ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Ordinary Time
Hello UBC,
I wanted to give you an update on our potential time frame, and the work I imagine we will be doing. The good news is the rain cleared Wednesday night, and it looks like it will not rain again in the coming days. Many of the roads in and out of Houston are still flooded, and it will take a while for the flood waters to recede. I have been in consistent communication with the folks down at Ecclesia, and have told them we are ready to bring a group down when they need us. On this initial trip, we will be working on the relief/clean-up area of this disaster. I imagine we will be helping to clear debris, help clean out houses/businesses which have flooded, and provide help to families through Ecclesia. We most likely will be going down next week, or the week after. I won’t have specific dates until I hear back from the folks on the ground there. UBC will begin collecting supplies this Sunday, as we have received a list from Ecclesia about what is needed. We will take these supplies down whenever our group goes. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call 254-498-2261. Please continue to pray for all the people across south Texas and Louisiana who have been affected by this disaster, for those volunteers who are already there helping.
Hurricane Harvey Flood Relief Supplies:
Clean Up Supplies:
De-Humidifiers -- Very Important
Portable Blowers
Air Circulators
Extension Cords
Ground Fault Protectors
Pop Up Canopies
Wet / Dry Vacs
Exterior Clean Up:
Shovels
Wheelbarrows
Crowbars
Hammers
Utility Knives
Work gloves
Dust masks
Pressure Washers
Blower Fans
Ladders
Buckets
Chainsaws
Clippers
Yard tools
Tools for boarding windows
Tarps
Rope
Portable Lights
Portable Generators
Nail-guns
Sawhorses
Spray paint
Safety Glasses
Interior Clean Up:
Kitchen dishwashing gloves
Mops
Brooms
Deck Brooms
5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
Smaller buckets
Liquid laundry detergent
Liquid household cleaner
Dish soap
Bleach / Kilz
Scrub brush
Cleaning wipes
Sponges
Scouring pads
Paper towels
Disposable Rags
Can air freshener
Clothespins
Clothesline
Heavy-duty trash bags
Additional Supplies:
Insect repellant spray
Bottled Water
First Aide Kit(s)
Toiletries
Rain Ponchos
Embrace Beauty,
Toph
On Earth As It Is In Heaven
We are living in – what feels like anyways – an increasingly divided world. This division is probably not anymore real now that it has always been (there is nothing new under the sun, after all) but I seem to be aware of it more deeply, to feel it with more frequency and passion that I have ever have before. Perhaps you have been feeling it as well. I have found myself lately thinking often of this quote by Richard Rohr from his book Falling Upward, “If you go to heaven alone, wrapped in your private worthiness, it is by definition not heaven. If your notion of heaven is based on exclusion of anybody else, then it is, by definition, not heaven. The more you exclude, the more hellish and lonely your existence always is.”
This division, our insistence on drawing lines in the sand and deciding who is in and who is out, is a very human temptation. But as Rohr reminds us – it is not a necessity. The Kingdom of Heaven is already here, and not yet fully come. When we pray the Lord’s prayer we declare this truth – “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” As I read Colossians 3:12-15 this week I was reminded of a few ways that we can participate in the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth:
12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
And as I watched the news and scrolled through my Facebook feed this week I saw examples of a few other ways that we can participate in the Kingdom of Heaven. You can send a doll to someone you don’t know. Or you could drive your boat across the country to save the lives of people you’ve never met. You could bake bread all through the night. Or you could open up your business for citizens and first responders alike to rest and stay safe.
This week we have seen example after example of people participating in the kingdom of God. And though I'm sure we have not seen the end of division - it has been a wonderful reminder that I can participate here and now in the work that God is doing - on earth as it is in heaven. How are you participating?
f you have any questions or concerns about this post, feel free to email taylor@ubcwaco.org.
Orphan Care in McLennan County
This fall UBC will collectively look at the orphan situation in Mclennan County. What this means is that we will gather for a potluck on three different Wednesdays (9-13, 10-18, & 11-15). For this first meeting we will be doing a interview and Q/A with Erin Wheeler from Generation Adoptions. So if you are at all interested in how you can impact the orphan situation in Waco, please consider coming to this event and bringing a dish to share.
