JAMIE’S POST
In the gospel story, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness praying, fasting and ultimately facing temptation about what sort of life he would live. Through all of this, he is taking up the question of what it means to be Jesus, asking “who am I?” And “what am I for?” The season of Lent invites us to follow Jesus into the wilderness and take up the question of what it means to be who we are created to be. What does it mean to live and live well, to live life to the fullest? When we take stock of our lives, what belongs? What doesn’t? Who are we becoming, and what is coming out of that becoming? This season invites us to pare our busy-ness down, to quiet ourselves, and to listen to the story that is unfolding in our lives.
This can be uncomfortable. At any given time, there are probably myriad ways where each of us has fallen into patterns that are out of line with who we’d hope to be. The same is true of the ways we are wandering the lifelong path of being formed in the way of Christ. We are ever situated to reconsider the way we love God, love our neighbor, and practice the genuineness, presence, and care of Christ in our ordinary lives. Lent offers us an invitation to think of these things in earnest.
Perhaps you’ve taken on some sort of fast or spiritual practice this season to aid in focusing your attention on the invitation of Lent. If so, I hope that’s meaningful for you. If you haven’t (and its never too late to start if you want to), perhaps you’ll simply take a few moments each day to be quiet and think about who you are becoming. However the wilderness finds you this year, may your wandering be a blessing.
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P.S.—Be sure to check out the “GROUPS” section of the newsletter for details on our Lent groups.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
NEW BABY MEALTRAIN ALERT
Elysa and Marcus Franklin welcomed a new baby this week! Let’s keep them fed for a few weeks while they become acquainted with parenthood: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/lo9yq4.
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
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
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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
2/25 - Andie
3/3 - Andie
3/10- Andie
3/17- Jamie
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