TOPH’S POST
New Beginnings
We are 13 days into 2025, and I still must remind myself what year it is when I am writing down the date on something, and this isn’t something new, I struggle with it every year. At the start of each year, I wade through the first few weeks looking forward to the new year, while still feeling like I am living the previous year. It takes some time to adjust to the newness, to let it sink it, to turn the page.
I have been thinking about fresh starts this year, and all the ways new beginnings happen in life, the ones we choose, and the ones thrust upon us by life. New beginnings can be exciting, anxiety producing, full of grief, full of anticipation and wonder, challenging, comforting, scary, hopeful, and a myriad of other things. The start of a new year often brings a chance to reflect on the year before and anticipate the year to come, to set new intentions for what you want this next season of life to hold. Over the last 6 weeks I have been thinking about new beginnings, the ones I chose in 2024 and the ones which were thrust upon me, and the ones I anticipate in 2025. I have been reflecting on a part of a poem I came across recently:
I’m seeking to focus the frame
Of what and whom I want to be
Of how and whom I want to love
Guiding Love find me again
Give me grace upon grace for who I am
Here at the start of 2025, maybe you are at a new beginning, whether it’s one you chose and or one that was chosen for you. As you enter this year my prayer for you is one of clarity: clarity of who you are and who you want to be, clarity of how you want to show up in the world and how immensely loved you are, and clarity of what you need from yourself and others in this coming year. My prayer is when you find this clarity, you will find Love and Light have been with you all along, helping you to focus the frame, guiding and leading you into the all-inclusive love of Jesus which can transform the world.
THIS WEEK
Youth Group- Wednesday, 6pm
Youth group is back this week! Not a youth or the caregiver of a youth but still want to support the youth group? Sign up to bring dinner!
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
Mealtrain for the Pryor Family
Jessica is home from Colorado after a cancer reoccurrence and surgery. They would appreciate support from their friends at UBC during a rough recovery! Sign up here.
Food Drive for Pack of Hope
We are collecting food for Pack of Hope, an organization benefiting students in and around Waco that provides non-perishable, easy to cook food items over weekends and school breaks to kids who have food insecurity. We will be collecting food until Feb 2nd! Items include:
Mac n cheese cups
Chef boyardee cans
Applesauce pouches
Fruit snacks
Breakfast bars
Cereal- boxes or single serve cups
Juice boxes
Pudding cups
Pop tarts
Cookie packs
Cheese crackers
Slim Jim’s
Bring Food for Youth Group
Part of our youth group’s weekly gathering is sharing a meal together. You can be a part of making that possible. Sign up to bring dinner here!
Kid’s Volunteers
SIgn up to help with ubckids! Do it for the future! You can sign up here.
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.
KIDS CAMP
Kids camp will be July 20-23 at Glen Lake Camp in Glenrose for kids who have completed 3rd grade-6th grade. We have 10 spots. Cost is $438/camper, reach out to nicole@ubcwaco.com to secure a spot ASAP!
UPCOMING EVENTS
UBC’s 30th Birthday Party - January 26th - noon
UBC is turning 30 this month, and we would love to celebrate with you. We are going to be throwing a party after church on the 26th of this month, and we want you to come and invite your friends. We will have food, drinks, games, party favors, and epic playlist to get us in the spirit. UBC will cover everything for the party, we just want you to show up! We will also have a slideshow of UBC through the years, so if you have any pictures please send them to toph@ubcwaco.org before Thursday, January 23rd. If you have any questions, contact Toph.
Toph Taco Tuesday- Veronica’s Restaurant- January 28th- noon
UBCYP Hangout - Janaury 30th
Come join us for our first UBCYP hangout of the year in downtown Waco! We will start at Southern Roots, then make our way over to Waco Ale. You can sign-up by emailing toph@ubcwaco.org or in the foyer at church. If you have any questions, contact Toph.
Parents Night Out- Friday, February 7th, 6-8pm
For kids age 3-6th grade. They’ll help pack bags for the Pack of Hope food drive, have pizza, and watch a movie!
Souper Bowl Lovefeast - February 9th - noon
It is one of the best times of the year, it is time for another Lovefeast at UBC. This year, in honor of the Super Bowl, we are having a Souper Bowl Lovefeast after church on February 9th. Please bring your favorite soup or stew to share (we can plug crockpots in during the service in the backside). UBC will provide the drinks and bread, but we need you to bring your favorite soup or stew. We will hang out, eat some good food, and debate who will the game that night. This is another great chance to engage with your UBC community. If you have any questions, please contact 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
1/19- Andie
1/26- Andie
2/2- Kerri
2/9- Andie
CONTACT INFO
Pastoral Staff
Andie Pellicer, Lead Pastor
(andie@ubcwaco.org)
Toph Whisnant, Community Pastor (toph@ubcwaco.org)
Jameson McGregor, Worship & Arts Pastor (jamie@ubcwaco.org)
Nicole Dizdar, Kids Pastor
(nicole@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)
Brandon Glover
Jonathan Hill
Ben Rose