ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Pentecost
Special Homecoming Edition: The Best 5 Current Coffee Mugs @ UBC
One of my (Josh's) jobs at UBC is to wash the coffee mugs during the week. I go to the back, take the mugs that are in the dishwasher, put them on our coffee cart, and load the next bunch of mugs. It usually takes three to four cycles. I used to hate the job. I thought to myself, "I don't even drink coffee. Why am I doing this?" Now, it's become a kind of catharsis. Instead of stressing about finances, or trying to think of something to say in a sermon, or processing a complaint about something that was said during worship, I escape for ten minutes and do the mindless work of taking the mugs out of the dishwasher and filling it back up with dirty mugs.
I have been doing mugs for a long time now. As such, I consider myself an expert on UBC coffee mugs. A few years back, we opened the door for donations. Now there seems to be a steady stream of new mugs, which is great because I can toss the bad ones, and it keeps our supply diverse and spicy. So I thought a great homecoming post would be for me to name my five current coffee mug favorites (I use the term “current” because we've had some awesome ones in the past that are no longer with us.)
5. The Trivial Pursuit Mug
I love trivia. I love Jeopardy. I love games that require me to recall what I know. I also know that I've preached some god-awful sermons. How awesome would it be if, during one of the really bad sermons, you were consuming your cup of joe from a piece of Hasbro's finest? Sermon's going nowhere ... that's fine, you just check out for five minutes and ponder "What disc jockey appeared in American Graffiti?"
4. Harriscreek.org Mug
I'll tell you a secret. All of us pastors in Waco know each other. We also know that, sometimes, you guys move around. You stretch the proverbial ecclesiological arms and see if the worship is better is on the other side. This phenomenon is not unique to Waco, but it's especially prominent in Grand Rapids, MI, Colorado Springs, CO, and Waco, TX, where religion reigns supreme. I'll admit that we have a few church mugs. An Episcopal church in Ohio. A Catholic church from south Texas. But this mug is from downtown. I love the fact that, at some point, a certain someone said, "I need more cabinet space. What should I do with this church mug? I know, I'll take it to another church for them to use." Brilliant.
3. Darth Vader Mug
Here the "current" qualifier in my title becomes relevant. One of the all-time greats, one of the hall of fame mugs at UBC, was the Yoda mug. After years of use Yoda's ears got chopped off, and his nose got chipped and, eventually, when we still had the Hobart, Yoda's nooks and crannies just got too dirty. He couldn't be cleaned anymore and was tossed. At one point, we had a C3PO mug, but currently the top of our Star Wars mug game is Vader. Fierce eyes. Steady face. This guy delivers coffee with force.
2. Davey Crockett Mug
From the outside looking in, Texas is interesting, but it also looks arrogant. This came to a kind of culmination for me when in the early years of Survivor, contestant Colby was allowed to bring one item to the island, and he picked the Texas flag. The most recent example would be the constant updates from people in my Facebook feed showing how Texas was rivaling the rest of America in the summer Olympics medal count. But after you live here, this arrogance wears you down. I don't believe Texas is the best in many categories, but it's certainly got moxie. That moxie, though repulsive at first, kind of grows on you. My conversion to my affection for Texas was slow, helped in large part by the tv series Friday Night Lights, which is a rare kind of awesome. Then there's this magic moment when the outsider language disappears, and even if only subtly, you begin to emotionally align yourself with Texas’s superiority complex. Nothing expresses this sentiment better for me than the Davey Crockett mug that was donated. Does it include a quote that contains an expletive? Yes, yes it does, and Texas does not care.
1. Tweedt Mi Casa Mug
Two awesome things were at one time brought together at a UBC extravaganza. 1. There was this sitcom called Arrested Development, a show narrated by Ron Howard in which a dysfunctional family is quintessentially hilarious. It's smart humor. 2. The Tweedt Mi Casa. Led by all-American philosophical giant turned business guru Chris Tweedt and his lovely wife Melinda, an enneagram six who can move through numbers like an accountant, the Tweedt Mi Casa showed up for one of our trunk-or-treats dressed as the cast from Arrested Development. What's more, they made coffee mugs with their pictures to commemorate the event. What's more still, they ordered an extra mug to donate to UBC. Every once in awhile, I think about what the day will look like when I hang up the jersey and call it quits at UBC. I imagine I will reflect on the moments that have made me proud as a pastor. This coffee mug will find itself near the top of the list.
Fall Retreat (Juniors/Seniors)
If you are an upperclassmen, we would love for you to come on our Fall Retreat this year. We still have a few spots open, but you have to sign-up on Sunday. We will leave Thursday night, October 20th, and you can come back Saturday evening or Sunday evening. The cost of the retreat is $20. Space is limited, so the first 19 who sign-up and turn in their money will be given priority. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org. Sign-up sheets will be in the foyer this Sunday.
