ITLOTC 3-30-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Lent

On (Not) Singing

(by jamie)

Greetings.  I want to speak to you of singing—or, I guess more particularly, not singing.  In the event that you do not yet know, though we are going to be gathering for the first time in our parking lot on Sunday, we will not be singing together.  The reason for this is pretty simple: for all that we’ve learned about how to responsibly navigate our pandemic world after a year’s worth of refining best practices for being around one another, the recommendations around congregational singing have changed very little—it’s still a roll of the dice.  Even masked, spaced, and outside, the projected force of singing (aside from being rather uncomfortable whilst masked in the sun) sidesteps those precautions more easily than simply breathing or speaking [Note: if you know of a study that says otherwise, please send that to me for consideration].  I understand that there are communities that have been singing this whole time.  I understand that it might be frustrating to maintain an abundance of caution in our gatherings when you see other people more or less living normally.  I feel it too.  And yet, out of love for one another, and all the one-another’s each of us encounters in our own lives, we are going to wait a little longer to reincorporate singing together into our liturgies.  For as far as we have come, the pandemic is still part of our reality, and the ways in which we acknowledge or ignore that fact will ultimately have an impact on how long it remains a part of our reality. 

That being said.

While we will not be singing together on Easter, I will be playing songs, so I want to offer a word about what it means to participate in music without singing.  I’ve been thinking about something I’ve shared about singing in church several times over the years.  It was directed primarily to people who truly were not in a place where they could sing along with any sense of honesty, but I think it applies here.  It is this: to be in the presence of music, and to direct one’s attention to music, is to participate in music.  Lyric and melody work their way into realms of our hearts and minds out of view.  

Singing along is not the end-all, be-all of participation in music.  Devoted contemplation of lyrics, for instance, is an active listening that forms our imaginations, and thus our lives, just as thoroughly, and perhaps at times more thoroughly, than forming those same words into sounds on our lips.  So I invite you to attend to the lyrics, to turn them over in your hearts and minds and carry them with you.  The particles expelled by contemplation are internal and carry no viral load.  They are cast into the corners of your soul and pollenate gardens there.

Worship, in the way we conceive of worship services, is, at its core, an act of attention.  We direct our attention toward God via whatever collection of songs, prayers, sermons, etc., allowing them to enter the realm of our hearts and minds.  And after we have parted ways, as those inputs dance around in rooms beyond our view, they join their dance to that of the community of our consciousness, and in turn inform in some way how we live.  That last bit—that embodied outworking of what we believe about God, our neighbor, and ourselves—whether in acts of notable significance or the sacred mundane and ordinary, is worship.  I want to be clear about this.  Singing can be an act of worship, but worship is not dependent on singing.  Worship is the gathered whole of your life.  So, while I very much look forward to the day that we sing together again, the time between now and then will be no less comprised of our worship of the Living God.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that if you have a desire to make some sort of sound alongside the music, humming seems to be a safe option.  If it is meaningful for you to produce some sort of vibration—to feel the music within your own body in community with others—consider this a license to hum. And further, it likely goes without saying, but if it helps to move your body in some way, to sway or tap your foot, etc., consider this a license to do that. 

See you soon.
Meet the UBCer(s)

Leigh Anne Diaz

Sunday Need to Know/To Do

Hello friends. Here are some things to know for Sunday.

1. Parking will look different. To reference which parking spots will be available please reference this entry. We will have some folks outside before the service to help direct traffic.

2. Please bring communion elements for your worshiping group.

3. Please bring chair(s) or a blanket for your worshiping group.

4. Taylor will be disbursing children’s packets.

Easter Fridays

Hello friends. As many of you know, Easter is a season of celebration in the church. Keep your eyes and ears open for a series of Friday night parking lot events to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord through fellowship. The first is a Jeopardy night that will happen on Friday, April 9th @ 7 PM. There will be a children’s game and a older person games. Prizes are being decided on, but they will likely be amazing (if finance team approves them).

Holy Week Schedule

Maundy Thursday: video companion to used with your Thursday dinner (forthcoming)

Good Friday: Facebook Premier @ 5:30

Easter Sunday: Parking lot service @ 10:45

Mr. Rogers Sunday

Are you Graduating?

