(In The Life Of The Church)
Ordinary Time
Hi friend,
I so appreciated Kirk’s message on Sunday, perhaps because it hit so many of my own personal sweet spots. I have also been shaped by the words and imaginations of Brennan Manning, Anne Lammot, and Neil Gaiman (have you read The Ocean at the End of the Lane?). I am also taken with the power of story to transform our lives and to move us toward wholeness.
Each week as part of our call to worship, we stand as a congregation and proclaim that one of the reasons we gather together is “to enter the story of God and find our own stories reimagined.” Both this fact and the reminder of it are a gift.
Our stories point toward and contextualize the voice and work of the Divine in our lives. Our stories invite us more deeply into relationship with God and with each other. Our stories allow us to know and to be known.
All week I’ve had one more quote by another favorite writer, Frederick Buechner, ringing in my head. He writes…
“[I]f I were called upon to state in a few words the essence of everything I was trying to say both as a novelist and as a preacher, it would be something like this: Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.
I’m grateful to be listening to my life with and in this congregation. I’m grateful to be sharing these holy moments with you.
Grace and peace,
Brooke
UBC Pastoral Search Survey
Please take a some time to share your feedback by completing the Pastoral Search Survey or scheduling an in-person listening session, which you can do here. If you have questions, please email pastoralsearch@ubcwaco.org.
Leadership & Finance Team Nominations
We continue to seek Leadership Team and Finance Team nominations. These positions are incredibly important for our community and an important way to serve! Thanks for considering carefully if you are interested or if you know someone who might do a good job.
If you have questions about serving on either the Leadership or Finance Team and want to learn about what all 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.
This Week at UBC
Youth - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at UBC
5th/6th Graders - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at UBC
Coffee With Kieran - Saturday, 1:00 pm at Pinewood Coffee Bar
Children's Volunteer Training - Sunday after church
Needs of the Church
Kids & Youth Volunteers: We’re still looking for a few great volunteers to help with our Kids and Youth Ministries this semester!
Children’s Ministry: If you’re willing to help with children’s classrooms or check-in one Sunday per month, please email brooke@ubcwaco.org.
For more information on Youth Group volunteer needs you can click this link and/or email kieran@ubcwaco.org.
Youth Group Meals: Want to help the Youth Group out, but can’t volunteer on Wednesday nights? Great news! Each week, the Youth Group shares a meal together to start the evening off. We include dinner as a model of Jesus' ministry - the gospel of Christ is intrinsically linked to the sharing of food, and so it's incredibly exciting we're able to actually prioritise this practise again!
We average 15 or so people each evening - if you’d like to sign-up to provide dinner (cooked, bought, or otherwise!), you can find the sign up for that here! Kieran will reach out to you at the beginning of the week to arrange the details with you for the Wednesday you sign up for.
Giving: Our August giving report is below and reflects the current financial need of the church. Click here to give online.
Get Involved
All of our groups and volunteer opportunities for the fall started up last week. If you haven’t yet, we would love to for you take a look at this form and find some ways to plug into the life of the church here at UBC. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org.
LGBTQIA+ and Allies Meetup - Friday, September 23rd
We are having our monthly gathering at Sarah Miller’s house on Friday, September 23rd, at 6pm. This is going to be a potluck, so please bring a dish to share. Also, so we know how many people to expect, please sign-up here: https://forms.gle/JPLmmM9wMX9mLszY7.
If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org.
UBC Tailgate - Saturday, October 1st
Join us in revelry and anticipation at the Ubc Tailgate. There will be free beer and hotdogs, as well as free memories and laughs. It's going to be a real touchdown of a time. Stay tuned for specific time and location. Contact jamie@ubcwaco.org with questions.
UBC Foster Care Focus - Sunday, October 2nd
On October 2, we are inviting two different ministries/non-profits who work in foster care to share about their work and ways you might support children in foster care. We will be hosting Arrow Child and Family Ministries, and CASA. They will each have a brief opportunity to share at the end of the service, and we will be having a luncheon after church to hear from each of them about their work. We would love for you to join for lunch after church on October 2. You can sign-up here: https://forms.gle/pZygLuEp26RqhtmZA.
If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org.
Upcoming Events
Lgbtqia+ Meetup - Friday, September 23rd at 6 pm
Youth PowerPoint Party - Friday, September 23rd at 6 pm
Youth Games Afternoon - Saturday, September 24th at 1 pm
Backside - Friday, September 30th at 7 pm
UBC Tailgate at Baylor - Saturday, October 1st
Youth Sunday - Sunday, October 2nd
First Sunday Meal (Foster Care Focus) - Sunday, October 2nd after church
St. Francis Day Liturgy - Tuesday, October 4th at 5:30 pm
Nübcers Lunch - Sunday, October 9th after church
Young Adult Retreat - Friday, October 14th-Sunday, October 16th
UBC Families Meetup-Waco Zoo - October 29th - 9am
Neighborhood Parties - Friday, November 4th at 6 pm
UBC Families Meetup-Mini Golf - November 14th, 5-7pm
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
Our parishioner of the week is Margo Reed for tackling a fearfully tough task with grit, grace, and humor.
Preaching Schedule
9/18: Jamie
9/25: Kieran
10/2: Youth Sunday
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
12/4: Kirk
12/11: Ryan Miller
12/18: Patrick Broaddus
12/25: Special Christmas Stream (Online Only)
1/1: Brunch Church!