The FELC Racial Justice Task Force invites you to an event hosted by JustSisters–an organization of diverse Christian women committed to love, justice, and sisterhood. The event is called, Christian Women: How your faith impacts your vote. Saturday, September 7, 2024, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, First Baptist Church, Austin. Participants will hear from a panel of women with diverse perspectives from across the political spectrum to share how their personal faith directs their voting or how it could. $15 registration fee.

Click here to learn more.

Click here to view the June 2024 financial update.

Click here to view the July 2024 financial update.

The FELC Property Team recently completed a number of maintenance tasks: 

Plumbers from DeMoss arrived to address the dripping faucet at the sacristy sink.  They replaced the old, frozen shut-off valves and installed a new faucet set. 

Technicians from Facilities Solutions Group stopped by to service the LED driver components in our chandelier fixtures.  This is delicate work and involves balancing on a very tall ladder!

After many months, the Narthex doors are all back in place and operational.  Closers have been installed and the restored hardware ensures that the doors are secure.   

Be sure to take a stroll past the Whitis side of the church building and check out the refreshed courtyard and west patio! 

Thanks to Gwen Flory for finishing the new paver sidewalk and maintaining the native plants along Whitis Ave. The plants are flourishing thanks to the recent rainfall and the new sprinkler system. 

Thanks to Paul Barlow, Terry Porter and Nancy and Randy Baden for power-washing and painting the railings and patio lamps along Whitis Ave. 

Thank you to Leigh Northcutt-Benson and Nikki Northcutt, who are lending their professional expertise at lesson planning to Children’s Faith Formation. They met with the Learning Ministry Team on August 11, offering resources and support for the Children’s Faith Formation Leadership. If you are interested in leading Faith Formation, check out the FAQ document, the 2024-2025 sign-up list, and contact Betsy Appleton, betsy.appleton@gmail.com. 

Sunday, August 18, will be the last Faith Formation session for the 2023-2024 program year. All are welcome to an Intergenerational Faith Formation session, 9am – 9:45am in the FELC Parlor, led by Betsy Appleton. We hope to see you there! 

Faith Formation for the 2024 – 2025 program year will begin in September.

Nevertheless She Preached (NSP) annual conference will be held September 22-24 at Austin New Church, 2701 S. Lamar, Austin. Nevertheless She Preached is an annual conference that is curated by a collective of spiritual innovators that elevates and centers female, queer, and BIPOC voices. To learn more about the organization and conference, visit https://www.neverthelessshepreached.com/.

On August 3,  volunteers from the FELC community provided and served a meal to youth experiencing homelessness in the UT area.  Diners at the drop-in center were treated to a picnic-inspired lunch:  chicken nuggets with a variety of dipping sauces, side dishes, buttered rolls, cut fruit, and lemon cake with whipped topping for dessert!

The crowd was on the smaller side, so the leftovers were packed up to be served the next day at  a University Baptist Church potluck event, which is open to all.   Arnold, who helps run things at the Drop-in Center, reports that many Micah 6 youth also attend this gathering, so he was  happy to have the additional food. Thanks to Anne, Marilynn, Cindy, Heidi, Kristin and Merrily for providing food, and to Merrily, Kristin and Ian for staying to serve.

A special shout out to Betsy Appleton and the faith formation kiddos for putting together a healthy rice and veggie side dish. You can be a part of this ministry by preparing food, serving the meal, and adding your prayers.  Our last meal for 2024 is August 24. Any level of participation is welcome! To learn more, contact Heidi Goebel, heidigoebel@sbcglobal.net.

Thanks to Andy Maclaren who  got the on-site clothes closet organized.  Having things sorted and labeled makes it easier for ’shoppers’ to see what’s available. If you would like to donate clothing to the Youth Drop-In Center, look for clothing donation tubs in the Narthex and near the north Sanctuary doors and check with Andy Maclaren for the current needs. 

And a heartfelt THANK YOU to several generous FELC donors who facilitated the purchase of a new washing machine for the drop-in center.  

The FELC community provides and serves a meal to youth experiencing homelessness in the UT area.  You can be a part of this ministry, by preparing food, serving the meal, and adding your prayers.  Our next time to serve is Saturday, August 3, 2-4 pm. Click here to sign up! Any level of participation is welcome! To learn more, contact Heidi Goebel, heidigoebel@sbcglobal.net.

Join Texas Early Music Project at FELC for the Summer edition of our TEMP-Oh Community Madrigal Sing on Tuesday, July 30th at 7 pm! No experience is required for this “TEMP-orary choir,” just a love of singing madrigals! Suggested donation of $10. PDFs of the sheet music will be provided in advance to those who request it, but studying is NOT required–you can show up and sing. For more info: www.early-music.org/tempoh.

While the world celebrates Pride in June, for scheduling issues, Austin moves its Pride celebration to mid-August. Join Austin area Reconciling in Christ Lutheran congregations to celebrate and advocate for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of LGBTQIA+ people by marching in the Austin PRIDE Parade or volunteering at our Festival booth throughout the day on Saturday, August 10. 

The Austin Pride Parade begins in downtown Austin on Saturday, August 10 at 8 pm. Click here for details and registration information. Please register for either or both events so that we can plan and give more specific information.  To learn more, contact Leigh Northcutt-Benson, leigh.northcutt@gmail.com.