Toph’s Letter
Dear UBC Family,
Where to begin? It is a difficult thing to write a farewell letter, even more so when one has such immense gratitude, love, and affection for the community. For over 15 years I have had the incredible privilege to be one of your pastors, something I never took for granted, and something I will always cherish. There is peculiar gift in being a pastor in which people invite you into some of the darkest moments of their lives, as well as some the greatest joys. I’ve sat with students for their first counseling appt or taken them to a crisis care center when the world seemed too much to bear. I’ve been present for funerals of loved ones and co-workers when the loss was too much to hold on their own. I’ve counseled many folks through breakups, divorce, the loss of jobs, and dreams deferred. I’ve had the privilege of officiating weddings, celebrating big milestones, baptizing people as they choose to follow in the way of Christ, and celebrating new life when they welcome someone new into their family. All these moments are holy, and beautiful, and it is a sacred gift to be invited in. My favorite part of being your pastor was simply being with you, journeying alongside of you as we ask questions about the world, life, and who God may or may not be. To sit across the room, or table, over coffee or a pint or a meal, to listen to you; this is what I will miss the most.
When reflecting upon my time at UBC, it is also impossible to forget the times I failed. I know failure is part of life, but there is a particular weight when your job is to care for people, and you let them down. I am so grateful UBC has, is, and will be a place where perfection is never expected, and grace is extended. I am so thankful UBC is a place where I knew if I failed, I could seek forgiveness and amends and know her people are kind. And if I ever did cause you harm and I was unaware, please know I am sorry and would love the chance to have a conversation with you to say so. The way you, as a community, have pastored and cared for me over the last 15+ years has formed me more into the image of Christ, and has helped me be more empathetic, courageous, curious, and loving to everyone I encounter.
I’ll close with some things I will miss the most. I will miss greeting you every Sunday and seeing your faces. I will miss the Pints w/Toph crew and their vulnerability and laughter. I will miss the staff I’ve worked alongside and the way we have held space for each other over the last 15+ years. I will miss leading teams to engage with God’s work around the world and learning from different cultures and faiths. I will miss closing us each week with our benediction, reminding myself as I look out towards y’all we are all in this together. What I will miss the most is sitting down with you, one on one, and hearing about your life and how I can journey alongside of you. It was easily, always, the favorite part of my job.
UBC thank you! Thank you for it all, for it all has been a gift. I love you.
THIS WEEK
Youth Group is back on Wednesday nights!
*Pints at Pinewood - Wednesday, 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
Support our Educators:
Rath Loeung https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3C63RY6RL9N1F. “I teach high school 3D animation, and we’re moving into a brand-new campus—it’s like starting in a fresh Minecraft world: flat terrain, no builds, just possibilities. Every item on this wishlist helps me turn our lab into a place where students feel motivated to learn, create, and bring their ideas to life (no wood-punching required). Thanks for your support!”
Rebeca Cuellar
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2IJM0ACM597W6?ref_=wl_share. “This year, I am embracing my native language and jumping into the bilingual classroom. I'm excited to serve my hispanic community and continue to help my students grow in 2 languages. It's my first year in the bilingual classroom, and I know amazing things will happen.”
Kasey Neimeier
Amazon: [https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2K6TCEO6D50TY?ref_=wl_share](https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2K6TCEO6D50TY?ref_=wl_share)
Walmart: [https://www.walmart.com/lists/wishlist/539e039e-3413-479d-ab17-918ea07fe92b](https://www.walmart.com/lists/wishlist/539e039e-3413-479d-ab17-918ea07fe92b) “I'm filled with gratitude and excitement to share that my husband Kasey has been blessed with his first teaching position! He'll be teaching 7th grade Texas History at a Title 1 school, where he'll have the opportunity to serve 150+ students who come from low-income families.”
Are you an educator? Would you like us to drop your wishlist and a tidbit about your classroom here? Email the info to Nicole@ubcwaco.org!
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.
Meal Train
Help Welcome Baby Henry to the world and provide a meal for the Macdonald family!
MacDonald Meal Train
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!
Go Fund Me for Carolina to keep the family together
Go Fund Me
Kid’s Volunteers
SIgn up to help with ubckids! Do it for the future! You can sign up here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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