School
10:00 a.m. Children’s Christmas Musical in the Sanctuary, Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior, presented by Sound of Angels Choir
11:00 a.m. Worship (Communion Service)
Noon-2:00 p.m. Alternative Gift Market, Great Hall
Tuesday, December 9
9:30 a.m. UPLift Christmas Party, Great Hall
Saturday, December 13
5:30 p.m. Youth Christmas Party
Sunday, December 14—Third Sunday in Advent
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Worship; Chancel Choir presents Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 21—Fourth Sunday in Advent
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
11 a.m. Worship (Communion Service)
Wednesday, December 24—Christmas Eve
4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Cookie Reception in the Great Hall
5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Instant Pageant family oriented—children participate in impromptu pageant—come dressed as a nativity figure—sheep, Mary, shepherd, angel, star—or pick up a costume in the Great Hall.
11 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service
The UPC Deacons have prepared the Advent Booklets this year.
Booklets are ready for pick up in the narthex and foyer.
The Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It has been a Presbyterian tradition for over 70 years and was established to directly impact people in need. Half of the offering supports the five Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges, while the other half goes to support retired Presbyterian ministers, missionaries, and their spouses. Additional information will be available throughout Advent that will highlight the impact our support can have on those who are learning Christian leadership and those who have spent their lifetime in service to Christ.
ADVENT CALENDAR
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THE FAITH & LIFE class will explore the story of Christmas using
A Thrill of Hope, which combines the beauty and power of art, the sacred text, and the insight of theological scholars to the familiar story as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Each scripture passage is illustrated and interpreted in the stunning artwork of John August Swanson along with commentary by some of America’s premier Biblical scholars, names such as Dr. Thomas G. Long, Dr. Michael Joseph Brown, Dr. Carol A. Newsom, and more. The study is divided into six chapters, each one featuring a passage
of Scripture, commentary by the scholars, and a Swanson work of art based on that passage. Included are A Visit, The Nativity, The Shepherds, Epiphany, Presentation in the Temple, and Flight into Egypt.
November 30 A Visit (Luke 1:26-38) & The Nativity (Luke 2:1-7)
December 7 Join us for fellowship, refreshments, and song. We will dismiss class early to go to the Sound of Angels musical
December 14 The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) & Epiphany (Matthew 2:1-12)
December 21 Presentation in the Temple (Luke 2:21-40) &Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
December 28 No Church School
O Holy Night reminds us, Christ’s birth is a “thrill of hope,” a gift over which “the weary world rejoices.” Join us as we explore a creative retelling of the good news!
FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS & CAROLS RETURNS TO US DECEMBER 14TH
December 14th marks the tenth year that your Chancel Choir, clergy and readers have brought this congregation the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols service. Each year the Lessons remain the same, recounting in words from Genesis, the Prophets and the Gospels “the loving purposes of God from the first days of our sin unto the glorious Redemption brought us by the Holy Child.”¹ The choir’s music each year, along with the several carols the congregation sings with the choir, illuminates each of these Lessons.
Many of the choir’s songs this year are very familiar to us all: among them Go Where I Send Thee, Carol of the Drum, and a very special arrangement for men’s voices of Silent Night. Other selections are new this year. All are appropriate to the texts being revealed; some are wondrous to hear.
Following nearly a century of tradition, the service begins with a solo voice singing the first verse of Once In Royal David’s City. This service’s tradition began nearly a century ago on Christmas Eve 1918 in England’s King’s College Chapel. Its form was slightly altered the next year and has ever since served as the model for choirs worldwide observing the Holy Child’s birth. The service never fails to inspire our spirits and warm our hearts as we each personally celebrate God’s gift to us of a Savior.
Your choir and staff pray that you will again be uplifted by this very special service as we together follow the season of Advent.
Ara Carapetyan
¹ from the service’s original Bidding Prayer
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Border Mission Trip The Border Mission Trip on Nov. 9-14 was a great, if cold, success. Five volunteers—Bob Bridge, Richard Gibson, Karen Miller, John Parker, and Craig Deats—helped Faith Ministry workers build a house for Victor and Mercedes Romero and their three children, and poured the roof on another house. We also had a great discussion with Faith Ministry Executive Director David Rodriguez about the challenges facing Faith as it struggles to maintain its three churches, medical clinics, food assistance, scholarship, and home building programs. We were struck by the importance of maintaining a presence in this area torn by poverty, cartels, maquiladoras, and other problems. We were also struck by the immense poverty of Mexican citizens in the border area. The home we helped build was literally on the edge of a huge garbage dump where horse-drawn carts deposit trash.