Hello UBC Family, it is fast approaching the time of year in which we honor all those graduating at UBC. If you are graduating hs, college, or grad school, we would love to honor you during our Mr. Rogers service at the end of April. Please send an email to toph@ubcwaco.org to let us know you are graduating.

Parishioner of the Week

Cooper Hale for matching into the Emergency Medicine Residency at Northwestern! And both him and Lily for making the big plans to move to Chicago soon!

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Kristen Howerton: khowerton94@gmail.com

Patrick Broaddus: patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com

Liturgy Stuff 3-28-2021

March 28, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on March 28th (in the order they are needed).

In the Night

I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
in the darkness with the fear, in the darkness with the fear
but he met the morning wounded with a blessing
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

when Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
of the enemies of God, of the enemies of God
he saw the hills aflame with angels on their horses
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

I see the slave who toils beneath the yoke unyielding
and I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
for some hand to stay the whip their foe is weilding
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

I see the armies of the enemy approaching
and the people driven trembling for the shore
but a doorway through the water now is opening
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

like the son who though he’d gone beyond forgiveness
too ashamed to lift his head, but if he could lift his head
he would see his father running from a distance
in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

and i can see the crowd of men retreating
as he stands between the woman and their stones
so if mercy in his holy heart is beating
then in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship
the Living God

to direct our attention toward
the One who is making all things new

to enter the story of God,

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might form us in the way of Christ

bending our hearts and minds
toward loving God and loving our neighbor
with our whole selves

Amen

Reckless Love (by Cory Asbury)

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99
And I couldn't earn it
I don't deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99
And I couldn't earn it
I don't deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99
And I couldn't earn it
I don't deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Please Be My Strength (by Gungor)

I've tried to stand my ground
I've tried to understand
But I can't seem to find my faith again

Like water on the sand
Or grasping at the wind
I keep on falling short

So, please be my strength
Please be my strength
'Cause I don't have anymore
I don't have anymore

I'm looking for a place
Where I can plant my faith
One thing I know for sure

And I cannot create it
And I cannot sustain it
It's your love that's keeping me

Please be my strength
Please be my strength
I don't have anymore
I don't have anymore

At my final breath
I hope that I can say
I've fought the good fight of faith

I pray your glory shine
In this doubting heart of mine
And all would know that you

You are my strength
You are my strength
You and you alone
You and you alone
You keep bringing me back home

You are my strength
You are my strength
You and you alone
Keep bringing me back home

It's you and you alone
Bringing me back home

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29:

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever!

Let Israel say,
    “His steadfast love endures forever.”

Open to me the gates of righteousness,
    that I may enter through them
    and give thanks to the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord;
    the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that you have answered me
    and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the chief cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
    O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
    We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God,
    and he has given us light.
Bind the festal procession with branches,
    up to the horns of the altar.

You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
    you are my God, I will extol you.

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is Mark 11:1-11:

When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.’” They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

“Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Giving

UBC relies on the generosity of the community. If you are a in place that you are able to give of your time, talent, and resources to UBC we would be grateful. If you want to make a financial contribution, the easiest way to do so is through our church center app.

Be Thou My Vision

be thou my vision, o lord of my heart
naught be all else to me, save that thou art
thou my best thought, by day or by night
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

be thou my wisdom and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me lord
thou my great father, spirit, and son
thou in me dwelling and I with the one

riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
thou mine inheritance now and always
thou and thou only, first in my heart
high king of heaven, my treasure thou art

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

UbcKids Videos

You can find this weeks’ UbcKids Videos here!

ITLOTC 3-23-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Lent

Outdoor Easter Service (by Josh)

Hello all. As you likely read in last weeks newsletter we are looking for ways to be together. And so, we are taking our first step on Sunday April 4, aka Easter Sunday. Weather cooperating, we will be worshiping together outside. Here are some things you should know:

We will still be live-streaming. So if you are not comfortable worshiping with us, you will still have that option.

We will be worshiping on the south side of the building facing 18th st. See picture below.

We are requiring members to wear masks and sit apart from one another. Worshiping family units will occupy designated parking spaces.

We will not have childcare, but children are very welcome to the service! There will be Children’s Bulletins available as well as a Children’s Moment during the service.

Bathrooms will be available for use, but only one family unit will be allowed to use a bathroom at a time. Leadership team members will serve as hall monitors.

