St. Francis (by Jamie)
When we think about saints, we think of people who were particularly adept at embodying being formed in the way of Christ in their particular time and place, and thus look to them as examples as we seek to do the same.
Today we mark the life of St. Francis of Assisi. You have probably noticed that we have several statues of Francis around Ubc, and this is for good reason, as some of the core values Francis embodied are our own.
He is known for having an understanding of the interconnectedness of things. He referred to animals, plants, planets, emotions, and, of course, all people, as his siblings; knowing that we are wholly connected by the love and attention of God.
He had deep concern for beauty, famously rebuilding a crumbling chapel in the hills outside his home town. He was also a poet, prone to break into verse to declare the innate beauty of the world around him. This drive to embrace and embody beauty was born of his awareness of God’s care for the same.
Further, Francis invites us to reorient our relationship to material goods and wealth, shining a light onto the life of simplicity where God’s care and provision burns brightest. He did this in his own life, and embodied it further in his care for the poor and cast-away of society.
I’ll elaborate on all this more at our St. Francis Liturgy tonight (at 5:30), but if you can’t make it, I hope that you’ll give Francis a google and take a moment to reflect on his life.
But if you don’t have time for that, I leave you with this quote from a Franciscan community about one of the primary lessons of Francis’ life:
Conversion, or rather living in a state of constantly being converted, is what Francis' life was about. Drawn by the love of God, drawn away from worldly ambitions for glory, Francis instead found his treasure in the total surrender of self to God.
For those of us who follow Jesus in the footsteps of St. Francis, the example of conversion to God, of living each day in a deeper state of conversion, to die to self a little more each day that we might live entirely for God, this is the important thing to see in Francis.
This has always struck me as a place where the life of Francis draws near to the heart of Ubc—we who are seeking to be formed more fully in the way of Christ, to love God, embrace beauty, and live life to the fullest. If nothing else, may this day draw your attention back to that common cause.
And as you do so, receive this benediction:
May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers,
half-truths, and superficial relationships,
so that we will live deeply in our hearts.
May God bless us with anger
at injustice, oppression, and exploitation
of people and the earth,
so that we will work for justice, equity, and peace.
May God bless us with tears to shed
for those who suffer,
so that we will reach out our hands
to comfort them and change their pain to joy.
And may God bless us with the foolishness to think
that we can make a difference in the world,
so that we will do the things which others say
cannot be done.
Amen.
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.
October Dinner Parties
Want to get to know other UBC’ers? Do you enjoy dinner? Then this is for you! Each month we have a sign-up sheet in the foyer for dinner parties. You can sign-up to host, attend, or go out to eat. I (Toph) will connect 2-3 households each month, and you commit to having dinner with those folks. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org
Join us at 5:30PM on Tuesday, October 4th, as we celebrate the life of St. Francis of Assisi. We'll be using the story of his life as a lens to worship God, and also as a tool of our own formation. If you'd like to submit a photo of a beloved animal in your life, email jamie@ubcwaco.org
Youth - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at UBC
5th & 6th Graders - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at UBC
Pints w/ Toph - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at UBC
We are having our first table at Out on the Brazos this year, and we need a few folks to come out and share about UBC. The festival is from 11am-6pm, and we are looking for people to come out and help us with our booth. If you would like to volunteer, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org
Youth Games Afternoon - Saturday, October 8th at 1pm
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.
Youth Ministry
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.
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.
If you are in your mid 20’s-mid 30’s, we would love for you to join us for the retreat in a few weeks. 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.
LGBTQIA+ Meetup - Friday, October 14 at 6pm
Please join us this month on the Land’s for another potluck. This is a great time to meet other folks at UBC, and show our unequivocal support for the LGBTQIA+ community. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer. Email toph@ubcwaco.org with any questions.
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 on October 16th. We will provide lunch and drinks, and will be done by 1:30pm at the latest. You can sign-up on Sunday morning, or email toph@ubcwaco.org
UBCYP Hangout - Thursday, October 20th at 7pm
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.
Children & Youth Formation Conversation - Sunday, October 23rd after church
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!
Women’s Group-Costume Party - Friday, October 28th at 7pm
UBC Families Meetup-Waco Zoo - Saturday, October 29th at 9am
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!
Van Davis is hosting a 6-week fitness program at UBC and would like to offer UBCers all 12 sessions for $25, instead of $60. Use the QR code above to register.
Parishioner of the Week
Our parishioners of the week are Kyle & Kristen Howerton for hosting an awesome UBC tailgate.
Preaching Schedule
10/9: Patrick
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
