Category: News

Meet at the home of Anne Wiebe, 1 – 3 pm, for potluck lunch and discussion of The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, by James Weldon Johnson. 

The author, the first Black executive secretary of the NAACP, offers a fictionalized account of his life and looks at the consequences of denying one’s heritage. James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) was a successful lawyer, educator, social reformer, songwriter, and critic. But it was as a poet and novelist that he achieved lasting fame. Among his most famous works, The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man in many ways parallels Johnson’s own remarkable life. First published in 1912, the novel relates, through an anonymous narrator, events in the life of an American of mixed ethnicity whose exceptional abilities and ambiguous appearance allow him unusual social mobility — from the rural South to the urban North and eventually to Europe.

Austin Public Library has five copies on the shelves, e-books and audiobooks. Available on Amazon for $5.49. Book Club typically meets on the second Sunday of each month.

LOOKING FOR A SUMMER READ?   On the shelves facing the stairs in the hallway going into the Fellowship Hall are 47 books on all facets of racial justice!  To check one out, sign the list on the shelf.  Click here for a list of the complete library with author notes and links to descriptions. 

Please return books within a month. Check your shelves and return to FELC if you have any of the following: 

The Beloved Community; Between the World and Me; The Cross and the Lynching Tree; The Fire Next Time; Just Mercy – A Story of Justice and Redemption; Learning in Public; Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; Raising White Kids; There is a Balm in Huntsville; The Water Dancer; We Do This Til We Free Us

We’ve all grown from reading these books.  Nancy Neuse said this about There is a Balm in Huntsville: “A friend gave us a copy and I quickly read it.  Written by T. Carlos Anderson (Tim) of Austin, I remember the accident this story is based on.  Tim preached at First English, last summer I believe, and his work with restorative justice is to me, very hopeful.  Forgiveness, redemption, change—all can occur.  Just my emotional riff on this book.”  

NOT ONE OF US knows all we need to know about the history and status of racial injustice in America.  Join us in facing the facts.

Racial Justice Task Force:  Barbara Wiederaenders, Leigh Northcutt-Benson, Mari Ward, Barbara Schutz, Nancy Baden, Derek Bridges, Charlotte Gillman, Randy Baden

On Tuesday night strong winds caused major damage to the trees on the FELC property. The large tree on the playground was completely knocked down with additional damage to other trees on the grounds.

The amazing Property Team went into immediate action! The tree service company was contacted and a crew was on premise working early in the morning.  Our thanks go out to Terry Porter, Heidi Goebel, Gwen Flory and the rest of the Property Team. And a big shout out to Julio’s Tree Service and all of his crew for their quick response.

The FELC team gathered last Saturday to provide the meal at the Micah 6 drop-in center at University Baptist Church.  A steady stream of hungry diners lined up for full plates of cheesy beef enchilada casserole, rice, pinto beans with vegan chorizo, roasted corn salad, and chips with guacamole and salsa.  Brian Neidig provided the entree.  Jackie Chuter, Kristin Mondy and Heidi Goebel pitched in with sides and Marilynn Olsen made sopapilla cheesecake bars for dessert. Brian, Jackie, and Andy Maclaren (Micah 6 Board member) stayed to serve the meal.

First English has been an enthusiastic participant with this ministry for many years.  Young people have been touched by God’s love through appetizing and nutritious food, friendly smiles, and unconditional care.  To learn more or participate in the next meal, contact Heidi Goebel, heidigoebel@sbcglobal.net. It’s easy, fun, and provides a meaningful service to young people in the Austin area. 

After receiving a wonderful home-cooked meal, youth/young adults can visit the supply closet to get pants, shirts, socks, shoes, and jackets. Donations of women’s and men’s short sleeved shirts, small women’s clothing and larger men’s clothing are needed at this time.  Thanks for helping!  Contact Andy MacLaren, 512-947-4186, Andymaclaren@cs.com.

FELC volunteers will provide and serve a meal  this Saturday at the  University Baptist Church Micah 6 drop-in center. The center serves young adults [up to 30 years old] who are street dependent.  Facilities at UBC include computers, TVs,  laundry machines and comfy couches in an air-conditioned lounge.  Visitors can also pick up clothing and toiletry items.

This Saturday is the second of five dates in 2024 that FELC is scheduled to provide the meal.  Brian Neidig is head chef this time around and he will be preparing a hearty, cheesy beef enchilada casserole.  And we’ve got folks signed up to bring sides: beans, rice, corn salad, and of course – chips, salsa and guacamole.  And don’t forget about dessert!  Provisions are made for  vegetarians as well.  Diners often come back for seconds and even thirds. Many young people have been touched by God’s love through appetizing & nutritious food, friendly smiles and unconditional care.

 First English has been an enthusiastic participant with this ministry for many years.  If you would like to know about the next opportunity to prepare and / or serve the Saturday meal, contact Heidi Goebel heidigoebel@sbcglobal.net , and she will add you to the list. It’s easy, fun, and provides a meaningful service to young people in the Austin area. 

The Transition Team presented the draft Ministry Site Profile (MSP) to the Council this week. As part of the process, the Council will take some time to review the MSP draft. The Transition Team and the Council will then work together to finalize the MSP. Once finalized and adopted, a copy of the MSP will be shared with the congregation community. More information will be shared soon about how this process will look and feel as we shift to the next stage of the transition journey. The FELC Transition Team is grateful for your prayers and support

Frederick “Fritz” Woody will lead two sessions of Adult Faith Formation in June focusing on issues affecting indigenous Native Americans. Adult Faith Formation meets at 9 am in the Parlor.

The June 2 presentation: CITIZENSHIP:  A Centennial Review

The Intersection of Indigenous People and the United States Government.

Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday following the Day of Pentecost, has been kept since the tenth century as a special celebration of the mystery of the triune God. In our worship this Sunday, God welcomes us, both sinners and saints, in our experience of God as Father, Son, and Spirit.

The church season after the 50 days of Eastertide and Pentecost Day is called “Time after Pentecost” or “Ordinary Time” because of the numbering (ordinals) of the Sundays. It includes the distinct natural seasons of summer and fall, which have different themes emphasized. The primary color is green, highlighting the themes of  growth and celebration in community and the renewal of faith and discipleship in the ministry and teaching of Jesus. 

Important Reminder: Due to continued repairs on the air conditioning system, worship and hospitality will be in the Fellowship Hall again this Sunday, May 26.

At the May 20 meeting, Council members eagerly received the Ministry Site Profile that the Transition Team has worked on for many months.  In their presentation, they reminded Council members of the timeline they have been on and the steps they have taken to incorporate congregational input into this document.  Council members will take time to prayerfully read it and will meet at a specially called meeting on June 2nd to respond.

The Council voted unanimously to appoint the Transition Team members (Tim Atkinson, Randy Baden, Allen Jensen, Lillian Martinez-Rodriguez, Erin McCracken, Nikki Northcutt and Barbara Schutz) as the Call Committee. They will continue their hard work until a new pastor is called.

The Church Council gratefully accepted the creation of a new endowment. The Jensen Endowment will be a lasting tribute to Paul and Margaret Jensen who were long-time active members of this congregation.

Reports were offered from the Worship, Witness and Service Ministry Teams.

Read here for April Financial Update.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Baden, Council Secretary

The FELC Office will be closed Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, July 4.

A reminder that the FELC Office is closed every Friday.

The FELCDC will be closed the week of July 1 – 5 in observance of Independence Day and for a short summer break.