ANDIE’S POST
Waiting is unavoidable. Waiting is hard. Waiting asks something of us we don’t always have to give, and yet, the Season of Waiting, Advent, is one of the most significant moments in our liturgical calendar. This upcoming Sunday marks the first day of Advent, a time where we enter into the gap between the words of the Old Testament prophets and the arrival of the Messiah. We rejoin and relive and retell the story of silence that gave way to the Light as we celebrate Jesus' birth. Advent grants us the opportunity to practice patience, anticipation, and gratitude in a fresh way each year. It reminds us that, while God exists outside of the bounds of time, we certainly do not. We have to find ways to weather painful seasons of waiting, to survive them, and perhaps even find purpose in them. Every season ends, even when we fear they never will, and those ends are thin places where the presence of the Divine meets the realities of humanity.
If you find yourself in such a space as we move into Advent, my hope is that you are able to take a couple of well-deserved deep breaths. Remember that waiting is unavoidable. Waiting is hard. Waiting is significant. More importantly, remember that you do not wait alone. As we once again prepare to mark the unfolding reign of Christ together, we can find connection and hope in our UBC community and in the restoration that is promised to this world. If you need a place to process, I would encourage you to join us for The Liturgy of Mourning taking place on December 7th at 5:30pm. Lament is one of a thousand natural outflows of waiting, and sometimes we just need somewhere to bring our aches. The Liturgy of Mourning is one such place. However you choose to wade through waiting, my hope is that you experience glimmers of grace in the midst of it. May God surprise you with goodness in all things, even in difficult times of inbetween. Sending you my love, Andie.
THIS WEEK
Youth Group - Wednesday, 6pm
*No 5th and 6th Grade Wednesday Gathering*
Carols, Cocktails, and Cookies - December 3 - 6pm
Join us for our 2nd annual carols, cocktails, and cookies. UBC will be providing a big batch cocktail a big batch mocktail, and Hot Chocolate for the kids. We’ll also have sign ups for Christmas Carol Karaoke! What do we need from you? Cookies. We would love for you to make or buy some cookies to share. Please contact jamie@ubcwaco.org with any questions.
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
Free Guitars for Kids
We are partnering with Free Guitars for Kids to collect old and used guitars, this coming Sunday, December 3rd. If you, or someone you know, has an old guitar laying around and wants to give it to a great organization, we would love to take it off your hands. You can drop off the guitar by giving it to any staff member on Sunday morning.
Tech Booth Volunteers
We are looking for a few more folks to volunteer in the tech booth on slides, lights, and the livestream. Previous experience isn’t required—we can train you! Contact jamie@ubcwaco.org if you’re interested.
Kids Volunteers
We are so thankful for our UBC Kids Volunteers, and are always on the look out for more! If you are available to help on Sunday mornings or other times this semester please email kids@ubcwaco.org
Leadership Team, Finance Team, and HR Team
All of our teams will have people rotating off later this year and early next, and we are currently accepting nominations for people to serve on one of those three teams. If you know someone who would be a good fit, and would like to serve on LT, FT, or HR, please email your nomination to any team member or full-time staff member. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org
GROUPS
Micasas
Micasas 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.
Spiritual Direction Group
The Sunday morning UBC Spiritual Direction Small Group has space for 1 new participant. We meet weekly during Sunday class time (9:40-10:30 AM), and ask that members be able to commit to regularly attending meetings. Our small group works together to discern the activity and presence of God in our daily, ordinary lives. We focus on the art and power of asking and listening. Coordinated by Laura Sepanski, who graduated in May 2022 from Truett Seminary Spiritual Direction certificate program. Contact Laura at Laura_Sepanski@baylor.edu with questions or interest in signing up.
Faith of the Outsider - Sunday, 9:30am, Piano Room
Inspired by the work of Frank Anthony Spina, this class will look at the ‘outsider’ motif running throughout the Bible, seeing how outsiders are often welcomed into and become a part of God’s plan. Each week we will look at one Biblical story of an outsider and broaden our view of inclusion and exclusion in the Biblical narrative.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Liturgy of Mourning - December 7th, 5:30pm
College Hangout - December 10th - 7pm
Join us for our last college hangout of the semester at Toph’s place. We will eat dinner together, and play some Christmas games. Please sign-up in the foyer, or email toph@ubcwaco.org
UBCYP Progressive Dinner Party - Thursday December 14th - 6pm
Join us for our first ever progressive dinner party. We will have appetizers at one location, then entrees, and finally dessert. Please contact toph@ubcwaco.org to sign-up, or sign-up in the foyer. If you are willing to hose one of the locations, please let Toph know.
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Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
PREACHING SCHEDULE
12/3- Andie
12/10- Andie
12/17- Andie
12/24 *At 5:30 pm* - Andie
12/31- Brunch Church
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
Andie Pellicer, Lead Pastor
(andie@ubcwaco.org)
Toph Whisnant, Community Pastor (toph@ubcwaco.org)
Jameson Mcgregor, Worship & Arts Pastor (jamie@ubcwaco.org)
Leadership Team (leadershipteam@ubcwaco.org)
Ben Raley
Britt Duke
Katie Valenzuela
Andy Clark
Aleigh Ascherl
Marcus Franklin
Shelly Taylor
Katie Robinson
Margo Shanks
HR Team (hrteam@ubcwaco.org)
Erin Hill
Patrick Broaddus
Craig Nash
Kristen Howerton
Abbey Mackey
Finance Team (finance@ubcwaco.org)
Colton Towns
Julie Sievers
Ethan Cohen