ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Listening
On Sunday, after we participated in communion, we had the option to grab the sticker shown above: "I communed with someone I disagree with today." This week has revealed what we already knew: our country is deeply divided. It is in this season, the Church should be on the front lines practicing empathy and listening to those marginalized and those who marginalize. The following is an excerpt from David Dark's book: The Sacredness of Questioning Everything:
Fordham University philosophy professor Merold Westphal puts the matter rather beautifully: "If I am good listener, I don't interrupt the other or plan my own next speech while pretending to be listening. I try to hear what is said, but I listen just as hard for what is not said and for what is said between the lines. I am not in a hurry, for there is no pre-appointed destination for the conversation. There is no need to get there, for we are already here; and in this present I am able to be fully present to the one who speaks. The speaker is not an object to be categorized or manipulated, but a subject who life situation is enough like my own that I can understand it in spite of the differences between us. If I am good listener, what we have in common will be more important than what we have in conflict"
"What we have in common will be more important" than defensively dissociating ourselves from those who might somehow call our rightness into question. And being capable of discerning what we have in common with the people who challenge our sense of decorum will involved silencing the tape, the inner monologue, that tells us why we're right and others are wrong, even as we pretend to listen by nodding knowingly. Our momentarily stilled tongues might genuinely signify the reception of another person's witness. And if they do, it could be that God's kingdom, where two or more are gathered in this way, is already present.
"In the end," Thomas Merton assures us, "it is the reality of personal relationships that saves everything." And the reality comes unto us when we cast aside our categorizing impulses and our armored suits of offhandedness (powerful feeling though they may be) and enter into the dangerous and redeeming space where people, all kinds of people (the marginalized and those who marginalize), enter into the blessed work of actually listening to one another.
Thailand
If you are interested in going on our trip to Thailand, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org There are still a few spots open, and the trip is May14-28, 2017. We will be working with South Asian immigrants in northern Thailand.
Order of the Phoenix Game Night
Our middle school youth group (5th-8th) is having a game night, TONIGHT, Friday November 11th from 6:30-8:30 PM. Email tcarlson76@hotmail.com for more information.
The Middle Ages Wine Night
The Middle Ages will be meeting tomorrow night November 12th at the Classy Glass Wine Bar for some chardonnay and to hear some saucy jazz featuring guitarist one Chuck Jennings. for more information email jeff_walter@baylor.edu.
Thanks Giving Love Feast
That time of the year when you eat the same meal in four different settings and it's amazing. Kick off your turkey eating season next Sunday night(11/20) @ 6:00 PM as we dine together in fine fashion at our annual Thanksgiving Love Feast. UBC will provide the turkey you provide the sides. email toph@ubcwaco.org for more information.
Work is Worship
Greeters: Ricky & Juliet
Coffee Makers: Emmy & Stephen
Mug Cleaners: Cooleys
Money Counter: Anna Tilson
Announcements
- Sunday Sermon: Luke 21:5-19 (Kim Stübben)
- Thanksgiving Love Feast: Nov 20th
- Advent Workshop: Nov 27th
- Backside Event: Dec 2nd
- Order of Phoenix Dallas Event: Dec. 3
- Study Hall: Dec 7th
- The Middle Ages Christmas Party Dec. 17
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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
Adam Winn: adamwinn68@yahoo.com
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