As we are in the season of Lent, I have been thinking about Colossians 1:20, which reminds us Jesus is the one reconciling all things to God, and I love the Message translation of this verse:
“but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies…”.
In the Ash Wednesday service, Jameson read a passage from Barbara Brown Taylor’s: Truth to Tell, and this section is always the one which causes me to pause the most:
“I remember being at a retreat once where the leader asked us to think of someone who represented Christ in our lives. When it came time to share our answers, one woman stood up and said, “I had to think hard about that one. I kept thinking, who is it that told me the truth about myself so clearly that I wanted to kill him for it?” According to John, Jesus died because he told the truth to everyone he met. He was the truth, a perfect mirror in which people saw themselves in God’s own light.”
This reminded me of another quote I read this past year from the book Subversive Witness by Dominque Dubois Gilliard, in which he references Bryan Stevenson, the executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative:
“I think we all want reconciliation. We want peace, we want understanding, we want redemption—all these wonderful things. But we haven’t committed ourselves to truth-telling. Truth and reconciliation are not simultaneous. They are sequential. Tell the truth first, and it’s the truth that motivates you to understand what it will take to recover, repair, endure – to reconcile.”
What are the truth’s I need to tell myself during this season, what do I need Jesus to reveal about my own privilege?...The way I choose to spend and share my resources?... The ways I construct my days for comfort and ease, and/or advocacy and alliance? Who have I surrounded myself with who will speak truth into my life, and have I given them permission to do so?
UBC, may we have the courage to invite people to be truth-tellers in our lives, and have the courage and grace and to speak truth into each other’s lives, that we may be people who are formed more and more into the image of the Jesus.
Toph Whisnant
Community Pastor
Update from the Pastoral Search Committee
Hi UBC! This past month the Pastor Search Committee met to evaluate the first round of candidates for the Lead Pastor role. After reviewing resumes and cover letters we invited a group of applicants to complete the questionnaire discussed at Town Hall on January 8th. We asked the candidates to have their responses in by February 24th, and are excited about the group of candidates and feel very hopeful and excited as we continue in this process. We will be reviewing their responses over the next two weeks, and will meet again on March 12th to determine who moves forward to the next round of interviews. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, comments, compliments, or concerns. Thank you!
Meet the Newest UBCer
We join Brandon, Megan, and Ashton Glover in celebration and welcome of baby Elliott to the UBC family.
Giving Statements
UBC Giving Statements were distributed by email in early January. If you did not receive yours, please contact Jeff to confirm we have the correct email address on file.
Lent Movie: Pig - Thursday, 7:00 pm at UBC
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-Sunday
Our Waco family retreat is this weekend and will include shared meals, a visit the the zoo, a car scavenger hunt, and some focused kid time/adult time. Our goal with 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, 1:00 pm at UBC
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.
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.
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.
Sending the Lands Off to Denver - Sunday, March 12th
Please join us to say goodbye to the Land family as they move to Denver! Bring a beverage and/or snack to share at this come and go event from 2-6pm at the Arroyo House (1703 Sanger Ave). There will also be an optional song circle, and we would love for you to bring an instrument, song, or just your voice to share if you want.
Youth Coffee w/ Kieran - Saturday, March 18th
UBCYP Gathering - Tuesday, March 21st
Hello all you beautiful young professionals. We have set the date for our March gathering, and it will be the 21st from 6-8pm. This time we are headed to Top(h) Golf. Please plan to join us, and bring $5 to help cover the cost of the bay rental. We have a sign-up sheet in the foyer at UBC, or you can email toph@ubcwaco.org to sign-up or have questions.
Backside - Friday, March 24th
Town Hall - Sunday, March 26th
LGBTQIA+ and Allies Meetup - Tuesday, March 28th
It is time for our monthly gathering for all folks who our LGBTQIA+ and allies. We would love for you to join us for a night of getting to know one another better, sharing stories, and some delicious food. We will be gathering at Toph’s Casa, and you can sign-up in the foyer or by emailing toph@ubcwaco.org.
College Hangout - March 30th
Join us for our first college hangout of the semester, as we get to know each other, play some games, and share some food together. We will be gathering from 7-9pm at Toph’s Casa. You will be able to sign-up in the foyer throughout March, or you can email toph@ubcwaco.org to sign-up.
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 Craig Nash who who subbed in the Bloom Room last week and who provides donuts and makes coffee every week.
📖 Preaching Schedule
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)