This Sunday, you are invited to watch a film and have a conversation. Movies can help capture our imaginations, pique our curiosity, and start conversations about injustice. In The Best of Enemies, Civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C.P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina, over the issue of school integration. Join us for this special event, which is jointly sponsored by First UMC, St. Luke UMC, Westlake UMC, and in partnership with Education Beyond the Walls of Austin Seminary. We will gather this Sunday, January 15 from 4:30-7:00pm at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Stotts Hall at 100 E. 27th Street, Austin, TX 78705. Parking is located on the upper campus nearest E 27th Street. Sign up at westlake-umc.org/events.

Our Grief Support Seminar begins this evening, January 3, and will conclude after six sessions on February 7. Each week, on Tuesday nights, the group will gather from 7:00-8:15pm on Zoom. The sessions are open to all who are dealing with loss. You do not have to be a member of our church or even live in Austin. Find the Zoom link at westlake-umc.org/events.

We are working with Austin Public Health to host a flu vaccine and Covid bivalent vaccine clinic (Moderna & Pfizer) for children and adults on Wednesday, December 7 from 11:00am – 2:00pm. Sign up here to reserve a spot: https://tinyurl.com/4seb6jd9

The Holidays are fast approaching and many of us will be gathering around the dining table with family that we may see only once or twice a year. Often, that’s where some uncomfortable conversations occur. Do you remember our Lenten study – “Return” when we discussed techniques to help facilitate healthy discussion about sometimes confrontational topics? Let’s remember to practice our HEART principles: H – hear and understand me E – even if you disagree, please don’t make me wrong A – acknowledge the greatness within me R – remember to look for the my loving intentions T – tell me the truth with compassion And from Braver Angels, “Because family patterns are usually consistent and predictable, you can prepare and practice how to respond differently:” C – Clarify: “I think your main point is ...” “Are you saying ...” “I get you are really bothered by ...” Ask real questions of understanding ... ask how they came to their view on an issue. Listen for underlying values and aspirations. A – Agree: Try to find something ... anything you can agree with. P – Pivot: Signal that you are about to offer a different perspective ... “This issue is important to me too, and I’d like to say where I’m coming from” or “Can I give you my thoughts on this issue?” P – Perspective: Then give your own view with “I” statements ... “I’m concerned/ worried/troubled ...” “This is how I see it ...” Be careful not to label the other person’s position or attack motives. Just calmly describe your own viewpoint and how you came to it. If you have a personal story behind your view, consider sharing it. E – Exit: Look for a good time to disengage. Settle for brief, more or less constructive exchanges the first few times you try your skills.

There's still time. RSVP for today's Fall Fest from 4-6pm. Come one, come all, because this is an all-ages event. Warm up with some delicious chili and cornbread, cool down with a popsicle, pet the cutest barnyard animals you’ve ever seen, test your skills in some really fun games, check out the Fire Truck, pick up some balloon art, and have a blast hanging out with some really great people. Sign up here: www.westlake-umc.org/fallfest