ANDIE’S POST
Beauty from ashes is perhaps the kindest and cruelest element of our faith. We want to be the best version of ourselves, the most patient, kind, loving, justice-minded people we can be. AND, the things we sometimes have to wade through to become those people are painful. When silver is processed, it is super-heated, and the impurities float to the top. The dross is then skimmed from the top, and the metal is made stronger. Lent is a reminder that we, too, are in process, and sometimes that process requires a little heat. I know I can oscillate between putting crippling amounts of pressure on myself and giving myself a free pass, but Lent is a time for stability. It is a steady march to Easter, to the promise of refined and renewed life. While many of us associate Lent with giving something up, I would ask us to contextualize our actions in this way: Where is dross building up in my life? What needs to be skimmed away to reveal the strength below? Perhaps your questions look more like this: Where do I need to apply heat? Where do I need to engage more fully in my life with Jesus so that I may delight in a life lived to its fullest? My Lenten practice will be letting tomorrow’s work be for tomorrow. Any time I am tempted (at 11:00 at night!) to grab my computer and get a jump start on the next day’s agenda, I will settle in instead. I will settle into that moment, breathe deeply, and allow the reality of God’s presence in my life to swirl around me, and I will close my laptop. It is the fire that I need to keep me still and centered, and it is the dross of over-performing that needs gently removed. If you are taking stock and have a sense of what refinement you need in your own life and want to share it with someone, you can send it to me. I’d love to support you and pray for you during this season. Either way, may you identify the thing in your life that needs altered and strengthened, and may it result in a lightening of your heart, spirit, and body.
THIS WEEK
Ash Wednesday - February 14th - 7am; 5:30pm
We will have two opportunities to attend the Ash Wednesday Liturgy, at 7am and 5:30pm. Join us as we gather to focus our attention on our mortality and growth as we enter the season of Lent.
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
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
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
Lent Group - Wednesdays, 6:15-7:30, beginning Feb 14
Lent is an invitation to make space in our hearts, minds, and lives for the mystery of Easter. This group will share with and support one another as we experiment with the three traditional pillars of Lent: fasting, prayer, and giving. Together we'll also consider Lent's historical context and what it offers to the life of faith today.
Lectio Divina Group - Sundays, 9:30-10:30, beginning Feb 18
Lectio Divina (translated "sacred reading") is a way of opening ourselves to God by praying with scriptures. Together, we'll experiment with different approaches to this ancient/future way of drawing near to God. We'll share with and support one another as we practice entering the story of God and finding our own stories reimagined so that we might be formed more fully in the way of Christ.
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
Backside - February 23rd - 7pm
We’re having an open mic/open wall art event on Friday, February 23rd at 7pm. If you’d like to share something, just email jamie@ubcwaco.org or sign up in the lobby. I
Women’s Group Hangout - February 24th - 11AM
The next UBC Women’s Group hangout will be Saturday, February 24th at 11AM at The Olive Branch for brunch/lunch. Shopping afterwards at Spice Village for those interested. RSVP to Tiffany at covertjt@yahoo.com.
College Hangout - February 25th - 6pm - Toph’s Casa
If you are college student, join us for our next gathering at Toph’s place. We will have dinner together, and a time of discussion about dating in college, and I will tell you about this horrendous book I read my freshman year called “I kissed dating goodbye.” (Spoiler alert, not even the author could do it). If you have ever wanted to ask questions about dating, and simply have curiosities, email toph@ubcwaco.org ahead time with your questions and we will make sure those are discussed. You can sign-up in the foyer, or email Toph
UBCYP - February 29th - 7pm - Toph’s Casa
If you are a grad student or young professional (and young is relative here), please join us for our next gathering at Toph’s place on Thursday evening, February 29th. We will have a fire and some drinks, please bring a snack to share. You can sign-up in the foyer or email Toph@ubcwaco.org
Black History Waco Tour - February 25th - 1pm
We are teaming up with our friends over at First Presbyterian, and Baylor University’s Institute for Oral History and the Texas Collection for a walking tour. We do have limited spots since this is a walking tour through downtown Waco (15-20), so please sign-up in the foyer or email toph@ubcwaco.org if you would like join. *Baylor's oral history department will actively identify key spots during the tour to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges.
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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
2/18 - Andie
2/25 - Andie
3/3 - Andie
3/10- 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)
Craig Nash
Kristen Howerton
Abbey Mackey
Finance Team (finance@ubcwaco.org)
Colton Towns
Julie Sievers
Ethan Cohen