ITLOTC
(In The Life Of The Church)
Easter
An Update from Toph & Melissa
Dear UBC community,
There is no easy way to break sad news, so we will just come out and say it: It’s with heavy hearts that we write to tell you that we are ending our marriage. Many of you have walked with us in our marriage and in friendship through the years, and we want you to hear this news from us. We still care deeply for each other and remain friends, but ultimately have different dreams for the rest of our lives. At this moment, the words from a blessing for hard things rings very true:
“Unfurling from marriage vows
is to lose what could have been
for the sake of what must be instead.”
As painful as it is to end our marriage, we know God will continue to do good work in us as individuals and will bring beauty from the ashes. Toph will remain in Waco at UBC, where he feels called to serve. Melissa is moving to Austin in June to further her Interior Design career and would love for you all to come visit.
Divorce is a deeply personal and private matter, yet the role of a pastor—and of all disciples of Christ—is to be vulnerable and honest with our communities of faith. We realize some level of transparency is necessary and hope this letter conveys both our love for UBC, our time here together, and each other, even as we close this chapter of our lives. Moving forward, we’d love for you to check in on us as individuals and ask how we are doingday-to-day. We want to feel seen and loved by our community. We do not, however, desire to walk through painful details over and over again, and therefore ask that you respect our privacy.
Thank you for your friendship, love and support both now and in the past. For the past thirteen years people have asked what kept two east coast kids in Waco? The answer, time and time again, has been the UBC community and our amazing friends. We love you all and ask that you continue to pray and care for us in this difficult season.
--Melissa & Toph
Communion Sunday
Hello all. We will be partaking in communion this Sunday as part of the liturgy. Please bring communion elements with you to serve you and your family unit. Also remember that church starts at 9:30!!!
Meet the UBCer(s)
The Altahifs
N’UBCers Cookout
Have you started worshiping at UBC during the pandemic? would you love an opportunity to be around other UBCers in a setting besides worshiping on sunday morning? Boy do we have an opportunity for you. Come to the new UBCers cookout and meet some fellow UBCers and staff. Also, if you already attend UBC or have for a long time and are not new, you can come too! Help us meet the new people. interested persons should sign up here. The extravaganza will start at 6:00 PM CDT.
Sabbatical Schedule Crazies
Friends, let me begin this by reminding you that the bylaws allow for full-time staff to take a sabbatical every five years. Brother Jameson was supposed to take one last summer, but delayed it because of COVID. Brother Toph was supposed to take one this summer, but finds himself in similar circumstances. Taylor is due for one next summer. In effort to avoid all three of them being gone at the same time, I have asked them to think about creative ways to take the time. Alas, Toph is taking a month of his starting today. So if you need Toph please note that he will unavailable in the month of May. Please contact josh@ubcwaco.org for any of your Toph needs.
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
HEY!!!! Don’t forget that church starts at 9:30 this Sunday! Be there or be square!
Pastoral Associates
Friends, Bri Childs, our current pastoral associate is leaving us. Bri leaves behind kindness, compassion, and a legacy with Paul Bunyan size shoes. Alas, we press on towards new things. We are looking for a new pastoral associate(s). If you are a person who is thinking about ministry or would like ministry experience and and an opportunity to work with the UBC staff for a very, very, very (did I say very) small stipend, then boy do we have an opportunity here. Interested persons can apply by clicking here.
CCMS Partner Update
It has been a hard a year for our partners over at Cesar Chavez Middle School. Teachers have been put in more hours than humanly possible, and students have had to adjust between online and in-person learning throughout the year. It has also been a difficult year because partners like UBC have not been able to do our usual mentoring programs with students. CCMS reached out recently and asked that we sponsor lunch for the faculty/staff during STARRS testing, so we are 100% in. On Thursday May 6th, we are taking a lot of delicious food from Mac House to give them some comfort during the long days of testing. If you think about it, say a prayer for the 115 faculty/staff at CCMS as they enter into the STARRS testing season. If you ever have a question about our local partnerships, please reach out to toph@ubcwaco.org
Sunday Worship Is …
Outside! The weather looks good.
(imagine that julia-louis-dreyfus excited gif right here)
Parishioner of the Week
Joe Hays for winning the Black Glasses award for best original screen play.
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