SWCC Halloween Festival
The festival is this coming Wednesday, please bring your family out to celebrate. The festival will be at the South Waco Community Center, and is kids of all ages. The festival will be from 5:30-8pm, so put on your best Halloween Costume, and come support the community. If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org
The Middle Ages Cookout
Have the kids flown the coop? Do you find yourself asking about elderly discounts? Are you finally able to take that vacation you and the Mrs. have been planning for 30 years? You might be a Middle Ager. UBC's wise group of 50's on up is getting together for a cook out on Saturday October 22nd at 6:30 PM. For more directions and more information email jeff_walter@baylor.edu.
Made in Waco
We are about a month away from Made in Waco, ubc's handmade market. If you are interested in being a vendor, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org for more info and an application.
Slayers Slay
The Satan Slayers brought their regular season to an end with a 4-2 record. That fourth win came last night off the hot hands of small forward Jonathan White who hit the go ahead three with seven seconds left.
The Slayers looked lax until they were inspired by a monster block from the likes of One Andy Clark who set the team ablaze with his tenacious denial. After that it was back and forth and forth until White sealed the victory late. But all the joy might have come at a costly price for Slayer fans. Point guard Adam Tilson is questionable for the tournament.
This blurb was lifted from local sports writer Flip Majkowski's Facebook page. "Adam is the fearless point guard for our church basketball team "the satan slayers." Last evening, with seven seconds left, small forward Jonathan White hit the go ahead three pointer. In a valiant effort to set the game winning pick, Tilson absorbed the brutal blow of White's cover man to free White up for the shot. Pundits are still debating what was more impressive, the 3 point bank shot from 47 feet out or Tilson's courageous pick. Unfortunately his ankle was a casualty in the process. After the game Tilson had this say, "what's more important you ask, my ankle or the team victory? The team victory. And while my ankle might have suffered long term damage requiring years of surgery, it was worth it because satan was slayed. Would i do it again? Is the pope Catholic?" mic drop."
The Slayers will get ready for tournament action next week from the luxury of the 3 seed spot where they will take on a stout AME squad.
Leadership Team Nomination
Friends, one David "Doctor" Wilhite's stint on the leadership team is coming to an end. During his term, David got Wil-Care passed, helped balance the church budget and was instrumental in shaping for our foreign policy in Thailand as we withdrew from the Dominican Republic. Thanks for the years of service Doctor. That means we are looking for leadership team nominations. If you would like to nominate someone for the leadership team, please note the following and send nominations to josh@ubcwaco.org.
(A) Purpose. The Leadership Team shall be the primary decision-making body of UBC. The Leadership Team will oversee all the business and property of the church, as well as make the final decisions regarding hiring and dismissal of staff and the acquisition and selling of assets that are beyond budgetary provisions.
(C) Qualifications. Each member of Leadership Team shall have been a member of UBC for at least one year, exhibited an understanding and commitment to the mission and values of the church, and be willing to fulfill all responsibilities in the Leadership Team job description.
(E) Term. Members of Leadership Team may serve for a duration lasting up to three years. While they are encouraged to remain the full three years, members may voluntarily remove themselves from their position at any time.
Work is Worship
Greeters: The Richardsons
Coffee Makers: Joy & Ryan
Mug Cleaners: Dilan & Shane
Money Counter: Anna Tilson
Announcements
- Sunday Sermon: Special Guest Preacher, UBC founding pastor Chris Seay. "Shameless" Luke 5:8-10/1 Peter 1:13-25
- Fall Retreat for Juniors and Seniors: October 20-23
- Made in Waco: Nov 5th
- Order of Phoenix Game Night: Nov 11th
- The Middle Ages at the Movies: November 12
- Thanksgiving Love Feast: Nov 20th
- Backside Event: Dec 2nd
- Order of Phoenix Dallas Event: Dec. 3
- Study Hall: Dec 7th
- The Middle Ages Christmas Party Dec. 17
Do you have an emergency and need to talk to a pastor?
254 413 2611
Leadership Team
If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members.
Chair- Jon Davis: jdavis83@gmail.com
Joy Wineman: joy.wineman@gmail.com
Stan Denman: Stan_Denman@baylor.edu
David Wilhite: David_Wilhite@baylor.edu
Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com
Sharyl Loeung: sharylwl@gmail.com
Emma Wood: emmaj.wood@yahoo.com
UBC Finance Team
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
Josh McCormick: Josh.McCormick@dwyergroup.com
Hannah Kuhl: HannahKuhl@hotmail.com
Justin Pond: pondjw@gmail.com
Anna Tilson: Anna_Tilson@jrbt.com
Doug McNamee: douglas_mcnamee@baylor.edu
UBC HR Team
If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.
Maxcey Blaylock: maxceykite@gmail.com
Mathew Crawford: mathewcrawford@yahoo.com
Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com