One of the biggest question marks for us is parking. Because we are occupying part of our parking lot for worship, we will have less parking. We also do not know how many people to expect for a number of reasons. To that end, please review this map which highlights all the areas UBCers can park, including the gravel lot across from us on 17th the we own, as well as the grass lot at the intersection of 18th and Flint across the alley from our current parking lot (highlighted in red below)

To help us prepare and be safe as possible, we are asking those of you who think that you will be attending our outdoor Easter worship service to register by signing up here. This is not a commitment, just something to gauge interest and what kind of space we need to provide.

Lastly, we are asking for you to offer us a spirit of grace as we move forward. We realize that there will be quirks as we go. While our goal is to create an environment to worship together consistently, we are using Easter as a learning experiment. If it goes well, this could become a weekly reality until we can move safely back into the building. We will give constant updates as we watch the weather and learn what logistical hurdles we need to overcome.

Thanks team. We look forward to begin with you soon.

Carney

Meet the UBCer

Team Hayes

Mr. Rogers Sunday

Are you Graduating?

Hello UBC Family, it is fast approaching the time of year in which we honor all those graduating at UBC. If you are graduating hs, college, or grad school, we would love to honor you during our Mr. Rogers service at the end of April. Please send an email to toph@ubcwaco.org to let us know you are graduating.

Easter Fridays

Hello friends. As many of you know, Easter is a season of celebration in the church. Keep your eyes and ears open for a series of Friday night parking lot events to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord through fellowship. The first is a Jeopardy night that will happen on Friday, April 9th @ 7 PM. There will be a children’s game and a older person games. Prizes are being decided on, but they will likely be amazing (if finance team approves them).

Holy Week Schedule

Maundy Thursday: video companion to used with your Thursday dinner (forthcoming)

Good Friday: Facebook Premier @ 5:30

Easter Sunday: Parking lot service @ 10:45

Parishioner of the Week

TBH, I don’t have one this week. So we’ll use this space to say, if you have a parishioner of the week you ever want considered, please email your submission to josh@ubcwaco.org.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Kristen Howerton: khowerton94@gmail.com

Patrick Broaddus: patrickjbroaddus@gmail.com

Liturgy Stuff 3-21-2021

March 21, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on March 21st (in the order they are needed).

In the Night

I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
in the darkness with the fear, in the darkness with the fear
but he met the morning wounded with a blessing
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

when Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
of the enemies of God, of the enemies of God
he saw the hills aflame with angels on their horses
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

I see the slave who toils beneath the yoke unyielding
and I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
for some hand to stay the whip their foe is weilding
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

I see the armies of the enemy approaching
and the people driven trembling for the shore
but a doorway through the water now is opening
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

like the son who though he’d gone beyond forgiveness
too ashamed to lift his head, but if he could lift his head
he would see his father running from a distance
in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship
the Living God

the One who draws near to the brokenhearted
and hears the cries of those who mourn

to enter the story of God,

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit might shape our hearts and minds

toward love
for God, for our neighbor, and for ourselves
that we might be formed more fully in the way of Christ

Amen

Kyrie

kyrie eleison
what, lord, what have we done?
kyrie eleison
o, lord, with mercy, come
kyrie eleison
behold what we’ve wrought
in our weeping and gnashing teeth
kyrie, be not beyond our reach
turn not your ear from our pleas
but lord, have mercy

For Those Tears I Died

locked in confusion and loosening my grip
it’s happened before, god it happened again
I thought I knew a story about some vile curse shattering
but I think it found a way to mend

you say, “come to the water and stand by my side
I know you are thirsty, you won’t be denied
for I hold every tear drop that when in darkness you cried
and it was for those tears I died”

open my mouth, put a coal upon my tongue
cauterize my silence and char my teeth to dust
i’ve made an idol out of comfort, praised by keeping my mouth shut
and now it’s found a thirst for blood

you say, “come to the water and stand by my side
I know you are thirsty, you won’t be denied
for I hold every teardrop when you cry out in the night
and it was for those tears I died
it was for those tears I died

but how long?
and how many tears did you have in mind?
or how many hours of the night?
my god, we’re wearing thin from holding on.
good god, how long?

