Greetings.
I recently encountered a new book from the Iona community (we have used a lot of their stuff either directly or as a blueprint over the last decade or so) called Redeeming Our Cracks: Prayers, Poems, Reflections and Stories on Mental Health and Well-Being. As I’ve been working my way through, there were two poem-prayers that I kept re-reading. They appear in the collection back-to-back, and share an author (Rev’d Sr Sandra Sears, CSBC), and I think they carry all the hope in the world within them. So, if you have a moment, I hope you’ll spend it reflecting on them this week.
Big Bang Theory
Lord,
when my life blows apart
into a billion fragments,
remind me of that first moment,
when the wonder and spectacle
of all that surrounds me
began its journey into being,
and that every creative moment
begins with a big bang.
This too might just be the start
of something big,
something beautiful.
Fragments
Lord,
you come,
walking among
the brittle fragments
of our broken lives,
gathering up every sharp shard,
to fashion
a new and beautiful
mosaic.
And all the while
your hands and feet
bleed for love of us.
—
May these words offer comfort to your shards and fragments, and if you happen to feel rather whole and lacking of shards at the moment, may these words be with you when the cracks return.
-jamie
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 w/ Toph will resume Wednesday, May 31st.
Youth Coffee w/ Kieran - Saturday, 1:00 pm at Pinewood
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.
Youth Camp Chaperones (1 male, 1 female, 11th-15th June)
In addition to the drivers needed below, we’re also in urgent need of two more chaperones to accompany us to camp. We’d need volunteers from 11th June to 15th June - the Camp itself has volunteers who run and coordinate everything, so you’d just need to hang out! Chaperones don’t need to pay for their slot, it really is just your physical presence that we need!
If you are at all interested, please reach out to me at kieran@ubcwaco.org. Thank you so so much everyone!
A note on gender: whilst Passport Camp is doing a lot to have a more nuanced and inclusive approach to gender when it comes to the kids, sadly this hasn’t yet extended to “required” chaperones of specific biological sexes. Please know that Passport is a safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ individuals (I have grilled them rigorously about it myself), but as of yet they don’t have updated language to implement that as far as the chaperones are concerned. If you self-identify in a way that you feel able and comfortable to be a chaperone for us, then that is beyond good enough for me - please do still get in touch!
Youth Camp Drivers
If you’re interested in saving UBC $2,000 by driving our Youth to and from camp this summer, please follow this link to sign up:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8aY2dZAOwzoIbZ9htyWD4id5xn5BeBcNL1JqpQzECsjhH3g/viewform?usp=sf_link
If you have any questions, please email kieran@ubcwaco.org.
Kids Volunteers
We are so thankful for our UBC Kids Volunteers! And it's that time again - to make a Summer calendar! If you are available to help on Sunday mornings or other times this semester please reach out to Taylor at taylor@ubcwaco.org.
Tech Booth Volunteers
We are in need of a few folks to join the rotation for our tech booth on Sunday mornings. No prior experience is required--we'll be happy to train you! Areas of need are lights, slides, and livestream. If you are interested, just email jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Passport Youth Camp - Sunday, June 11th-Thursday, June 15th
VBS - Monday, June 19th-Friday, June 23rd, 5:30-8:30pm
We are having VBS at the end of June this year and the theme is Compassion Camp: What Every Living Thing Needs! I'm so looking forward to spending this week with our kids and volunteers! And there is currently a sign up sheet for kids and volunteers in the lobby! Or you can email me directly! taylor@ubcwaco.org
Civil Rights Pilgrimage - Wednesday, July 12-Sunday, July 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 - Monday, August 21st-Saturday, 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 Holly Duke and Margo Shanks for building our Mother's Day backdrop.
📖 Preaching Schedule
5/21- Jamie
5/28- Craig (note: Craig will be sharing spoilers to the 2000 film Chocolat. If you have time, watch it between now and then.)
💭 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)