The weather presented some unusual problems: temperatures in the 40s, rain and wind made working outside more difficult than usual. It brought home the fact that most of the Mexican volunteers have no heat in their homes and in some cases no suitable cold weather coats. Nonetheless, they continue to exhibit a strong faith in God that was inspirational to us, and left us feeling very good about the week we spent with them. We ask that you keep Faith Ministry and the people it serves in your prayers. We look forward to another trip this next Spring. Mark your
calendars now for a spring break trip!
We need UPC volunteers to help demonstrate to these wonderful friends that they have not been forgotten.
Micah 6 Needs Pantry Volunteers Over Winter Break!
UT students, St. Edwards students, and campus ministry groups from Micah 6 member congregations are faithful volunteers during the academic year. BUT, they all go home between the semesters! Volunteering at the Micah 6 food pantry is a great way to spend time with your out of town guests and help make sure that the food pantry has enough help. The food pantry will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. To sign up for other times, visit www.micah6austin.org and click on the Volunteer button. Families with children welcome!
Our New Friends and Craig
Mixing Concrete by Hand
Bob Builds a Wall
Everyone Pitches In
The Work Crew and Family
How We All Feel! More Work Needs to Be Done
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December Presbyterian Women
Circle MEETINGS
RUTH DORCAS CIRCLE
DATE: Tuesday, December 9 10-11:30 (coffee/lesson)
Place: Dottie Penn’s Home
STUDY: Lesson 4
QUESTIONS? Call Dottie Penn at 512-451-1963
MARTHA CIRCLE
DATE: Saturday, December 13, 11:30-1:30
(lunch/lesson)
Place: Winnie Gage’s Home
STUDY: Lesson 4
QUESTIONS? Call Karen Grice 512-442 -2304
Parenting and Faith Class Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Room 3
The Parenting & Faith class has a wonderful series of classes scheduled for December:
December 7 – San will speak about giving meaning to your children’s Christmas
December 14 – Katharine Barnhill: family life and marriage discussion
December 21 - Fall Presenters -- panel follow-up includes a Q & A for Amy Praskac, Casey Fox, Jon Holmsten, and Katharine Barnhill
December 28 – social time
The UPC Needleworkers meet the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Library for mission and fellowship. ANYONE with an interest in stitching, be it
needlepoint, cross stitch, knitting, crocheting, tatting or embroidery, or some variation thereof, is welcome to join us AT ANY POINT. We are currently working on Scarves for Heroes, a mission project to knit or crochet scarves for soldiers serving abroad, but we are also looking to the alternative gift market and UPLift in December, as well as ongoing prayer shawl and baby blanket projects for the congregation. (It's also perfectly fine for people to work on their own stitching projects.) Contact Liz Wright at [email protected] for more information.
Books & More meets Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. in Room 1, lower level. All are welcome. Contact Jennie Elliott, [email protected], for more information. Books & More is on hiatus until January 2015
Fellowship Opportunities
All Church Retreat @ Mo-Ranch
April 10-12, 2015
The All Church
Retreat is a fun,
family friendly
weekend
in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. There will be programming for
children and youth of all ages, intergenerational activities, a worship
service at the Chapel on the Hill, and plenty of free time to relax, play,
and reconnect. We hope you can join us!.
Save the Dates: Retreats
Men’s Retreat will be at John Knox Ranch
January 30 through February 1.
Women’s Retreat will be at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary February 13 through 15.
More information and sign up opportunities coming soon!
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We Went Camping! The UPC Youth had a great time camping at Colorado Bend State Park this past month! We ate delicious meals of hobo packs, hot dogs, chili mac, and s’mores and enjoyed hot cocoa and coffee next to the campfire. The cold weather didn’t stop us from enjoying a nine mile hike to the beautiful Gorman
Falls and exploring around our campsite. This was a great opportunity for the youth to disconnect from technology during the weekend and to experience hands on community living. A special thanks to Amy Toulouse and Richard Faidley and all the parents and youth who helped make this wonderful experience happen!
november 30—UKirk- Dinner & Taizé Worship, 5–8 pm
december 7—Alternative Gift Market (MS) noon-2:30 p.m. 7—IHN Move In (HS) noon-2:30 p.m. 13—Christmas Party!
