Austin New Church (ANC), a congregation in the process of becoming part of the Rio Texas Conference, celebrated their first Sunday worship service in their new location this week. ANC is now gathering on the former Faith UMC campus in South Austin.
While this was ANC’s first Sunday service on the new campus, they previously celebrated Christmas Eve a day early at Faith UMC on December 23. The church began renovation on the sanctuary in early January to be ready for this Sunday’s worship.
The freshly updated sanctuary welcomed a large crowd. “The seats are full,” said Rev. Laura Merrill, Assistant to the Bishop of Rio Texas. “Youth even claimed the balcony—some things never change!”
Faith UMC Lay Leader Chuck McClenon was asked to share words, and he extended to the congregation a warm welcome to the location:
ANC Pastor Jason Morriss took time during the service to welcome those who previously worshiped at Faith UMC. He acknowledged the mixed emotions experienced by Faith UMC members:
“There is pain and loss that is involved in this chapter [of this church’s life],” said Morriss, “but many of you have been praying for us.” He recognized those who served in leadership capacity at Faith UMC will continue to lead in ministry with ANC.
Rio Texas Methodist Federation for Social Action 
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