Lent has been a real struggle for me this year. Honestly, I wasn’t looking forward to this season of ashes and lament. So……it’s been a bit of struggle. My initial desire was to add something to my daily routine that would help me with this struggle. I’ve always found comfort in The Daily Office. I jumped right in, beginning on Ash Wednesday. By the weekend after Ash Wednesday, I was out. Then came the guilt with a side of shame that can occur after such a short stint of attempting to do something.
However, at some point, I realized that my struggle **IS** my lent practice this year. I want to dig in and figure out why it is such a struggle. I have had to come to grips with the fact that during this season of lent, the journey is more important than the end result. It’s not that I don’t have the desire or the know how to sit down with the daily office each day…it’s that I don’t want to do it out of obligation. I want this to come from a “want to” rather than a “have to.” Somewhere between the “want to” and the “have to” is where I find myself spending a lot of time this season. And it’s frustrating.
In doing anything creative, I’ve heard it said and read the words that say something to the effect, “just sit down and do the work.” If you’re having writer’s block, “just sit down and do the work.” When it doesn’t feel like today is the day to do your creative thing, “just sit down and do the work.” At one point in my life, I treated something like the daily office with the same kind of “just sit down and do the work.” I just can’t do that anymore. My struggle is in wanting the “have to” to become my “want to.” And right now, I just can’t do it.
So……I sit and work through the struggle. I’m stuck in “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” which come to think of it, isn’t such a terrible place to be stuck during this season.
Kirk Hatcher
Interim Pastor
Finance Team Nominations
We still have a few spots we need to fill on our Finance Team. If you know anyone who would be willing and able 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.
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
UBC Women’s Group Monthly Hangout - Friday, 7:00 pm at DiCampli’s
Please RSVP to Tiffany Covert or Shelly Taylor as soon as possible so we can make a reservation.
The UBC Women’s Group is for those women who are out of college who want to join a group to connect with other women. Most of our members are in their 30s and 40s, but any woman past college-age is welcome! We plan monthly gatherings to just hang out and chat about life. We have themed parties sometimes too. Join us! For more information, please contact Tiffany Covert at covertjt@yahoo.com.
Youth Coffee w/ Kieran - Saturday, 1:00 pm at Pinewood
A Conversation about Sustainability - Sunday after church
Join us for a conversation around sustainability practices with our very own Sarah VerPloeg. Sarah will discuss some of her own sustainability practices, and ways that we can better stewards of Creation. Please bring $5 for lunch. If you have any questions please email toph@ubcwaco.org.
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.
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
Youth Coffee w/ Kieran - Saturday, March 25th
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
Mister Rogers Sunday - Sunday, April 30th
Nübcers Luncheon - Sunday, May 7th
VBS - Monday, June 19th-Friday, June 23rd
Passport Kids Camp - Sunday, July 22nd-Tuesday, July 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 Jeff Lewis for providing youth dinner this Wednesday.
📖 Preaching Schedule
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)