ITLOTC 8-9-2019
ITLOC (In The Life Of The Church)
Never Fully Arriving
During the first five weeks of this summer, I had the privilege of walking the ancient pilgrim trail called the Via Francigena that starts in Canterbury, England, and ends in Rome, Italy. It was for a class with Truett on spiritual pilgrimage, and basically I got class credit for hiking 360 miles with views of the Alps and the Tuscan Valley, all while eating incredible pasta and pizza. (I promise this is going somewhere— I’m not just trying to flex on y’all)
This was an experience that changed my life and continued to change my view on what it is to be a follower of Christ in this world. Since coming back to Waco, however, I have fallen back into a familiar struggle. I am in between jobs and waiting for classes to start, and I have found myself slipping back into the idea that my worth in found in what I can produce. Society has ingrained in me the idea that if I cannot stay busy and be as efficient as possible, then something is wrong.
God has led me (over and over again) to fight back against this idea. Even and especially in the seasons of rest, of waiting, and of quiet, God is with us. The pilgrimage that we are on will look different as we go, but that makes no season less important than the other.
We spend so much time wishing away the moment we are in waiting in expectation of the next big event or supposed life milestone. “If only this would happen, THEN I will have arrived.“ Instead, I believe that God not only works through these major life events, but also God is present in the sacred ordinary.
As this summer season draws to a close, I hope you can find time to rest in whatever it looks like. Or even put some practices into place that allow you to reflect on what it means to embrace the season you find yourself in now. We are not meant to ever fully “arrive,” whatever that means. We each have a different and elusive idea of what that looks like, anyway, so I pray that instead we can find our hope and worth in pilgriming together— in the happy and the sad and everything in-between— with the assurance that our God is with us.
What does pilgrimage mean to you? How can you be grateful where you are as you journey alongside other pilgrims?
I’d love to discuss this more with you. If you’re interested, email me at bri@ubcwaco.org.
Welcome Back Fiesta - August 25th - noon
It’s that time of year again, and we are excited to have everyone back for the Fall after summer break! Join us for lunch after church on the 25th to kick of the year. We will food, drinks, games, and good times galore! If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org
Leadership Team Nominations
We are looking for new folks to serve on the leadership team. Here is some information for you to consider from the bylaws. We have 4 positions open, two of which are students.
Section 1. Leadership Team
(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. Members serving as student member commit to a year with the chance to renew up to three years.
Nominations begin now. So if you'd like to nominate yourself or anyone else, please use this link.
Announcements
Preacher: Taylor, Luke 12:32-40
Kindergarten Commission: 8/18
Welcome Back Lunch: 8/25
Mi Casa Leader Training: 8/25, 9:30AM
UBCYP cookout: 9/7
Sunday school Starts: 9/8
Work is Worship
Coffee: Michael & Oliver
Mugs: Nelsons
Money Counter: George Thornton
Greeters: Ricky + Rose
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.
Byron Griffin: byrontgriffin@gmail.com
Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Student Position, Samuel Moore: samuel_moore2@baylor.edu
Student Position, Anna Carol Peery: anna_peery@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.
JD Newman: JD_Newman@baylor.edu
Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com
Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com
Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com
George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com
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.
Ross Van Dyke: Ross_Vandyke@baylor.edu
Jared Gould: jared.gould1@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com