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Spirtual Growth
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As churches get bigger, they must “get smaller” if they hope to thrive. In other words, people need opportunities outside of large worship services to meet new people, develop friendships, and grow in faith. Our response to that need is our Growth Groups. Growth Groups are groups of 10-15 people who get together each week in a convenient Austin location.

Growth Groups happen twice each year. During the Spring session, each Group has its own topic ranging from tennis to piano to a study on forgiveness and just about everything in between. During the Fall session, all Growth Groups participate in a church-wide study. Those have included a book study of Adam Hamilton’s Enough, a book on stewardship and generosity, and a discussion of the 8 Points of Progressive Christianity.

Our Deacons surround our congregation with prayer, care, and encouragement.

Our Deacon ministry is a “connecting” ministry. At upRising, part of our mission is “Connecting you to God, each other, and the community,” and our Deacons are the foundation of that connection. Each person who is part of our upRising community is connected with one of our Deacons. (If you haven’t been contacted by a Deacon but would like to be, please call or text the Deacon Line at 512-291-8819.) Though all the Deacons keep the church lifted in prayer and are available to offer care and encouragement, every person has an assigned Deacon who will stay connected with you even if you don’t “need” anything in particular from them. If you have situations arise in which you’d like specific support from your Deacon, don’t hesitate to reach out. Deacons want to offer you support in tough times and celebrate with you when good things happen.

In addition to our Deacons, our Sr. Pastor is always available to you when you are struggling with your faith, experiencing challenging life events, or just want to talk to your Pastor. You can reach Rev. Karen by calling the church office at 512-291-8601 or sending an email to office@uprisingaustin.org.

Amanda Alvarado
Amanda Alvarado
Susan Armstrong
Susan Armstrong
Dennis Delaney
Dennis Delaney
Julie Fielder-Kammerer
Julie Fielder-Kammerer
Harold Hardy
Harold Hardy

Susan Levett
Susan Levett
Jan Manning
Jan Manning
Bronnie Martin
Bronnie Martin
Tom Martindale
Tom Martindale
Marlin McGuire
Marlin McGuire

David Murdock
David Murdock
Doug Odle
Doug Odle
Al Reid
Al Reid
Abby Simpson
Abby Simpson
Scott Sternhagen
Scott Sternhagen
Josephine Williamson
Josephine Williamson
Kaye Young
Kaye Young

You can reach our Deacons anytime by calling the Deacon Care Line at 512-291-8819. Someone will return your call as soon as possible.

All are welcome to join our different ministries and participate in our various programs. For more information contact our Program Director, Amanda Alvarado, at amanda.alvarado@mccaustin.com.

ONGOING

This ministry team creates sacred space in our sanctuary for different times of the year. No special experience is required.

Great preaching and wonderful music aren’t much good if you can’t hear them. Members of this team run the PowerPoints, sound, and lights for Sunday worship and other special events.
The Board is primarily responsible for making sure that financial and other resources are available to do the ministry of MCC Austin. For the past several years, the Board has primarily been busy raising the funds and completing the preparations for our new sanctuary, scheduled for completion this spring.
This group is open to those recovering from or affected by cancer. Through mutual support in a Christian self-help format, participants share cancer-related experiences, strength and hope.
Children ages 3-14 are invited to Sunday school during the 11am worship service. Sunday school teachers return the children to worship in time for them to take communion with their families.
This group will provide ongoing maintenance of the church’s facilities and grounds.
Going out to eat with kids can be stressful, so join the Family Lunch Bunch and visit restaurants that also have playgrounds–spaces where adults and kids alike can comfortably socialize.
The Lay Delegates of MCC Austin are elected to represent our congregation at the MCC General Conference by participating and by voting at the business meeting. Delegates also communicate the results of the General Conference with the congregation.
People on this team will serve as shower hosts or help with truck upkeep.
Psalm 95 tells us to “sing joyfully to the Lord.” At upRisiing, we don’t just sing joyfully…we sing passionately, artfully, inclusively, diversely, beautifully, with or without accompaniment, in solo and ensembles, and often! Nearly every event is an occasion to raise a chorus of praise to the Gracious Creator that has blessed our church with a wealth of musically talented individuals. After all, we ARE located in the live music capital of the world!
This permanent endowment allows you to provide for upRising in your estate planning and support the church’s worship, programs, and social justice efforts far into the future.
This fellowship group meets for lunch on the 3rd Sunday of every month – September through May – to meet new people and connect with new friends!
The mission of this ministry team is to make sure that everyone who walks through our door feels welcome. Ministry volunteers greet everyone, offer information, and serve as ushers at services as well as other special events.
This group will organize, set up and clean up after-service refreshments.
At every worship service people are invited to leave their prayer requests. The Shepherding ministry volunteers collect all of the prayer requests and distribute them to the deacons and pastoral staff.
Our congregation’s generous financial support helps us turn our hopes for outreach and ministry into reality. The Stewardship Team organizes our Stewardship education efforts.
The adult Bible study meets every Sunday at 9:30am. Different members of the class lead the discussion type format on the Bible and various faith topics.
This group will partner with other congregation to reach out to those experiencing homelessness in our community.
Worship services are led by both pastors and lay leaders. If you would like to lead the community in prayer, preside at communion, or participate in worship in another way, this team’s for you.

SEASONAL

This fellowship group meets for lunch on the 3rd Sunday of every month – September through May – to meet new people and connect with new friends!
MCC Austin provides food and shelter on nights when the temperature drops below 32 degrees during the winter. Volunteers will help provide dinner and breakfast and help staff the church overnight while guests are here.
General Conference is a time for the members of UFMCC to conduct denominational business and provide training opportunities through workshops and plenary sessions. The General Conference is held every three years, and the next gathering will be in July 2019.
The purpose of L.E.A.D. is to offer lay leaders of UFMCC an opportunity to deepen their spiritual growth, develop their existing skills and furnish them with additional leadership tools so that they may be effective leaders in the church and the world.
MCC Austin participates in the annual Austin PRIDE events every fall. You are welcome to help us set up and/or host our PRIDE festival booth or participate in the parade with us by walking with us and/or helping create our parade entry.

On the third Sunday of each month—September through May—two groups meet for food and fellowship at local restaurants.

  • The Family Lunch Bunch visits restaurants that also have playgrounds—spaces where adults and children alike can comfortably socialize.

  • Community Connection gathers at a different restaurant each month to meet new people and connect with old friends.

If you are visiting us or if lunch out doesn’t fit into your budget, we would love for you to be our guest for lunch. Just let one of our hosts know that you’d like to be our guest.

Seasonal Meetups are opportunities throughout the year to gather at the church or to get out in the city for some fun with friends. We have game nights and potlucks. During the summer, meetups have included fishing at Moby Dick’s Private Pond, taking in a show at Zilker Hillside Theater, and cheering on the Round Rock Express. During Advent, we meet weekly for activities such as cookie decorating, ornament making, and Christmas caroling.

If members are to grow in their faith, they need to have established an emotional bond with their congregation. And for that bond to have optimum strength, it must go beyond just the worship experience. ~Albert Winesman