Toph’s Musings
I have been thinking a lot about community this week as I have been traveling and reflecting on my time in Waco as it comes nearer to a close. When I first started my job at UBC, I always said I would be surprised if I was there less than 5 years, or more than 10 years, and what a gift for it to be 15 years! The largest reason I’ve stayed, and wanted to stay so long, is the community. Some of my deepest friendships have developed within the UBC world, and this community has journeyed with me through a lot of life transitions over the past 15 years. I’m excited for my next steps in Austin, but I am also going to deeply miss this community and seeing you all on a weekly basis. UBC has been a gift to me for 17 years, and I would love this community to be a gift to you. Over the next several weeks we have a few community gatherings, opportunities for you to connect with other UBC’ers and build community. Will you consider coming to a few of these gathering over the next few weeks: Waco Dives on Wednesday at noon, Pints with/without Toph on Wednesday at 6pm, Summer Movie night June 29th, and Top Golf on July 22nd at 6pm. I’d love to see you at several of these gatherings, and introduce you to some new folks you might not know. UBC, thank you for the community and friendship you have provided me over the last 17 years, I love you all.
THIS WEEK
Youth Group is back on Wednesday nights!
Pints without/ Toph- Wednesdays, Pinewood Public House, 6pm
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 ON THE LOOSE
This is Ginnie June Dizdar, born 5/20/25. You can sign up to take Nicole, Duke, and the kids food here.
ANOTHER NEW BABY ON THE LOOSE
This is Walt Howerton! Born 4/25/25. Kyle, Kristen and Cooper are all home and doing well! You can sign up to bring them food here.
Summer Lunch and Literacy program volunteers We are in need of some volunteers to help during the lunch hour in late June and early August. Volunteers would help with engaging with families who come for the Waco ISD free lunch served at UBC, reading with kids in smaller groups, and leading story times and/or crafts, as well as locking up the building after the hour is over. You can volunteer for one day, or many days! Sign up is here: Summer Lunch Program Volunteers and you can email nicole@ubcwaco.org for more information.
Book Drive
We are accepting gently used or new kids' books to have for our literacy program! We are looking for books ranging from preschool to 6th graders. Bring any donations to the kids' office in May and June! You can also donate funds to specifically use for purchasing books at ubcwaco.org/give, and select "Literacy Program".
Back to School Supplies for Arrow
We are beginning to collect supplies for Arrow Child and Family Ministries back to school backpack drive, and everything is due July 27th. We’ve committed to collect backpacks and supplies for 10 kids. You can sign-up in the foyer at church or email toph@ubcwaco.org When you sign-up, Toph will send you the list of supplies you will need to buy.
UBC NEW BABY TEAM
ALERT. We’ve got a veritable gaggle of babies on the way this year, and are in search of a group of volunteers who will help support the new families and little nUBCers by organizing meal trains, postpartum support, etc! Email nicole@ubcwaco.org if you're interested on serving on this team.
Are you one of our soon-to-be baby having families? Take a moment to fill out this form so we can prepare to support you and your nUBCer!
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.
CAMP UBC: RENEW
We are putting on a day camp for rising pre-k through rising 3rd graders July 14th-17th from 9-noon. This four day camp will focus on a gardening/sustainability theme, and guide students through expressing their faith and love for the community around them.
Register your kids!
Share with your friends too! Learn more and register here.
Volunteer!
Adults and students 6th grade and up can volunteer! Sign up here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Waco Dives - Wednesday, June 18
Waco Dives is back and we are back with another classic: Leal’s in Woodway! We will be meeting at Leal’s at noon Wednesday, and would for you to join us. This a great time to hang out with other UBC’ers in the middle of the week, and join a local hole-in-the-wall spot for lunch. No need to rsvp, just bring yourself (and a friend if you want). Toph won’t be there this week, so look for Kyle Howerton If you have any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org
Summer Movie Gathering - Sunday, June 29th
Join us on Sunday night, June 29th at 5:30pm for an all-church movie gathering. We will have pizza, popcorn, and drinks for everyone, and we will be showing a family friendly PG movie. Invite your friends, and come cool off from the Texas heat with a movie at UBC. We would love to know if you’re coming so we can order food accurately, so email toph@ubcwaco.org or sign-up in the foyer at church (but if you don’t sign-up, we would love for you to come). If you have any questions, contact toph@ubcwaco.org
Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
PREACHING SCHEDULE
Andie (for the next several weeks)
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
Katie Robinson
Margo Shanks
Staff Support Team (staffsupport@ubcwaco.org)
Kyle Howerton
Jim Wren
Betsy Bracken
Finance Team (finance@ubcwaco.org)
Brandon Glover
Jonathan Hill
Ben Rose