KIERAN’S POST
Hello friends - it’s Kieran. The plan was for me to write the article this week, and talk about my final days - but I actually think that I ended up saying everything I wanted to say in my sermon on Sunday, so please do go and catch the end of that!
Instead what I’ll do is leave you with a blessing - John O’Donohue to the rescue once more! I remember reading this to the youth group at the beginning of last year - it’s strange how appropriate it’s become for me now, and I hope that as UBC goes on into the next bright chapter, these words might offer strength, gentleness, and encouragement.
For a New Beginning
by John O'Donohue
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
THIS WEEK
Pints w/ Toph- Wednesday, 6pm, Pinewood Public House
Kindergarten Commissioning- This Sunday
We are commissioning ou kindergarteners as they begin their formal educational journeys!
Welcome Back Lunch - This Sunday
We can’t wait to have everyone back from all their summer travels, and all our college kids! Come hungry to church Sunday, we are catering El Crucero afterwards. Please plan to join us for lunch after church, and don’t worry, we will have a vegan gluten free option for all those who either want or need such an option. If you have any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org
GIVING
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.
If you ever have trouble with giving online or have a question about how to give, feel free to email jeff@ubcwaco.org.
CHURCH NEEDS
Kids Volunteers
We are so thankful for our UBC Kids Volunteers! If you are available to help on Sunday mornings or other times this semester please reach out to Taylor at taylor@ubcwaco.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Toph in Thailand
If you recall, we spent several years partnering with Wendy and Neiko Tase in northern Thailand, assisting in their work with South Asian immigrants in the northern part of Thailand. Their sending organization is hosting a conference at the end of the month for all of their Asia personnel, as well as some folks from Nagaland, India Wendy and Neiko have been training. They have asked me to come over and be the Bible teacher for the conference. I will be flying out to Thailand on August 21st, and will return on September 5th. While there, I will also have the opportunity to fly down to Malaysia and visit Tim and Adrienne Lee, who were UBC members and now Tim serves on staff at a church in Kuala Lumpur. Since this was not a planned trip, we also did not budget for it. If you would like to give towards the cost of the trip, you can do so here, just click the Thailand fund: https://www.ubcwaco.org/giving. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org.
UBCYP Hangout - September 7th
If you are a young professional or grad students in their mid-20’s to mid-30’s, join us at Toph’s Casa on the 7th for a time of games and fellowship. This is a great group, and a great way to get to know other UBC’ers in a similar life stage. You can sign-up in the foyer, or email toph@ubcwaco.org with any questions.
ubc[creatives] - September 10th, 4pm
Come spend time with creative folks talking about creative stuff!
College Hangout - September 10th
Join us for our first college hangout of the year at Toph’s Casa. We will be eating dinner, playing games, and getting to know each other. There is a sign-up sheet in the foyer, or you can email toph@ubcwaco.org to sign-up.
Women’s group - 9/16- Pool Party
This group meets once a month to hang out, and is a great way to get to know other UBC women who are out of college/grad school. The next gathering is on September 16th at the Dodsons, and will be a pool party. If you have any questions, contact Tiffany Covert at tfluet02@yahoo.com
Micasa’s
Micasa’s are designed to build more intentional community within the larger community of UBC. They meet on either Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday night. If you would like to get plugged into a Micasa, sign-up in the foyer or contact toph@ubcwaco.org for questions.
September Dinner Clubs
Do you eat dinner? Would you like to get to know other UBC’ers? If you answered yes to both questions, sign-up in the foyer for September Dinner Clubs. Toph will connect you with two or three other UBC folks, and you commit to finding a time in September for everyone to meet up and eat dinner. If you have any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org
—
Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
PREACHING SCHEDULE
8/20- Craig
8/27- Katie
9/3- Kerri
PARISHIONER OF THE WEEK
All the youth who helped put together the video for Kieran’s final UBC Sunday!
WANT TO CHAT?
Share Your Feedback
Have feedback for us? Feel free to reach out to staff directly with any praises, curiosities, or concerns. You are also invited to submit feedback to the HR team and allow them to pass it along! You can do that with this form: https://forms.gle/1ovkBXSx1Lu3CR448
Pastoral Staff
Taylor Post, Children and Families Pastor (taylor@ubcwaco.org)
Toph Whisnant, Community Pastor (toph@ubcwaco.org)
Jameson Mcgregor, Worship & Arts Pastor (jamie@ubcwaco.org)
Kieran Cressy, Youth Pastor (kieran@ubcwaco.org)
Kirk Hatcher, Interim Lead Pastor (kirk@ubcwaco.org)
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)