UBCYP Game Night
"Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, One Night Ultimate Werewolf. If you ever heard of these or are just intrigued by their name, then please come ready to get your board gaming on with some fellow UBCYPers and their guests! Space fights, solving murders, surviving deserts, being a spy....yes, we got your crazy imagination covered as we bring those closer to life through artistic cardboard, intriguing cards and colorful dice. All are welcomed to come, of course, even if only to observe or relax with a glass of wine. Mark 7p Friday, September 8th down and be sure to sign up for the next UBCYP Game Night!"
Sunday School
August 27 will be the last week of Summer Sunday School, and there will be no SS class on Labor Day weekend, September 3. Fall Sunday School will begin on September 10. Sunday School classes meet at 9:30am and focus on a variety of topics, both scriptural and cultural. This fall, there will be three adult classes to choose from, in addition to the formation for the Order of the Phoenix during that hour. Below is a brief description of each class and information for contacting the class leaders. If you have questions or want more information, add your name to the sign-up sheet on the foyer table after service this week or next week.
“Cheers: The SS class where everybody knows your name”
Led by Jeff Walter (jeff_walter@baylor.edu), David Wilhite (David_wilhite@baylor.edu), and Adam Winn (adamwinn68@gmail.com)
This class will be a place to grow in our relationships with God and with each other. Each week this semester we’ll study a chapter from the book of Acts, and throughout the semester we’ll have opportunities to eat together, hang out, and get to know each other. Whether you're new to ubc and looking to plug in, or if you’ve been around a while, you’re welcome to join us. Cheers!
"Mental Health and Christianity"
Led by Rose Lorona (rosemond.lorona@gmail.com)
Mental illness is a common experience; we all know someone who has/had mental illness or has been affected by mental illness (whether we know it or not!). Despite the pervasiveness of mental illness, we sometimes fail to appropriately acknowledge mental illness out of lack of understanding, lack of awareness, fear of saying or doing something wrong, or concern of being treated differently. Mental health can be especially difficult to talk about in a church context or from a Christian perspective, which is why this Sunday school class was created. In this class, we will discuss signs and symptoms of mental illness; how mental illness is (and is not) talked about in the Bible; myths of mental illness and seeking psychological care; and how we, as individuals and the Church, can be better friends, servants, and ministers to people who are affected by mental illness. Talking about mental health may seem intimidating, even scary, but that is all the more reason to lean in and learn something new. All are welcome to attend – the diversity in experiences and thoughts on this topic will be enriching for us all!
"The Old Testament: This Should Be Rated R"
Led by Val Fisk (val@ubcwaco.org)
What is going on with these crazy prophets and their need to write everything in poetry?! Why is this Yahweh person so angry and mean to the nations? Why does everyone keep talking about Assyria? How does the Proverbs 31 woman manage to do all of that without power tools?!?!
This class will focus on providing a broad introduction to the Hebrew scriptures through a timeline of Israel, major events in the life of the people of Yahweh (spoiler alert: that's God), and basic understandings of the major sections and genres of the Old Testament we have today.
Work is Worship
Greeters: Walters
Coffee Makers: Nances
Mug Cleaners: Chris Kuhl
Money Counter: Anna T.
Announcements
- Sunday Sermon: Brother Toph will be bringing us the word from the Lord this Sunday. Isaiah 61
- 9-8 UBCYP Game Night
- 9-10 UBC Kids Teacher Training
- 9-13 McLennan County Orphan Care Event 1: Generation Adoptions
- 9-17 Family Weekend Breakfast
- 9-22 Backside Event 1
- 9-24 NUBCer Lunch
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- Emma Wood: emmaj.wood@yahoo.com
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Stan Denman: Stan_Denman@baylor.edu
Adam Winn: adamwinn68@yahoo.com
Bridget Heins: bheins@hot.rr.com
Sharyl Loeung: sharylwl@gmail.com
Jon Davis: jdavis83@gmail.com
Student Position: Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu
Student Position: Leah Reed: Leah_Reed@baylor.edu
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.
Rob Engblom: Rob_Engblom@baylor.edu
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com