ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Easter
Sexual Assault Awareness Month/Child Abuse Prevention Month
(by jamie)
Hey Everyone,
April is both Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. Aleigh Ascherl (fellow Ubcer, as well as Prevention and Education Director at the Advocacy Center in town) sent me some resources to honor these focuses in our community. What follows is a declaration of solidarity with survivors, as well as resources for anyone who is in need of support.
Declaration:
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month as well as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and today, we take a moment to recognize the epidemic of sexual violence and abuse within our community and our nation. Here in Texas, 2 out of every 5 women and 1 out of every 5 men will experience sexual violence.
Sexual violence of all kinds capitalizes on the sinful desire to control and maintain power over someone. As people of faith, we must adamantly denounce such behavior as sinful and contrary to God’s will. God created us to love each other selflessly and with constant concern for other’s well-being and autonomy. Sexual violence defaces human dignity and distorts the image of God. Violence against one of God’s people is violence against us all.
Sexual violence destroys families and communities. Often kept hidden, this is an issue that must concern all of us. For too long and far too often the voices of survivors have been ignored, dismissed, or silenced. But silence in the face of any injustice is not spiritual. We are compelled by our faith and our humanity to hear stories, wrestle with hard truths, and believe survivors. And because of our belief in the pursuit of justice, we stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors of sexual violence of all kinds. Forgive us for ignoring you or shaming you. Help us to open our eyes to these acts of injustice, and seek ways to compassionately and thoughtfully serve you.
We denounce the sinful actions of abusers and perpetrators of violence. What you are doing is not ok, and we do not condone it. And we denounce our own silence in the face of suffering.
And we mourn the loss of life, the loss of health, and the loss of safety that has occurred because of sexual violence. We commit ourselves to labor toward a better future, a future free from the violence and evil of abuse.
Resources:
Here are some resources if you are in need of support—I’ll add further that if you would prefer to talk to a pastor, any of us are willing to be present to you and also to help connect you to any further support.
RAIIN – National Sexual Assault Hotline, (800) 656-4673; https://www.rainn.org/
Advocacy Center for Crime Victims & Children, Crisis Hotline (888) 867-7233 serves victims of sexual assault, child abuse, and all other violent crimes.
Services include: 24 hour - crisis hotline, counseling, SANE exams, forensic interviewing, & case management, trainings, presentations, prevention and education services. Serves Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, & McLennan counties. www.advocacycntr.org
Department of Family and Protective Services
Mandated Reporter Training: https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/training/reporting/default.asp
Report Abuse: https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Contact_Us/report_abuse.asp
National Sexual Violence Resource Center: https://www.nsvrc.org/
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault: https://taasa.org/
Meet the UBCer(s)
The Balks
Leadership Team Nomination
We will be replacing three of our valiant leadership team members this August. Thank you to Jeremy Nance, Kerri Fisher, & Joanna Sowards. Description of the role is below. Leadership team members function as the executive decision making body of the church. The commitment is to a three year term. Leadership team terms are three years. If you would like to nominate someone for the leadership team, please do so by using this link to fill out the form.
(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
Service Time Change
So we are all in this lets-try-and-worship-outside-thing together. When we started we said we were going to figure it out as we go. Well, we’ve figured out our first thing. Even April is too frigin hot to be outside for an hour in the sun. So we are moving the start time of the service up to 9:30 starting May 2nd. Please let everyone you know about the change. Find ways to casually drop it into conversation. Be gossipy about it if you must. Positively reflect on beating the rush to lunch destinations. I know changes are a big deal, but I believe in you. I believe in us.
Sunday Worship Is …
Outside! The weather looks good.
(imagine that Kermit the Frot excited gif right here)
Backside - Friday, April 23, 7pm
Join us for an open mic event in the parking lot on Friday, April 23, at 7pm. Be sure to bring a chair/blanket, and any snacks or drinks you desire. If you have interest in singing, reading, etc. please email jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Parishioner of the Week
Jonathan Hill for writing this piece for the Baylor magazine.
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
Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu
Kristen Howerton: khowerton94@gmail.com
Patrick Broaddus: patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com