Zora Neale Hurston wrote, "There are years that ask questions, and years that answer them." But as I’ve reflected back on the last year of my life, neither of those descriptions seems to fit. This year didn’t really bring forth any new questions (that would be 2020 through most of 2022, thank you very much), but I can’t quite say that any new answers have arrived either (I'm still waiting on those).
Instead, I’d call this a year of holding questions—of making space and moving slowly, of lingering and pondering, of opening up and letting others in. As frustrating as it sometimes is to continue waiting for answers I’d really love to have now, I’m ever so grateful to be in good question-carrying company. UBC is full of people who not only tolerate the tension of holding questions but who have entered it alongside me. Thank you, UBC, for making me feel seen and safe, known and loved.
I’d like to leave you with a poem by Annie Lightheart that I’ve been loving this year. It’s one I return to again and again.
A Great Wild Goodness
One morning I was looking out the window
when a great wildness came over me;
I wanted to be kind to everything. I promised
not to kill the spider on the wall; in the cold
I took the dog for the long walk she’d been wanting;
I fetched a trashcan lid for an ornery neighbor
and did not, just then, add a single adjective to his name.
I went back inside to the laundry and dishes
with a clean heart such as I have never had.
Before dinner the wild goodness bellowed Too tame!
Too tame! so I went outside without my coat
and shouted poems up the alleys
until my children came home with their small,
warm hands. Then we ate bread
in the kitchen, unafraid to be happy.
The stars in wild darkness were right over our heads.
Brooke Reich
Pastoral Associate
Waco ISD Summer Meals
This summer, UBC will host a location for Waco ISD’s summer meal program. Any student under the age of 18 is eligible to participate.
Waco Dives - Wednesday, 12:00 pm at Kitoks
It is the most wonderful time of the year, Waco Dives is back. Each week we meet at a different Waco hole in the wall spot for lunch. If you have any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org. #yourbestlunchnow
Pints w/ Toph - Wednesday, 6:00 pm at Pinewood
LGBTQ+ and Allies Meetup - Thursday, 8:00 pm at Toph’s Casa
We are having our annual LGBTQIA+ and allies meetup next week at Toph’s Casa, and this will be a potluck. Please bring a side dish to share with the group. You can sign-up on Sunday morning in the foyer, or email toph@ubcwaco.org to sign-up.
***There will be no Youth or 5th & 6th Grade Evenings for the rest of the summer***
Our Kids and Youth Summer Schedules will begin June 5th and Youth Evenings will resume in the fall with the new school year.
Giving Update
UBC survives on the generosity of our congregation. Your tithes and offerings 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.
Pastoral Associate Application
Want to join our team for a year? We are currently accepting applications for our 2023-24 pastoral associates. You can learn more about what that entails and find the application at ubcwaco.org/pastoralassociate. Applications are due by 5pm on Wednesday, June 7th.
VBS Volunteers -
We are having VBS 2023 on June 19-23 from 5:30-8:80pm and we are still looking for volunteers! If you are available to serve please let us know by sending an email to Taylor at taylor@ubcwaco.org! There are many ways to serve including storytelling, crafts, and movement!
Youth Camp Chaperones (1 male, 1 female, 11th-15th June)
In addition to the drivers needed below, we’re also in urgent need of two more chaperones to accompany us to camp. We’d need volunteers from 11th June to 15th June - the Camp itself has volunteers who run and coordinate everything, so you’d just need to hang out! Chaperones don’t need to pay for their slot, it really is just your physical presence that we need!
If you are at all interested, please reach out to me at kieran@ubcwaco.org. Thank you so so much everyone!
A note on gender: whilst Passport Camp is doing a lot to have a more nuanced and inclusive approach to gender when it comes to the kids, sadly this hasn’t yet extended to “required” chaperones of specific biological sexes. Please know that Passport is a safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQIA+ individuals (I have grilled them rigorously about it myself), but as of yet they don’t have updated language to implement that as far as the chaperones are concerned. If you self-identify in a way that you feel able and comfortable to be a chaperone for us, then that is beyond good enough for me - please do still get in touch!
