Hello everyone!
I wanted to talk this week about a very fun event happening in my near future - this May, I’ll be back in the UK for a short time to officiate my Dad’s wedding!
I’m really excited, to say the least - not just because my Dad and his partner Maria have been together for a long time, and I’m so glad they’re deciding to get married. It’ll be great to see my Dad so happy, and it’ll be really fun to celebrate them back in the place I was born - it’s been a year since I was last home, so that will be fantastic.
I was on a FaceTime call with my Dad and Maria a few days ago, just going over what they’d like me to say during the ceremony, what their vision was for it, and so on. My Dad, like myself and all good Brits, was using a lot of humour to deflect from the weight of emotion he was feeling. We all do that, don’t we? It was so beautiful to actually name it on the call with them - it’s so rare in life that we actually take the time to think about how we feel, how we would put those feelings into words, and then to say those words with all the earnestness and sincerity we have.
I really encouraged them to seize this opportunity to be vulnerable with themselves and each other, and to really think about what they’d want to say to each other as part of their vows. It’s so rare we get that opportunity - to truly let our guard down, to be seen by each other, and to speak completely from the heart. I could see my Dad getting teary even over the video, because underneath all his good natured humour and jokes, he really, really loves Maria. And she really, really loves him. And this May, I get to hear them say that to each other in person - in front of all the people they love most in the world, and also to each other as though they were the only people in the whole world.
Consider this an invitation to genuineness, to vulnerability. What or who comes to mind when you think about being vulnerable in a way you’re normally not? I encourage you this week to think of someone or something that you love and cherish dearly, but maybe you’ve not said it out loud much recently, or maybe ever. We don’t have much time in this life, never as much as we want. Tell the people you love that you love them - and watch it change the world as their face lights up, and they tell you that they love you too.
Kieran
Youth Pastor
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 Games Afternoon - Saturday, 1:00 pm at UBC
UBCYP Gathering - Thursday, 7:00 pm at Southern Roots
Join us for our next UBC Young Professionals gathering on April 27th. This is a great opportunity to meet other young professionals at UBC, and we would love for you to join us. We will be gathering at Southern Roots Brewing Company. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org. You can sign up in the foyer or email Toph.
Jameson McGregor Show - Friday, 8:00 pm at Brotherwell
Greetings. This is Jamie. I'm playing a show at Brotherwell Brewing on April 28th at 8pm. When I write songs, sometimes they become Ubcmusic songs (if they are ones we might sing together), other times they become Jameson McGregor songs (if they are sad boi songs that I write for myself), and sometimes they are a little bit of both. I say that to say--you might hear a couple of familiar songs, but in general this will be a different catalogue than we sing on Sundays! Also, Benjamin Simmons has filled in for me a few times in the past (especially during lockdown), and he's opening! I wanted to make sure y'all knew about it because I think the more ubc folks are there, the better hang it will be. Tickets are $10--I'm not sure if they are selling them ahead of time, but you can for sure just show up and pay at the door.
Mister Rogers Sunday - Sunday, 10:45 am at UBC
If you are graduating (HS, College, Grad School), we have our annual Mr. Rogers service coming up on April 30th. We would love to recognize you during the service, and invite you to a luncheon after church with the staff. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer, or you can 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.
*The giving report format has been altered to reflect total giving needs each month moving forward rather than fixed expenses only.
UBC Meal Train
Hello friends! We have so many reasons to put together meal trains. If you are interested in helping us get meals to our community members in need you can sign up at the front table or email Taylor at taylor@ubcwaco.org. No need to be a professional chef – even if you just had a busy day you can pick up some to-go and take it to someone who needs it! Thanks for being willing to help!
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.
UBC Families-Parents Night Out - Friday, May 5th
Youth Coffee w/ Kieran - Saturday, May 6th
Nübcers Luncheon - Sunday, May 7th
If you are new to UBC in the last 6 months, and are looking for more ways you can learn about who we are and get plugged in, we would love for you to stay for lunch after church on May 7th. This is a time in which you can ask questions of the staff, learn more about UBC’s history, and ways you can plug into community and serve. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer starting the week of April 16th. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org.
VBS - Monday, June 19th-Friday, June 23rd
Civil Rights Pilgrimage - July 12-16th
UBC is looking at doing its first ever Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Memphis and Little Rock this July. This trip is for all ages, and designed to learn more about Civil Rights history in America, and spark conversation among your family and UBC’ers around how we might continue to create a more equitable world.
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!
Thailand Trip - August 21st - September 2nd
Our friends who UBC partnered with in Thailand for a number of years have requested our help. Their sending organization is hosting all the Asia field personnel in Thailand the week of August 21st, and they want our help with conference. Toph is going over to lead the morning devotions, and they have asked for a small team to come help with kids programming for four days.
🎉 Parishioner of the Week
The parishioners of the week are our UBC newlyweds. Best wishes to Marcus and Jill, Brian and Elyse, and Alex and Emily.
📖 Preaching Schedule
4/30- Mister Rogers
5/7- Kirk
5/14- Kirk
5/21- Jamie
5/28- Craig
💭 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)