Here is the thing about Easter: it hasn’t always been my favorite part of the Christian Calendar. When I was a kid, it was Christmas (presents, obviously). But it was also because after a month of celebrating and hot chocolate and pretty decorations we got two weeks off school. Plus, it was easy to understand. Jesus was born! A little baby! That was always exciting. Plus, he had come to help us, to save us! Double thumbs up all the way around!
So, Easter fell somewhere below that. Maybe it was because of the weather? If it wasn’t raining it was SO hot. And I was wearing a hot, crinkly, dress. Also, Jesus came back to life which seemed very cool, but he did have to die first which seemed considerably less cool. Also, people were eating a lot of fish for some reason. And as a child I was not a fan of that.
But as I grew up and learned and changed – as we all do – I’ve developed an appreciation for Easter that I couldn’t have held as a child. For all Holy Week and Lent actually. To seeing in the story that Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem knowing what is coming.
Last week seeing the joy on our children’s faces as they danced into the Sanctuary or at the Egg Hunt as they ran around searching for eggs made me think of the excitement of the crowds crying out for Jesus and then – before a week’s time even – the tragedy that had befallen. Jesus was dead. Like real life, joy and pain so close together.
Do we know when we cry out what it is we cry out for? As a child the story of resurrection seemed wild, fantastical, almost impossible to believe. It seems like so much more now. We see resurrections happen every day. Relationships, friendships we thought might never be mended, the green growth of springtime that we thought would never return, Jamie in a white shirt on Easter morning. Reminding us that hope is everywhere.
I hope you’ll join us this week. Not just because it’s Easter. But because we all need a reminder that hope is everywhere. Because we all need to see, to live, to experience a resurrection.
Taylor
Update from the Pastor Search Committee
As stated at Town Hall, after reviewing resumes and responses, the committee has completed Zoom interviews with four candidates. Over the next few weeks, we will be communicating with candidates and working out the logistics for next steps in this process. We will continue to provide more updates as we have them.
Annual Giving Statements
UBC Annual 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.
Youth - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at UBC
5th & 6th Graders - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at UBC
There will be NO Pints w/ Toph this week
Pints will resume as usual next week.
Maundy Thursday Potluck - Thursday, 5:30 pm at UBC
Good Friday - Friday, 5:30 pm at UBC
Youth Coffee w/ Kieran - Saturday, 1:00 pm at Pinewood
Easter - Sunday, 10:45 am 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.
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.
College Hangout - Thursday, April 13th
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.
UBC Women’s Group Theme Party - Friday, April 14th
Save the date for our April hangout on Friday, April 14th at 7pm hosted by Sarah Miller! This will be a theme party and you must RSVP.
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.
LGBTQIA+ and Allies Gathering - April 23rd
Join us for our next gathering as we get to know each other’s stories and enjoy some delicious food. This gathering will be at UBC, after the Sunday morning service, and is a potluck. Please bring your favorite dish to share with the group. There will be a sign-up sheet in the foyer, or you can email toph@ubcwaco.org.
Civil Rights Pilgrimage Information Meeting - April 23rd
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. There will be an information meeting on Sunday, April 23rd, after church. If you have any questions, please email toph@ubcwaco.org.
Thailand Trip Information Meeting - April 23rd
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. There will be an information meeting after church on April 23rd. If you have any questions, please contact Toph.
UBCYP Gathering - April 27th
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.
Mister Rogers Sunday - Sunday, April 30th
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.
UBC Families-Parents Night Out - Friday, May 5th
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 youngest UBCers, who were eager to share and rehide some of their own Easter eggs so that a late arrival was also able to participate.
📖 Preaching Schedule
4/9- Kerri
4/16- Kieran
4/23- Kirk
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)