ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Systemic Injustice calls for Systemic Change
(article written by Toph)
First, if you haven’t voted today, you should get out there and vote. It is our elected officials that often help create policy and measures that can change systemic issues in our country, and you have a voice you can use to vote for someone who will challenge the injustices that exists in our society. The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor. The work of neighborliness must translate to systemic change – policy work – on local/national/international levels. If we want to be neighbors who care, we must care about changing the systems that continue to keep large segments of the world in unfair and unjust and unsafe spaces. We need to learn what it means to be a good neighbor on systemic levels: which includes exercising our right to vote, fighting for policy change, and holding people accountable for their actions/inaction. We are the most connected generation in history, and if we take Jesus’ words seriously, then we must use our connectivity and information to be agents of change in this world. We are too connected and have too much information not to advocate for systematic change. Christ came to reconcile all things, how will you be a part of Christ reconciliation on a systemic level.
Below is something I wrote for the close of a service last year, and it is a good reminder for today.
God is not glorified when sexism and racism still exists within our systems.
God is not glorified when crowds chant to exclude minorities and wish to send them away.
God is not glorified by keeping children in cages.
God is not glorified by turning away refugees.
God is not glorified by white nationalism.
God is not glorified with “all lives matter” when it is said in response to the suffering/oppression of black lives.
God is not glorified when we hate anyone.
God is glorified when we welcome the outcast and the sinner and dine with them.
God is glorified when we fight for equal rights, equal opportunity, and justice for all.
God is glorified when we call out racism, sexism, xenophobia, and systems that continue to oppress people.
God is glorified when our love extends to all people regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or religious belief
God is glorified when the captives are set free and when the voices of the oppressed and poor are heard.
God is glorified when we love our enemy and pray for those who persecute.
The only way to drive out darkness is with light. The only way to drive out hate is with love.
UBC, may we continue to remind each other of God’s redemptive and radical love, and may we remember the call to love our neighbor is not a convenient request, but an urgent command.
Drive-Up Food Distribution
UBC is partnering with several other churches for a drive-up food distribution this Wednesday (7/15) and next Wednesday (7/22). Family of Faith, a church in north waco, has been serving 1200-1600 families per week with boxes of food. For the next few weeks they are unable to do this work, so we are partnering with several churches to make sure these families still receive the food they need. This is a large operation, and we need your help. You can use the sign-up link below to sign-up. Please consider volunteering to help with this distribution over the next two weeks. If you have any questions, email toph@ubcwaco.org
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084eacae2aabff2-driveup
Family Resource Pantry
Thank you to everyone who has been volunteering and everyone who has donated so far. This is our week to donate and buy supplies for the pantry, so please use the link below to see what still needs to be bought this week. If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org. Here's that link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084eacae2aabff2-community
Backside - July 31
We're having a very special Virtual Summer Edition of Backside on Friday, July 31st, at 7pm. If you would like to submit a song, poem story, visual art piece, etc., email jamie@ubcwaco.org for details on how to make that happen.
UBC Drive-In Movie
Alright friends, nothing says summer like the movies, and we also want to see everyone. What’s a safe way to social distance and be in the same space; stay in your car! We will be hosting our first drive-in movie on Friday night August 7th. There will be more details in the near future, but put it on your calendar.
Town Hall - 7/19
We will be having a town hall after church this Sunday. Make sure to stay tuned in to hear updates about our finances and more. If you have any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org
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