ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Lent
An Update from the Leadership Team
These days, time feels like a cruel joke and impossible reality. It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since we’ve gathered in person to worship together. Not simply because it’s been a year — I think we’ve all felt that time go by painfully slowly — but rather because we’ve spent that time without being in embodied communion with each other. Every week carries with it a small ache and a deep yearning to be worshipping together in our building. We have all held this lament with us for this entire year, and we all hope for a near future where that yearning becomes reality once again.
Throughout this year, the Leadership Team has met regularly to evaluate the safety of meeting as a congregation. We’ve discussed everything from our building ventilation, multiple services, managing mask-wearing, children, the science on COVID spread and singing, possible locations to gather outdoors, restrooms, and so much more. It seems at every turn there was a major COVID development — new restrictions, a huge spike in cases, major warnings surrounding holiday gatherings, huge building expenses, and more. We had heightened concerns about the safety of our building, our ability to perform enhanced cleaning, and the potential need to have to turn people away from our doors due to capacity. It’s been a difficult year of discernment, but ultimately, we are proud of the approach that we have taken and the hard decision that we have made to take the road that protects the most vulnerable. We do realize now that more regular updates about our thinking/discernment process might have been helpful for the whole church to hear and we regret any confusion or misunderstandings that may have developed due to lack of more frequent written communication on our part. We are also thankful for the enormous amount of grace and understanding that has been granted to our staff and Leadership Team.
Over the past year, the overwhelming sentiment we’ve received from our congregation is a longing to worship together, but an ultimate care for the safety of others. We have also all felt and carried an inescapable sense of weariness and fatigue through this entire season. At times, it has felt unbearable. In this season of unbearable weariness, we are thankful for a congregation and leaders who give us the space to express grief, disappointment, frustration, and anger.
Last week we sent out a survey through the newsletter to get a sense of what UBCers feel comfortable with as we prepare to chart a new path forward to gather in person in some way. With cases seeming to fall, and vaccination numbers beginning to rise, a hope in returning to normalcy in the somewhat near future does not seem so ridiculous anymore; the light at the end of the tunnel feels visible, feasible, tangible.
The leadership team will be monitoring positivity rates, case numbers, and vaccinations and continuing to listen to the CDC and other medical professionals for safety recommendations. We will continue to take the recommended approaches that protect the most vulnerable. But it is our absolute joy to say that the time has finally come for us to begin joining together non-virtually in some ways. So, please stay tuned for information from us regarding worshipping pods, drive-in services, and/or outdoor services (as long as numbers keep progressing in the direction of safety).
For those who have deeply enjoyed (or still prefer for safety) worshipping virtually and for those who have been able to connect with UBC despite not living in Waco, rest assured — we will continue to stream our Sunday services every week.
Of one thing I feel certain — when we do finally gather together in our building once more, knowing we are not risking the safety of our neighbors — the sacredness and holiness of our gathering will be palpable. Frankly, I’m teary-eyed just thinking about it. Thanks for being you, UBC. I hope to see you all so, so soon
With love,
Taylor Torregrossa Beard
UBC Leadership Team
Meet the UBC(ers)
Cheatham
Guest Preacher Dr. Angela Gorrell
This Sunday we continue to celebrate women’s remarkable contribution to the kingdom of God. We will be joined by special guests preacher Dr. Angela Gorrell. Dr. Gorrell joined Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminaryin fall 2019 as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. Prior to joining the faculty at Baylor University, she was an Associate Research Scholar at the Yale Center for Faith & Culture, working on the Theology of Joy and the Good Life Project, and a lecturer in Divinity and Humanities at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. She is an ordained pastor with 14 years of ministry experience. Dr. Gorrell is passionate about finding issues that matter to people and shining the light of the Gospel on them. She is the author of always on: practicing faith in a new media landscapeand a new book, The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found, which shares findings of the joy project while addressing America’s opioid and suicide crises. Dr. Gorrell’s expertise is in the areas of theology and contemporary culture, education and formation, meaning-making, joy, new media, and youth and emerging adults. Dr. Gorrell regularly consults, speaks, and leads workshops and retreats on her research and areas of expertise.
UBC March Madness Group
As you know it is time for March Madness. UBC will be hosting a pair tournament challenges via ESPN. The grand prize will be a free lunch on UBC with Toph & Josh. Can anyone catch Steve Nelson? Only God knows … that is if God is not an open theist.
men’s bracket challenge:
Group Name: #Champions4thelord
Password: godisabaylorbear
women’s bracket challenge:
Group Name: #Champions4theLord
Password: godisabaylorbear
Mr. Rogers Sunday
Are you Graduating?
Hello UBC Family, it is fast approaching the time of year in which we honor all those graduating at UBC. If you are graduating hs, college, or grad school, we would love to honor you during our Mr. Rogers service at the end of April. Please send an email to toph@ubcwaco.org to let us know you are graduating.
Parishioner of the Week
David Rhefeld for being offered and accepting the job of assistant professor at Central Oklahoma University.
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