Dead Horse (by Andy Squyres)

here is my harvest of heartbreak
here is my threshing of tears
i’d give you my dream but I lost it
down in the locust years
now praise is the song that i’m singing
even though sorrow’s my tune
my love is only a whisper now
but nothing is wasted with you

here is my secret miscarriage
here is my public divorce
nobody taught me to let go
so I learned how to beat a dead horse
now all of my altars are empty
except for this lone hallelu
the heat of your fire’s just a memory
but nothing is wasted with you

hungry as a mother who cannot find her child
we keep missing each other, i’m in the liquor aisle
prostrated in your glory i’m bowed low under this
either nothing is wasted or everything is

here in the holy of holies
here by the blood of the lamb
words I have said all my life and believe
but still I do not understand
but I want to live in your presence
however inopportune
the warmth of your fire’s just a memory
but nothing is wasted with you
and my love is only a whisper now
but nothing is wasted with you

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 77:

I cry aloud to God,
    aloud to God, that he may hear me.
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
    in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
    my soul refuses to be comforted.
I think of God, and I moan;
    I meditate, and my spirit faints.Selah

You keep my eyelids from closing;
    I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
I consider the days of old,
    and remember the years of long ago.
I commune with my heart in the night;
    I meditate and search my spirit:
“Will the Lord spurn forever,
    and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love ceased forever?
    Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
    Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”Selah
And I say, “It is my grief
    that the right hand of the Most High has changed.”

I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;
    I will remember your wonders of old.
I will meditate on all your work,
    and muse on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
    you have displayed your might among the peoples.
With your strong arm you redeemed your people,
    the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.Selah

When the waters saw you, O God,
    when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
    the very deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
    the skies thundered;
    your arrows flashed on every side.
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
    your lightnings lit up the world;
    the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
    your path, through the mighty waters;
    yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is John 12:20-33:

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor.

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 

Giving

UBC relies on the generosity of the community. If you are a in place that you are able to give of your time, talent, and resources to UBC we would be grateful. If you want to make a financial contribution, the easiest way to do so is through our church center app.

Be Thou My Vision

be thou my vision, o lord of my heart
naught be all else to me, save that thou art
thou my best thought, by day or by night
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

be thou my wisdom and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me lord
thou my great father, spirit, and son
thou in me dwelling and I with the one

riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
thou mine inheritance now and always
thou and thou only, first in my heart
high king of heaven, my treasure thou art

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

UbcKids Videos

You can find this weeks’ UbcKids Videos here!

ITLOTC 3-16-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Lent

An Update from the Leadership Team

These days, time feels like a cruel joke and impossible reality. It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since we’ve gathered in person to worship together. Not simply because it’s been a year — I think we’ve all felt that time go by painfully slowly — but rather because we’ve spent that time without being in embodied communion with each other. Every week carries with it a small ache and a deep yearning to be worshipping together in our building. We have all held this lament with us for this entire year, and we all hope for a near future where that yearning becomes reality once again.

Throughout this year, the Leadership Team has met regularly to evaluate the safety of meeting as a congregation. We’ve discussed everything from our building ventilation, multiple services, managing mask-wearing, children, the science on COVID spread and singing, possible locations to gather outdoors, restrooms, and so much more. It seems at every turn there was a major COVID development — new restrictions, a huge spike in cases, major warnings surrounding holiday gatherings, huge building expenses, and more. We had heightened concerns about the safety of our building, our ability to perform enhanced cleaning, and the potential need to have to turn people away from our doors due to capacity. It’s been a difficult year of discernment, but ultimately, we are proud of the approach that we have taken and the hard decision that we have made to take the road that protects the most vulnerable. We do realize now that more regular updates about our thinking/discernment process might have been helpful for the whole church to hear and we regret any confusion or misunderstandings that may have developed due to lack of more frequent written communication on our part. We are also thankful for the enormous amount of grace and understanding that has been granted to our staff and Leadership Team.

Over the past year, the overwhelming sentiment we’ve received from our congregation is a longing to worship together, but an ultimate care for the safety of others. We have also all felt and carried an inescapable sense of weariness and fatigue through this entire season. At times, it has felt unbearable. In this season of unbearable weariness, we are thankful for a congregation and leaders who give us the space to express grief, disappointment, frustration, and anger.

Last week we sent out a survey through the newsletter to get a sense of what UBCers feel comfortable with as we prepare to chart a new path forward to gather in person in some way. With cases seeming to fall, and vaccination numbers beginning to rise, a hope in returning to normalcy in the somewhat near future does not seem so ridiculous anymore; the light at the end of the tunnel feels visible, feasible, tangible.

