Returning to Peru (by Kirk)
In the fall of 2005, I went on my first trip to Collique, Peru, a small area outside of the capital city, Lima, at the base of the Andes Mountains. I did not know that I would fall in love with a place and a people so very quickly. I had been to other third world country places, but nothing like this. The people come from the mountains, trying to fight their way to Lima, but stop in this place because they cannot go any farther. They may work in Lima, if they work, but more than likely, they weren't able to afford going any farther.
They find a plot of land, and claim it, and begin to build a house out of whatever materials they can find: cardboard, wood, sticks, newspaper, etc. Over the years, the construction has become more stable with bricks or concrete. Where there used to be no streetlights, there are lights. Where none of the roads were paved, they are now paved. Some things have changed, but other things have remained the same.
Operación San Andrés (OSA) began in 2003, founded out of a Sunday School class at a church in Houston. Each year, OSA leads two medical/dental trips to Collique, serving the locals there to improve their overall living conditions. These trips occur every six months, with the possibility of telemedicine in between trips with some of our regular doctors who serve, allowing some patients to have 30 or 60 days follow up appointments. This year we had two Peruvian dentists join us, and they began work very early each day and served many patients throughout the week.
The trip this year was OSA's first since October 2019 due to COVID. After three years, pulling up to the area on our bus felt like a trip home. I saw old friends, made new friends, all in the name of making their lives better in our little way. We love Peru for a number of reasons, but one of the greatest reasons is in the photos above this paragraph. The young girl, Anne, that I met in 2007, has been my Peruvian 'daughter' since I met her. Each year we would take a photo together, including this one after three years of not seeing each other. Her English has gotten so much better - my Spanish is still 'muy mal.' The second pitcher is of Anne as a 22 year old mother of Thiago, her son who was born during the pandemic. This was my first chance to meet him and to see her with him. She's going to be a wonderful mother.
I love missions for a variety of reasons: a chance to look beyond myself, travel, the sense that what I'm doing matters...and while all these things are true, ultimately, this trip for me was a bit of a family reunion. I'm forever grateful for the opportunity to go.
Update Your Mailing Address 📬
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
This week is our Halloween Party Extravaganza with 5th/6th Grade and Youth! We'll all be having a costume competition (so costumes are naturally VERY encouraged!!), eating together, there will be lots of candy (sorry in advance!), and we'll also have some various fun Disney and other age-appropriate (e.g. PG!) Halloween content to watch, along with space to just hang out for those wanting a more social second half of their evening!
We will meet at the zoo’s front entrance at 9am, just look for Jamie. The zoo is hosting a Halloween scavenger hunt, and costumes are encouraged but not required. Hopefully this will be a time where you can get to know some other families at UBC, and your kids can enjoy the scavenger hunt the zoo is putting on. If you have any questions, please email jamie@ubcwaco.org. Have a booootiful time this weekend!
Coffee with Kieran - Saturday, 1:00 pm at Pinewood
Giving
We’re so grateful for the contributions that have helped make this a month where giving has exceeded our planned expenses! Although we still have a deficit to make up, this month’s giving moves us in the right direction to offset our precarious finances. As always, we hope UBC is a place you care about and benefit from. If you value UBC and want it to stick around, please consider giving as you are able. You can set up one-time or recurring online giving here.
Youth Volunteers
Volunteers are a critical part of UBC’s Youth Group - it’s no exaggeration to say that it literally would not run without them. We’re in need of volunteers to engage with the kids, particularly at our Wednesday night meetings, and to make sure everyone is safe. There is also plenty of room to use specific skills or experience you might have - whether that’s leading lessons, running games, or something else entirely! For more information click this link and/or email kieran@ubcwaco.org.
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.
All Saints Liturgy - Tuesday, November 1st at 5:30pm
Fall Fire Chill - Friday, November 4th at 7pm
It is starting to feel like Fall, and nothing says fall more than friends, fire, and s’mores. Please come join us at the Dodson’s house on Friday, November 4th. This is not a dinner party, but we will be have all the fixins needed to make s’mores. UBC will also provide some bottled water, so if you want another beverage, please bring it. You can sign up on Sunday morning, or email Toph. If you have any questions, email toph@ubcwaco.org.
Belief & Belonging Festival - Saturday, November 5th
UBC is hosting Waco's first TEDx-style event! The Belief & Belonging Festival will feature local and national speakers and performers (like our very own Jamie McGregor!) exploring ideas around how what we believe, once believed, and/or are trying to believe impacts when/where, and how we belong or once belonged. Virtual tickets are also available with access to both the livestream and a 72-replay option. Use this code ubchome at checkout and receive $10 off General Admission tickets!
For more information or ticketing, visit the Eventbrite page, Instagram or Facebook. You can also contact, Sharyl West Loeung at sharylwl@gmail.com.
Youth Games Afternoon - Saturday, November 5th at 1pm
ubc[creatives] meetup - Sunday, November 6th at 2pm
Join us for our second gathering of ubc[creatives]. We will be bringing together some art that we have made and talking about our processes. If you'd like to create around the prompt offered at the first meeting, just email jamie@ubcwaco.org for details.
LGBTQIA+ and Allies Meetup - Friday, November 11th at 6:30pm
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 the volunteers who stayed to help with childcare for our Kids & Youth Formation conversation on Sunday, as well as everyone who participated in the conversation. Thank you for serving and sharing!
Preaching Schedule
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
12/4: Kirk
12/11: Ryan Miller
12/18: Patrick Broaddus
12/25: Special Christmas Stream (Online Only)
1/1: Brunch Church!
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)
Marcus Franklin (M_Franklin@baylor.edu)
Shelly Taylor (Shellytaylor76@gmail.com)
Katie Robinson (katiekrobinson@yahoo.com)
Margo Shanks (Margo_Shanks@baylor.edu)
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
Colton Towns (cctowns@gmail.com)
Julie Sievers (juliehsievers@gmail.com)
Evan Kidd (evan.kidd1@outlook.com)
Ethan Cohen (ethancohen002@gmail.com)
