ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Pentecost
Farewell Friend (5 Things to Love About Emily Nance)
As you know, our champion children’s pastor, one Emily Nance, finished her employment with UBC last weekend. Emily served as our children’s pastor for the past four years, and during her time the ministry went from about 30 kids to about 120. Emily is clearly talented and creative, characteristics that retrospectively are obviously apparent, but I wanted to share a few other things about Emily as she departs from this role.
5. Jeopardy
That is the nickname I would sometimes use to refer to Emily. There is only one other person I know (Matt O’Brien) who possessed such a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the world. Emily is full of an astounding amount of information about various topics. At first, when she would disclose her knowledge of such topics with such nuanced and exhaustive detail, I would call BS and charge her with making it up. Then, when Wikipedia proved her right, I would reason that she must have recently seen a NOVA program or by chance read an article in Wired. But that skepticism began to diminish when she was correct all the time. That hurt me a little bit. I fancy myself a kind of trivia junky, but I would get destroyed by Emily.
4. Cake Boss
To say that Emily is creative is an almost frivolous statement at this point. “Duh, Emily is obviously creative,” but being creative and being an artist are not the same thing. I want to show you the extent of Emily’s creativity by including a small sample of a her cake-baking portfolio. Emily could compete in—and win—a competition against the Cake Boss and his team. Don’t believe me? Check out these photos.
3. She’s Got Some Pipes
Muscles? Yes, maybe, but I’m talking about her lungs. Emily can sing. You may or may not have known that her maiden name, “Perry,” is one and the same with the country musical extravaganza “Perry.” That is because they are related. It turns out that there is a kind of melodic aptitude that runs through the Perry veins, and I know it because I’ve heard one Emily Nance sing - so much so that our former rock and roll pastor, one Tye Barrett, would frequently pull Nance on stage for an occasional soprano backup. And it was top-notch.
2. Emily Is A Good Theologian
Emily grew me in my understanding of children’s ministry, both in terms of pedagogy and of the importance and function of children in the larger life of the community. But she also developed my theology, not with lessons, but with her persistent witness and subtle actions. Over her four years here, Emily developed a kind of companion curriculum for the lectionary. There were several weeks when the kids would be learning and engaging the same Bible verses that we were in the adult part of worship, so we would have conversations about those verses and how to interpret them. I was consistently surprised by Emily’s insight. I also admire the way she prays. She is thoughtful and uses her words effectively.
1. She Loved Our Kids Well
This is essentially what I said on Sunday, but it is worth saying again. When Lindsay and I were pregnant with Roy, I was talking with a friend about finding a babysitter that you trust. We were about to have our first kid, and as we neared that moment, the gravity of trusting another person with what was most precious to me loomed large. In response to my question, my friend said a few things and then punctuated his reasoning with this statement: “You don’t just want someone to take care of your kid; you want someone who loves your kid.” I thought that wise, and so, perhaps naively, that is what Lindsay and I have hoped and expected for all of our children’s mentors, be they teachers, piano teachers, coaches, or babysitters. Emily was our children's children’s pastor - and as our children’s pastor, she loved our children fiercely. And that is what I have loved most about her pastoring.
Meet Jess Engblom
Jess Engblom has graciously agreed to serve as our interim children's pastor. So we thought we introduce her.
Why are you in Waco: We moved here from Grand Rapids, MI in 2012 for Rob to work at Baylor.
Best Restaurant: Torchy's, I love the Brushfire taco
Best Movie or TV Show: You've Got Mail
Fav. verse, chapter or book of the Bible: Ruth
Fav. Book: The Poisonwood Bible
Something we wouldn't know about you: I used to be a backstage security guard at a huge concert venue in Indiana. I have a thousand random memories from it, the barenaked ladies guy taught me how to juggle, Susan Tedeschi owes me money from losing a game of horse, I stole a pack of Tom Petty's pink carefree gum, to name a few.
Leadership Team Meeting
Our October leadership team meeting is this Sunday, October 23rd at 7:00 PM. Among other things, at this meeting the leadership team will select a new member and make a decision about the future of the children's pastor position. If you'd like one last opportunity to given input on that decision please contact any of the leadership team members listed at the bottom of the newsletter. Also, please be in prayer for our team as they listen to the voice of the Spirit in this decision making process.
Design Survey (CLOSING SOON)
The aesthetics team is gearing up for a re-design of the foyer and hallways. Since these spaces are the first you experience when you enter the building, we want to hear about what you value most about the current design so we can maintain those elements in the new design. You will find a design survey at ubcwaco.org/designsurvey, and it will be active until Monday, October 24.
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.
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 tomorrow Saturday October 22nd at 6:30 PM. For more directions and more information email terijan@gmail.com.
Thailand Mission Trip
If you are interested in learning more about work in Thailand, and/or going on the trip, there will be an interest meeting after church, on November 6th. UBC partners with a missionary couple who ministers to/with South Asian immigrants to northern Thailand. We will be taking a team May14-28, 2017. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org.
Work is Worship
Greeters: Carson, Rachel & Christian
Coffee Makers: Chad
Mug Cleaners: Leah
Money Counter: Hannah
Announcements
- Sunday Sermon: Luke 18:9-14 "Sinners and Saints"
- 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