ANDIE’S POST
Happy Pastorversary to Me!
Sunday the 15th marks my one year anni at UBC. My very first meeting was on a beautiful Friday morning at Pinewood. I sat across a picnic table from Emily MacDonald and heard all about her plans for our youth ministry. She shared about her life and about her time at UBC. After she left, I sat there, took some deep breaths, and tried not to cry. I was so excited, and so nervous, and so hopeful, and I felt so inadequate. There was a fairly constant voice in my head telling me that this place was too good to be true, and that if it was actually this good, I would ruin it. It is with massive relief that I can report neither of those scenarios panned out. So with that said, here's a list of things that made me fall in love and stay in love with UBC:
1) You get what you see and you see what you get. UBC doesn't shrink itself to fit into molds that are palatable but harmful.
2) We have a genuine and invested staff. Every single time I leave a one-on-one with one of our staff members I think to myself, "That was so freaking fun." Not only do I get to share the work of UBC, we get to share our lives.
3) The congregation as a whole is thoughtful, curious, kind, welcoming, and open. On my first Friday at Pinewood, I saw three UBCers and was met with the warmth and connection that represents our church to this day.
4) UBC is filled with people who want to see the love and equity of Jesus become a reality even as we are defining and redefining what that means for us as individuals.
My list is infinite, but for the sake of your sanity I'll stop there. If UBC was in Timbuktu, I would live in Timbuktu. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart. Pastoring at UBC is one of the greatest privileges of my life. I love you all.
JOINING AWAB
Recently, the affirming branch of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) merged with the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (AWAB). As an affirming congregation, UBC is a great fit for AWAB. Here is a link where you can weigh in on this potential new affiliation.
THIS WEEK
Youth Group - Wednesdays, 6pm
We meet at UBC from 6-8pm and dinner is provided. If you are a person between 6th and 12th grade please join us! For more regular updates on youth group please email emily@ubcwaco.org to get on the youth email list.
Pints with Toph - Wednesday at 6pm at Pinewood
College Hangout - Friday September 13th - Toph’s Casa
nUBC’ers - luncheon - September 15th - after church
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 Volunteers
We are in need of volunteers to bring dinner for youth group to enjoy together. Here is a link to sign up.
Kid’s Volunteers
It’s time to sign up for the fall rotation of kids volunteers! Never volunteered in a kids room? Fear not: there is a training on August 18th after church. Do it for the future! You can sign up here.
The Cove - restocking supplies
Our friends over at The Cove are running short on some supplies, and we have agreed to help them restock. The Cove is a Waco-based nonprofit designed to provide a safe space for youth experiencing homelessness to access the resources they need. The items most needed now are full size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. They are also in need of feminine hygiene - specifically pads. Would you consider purchasing some of these items and bringing them to UBC the next two Sundays to help our friends at the Cove? There will be a place outside Toph’s office for you to drop these items off. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubwaco.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
UBCYP Hangout - Sunday September 22nd - Dodson’s pool
UBC All Church Retreat - October 4-5
Make sure to mark our all church retreat on your calendar for the first weekend of October. We will be heading to Glen Lake Camp and Conference Center in Glen Rose, Texas. We can check in anytime after 1, but we would ask you arrive by 7pm for our first formation time together. On Friday evening we will have a campfire with a s’mores and hot cocoa bar, and then we will have several actives together on Saturday before departing at 5pm to return to Waco. We are very excited about this time together as a church, and would love for you to come. The cost is $55 for an individual, and for families it is capped at $125. Use this link to sign-up: UBC Retreat You can email toph@ubcwaco.org with any questions.
Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
PREACHING SCHEDULE
9/15- Andie
9/22- Kerri
9/29- Andie
10/6- Andie
CONTACT INFO
Pastoral Staff
Andie Pellicer, Lead Pastor
(andie@ubcwaco.org)
Toph Whisnant, Community Pastor (toph@ubcwaco.org) [on sabbatical]
Jameson Mcgregor, Worship & Arts Pastor (jamie@ubcwaco.org)
Leadership Team (leadershipteam@ubcwaco.org)
Britt Duke
Andy Clark
Aleigh Ascherl
Marcus Franklin
Shelly Taylor
Katie Robinson
Margo Shanks
Staff Support Team (staffsupport@ubcwaco.org)
Abbey Mackey
Jim Wren
Betsy Bracken
Finance Team (finance@ubcwaco.org)
Ethan Cohen
Jonathan Hill