It's Christmas Party Time! The Annual Youth Christmas Party will be on Saturday, December 13th from 5:30-7:30 pm at Randal Whittington's home. Be sure to bring a $5-$8 gift for the White Elephant Gift Exchange! All youth, 6th-12th grades
UKirk Fall Retreat Each year, per the request of the UKirk students, we take a fall retreat. This year, we chose John Knox Ranch as our location, and mid-November for our season. We had a blast walking around the ranch, enjoying the cold weather, and making s'mores in the oven because our firewood was wet from the mist that hovered over the weekend. Supporting this local Mission Presbytery camp is an important value of mine, and I’m so grateful for the staff of John Knox Ranch for their accommodations. With 12 students and myself spending our time in the newly renovated ranch house, we also spent time learning about how Jesus was an example of vulnerability and how we can choose vulnerability in order to build better communities. Then we played games and laughed A LOT. This retreat was only possible because of UPC’s generosity and commitment toward campus ministry. We look forward to more intergenerational events like the Hanging of the Green (late November), the All-Church Retreat (April 2015) and our campus ministry dinners (each Sunday during the school year). Merry Christmas break from UKirk! -Krystal Leedy
We laughed. . .
. . .a lot!
Fall Retreat at John Knox
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Financial Preparations for the Coming Year Please carefully consider your stewardship commitment for 2015 and turn in your pledge card to the church office.
Remember that contributions to the 2014 operating budget must be postmarked by
December 31.
You may make a contribution online through MyUPC. Contact the church office to set up your account.
Considering a Stock Gift to UPC?
This is the time of year when many of you choose to make your gifts to UPC as a stock transfer. For those of you that are interested, please see below our incoming DTC stock transfer procedures.
Please send to:
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. DTC Clearing #0164, Code 40 For Benefit of: University Presbyterian Church Account # 1103-6834
*Important* - Please do not forget to inform our financial manager – Sandie McGee – at [email protected] so that she can watch for its arrival and also so you can tell her how you would like it applied (for example, To the Operating Fund / To the 2014 Capital Campaign, and so on). She will, in turn, reply to you when it has arrived, confirm your gift and tell you the total value of the gift per IRS regulations.
Thank you so much for your support of our many ministries!
Want to find out more? Members can sign up for myUPC and securely access the church calendar, stay in touch with groups, update personal information and privately view giving history. General information, including last week’s sermon and a calendar of upcoming events, is available at www.upcaustin.org.
Operating Fund Giving Summary as of
October 31, 2014
Total Pledged for 2014 $671,122.00
Amount Received to Date $491,867.20
Balance $179,254.80
Percentage of Pledges Received 73.3%
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SESSION HIGHLIGHTS Approved transfer of letter for Chris, Diane, Grace and Sarah Corley to Christ
the King Presbyterian Church, Austin Approved transfer of letter for Elizabeth Christian and Bruce Todd to Covenant
Presbyterian Church, Austin Approved minutes of the October 15 stated meeting and the November 2 called meetings Called a congregational meeting for November 30 to consider San’s request to dissolve
his pastoral relationship with UPC effective April 30, 2015 Approved the annual Congregational meeting for February 8, 2015
SESSION COMMENDATIONS Krystal Leedy for creating and editing the stewardship videos Amy Toulouse and Richard Faidley for sponsoring the Youth camping trip Jennie and David Chao for helping with the Youth camping trip Emily Givens, Rosca Toulouse and Martha Bauer for the Advent Devotionals Karen Grice for printing the Advent Bulletins Kim Vitray for leading the choir in Ara’s absence Byron French for the Stewardship Campaign John and Krystal Leedy for hosting the Halloween party for the Young Adults Craig Deats, Bob Bridge, Karen Miller, John Parker and Richard Gibson for their
work on the Border Mission Trip John Leedy for leading the Youth camping trip Krystal Leedy for leading the UKirk retreat
UPC Mission Statement
Empowered by God’s Spirit,
we will follow Jesus Christ
as disciples and apostles
who are equipped and sent
to represent God’s reign in
the world through worship,
service, and community.
The church office closes at noon December 24 and 31.
The office is closed December 25 and 26 and January 1 and 2.
Merry Christmas and Happy 2015!
Change in your contact info? Please email the church office at [email protected] with your email address so that you may receive the link to the newsletter, weekly updates and other important information from the church.
WEBSITE: www.upcaustin.org
UPC Pastors and Staff
San Williams, Senior Pastor
Keith Wright, Parish Associate
Kathy Escandell, Associate Pastor for Christian Formation
John Leedy, Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries
Krystal Leedy, Director of UKirk Campus Ministry
Ara Carapetyan, Director of Music
Mary Ann Parker, Director of Sound of Angels
Lisa Perrone, Assistant Director of Sound of Angels
Meg McReynolds, Director of Joyful Noise Handbells
Scott McNulty, Organist
Jan Hames, Office Manager
Sandie McGee, Financial Manager
Danny Dennis, Facilities Manager
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