Who We Are

OUR VISION

upRising will be a church without walls

OUR MISSION

Our mission is threefold – affirming your joys, journey, and unique gifts; connecting you to God, each other, and the community; creating hope, healing, and spiritual growth

Worship

Our people come from all kinds of religious backgrounds, and we try to create worship services that bring together all that is best from those different traditions.

Sunday morning services offer a blend of traditional and contemporary elements. That blending is most notable in our music. Worship often includes traditional hymns (sometimes reimagined), contemporary Christian songs accompanied by piano and drums, a choir, chimes, a beautiful quartet, Broadway numbers, and more!

Every time we worship, we gather at the communion table. The Presider offers an invitation to all present, then shares the words that we believe Jesus spoke at his last meal with his disciples. After that, the Presider states that at upRising Austin, you don’t have to be a member of any church and you don’t have to claim any particular beliefs to share the communion meal. You may come to the table by yourself or with friends or family, and you will be offered bread and grape juice along with a brief blessing.

During communion and then again after the service, our Deacons are available for personal prayer or anointing. Anyone who would like to is welcome to ask the Deacons for prayer.

On the second and fourth Sunday of each month, all kids are invited to participate in a brief children’s message given during the Worship Service!

What We Believe

We believe in the power of prayer

Prayer is valuable and necessary for our spiritual journey. As we pray for and with each other, God changes us and the world.

We believe in the divinely inspired words of the Bible

Scripture is God’s communication with us to acknowledge and embrace a personal relationship.

We believe God gives us the gifts of love, grace, forgiveness, and salvation

God uses these gifts to call us into relationship with God and each other through worship and fellowship.

We believe in the one God, our Creator, who is unconditional love

God has many names. God’s love takes many forms. God accepts all. God is not gender specific. God, through Jesus Christ, is our redeemer who willingly forgives everyone. God, through the Holy Spirit, is our sustainer.

We believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ

God is revealed in Jesus Christ, the Word, who came to redeem us and forgive us unconditionally.

We believe the Holy Spirit is our comforter, friend, and teacher

The Holy Spirit enlightens us of our need for God and is alive and manifest in our actions.

We believe the church, as individuals and as a community, is called to serve

Because of God’s unconditional love and salvation, we are called to live in the Spirit of Jesus Christ—individually, collectively, and as the church. We welcome, accept, and include all, respecting individual faith experiences and diverse beliefs. We are called to active service, social outreach, mission, and justice through our faith and to find unity and strength in the diversity of God’s creation.

Ministry Leaders

Rev KAREN WOODWORTHSenior Pastor

Rev AMANDA ALVARADOAssoc. Pastor

Rev Dr BILL YOUNGVolunteer Clergy

CINDY STOCKINGOffice Admin

KELLY COLEMANVolunteer Office Admin

ANDY HEGERSunday Music Co-Leader

DEANNA ERRISURRIZSunday Music Co-Leader

Members of the Board of Directors of upRising are elected by the congregation during the annual congregational meeting, and they serve a two-year term.

Board members are charged with the following responsibilities:

Ensuring adequate financial resources for upRising to pursue its mission and vision
Ensuring effective management of the church’s funds and other assets
Ensuring sound risk management policies
Participating in selecting the candidate to be elected by the congregation as Sr. Pastor when that is necessary
Supporting and advising the Sr. Pastor and providing constructive feedback

KAREN WOODWORTHModerator

LIONEL LADAY Vice Moderator

BECKY ROHNEClerk

AL REIDTreasurer Pro-Tem

DEBORAH DRUMMOND Community Liaison

BLAKE GRUGETTSocial Media and Marketing

ELENA OLIVIERISecurity and Risk Management

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

Deacons are the foundation of prayerful support and Christian care for the congregation. Each person who is part of the upRising community is connected with one of our Deacons. 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.

If you haven’t been assigned a Deacon but would like to be, please call or text the office at 512-291-8601.

In addition to the Deacons, our Pastors are available to you when you are struggling with your faith, experiencing challenging life events, or want to talk with a Pastor about planning a wedding, funeral, baptism, or other event. You can schedule time with a Pastor by calling 512-291-8601 or sending an email to office@uprisingaustin.org.

JAMES TURNER CARPENTER