An Announcement from Leadership Team
Dear UBCers,
Over the last several weeks, you've likely noticed additions to the weekly newsletter and the slides on Sunday mornings detailing UBCs current finances. And if you attended the last town hall meeting, you know in greater detail that UBC is at a critical point financially.
As a Leadership Team, we are committed to transparency with you about the state of our finances and what is at stake for us as a community. We want to avoid any surprises about significant changes at UBC due to financial need and we want the congregation to be able to make informed decisions regarding your contributions.
Recently the Finance Team let us know that we are currently averaging $15,000 less per month than our operating expenses. Additionally adding strain, as discussed in recent town halls, are several major, unavoidable upcoming expenses, including mandatory parking lot and air conditioning repairs.
At this point with no significant changes in giving or spending, we will have completely depleted our savings and be unable to meet monthly expenditures by August 2023. This all means we are in danger of significant changes to the current fabric of UBC - including the possibility of losing or reducing staff positions. UBC has been at a similar crossroads before, and the congregation was unaware until those changes happened. We do not want anyone to be in the dark about what is currently at risk for UBC. The Leadership Team, Finance Team, HR Team, and staff believe wholeheartedly that Waco needs UBC - as a church, for the theological space we hold and for the community that is currently here, and for those who will find themselves here in the coming weeks, months, and years.
For this reason, we are launching an intentional and swift fundraising effort through the end of December; at which point we will re-evaluate the type and degree of changes that must be made. We understand not everyone will be able to give any more than they already have, but we also know some of us might be able to make changes that can have a direct impact on the future of the UBC community. Maybe you are in a place to increase your monthly giving, perhaps you are ready to set up monthly giving via Church Center for the first time. Or maybe you’re looking to make a year-end gift somewhere. Whatever the case may be, the time to give is now.
You can give in the baskets passed each week during the service. You can set up monthly giving here or using the QR code available during each service.
We also want to invite you to be a part of our Fundraising Team. If you have experience in fundraising, grant writing, or are compelled to serve UBC in this unique season, please reach out to our Leadership Team Chair, Katie Valenzuela (katarinaevalenzuela@gmail.com).
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Leadership Team. You can find our emails at the bottom of this newsletter and in the slide rotation on Sunday mornings.
We Want to Send You Snail Mail 🐌
Following on the above update from Leadership Team, we’re asking everyone to please share their current address so we can send you things like your annual giving statement, information about our fundraising efforts, and other important information from UBC. You can update your address at this link: https://ubcwaco.churchcenter.com/people/forms/450248
Share Your Feedback 📣
You’re invited to share your feedback (good, bad, or in-between) about the goings-on at UBC! All comments will be shared directly with the UBC Human Resources team who will then share it with Leadership Team, Finance Team, or Pastoral Staff as needed. Share your feedback here: https://forms.gle/1ovkBXSx1Lu3CR448
If you are in your mid 20’s-mid 30’s, we would love for you to join us for a retreat. We will leave on Friday afternoon from UBC and return in time for church on Sunday morning. We are headed to a lake house on Cedar Creek Lake, and the cost is $40 for all meals and lodging. Email toph@ubcwaco.org to sign-up, or if you have questions.
Please join us this month on the Lands’ for another potluck. This is a great time to meet other folks at UBC, and show our unequivocal support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Email toph@ubcwaco.org with any questions or to sign up.
If you are new to UBC within the last 6 months, and would like to learn more about our community and ways you can get involved, please consider staying after church this Sunday, October 16th. We will provide lunch and drinks, and will be done by 1:30pm at the latest. Email toph@ubcwaco.org to sign up.
Giving
If UBC is a place you care about and benefit from, we hope you’ll consider financially supporting this work as you are able. You can give online here.
Youth Dinner
If you’d like to get involved with the Youth Group but can’t volunteer on Wednesday nights you can sign-up to provide youth dinner (cooked, bought, or otherwise!) instead. Sign up for that here and Kieran will reach out to you at the beginning of the week you sign up for to arrange details.
Children’s Ministry
Want to serve with UBC Kids but can’t but can’t say yes to a once/month commitment? We’d love to add you to our list of dedicated subs who can step in from time to time. Email brooke@ubcwaco.org to sign up.
We are starting a monthly small group, a family sensory worship space. Come as you are! The group will have a loose structure in short durations: a time of meditation, a time of yoga, a very short time of listening to biblical or testimony stories, a time for creative play, a time of music/dance, a time for sharing/visiting. Visual and/or sound needs will be considered. Movement is encouraged as needed.
It will be based on the Quaker Montessori curriculum Sparkling Still, in which short inspirational and interactive stories are provided on simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship, mindfulness, empathy, discernment, and other virtues for the whole family.
Please sign up in the lobby to be involved in the planning or first gatherings. You can also email jamie@ubcwaco.org. We hope to launch in early 2023.
If you are in your mid 20’s to mid 30’s, this group is for you. We gather monthly to hang out and get to know each other. This month we will be gathering at Toph’s casa. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer, or you can email toph@ubcwaco.org to sign-up or if you have questions.
Please join us for a conversation about our approach to formation for our kids and youth. We’d love to talk through this and hear your hopes and dreams for the future!
On Wednesday October 26th, the 5/6th grade group and youth group will be combined for a Halloween celebration. We are going to eat dinner, have a costume contest, and watch a Halloween-themed movie.
UBC Women’s Costume Party - Friday, October 28th at 7pm
Wear a costume and bring a Spooky Snack or Drink to share!
We are going to meet up at the Cameron Park Zoo at 9am on Saturday the 29th. The zoo is having a Halloween themed scavenger hunt! Bring yourself and your kiddos out to the zoo for a fun day, and get to know some other UBC families. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Email toph@ubcwaco.org with any questions.
All Saints Liturgy - Tuesday, November 1st at 5:30pm
Fall Fire Chill - Friday, November 4th at 6pm
Belief & Belonging Festival - Saturday, November 5th
Women's Group-Hangout - Friday, November 11th at 7pm
Thanksgiving Lovefeast - Sunday, November 13th at 5:30pm
UBC Families Meetup-Mini Golf - Monday, November 14th, 5-7pm
Post-Thanksgiving Evening Service - Sunday, November 27th at 6pm
Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
Parishioner of the Week
The parishioners of the week are all the volunteers who helped with Out on the Brazos on Saturday.
Preaching Schedule
10/16: Kerri
10/23: Craig
10/30: Kieran
11/6:Kirk
11/13: Listening to Our Congregation: LGBTQ Folks
11/20: Christ the King Sunday
11/27: Kirk
Leadership Team
Ben Raley (benjaminraley@gmail.com)
Jose Zuniga (jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com)
Katie Valenzuela (katarinaevalenzuela@gmail.com)
Andy Clark (andyclarkmusic@gmail.com)
Aleigh Ascherl (aleighascherl@gmail.com)
HR Team
Erin Hill (erin.albin1@gmail.com)
Patrick Broaddus (patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com)
Craig Nash (craig_nash@baylor.edu)
Kristen Howerton (khowerton94@gmail.com)
Abbey Mackey (abbeyadizdar@gmail.com)
Jess Smith (jess_smith1@baylor.edu)
Finance Team
Mike Dodson (financeteammike@gmail.com)
Colton Towns (cctowns@gmail.com)
Julie Sievers (juliehsievers@gmail.com)
Evan Kidd (evan.kidd1@outlook.com)
