JAMIE’S POST
Greetings. As you may know, we now find ourselves in the midst of the season of Epiphany. We began the liturgical year in Advent, looking honestly at the gathered gloom of the world and cultivating a longing for things to be made right. Then, on Christmas, we found a candle lit among the gloom in the birth of Jesus, God-with-us. A couple of weeks later, we entered Epiphany by remembering when the magi followed a star to find the baby that shook the foundations of the cosmos.
This is a season of illumination, and it is so in more ways than one. In a literal sense, on this side of the winter solstice, the daylight hours are increasing. We’ve also turned over a new year and are becoming acquainted with the newness and potential of 2024. Further, the lectionary texts are offering us vignettes of the early parts of Jesus’ story. Through these stories we are being re-introduced to Jesus, and in him we find on display what God would have us know about who God is and what God would have us know about who we are created to be.
I’m fond of this season because I have found it helpful to be invited into a time each year of intentionally trying to cultivate a holy curiosity about who Jesus is. I (we?) have a tendency to settle into a way of thinking about God that, in time, can tempt me to confuse my own ideas about God with the whole of who God is. Epiphany reminds us that we have more to learn. About God. About how to love our neighbor. And it prepares us in some way for Lent, where we take up the question of what it means to live and live well, of who we are what we are for.
If you are interested in spending some time with the stories outside of Sunday morning, you can find the texts for each week at lectionarypage.net. It is not a pretty website, but it gets the job done.
THIS WEEK
Youth Group - Wednesday, 6pm
Note: if you are a parent of one of our youth group kids, you can sign up for the youth mailing list by emailing emily@ubcwaco.org.
Pints with Toph - Wednesday, 6pm, Pinewood Public House
UBC Women’s Group Hangout -Saturday, January 20th, 7pm
The next UBC Women’s Group hangout will be Saturday, January 20th at 7PM at Rissé Miller’s house. Food will be provided, but please bring your own beverages. RSVP to Tiffany at covertjt@yahoo.com.
Town Hall - January 21st - After Church
We’ll have our January Town Hall after church on January 21st. Come hear updates from our teams and stay up to date on the life of the church.
UBCYP Hangout - January 21st - 6:30-8:30PM
Join us for our next young professionals hangout on January 21st at Toph’s Casa. We will be sharing a meal, and hanging out by the fire. Bring a chair for the fire, and byob. You can sign up in the foyer, or email toph@ubcwaco.org.
GIVING
UBC survives on the generosity of our congregation. Your financial contributions 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 administrator@ubcwaco.org.
CHURCH NEEDS
Mealtrain for Betsy Bracken
Our sweet Betsy Bracken broke her arm, and we’ve put together a meal train to care for her as she starts healing. You can sign up here. Note: please refrain from dishes with mushrooms or tomatoes.
Youth Group Dinner Sign Ups
Part of our youth’s weekly gathering is eating together, which is of course important for the growth of both community and teenagers. You can help foster this growth by signing up to bring food some time. You’ll find more info and a sign up sheet here.
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
College Hangout - January 28th - 7-9PM
Join us for our next college gathering at Toph’s Casa on the 28th. We will be sharing a meal together, and discussing what college events you would like to see this Spring. Sign-up in the foyer, or email toph@ubcwaco.org for details!
SOUPer Bowl Sunday - February 11th - 12pm
In lieu of our traditional Love Lovefeast, we are having a potluck after church on the 11th. Bring your favorite soup or chili to share with everyone, and we will eat right after church. No need to sign-up, just plan on bringing a dish and staying for lunch on the 11th. If you have any questions, contact Toph.
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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
1/21 - Andie
1/28- Andie
2/4 - Kerri
2/11 - Andie
2/18 - Andie
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
Andy Clark
Aleigh Ascherl
Marcus Franklin
Shelly Taylor
Katie Robinson
Margo Shanks
HR Team (hrteam@ubcwaco.org)
Patrick Broaddus
Craig Nash
Kristen Howerton
Abbey Mackey
Finance Team (finance@ubcwaco.org)
Colton Towns
Julie Sievers
Ethan Cohen