ESUMC Newsletter
Summer 2026
Greetings and peace and love in the name of our Lord.
It is a great honor for me to be able to serve the congregation of ESUMC as your interim pastor for the summer months. I come with joy and sadness -- joy that I am allowed to be with you this summer, and sadness to see Pastor John leaving. I know you have appreciated the ministry he has provided for you through these last years, and I am grateful for the friendship John and I found. The congregation has been extremely blessed to have such a dedicated and caring pastor. I am sure you are telling him how much he has meant to you.
I am excited for the congregation as you prepare for your next pastor, and I am sure you will welcome that person with open arms. As we move through the summer, it is my desire that we worship, understand and grow together. It is with the Lord’s help that I will join you to make our worship time meaningful. I also would like to express that during this summer, I am at your service. Please do not hesitate to call on me for your spiritual needs.
May God be with us, as we move through this summer season.
Blessings, Rev. Tom
+ + + + + + +
The Rev. Dr. Tom Garrison is originally from Alabama, USA, having first served in the United States Air Force before following the call to serve God. Rev. Tom studied at Faulkner University, Amridge University, Auburn University, and received his doctorate from Columbia Theological Seminary. Rev. Tom holds ordained standing in two denominations: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the United Church of Christ. He has served congregations in the US and Canada, and also has experience in hospital chaplaincy, university instruction, and counseling. Rev. Tom has written three books of sermons; his latest is, "The Word in Other Words.” In 2016, Rev. Tom retired from active ministry and moved to Vienna with his wife Renata, a native of Vienna.
For pastoral care or for information about the ministry of ESUMC, you may contact Rev. Tom at esumc (at) emk.at or 0660 201 5392.
“It is my desire to always speak to the best in people, for in doing so will we encounter God’s grace.”
Interim Pastor ESUMC
News from the church
Vienna English-Speaking
In worship on Sunday 28 June, ESUMC will celebrate the end of the Sunday School year, and recognize and pray for our school and university graduates.
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ESUMC Sunday School coordinator Shelley Brauneis invites our children to participate in Vacation Bible School, taking place from 20 to 24 July. The theme for this year's celebration is "Touring the Bible." See below for more details, and to register using our online form.
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On Saturday 12 September, ESUMC members and friends will gather in Grünbach for our annual barbecue and hike. Please join us for a festive day in nature with Christian friends.
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In this season of the harvest, as we refelct upon the bounty of God's blessings, it is right to give our thanks and praise!
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The Wärmestube season came to an end just before Easter. Shortly before Pentecost, our team of volunteers gathered once again to spend a cheerful afternoon together and enjoy each other’s company.
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Pastorin
You may now access the daily Upper Room devotional booklet electronically.
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Am ersten Tag der Konferenz trafen sich der Kirchenvorstand, die Laien und die Pastor*innen zu Sitzungen. Am Abend führte uns der Eröffnungsgottesdienst in der Diakoniekirche in Salzburg-Aigen ins Thema der Konferenz "love boldly" – „kühn lieben“ ein.
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Pastor, Kinder- und Jugendwerk
So war der zweite Konferenz-Tag: Fotos und Zusammenfassung
read morePastorin
So war der dritte Konferenz-Tag: Heute ein Spaziergang in Wort und Bild.
read morePastor, Kinder- und Jugendwerk
Mit einem festlichen Gottesdienst endete die Jährliche Konferenz der EmK Österreich.
read morePastorin
Unsere Sommerfreizeit für alle Generationen findet wieder im Ennshof in Altenmarkt/Zauchensee statt.
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Pastor, Superintendent
Auch 2026 freuen wir uns als Kinder- und Jugendwerk der Evangelisch-methodistischen Kirche die Kinderwoche (7-12 Jahre) anbieten zu können. Meldet euch an und sagt es gern auch Freund*innen weiter! Mehr Infos darüber, wer wir sind und was uns wichtig ist, auf emk.at/kjw.
learn moreServices
Vienna English-Speaking
We welcome the Rev. Tom Garrison to ESUMC, who shall lead worship and provide pastoral care through the end of August.
Bible texts
- Genesis 12:1-9
- Romans 4:13-25
- Matthew 9:9-13 and 18-26
Bible texts
- Genesis 18:1-15
- Romans 5:1-8
- Matthew 9:35 – 10:8
Bible texts
- Genesis 21:8-21
- Romans 6:1b-11
- Matthew 10:24-39
Join us as we bring our Sunday School year to a close, offer our thanks to our faithful teachers and volunteers, and pray for our recent school graduates.
Bible texts
- Genesis 22:1-14
- Romans 6:12-23
- Matthew 10:40-42
Bible texts
- Genesis 24: 34-38 and 42-49 and 58-67
- Romans 7:15-25a
- Matthew 11:16-19 and 25-30
Bible texts
- Genesis 25:19-34
- Romans 8:1-11
- Matthew 13:1-9 and 18-23
Bible texts
- Genesis 28:10-19a
- Romans 8:12-25
- Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43
The children of the congregation shall offer songs and learnings from the recent Vacation Bible School.
Bible texts
- Genesis 29:15-31
- Romans 8:26-39
- Matthew 13:31-33 and 44-52
Bible texts
- Genesis 32:23-32
- Romans 9:1-5
- Matthew 14:13-21
Bible texts
- Genesis 37:1-4 and 12-28
- Romans 10:5-15
- Matthew 14:22-33
Bible texts
- Genesis 45:1-15
- Romans 11:1-2a and 29-32
- Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28
Bible texts
- Exodus 1:8 – 2:10
- Romans 12:1-8
- Matthew 16:13-20
Bible texts
- Exodus 3:1-15
- Romans 12:9-21
- Matthew 16:21-28
Events
Vienna English-Speaking
All young adults are welcome to this study of the Gospel of Mark, hosted by the Widdows family. Dinner is provided. For more information, please speak with Grace Widdows, or email the church office at esumc (at) emk.at.
All young adults are welcome to this study of the Gospel of Mark, hosted by the Widdows family. Dinner is provided. For more information, please speak with Grace Widdows, or email the church office at esumc (at) emk.at.
All young adults are welcome to this study of the Gospel of Mark, hosted by the Widdows family. Dinner is provided. For more information, please speak with Grace Widdows, or email the church office at esumc (at) emk.at.
All young adults are welcome to this study of the Gospel of Mark, hosted by the Widdows family. Dinner is provided. For more information, please speak with Grace Widdows, or email the church office at esumc (at) emk.at.
All children aged 5 to 12 are invited for a week of fun, activities, and learning about the Bible. Join us each day, Monday 20 July through Friday 24 July, from 9:00 to 14:00 in the church. For more information, contact Shelley at esumc@emk.at.