ESUMC Newsletter
June 2024
Dear friends in Christ,
Grace and peace to you all in the name of our Lord Jesus, and greetings from Graz!
This weekend, pastors and lay leaders from all United Methodist congregations in Austria have gathered here in Graz for the Annual Conference of the UMC in Austria. ESUMC is also represented at this event by Simone Viljoen, our lay delegate to the Annual Conference, and by Doreen Ighama, our Church Council chairperson and member of the UMC in Austria leadership council.
It is a blessing for us to represent ESUMC at this national gathering of the United Methodist Church. In the coming weeks, Simone and I will be sharing news and highlights of the conference. We thank you for your prayerful support of this gathering.
As you will see below, here at ESUMC in June there are a number of special worship and fellowship events planned, as we celebrate God's love for us and for all God's people. Please join us as we not only open the doors of our church to our community, but also look for ways to take the Spirit of God out of the sanctuary and offer Christian love and care to others who need our support.
Finally, join us in worship on Sunday 23 June as we close the Sunday School year and celebrate our graduates. If you or a member of your household has recently graduated (or will soon graduate) from school, university, or other degree program, please contact me with the details. And may I remind our families to register your child(ren) for Vacation Bible School, to be held at church during 22-26 July; see the article below for registration details.
May God's blessings and peace be with you all!
Yours in Christ, Pastor John
Pastor
News from the church
Vienna English-Speaking
Join us on Friday evening 7 June for three special presentations, as we open the doors of the church to the community! All are welcome, entrance is free.
read more
Emmanuel Antwi, the principal drummer of our African Singers and Drummers, is hosting a special workshop on the art of drumming on Friday 14 June. You are welcome!
read more
In worship on Sunday 23 June, we will celebrate the end of the Sunday School year, and recognize and pray for our school and university graduates.
read more
Register now for ESUMC Vacation Bible School, taking place from 22 to 26 July.
read more
Help repair and restore our two historic instruments with your donations.
read morePastor
UMC in Austria Superintendent Stefan Schröckenfuchs, a delegate to the recent General Conference, shares his reflections on this historic meeting.
read more
Pastor, Superintendent
für Kinder von 7 bis 12 Jahren im Landes-Jugendhaus in Losenstein.
learn more
Pastor, Kinder- und Jugendwerk
für Jugendliche von 13 bis 17 Jahren im Landes-Jugendhaus in Losenstein.
learn more
Laienprediger
Services
Vienna English-Speaking
The message will be given today by Tinu Aganga-Williams, as Pastor John will be in Graz attending the UMC in Austria Annual Conference. Holy Communion will be celebrated on Sunday 9 June.
Bible texts
- 1 Samuel 3,1-20
- 2 Corinthians 4,5-12
- Mark 2,23 – 3,6
Join us as we celebrate Men's Sunday at ESUMC. The message for the day will be given by George Ackwonu.
Bible texts
- 1 Samuel 8,4-20
- 2 Corinthians 4,13 – 5,1
- Mark 3,20-35
Bible texts
- 1 Samuel 15,34 – 16,13
- 2 Corinthians 5,6-10 und 14-17
- Mark 4,26-34
Today we shall celebrate the closing of our Sunday School year, and give thanks to God for our graduates. If you or a member of your family is completing a course of study this spring or summer, please contact Pastor John with the details, and join us for worship!
Bible texts
- 1 Samuel 17,32-49
- 2 Corinthians 6,1-13
- Mark 4,35-41
Bible texts
- 2 Samuel 1,1 und 17-27
- 2 Corinthians 8,7-15
- Mark 5,21-43
Events
Vienna English-Speaking
Join us for Bible study, as we reflect on the Old Testament book of Judges. All ESUMC members and friends are welcome. Please contact Pastor John for the Zoom link.
An ecumenical worship service in cooperation with Vienna Pride.
Join us for these special presentations as we open the doors of the church to the community! All are welcome, entrance is free.
19:00 - 19:30: A theological understanding of Pink Floyd, by Bernhard Lasser (in German)
19:30 - 20:00: Praise God with Drums and Voice, featuring the ESUMC African Singers and Drummers
20:00 - 21:00: A reflection on Methodist theology in song, by Pastor Esther Handschin (in German)
Join us for Bible study, as we reflect on the Old Testament book of Judges. All ESUMC members and friends are welcome. Please contact Pastor John for the Zoom link. This will be the last meeting in this Bible study series.
Emmanuel Antwi of ESUMC’s African Singers and Drummers is offering a workshop on drumming. All church members who wish to learn the art of drumming are welcome to participate. Emmanuel will hold an introductory orientation session at church on Friday 14 June at 18:00. Lessons would begin the following week. Please speak with Emmanuel for more information.
All members and friends who volunteered with our Wärmestube ministry this past year are invited to a time of fellowship in the garden behind the church sanctuary. Food and drinks will be provided, and meats and vegetables will be prepared on the grill. Please inform Jutta at waermestube@emk.at if you plan to attend.