Youth Camp Drivers
If you’re interested in saving UBC $2,000 by driving our Youth to and from camp this summer, please follow this link to sign up:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8aY2dZAOwzoIbZ9htyWD4id5xn5BeBcNL1JqpQzECsjhH3g/viewform?usp=sf_link
If you have any questions, please email kieran@ubcwaco.org.
Kids Volunteers
We are so thankful for our UBC Kids Volunteers! And it's that time again - to make a Summer calendar! If you are available to help on Sunday mornings or other times this semester please reach out to Taylor at taylor@ubcwaco.org.
Tech Booth Volunteers
We are in need of a few folks to join the rotation for our tech booth on Sunday mornings. No prior experience is required--we'll be happy to train you! Areas of need are lights, slides, and livestream. If you are interested, just email jamie@ubcwaco.org.
Waco Dives - Wednesdays at Noon
It is the most wonderful time of the year, Waco Dives is back. Each week we meet at a different Waco hole in the wall spot for lunch. This is a great time to meet other UBC’ers. Next week we will be at El Ranchito. Jasper’s, Fridays Seafood and more to come. If you have any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org. #yourbestlunchnow
UBCYP Hangout - Thursday, June 8th - 6-8pm
Our next young professional gathering is in two weeks, and we will be meeting at Bare Arms. This is a great time to get to know other folks, and deepen your community at UBC. If you are between your mid 20’s to mid 30’s (ish), we would love for you to join. You can sign-up on Sunday morning in the foyer, or email toph@ubcwaco.org to sign-up.
Passport Youth Camp - Sunday, June 11th-Thursday, June 15th
VBS - Monday, June 19th-Friday, June 23rd, 5:30-8:30pm
We are having VBS at the end of June this year and the theme is Compassion Camp: What Every Living Thing Needs! I'm so looking forward to spending this week with our kids and volunteers! And there is currently a sign up sheet for kids and volunteers in the lobby! Or you can email me directly! taylor@ubcwaco.org
Passport Kids Camp - Sunday, July 22nd-Tuesday, July 25th
Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
🎉 Parishioner of the Week
The parishioner of the week is Brooke Reich for her year of service as UBC’s Pastoral Associate, which comes to an end on May 31.
📖 Preaching Schedule
6/4- Katie Valenzuela
6/11- Kirk
6/18- Kirk
💭 Share Your Feedback
You’re invited to share your feedback (good, bad, or in-between) about the goings-on at UBC! All comments will be shared directly with the UBC Human Resources team who will then share it with Leadership Team, Finance Team, or Pastoral Staff as needed. Share your feedback here: https://forms.gle/1ovkBXSx1Lu3CR448
Leadership Team
Ben Raley (benjaminraley@gmail.com)
Britt Duke (brittrduke@gmail.com)
Katie Valenzuela (katarinaevalenzuela@gmail.com)
Andy Clark (andyclarkmusic@gmail.com)
Aleigh Ascherl (aleighascherl@gmail.com)
Marcus Franklin (M_Franklin@baylor.edu)
Shelly Taylor (Shellytaylor76@gmail.com)
Katie Robinson (katiekrobinson@yahoo.com)
Margo Shanks (Margo_Shanks@baylor.edu)
HR Team
Erin Hill (erin.albin1@gmail.com)
Patrick Broaddus (patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com)
Craig Nash (craig_nash@baylor.edu)
Kristen Howerton (khowerton94@gmail.com)
Abbey Mackey (abbeyadizdar@gmail.com)
Jess Smith (jess_smith1@baylor.edu)
Finance Team
Colton Towns (cctowns@gmail.com)
Julie Sievers (juliehsievers@gmail.com)
Evan Kidd (evan.kidd1@outlook.com)
Ethan Cohen (ethancohen002@gmail.com)
