ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Pentecost
In Grief & Grace
Hey UBC - Kieran here. You find me in rather a different state of mind than when last I wrote to you all. Last time I had some witty haikus (well, I thought they were witty) about life in quarantine, and I had a great time laughing irreverently about isolation, and 2020 in general. For those of you who are Enneagrammatically (that’s how I think you’d conjugate Enneagram into an adjective anyway) inclined, I’m a 7; as such I tend towards a healthy, or usually not so much, reframing of most negative emotions and situations. I often joke that it’s like emotional parkour, though if that’s true, it’s rather more like the parkour practised by Michael Scott than it is anything more effective.
Over this past weekend, my darling wife Vanessa had to say goodbye to her long-time family dog, Daphne. I’ve included a picture of the 3 of us below, depending on where Josh has put it. I know everyone thinks this about the dogs and pets they’re closest to, but please believe me when I say with all subjectivity and objectivity that Daphne was, and I believe still is, such a beacon of unbridled joy, unsurpassed compassion, and unconditional love. She was one of the most gorgeous lives I’ve ever known, and my heart aches for her passing. She loved so gently, fiercely, powerfully; her bouncy curls and darling eyes had the strength to remind you that joy could be found in the everyday, no matter what that day held.
I wasn’t sure what to write about for this newsletter. I had been thinking about Daphne constantly, and I asked Vanessa if she could help me figure out what to write. She suggested talking about Daphne, especially because the events of the weekend led us both back to a place we’ve found ourselves often; that of reflecting on how we see God through his creation, and particularly his creatures.
I’ll admit to needing to learn more about our dear St Francis. I know a lot of secondhand things about his life and ministry, but not enough firsthand reading for my liking. Here’s what I do know however; Francis is revered for his delight and care in the natural world. He saw nature as a place to both share God’s beauty and saving grace with, and as a place to refill that same beauty and grace in himself. He preached the word of God to the birds and the creatures of the forest, not because he was trying to ‘save’ them, but because he thought it was his sacred duty to share the love of God with all God’s creation, and in doing so, I’m sure he found the light and love of God reflected back at him from the creatures he spent time with.
I love animals. Vanessa and I often joke that Francis is my patron saint. We have countless photos of moments I’ve stopped to move honeybees from the middle of sidewalks over to the nearby flowers, times a group thought I was still walking with them only to find I was actually sat down in the middle of the road 200 metres back with a stray cat on my lap. I adore bird song. I have never felt God speak so clearly to me than when I listen to birds chatter and sing, and I like to think Francis thought the same way - that in stopping, and being still, he allowed God’s creation to minister back to him.
What is the point of this little segment? Honestly, I’m not entirely sure. It’s partly an attempt at catharsis for me, partly a memorialising of Daphne. I think what I want to say, most of all, is this; cherish the things you most see God in. In this time when our thoughts move at a million miles a moment, when our attention is rightly captured by the hypocrisies and injustices of our political system, our racial inequality, and our idealogical tensions, allow yourself in those moments where you feel overwhelmed, to pause.
In whatever way you find best, take a moment from the vital and critical work of preaching the word of God in every area of our lives, to allow God to minister back to us. Maybe it’s an evening with your beloved cat, or puppy, or guinea pig in your lap. Maybe it’s a walk through the park, birds chattering on either side of you. Maybe it’s watching the clouds, allowing your mind for a moment to rest in their gentle and inevitable movement. Whatever it is, allow yourself to be filled up again, so that we can continue to pour out. It’s okay to need to rest. It’s okay to be tired, so bone-achingly tired. It’s okay to need our God to sit with you, and cry, grieve, mourn. It’s what gives us the strength to get up again, and to press on.
Thank you, UBC, for reading this. Thank you for being part of this church, and know that this community, this family, is directly made better because of you, your specific presence, life, involvement. I love you - may God bless, strength, and keep you. Amen.
Staff Favorites
Because our newsletter has grown thin of late, i’ve added a new feature called, “staff favorites.” The instructions are as follows. Draw a line, either on a piece of paper that you printed this on or in your mind, connecting the correct individual with the corresponding category. After you venture your guesses, you can view the solution here.
A Large Outdoor Space
Hello friends, we here at UBC are continuing to brainstorm thoughtful ways to be together that are safe. To that end we are exploring the possibility of meeting in a large outdoor space. While UBC does have some very attractive parking lots, we feel that the noise from 17th/18th streets in those locations would make it difficult to have a kind of worship extravaganza. To that end we are thinking about taking our talents to another location for an outdoor gathering. Here some needs: a large space that could accommodate parking and space for roughly 300 (that’s likely optimist) individuals to spread out with their family units. A power source is probably necessary. Plumbing would be an added bonus, but we can work without it. If you have any ideas please email josh@ubcwaco.org .
UBC Movie Night - 10/16
We are hosting another Drive-In movie at UBC, and we would love for you to come. On Friday, October 16, at 7pm, we will be showing the wonderful movie CoCo! We will have some refreshments for purchase, but also feel free to bring your own. Masks will be required when you are not in your vehicle watching the movie. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org.
Parishioner of the Week
Kenna Curry for being accepted into Perkins School of Theology. Jon Davis for subbing on media tech this week, and brother Ben Simmons for rocking the flock in Jamie’s absence.
Work is Worship
Greeters: No Greeters this week
Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week
Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week
Money Counter: no money counters this week
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: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu
Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com
Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com
Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com
Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com
Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com
Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com
Student Position: Davis Misloski
Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy
UBC Finance Team
Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members.
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.
Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com
Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com
Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com
Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com
Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu