Moving back to Waco after a decade in North Carolina, one of the things I was most excited about was finding church. Our family spent ten years in a warm and wonderful yet very remote, rural town with about 3 churches to choose from. Someday I hope to fill a book with everything that small town taught me about community, caring, and what it really means to belong. Spoiler alert: I found myself profoundly formed by a place, people, and congregation that I wouldn’t necessarily have chosen if left entirely to my own devices (and given unlimited options).
And yet, I was looking forward to having more opportunities available in Waco—especially for our precocious nine-year-old. I had visions of godly play and contemplative ritual dancing in my head. A delicate balance of open-handed, non-pressurized invitation and undeniably compelling teaching that would include everything I want my daughter to internalize (and nothing that I don’t). Plenty of room for doubt and mystery but also a really solid foundation. Plus, you know, a progressive theology that included full affirmation of every Christ-follower to preach, teach, serve, and belong. In Waco, Texas. Bless my idealistic little heart.
We spent almost two years visiting church after church, all three of us talking through our hopes and fears, the places and ways we felt near to and far from God’s presence, where we felt at home or at least well welcomed, what still seemed to be missing, and what our next steps might be. God used that process to gently rearrange my priorities, reminding me that we are most profoundly formed by the people around us, so that when we walked into UBC last February we knew, pretty much instantly—these our people, this is who we want to be formed by and with.
All this was echoed and reinforced for me during our recent Children and Youth Formation Conversation. As a parent, I am so grateful for the thoughtful, compassionate, and generous ways that UBCers think about nurturing faith in our youth and children. And as your temporary/part-time/substitute children’s minister, I am blown away by the kids, youth, parents, volunteers, and staff who embody that approach day in and day out.
UBC staff left that conversation with several key takeaways. Some of them are simple and immediately actionable. Others will take a little time to build into place. All of them feel like a fit with who we are as a church—and who we want to be.
5th and 6th graders on Sunday mornings: Our 5th and 6th graders have outgrown the kid stuff but they’re not quite Youth yet, and they’re the only age group that doesn’t have something just for them. We’re still working through what we might offer that is uniquely for them during the worship hour. In the meantime, we do want to extend a heartfelt invitation for our 5th and 6th graders to join the Youth group during Sunday School from 9:30-10:30 on Sunday mornings.
Clearer communication about what 5th/6th graders do on Wednesday evenings (and how it differs from youth group): On Wednesday evenings our 5th and 6th graders meet in their own group at the same time that Youth group meets. This is a time of community formation, spiritual formation, and fun. Over their two years in this group, these older kids have a chance to walk through the entire story arc of the Bible, spending one year on the Old Testament and one year on the New Testament. It’s still pretty structured, but we’re beginning to make more space for conversational learning and for their own expressions of faith.
5th and 6th grade eating with youth on Wednesday evenings: This is something we plan to begin soon, as we think it makes sense both logistically (especially for our families with kids in each group) and formationally (it’s a good way to begin easing into the youth group gradually while keeping age and maturity-level in mind for more in-depth discussion).
7th and 8th grade curriculum: This seems like the right age to begin transitioning from the highly structured curriculum we use through 6th grade and begin a shift toward more exploratory, discussion-oriented approach. At the same time, we want to continue to lay foundations of faith that will serve these young adults well as they grow. We’re looking at moving toward a study based on the Apostle’s and/or Nicene Creed, where leaders and kids walk together through these confessions of faith, perhaps pairing them with some simple yet meaningful practices.
More training and resources for volunteers and parents (and everyone, really): Our volunteer training covers basic UBC policies and practices and helps ensure every child in our care is safe and loved. Moving forward, we’d like to supplement that with some additional learning opportunities, not just around faith formation, but also diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion. Our hope would be to make these opportunities available to everyone who is interested.
Above all else, this is an ongoing conversation, one that we will continue to make space for on a regular basis. We’ll be sharing more updates here as well as on Sunday mornings as things continue to take shape. For now, thank you for being people who speak generously and listen faithfully, and who not only hope for but also work toward great things for every single member of this body.
Grace and peace,
Brooke
P.S. I’m sending out another monthly UBC Kids email next Monday. I’d like to say I won’t be as long-winded there, but I can’t make any promises. ;) To get that email, please click here and check the box next to Children and Families.
📬 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
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 at UBC
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.
Coffee with Kieran - Saturday, 1pm at Pinewood Coffee
Youth Movie Afternoon - Sunday, 1pm at UBC
ubc[creatives] meetup - Sunday, 2pm at UBC
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.
Giving for the month of October exceeded expenses! This is a strong move toward offsetting our year-to-date deficit. 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.
LGBTQIA+ and Allies Meetup - Friday, November 11th at 6:30pm
Women's Group-Hangout - Friday, November 11th at 7pm
Coffee with Kieran - Saturday, November 12th at 1pm
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
Cocktails, Carols, and Cookies - Sunday, December 4th at 5:30pm
Christmas Eve Service - Saturday, December 24th at 5pm
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 Carlsons for providing Youth dinner last Wednesday.
📖 Preaching Schedule
11/6: Kieran
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!
💭 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
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)
