We begin the season of Lent this week with Ash Wednesday. I often approach this season with almost a sense of relief. After the fullness of the Christmas season and the back to school/work/ordinary rhythms that often coincides with Epiphany, Lent can feel like a needed—and welcome—reset. With its themes of simplicity, quiet, humility and making room, this season is a powerful tonic against a culture that praises complexity, noise, muchness, and more.
This year, though, I find myself coming to Lent asking different questions than I ever have before.
How do we go about making room when we already feel drained, emptied out?
What does it look like to embrace quiet when the people we love and maybe even parts of ourselves are silenced?
Is smallness safe if the suffering and hardship and injustice of this world are so great?
What does it even mean to make room for wholeness, to hold space for healing against all that?
These words, from Greg Pennoyer’s preface to God for Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Lent and Easter, were especially comforting, instructive, and hopeful to me this morning.
If Advent/Christmas is a revelation of God’s presence with us, then Lent/Easter is a revelation of God’s desire to use all of life for our wholeness and our healing—the revelation that he will pull life from death.
…
Lent and Easter reveal the God who is for us in all of life—for our liberation, for our healing, for our wholeness. Lent and Easter remind us that even in death there can be found resurrection.
May we draw ever nearer to the God who is for us—for each one of us and for all parts of us.
Brooke Reich
Pastoral Associate
Giving Statements
UBC Giving Statements were distributed in early January. If you did not receive yours, please contact Jeff to confirm we have the correct email address on file.
Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, 7:00 am & 5:30 pm at UBC
Youth - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at UBC
5th & 6th Graders - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at UBC
Pints w/ Toph - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at Pinewood
Youth Coffee w/ Kieran - Saturday, February 25th
Limits and Parenting with Wade Mackey - Sunday, 4:00 pm at UBC
Childcare will be provided.
Cesar Chavez Family in Need
We have a family in the neighborhood who just moved into a new house, but is needing furniture. They are in need of a sofa, kitchen table/chairs, and a dresser. If you can help, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org. We would like items that are in good condition, or new. Thank you so much for your generosity.
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.
Giving Update
UBC survives on the generosity of our congregation. Your tithes and offerings allow us to continue to create a space that is welcoming to all, embraces beauty, and seeks to live life to the fullest.
You can give, as you’re able, on Sunday mornings or set up a single or recurring online gift here.
Kids Volunteers
We are so thankful for our UBC Kids Volunteers! And it's that time again - to make a Spring calendar! If you are available to help on Sunday mornings or other times this semester please reach out to Taylor at taylor@ubcwaco.org.
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.
Lent Movie: Pig - Thursday, March 2nd
As we enter the season of Lent, join us for a film that explores life and love and loss and what it means to live and live fully. We'll watch the film and have a conversation about it. Feel free to bring whatever food or beverages you might desire. NOTE: THIS MOVIE IS RATED R PLEASE DON’T BRING YOUR LITTLES.
UBC Family Retreat - Friday, March 3rd-Sunday, March 5th
Family retreat will take place in Waco this year and will include shared meals, a visit the the zoo, a car scavenger hunt, and kid time/adult time. The goal of our family retreat is for our families to grow together and with each other in relational capacity and to spend time getting to know each other in new and exciting ways! Email Taylor if you have any questions!
Youth Games Afternoon - Saturday, March 4th
Backside - Friday, March 24th
Palm Sunday - Sunday, April 2nd
Picnic in the Park/Easter Egg Hunt - Sunday, April 2nd
Maundy Thursday Potluck - Thursday, April 6th
Good Friday - Friday, April 7th
Easter - Sunday, April 9th
Passport Kids Camp - July 22nd-25th
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 parishioner of the week is Cordell Hammon who successfully defended his dissertation last week.
📖 Preaching Schedule
2/26: Kerri Fisher
3/5: Lilly Ettinger
3/12: Bri Childs
3/19: Liz Andrasi Deere
3/26: Kerri Fisher
💭 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)