As we draw near to the end of Advent, and enter into Christmastide, I’ve had a Meister Eckhart quote on the brain. He said,“We are all meant to be mothers of God, for God is ever waiting to be born.” (**we were going to have a liturgy around this quote, but it has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances**)
You are probably familiar with the idea that you and I, and everyone else seeking to be formed in the way of Christ, are in some way the body of Christ; that the love we offer our neighbor is a love extended by God, that the care we receive from one another is an embodiment of the love of God.
So, you’ve got it. You know. Our bodies are a gateway for the love and work of God to be embodied, to be born into the world.
But I wonder if the image of being mothers of God might make this come alive for you in a new way.
As we gather up our hope and peace and joy and love in this season and direct it toward our anticipation of the Word being made flesh on Christmas, I wonder if this might ground our attention in a new way.
In our waiting for God to be God-with-us, I wonder if we might be present to God being God-in-us, God-through-and-among-us.
And I wonder how that might impact the way we love one another, the way we think about the past year, and the way we plan for the year to come.
Anyway, I hope you’ll wonder about such things as well.
-Jamie
UBC Pastor Search
The Lead Pastor job description is now posted on our website. Please feel free to share!
Finance Team Nominations
We have a few spots still open on our Finance Team. If you know anyone who would like to serve the church in this way, please send your nominations in.
If you have questions about serving on the Finance Team and want to learn about what is involved, please feel free to read our bylaws or email LeadershipTeam@UBCWaco.org. Nominations can be sent to our email address or to any of our staff members.
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
Youth / 5th & 6th Grade Christmas Party - Wednesday, 6pm at UBC
The Youth Group and 5th-6th Grade Group are celebrating the end of the year together with snacks, food, and games!! The dress code is cozy and festive, OR you can dress super fancy, OR some combination of both! (Why choose between festive or fancy when we could do both?! It's really just a chance to dress up however you'd like in the festive spirit!)
*This is the last Wednesday for 5th/6th grade and Youth during 2022.
While we have seen a welcome increase in giving recently, we still have significant financial need to cover before the end of the year if UBC is to continue on in the same way. We hope UBC is a place you care about and benefit from and that you will consider giving as you are able. Please know your presence with us is always valued, regardless of how much you are able to give.
You can set up a single or recurring online gift here.
Christmas Eve Service - Saturday, December 24th at 5pm
Christmas Morning Online Worship - Sunday, December 25th at 10:45am
Brunch Church - Sunday, January 1st at 10:45am
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 Addie Reich and Sam Land for helping out with our preschoolers on Sunday morning.
📖 Preaching Schedule
12/18: Patrick Broaddus
12/24: Christmas Eve Service
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)
Britt Duke (brittrduke@gmail.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)