The leadership team will be monitoring positivity rates, case numbers, and vaccinations and continuing to listen to the CDC and other medical professionals for safety recommendations. We will continue to take the recommended approaches that protect the most vulnerable. But it is our absolute joy to say that the time has finally come for us to begin joining together non-virtually in some ways. So, please stay tuned for information from us regarding worshipping pods, drive-in services, and/or outdoor services (as long as numbers keep progressing in the direction of safety).

For those who have deeply enjoyed (or still prefer for safety) worshipping virtually and for those who have been able to connect with UBC despite not living in Waco, rest assured — we will continue to stream our Sunday services every week. 

Of one thing I feel certain — when we do finally gather together in our building once more, knowing we are not risking the safety of our neighbors — the sacredness and holiness of our gathering will be palpable. Frankly, I’m teary-eyed just thinking about it. Thanks for being you, UBC. I hope to see you all so, so soon

With love,

Taylor Torregrossa Beard

UBC Leadership Team

Meet the UBC(ers)

Cheatham

Guest Preacher Dr. Angela Gorrell

This Sunday we continue to celebrate women’s remarkable contribution to the kingdom of God. We will be joined by special guests preacher Dr. Angela Gorrell. Dr. Gorrell joined Baylor's George W. Truett Theological Seminaryin fall 2019 as Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. Prior to joining the faculty at Baylor University, she was an Associate Research Scholar at the Yale Center for Faith & Culture, working on the Theology of Joy and the Good Life Project, and a lecturer in Divinity and Humanities at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. She is an ordained pastor with 14 years of ministry experience. Dr. Gorrell is passionate about finding issues that matter to people and shining the light of the Gospel on them. She is the author of always on: practicing faith in a new media landscapeand a new book, The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found, which shares findings of the joy project while addressing America’s opioid and suicide crises. Dr. Gorrell’s expertise is in the areas of theology and contemporary culture, education and formation, meaning-making, joy, new media, and youth and emerging adults. Dr. Gorrell regularly consults, speaks, and leads workshops and retreats on her research and areas of expertise.

UBC March Madness Group

As you know it is time for March Madness. UBC will be hosting a pair tournament challenges via ESPN. The grand prize will be a free lunch on UBC with Toph & Josh. Can anyone catch Steve Nelson? Only God knows … that is if God is not an open theist.

men’s bracket challenge:

Group Name: #Champions4thelord

Password: godisabaylorbear

women’s bracket challenge:

Group Name: #Champions4theLord

Password: godisabaylorbear

Mr. Rogers Sunday

Are you Graduating?

Hello UBC Family, it is fast approaching the time of year in which we honor all those graduating at UBC. If you are graduating hs, college, or grad school, we would love to honor you during our Mr. Rogers service at the end of April. Please send an email to toph@ubcwaco.org to let us know you are graduating.

Parishioner of the Week

David Rhefeld for being offered and accepting the job of assistant professor at Central Oklahoma University.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Liturgy Stuff 3-14-2021

March 14, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on March 14th (in the order they are needed).

In the Night

I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
in the darkness with the fear, in the darkness with the fear
but he met the morning wounded with a blessing
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

when Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
of the enemies of God, of the enemies of God
he saw the hills aflame with angels on their horses
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

I see the slave who toils beneath the yoke unyielding
and I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
for some hand to stay the whip their foe is weilding
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

I see the armies of the enemy approaching
and the people driven trembling for the shore
but a doorway through the water now is opening
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship
the Living God

the One who is with us,
before us,
and behind us

to enter the story of God,
who is in us, beneath us, and above us,
on our right, and our left

to find our stories formed in the way of Christ,
in our lying down and in our getting up

that the Spirit might shape our hearts and minds

to find Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of us,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of us,
Christ in every eye that sees us
and Christ in every ear that hears us

