Four United Methodist Churches from South and Central Texas came together to host an Advent party for the children of Parker Lane neighborhood in Austin on Saturday, Dec. 12. Chapel Hill UMC, San Antonio; Parker Lane UMC, Austin; Shepherd’s Gate UMC, San Antonio; and University UMC, Austin gathered food and fellowship in the spirit of Christmas.

“Children came through the fence from the apartment complex next door,” said Rev. Tina Carter, Associate Pastor for Community at Parker Lane UMC. “People who are training to become Promotoras de Salud (community health workers) and those attending parenting classes at Parker Lane came to receive gifts, make gifts and be welcomed into the Spirit of Christ."

“We admit working together is more fun than working apart.”

Many of the families that gathered are Matu speakers from the Chin province of Myanmar.