Amen

Waking Life

you’re a hammer blow
to the barricade
that i’ve built up in my mind
to separate
that which I hold with warm embrace
from that which I have reduced
to an empty phrase

you’re a falling blade
to the knot I’ve tied
to secure a heavy shade
over my eyes
and as if I
had never tasted light
a stabbing pain slowly gives way
to a truer sight

you’re the waking life, piercing sleep
Reality, reframing the dream
and as I rise, I don’t recognize my speech
find a garden shed where I once keep my armory

you’re an ember thrown
from a funeral pyre
that infiltrates
the cavalcade of an outrage choir
through the withered aisles
of my fevered mind
now that hollow rage
is wholly remade
into a signal fire

you’re the waking life, piercing sleep
Reality, reframing the dream
and as I rise, I don’t recognize my speech
find a garden shed where I once keep my armory
and like the waking life pierces sleep
like reality reframing the dream
I don’t understand what is happening
but something’s changed in a place I cannot reach
and there’s this ache where I once kept my apathy
like there’s a depth to life and breath in everything

Look to the Hills

I lift my eyes
to the hills
to remind myself
this isn’t all there is
I lift my eyes to the hills
and wait for help to appear

my help is from the lord
who breaks past walls
and fortress doors
my shade in sun
and shield from sword
yes, my help is from the lord

so I look to the hills
and I know the score
the mountains fall
the shadows, they soar
and every rough line
is impeccably placed
as valleys rise
forgetting their place
I look to the hills
and I know what i’m for
and know my help
is going before

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
those he gathered from the lands,
    from east and west, from north and south.
Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is John 3:14-21:

Jesus said, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

Giving

UBC relies on the generosity of the community. If you are a in place that you are able to give of your time, talent, and resources to UBC we would be grateful. If you want to make a financial contribution, the easiest way to do so is through our church center app.

Be Thou My Vision

be thou my vision, o lord of my heart
naught be all else to me, save that thou art
thou my best thought, by day or by night
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

be thou my wisdom and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me lord
thou my great father, spirit, and son
thou in me dwelling and I with the one

riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
thou mine inheritance now and always
thou and thou only, first in my heart
high king of heaven, my treasure thou art

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

UbcKids Videos

You can find this weeks’ UbcKids Videos here!

ITLOTC 3-9-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Epiphany

Perspectives on Llfe, Death and Lent (by Josh)

I’m currently reading Blake Crouch’s Recursion.  Without saying too much, i’ll summarize one character story arc this way: “Young scientist Helena Smith, works tirelessly to invent a memory chair capable of mapping and conveying past experiences for Alzheimer's patients.”  Somehow because of the subjectivity of time, the nature of memory and existence, the chair ends up being a means to access previous points in one’s life ontologically.  To be honest I didn’t follow the alleged science of that part of the book very well.  

The idea is in service to a payoff that I suspect many if not nearly all humans have fantasized about.  The ability to return to a moment from our history and make a change that would alter our future for the better.  That is the story arc of Barry.  The moment he chooses to return to and correct is the death of his daughter, who he loses in a car accident.  One of the most interesting parts of the book is reading Crouch describe Barry’s epistemic status with the knowledge of a now former memory of his future in which he lost his daughter.  Barry’s overwhelming reverence for every single detail of this redeemed alternative story arc is beautiful.  Barry is given the opportunity to live into the “what if,” and the reason it is so rich is because he lived 15 years into his loss and that memory lives with him in his alternative past, which has become his present again. It is a kind of resurrection.  And in his life with the taste of resurrection, Barry drinks deeply from his life that has been restored.  Nothing is mundane.  It is all blessed in the radiance of the knowledge of the fact that it is, instead of is not.  

There is a flirty relationship with life, death and meaning.  The gods envy us Achilles says in the Iliad, because we are mortal.   There are a few ways to live in the meaning of that relationship.  One way is to do it as Barry does.  As someone who lost and found again.  Another is to live in the immanence of death.  Life is not restored in this instance, but it is vivid for those who abide in life with the knowledge of death’s proximity.  It’s like that Tim McGraw song “Live Like You Are Dying.”  

I’ve also heard folks talk about their lives after they get sober this way.  A renewed gratitude for a life they didn’t think they could have again.  
I was thinking wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t have to die, travel in time, recover from alcoholism or do anything else drastic to be maximally appreciative of the blessing of the everyday.  This sent me reflecting on the power of the Chirstian story.  Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ is coming again AND you have been baptized into that death, Paul says in Romans 6.  This really is the gift of baptism.  In it, we die.  We are relocated as Barry is, into a life we did not think we could have.  We have already died.  Already lost and all we have left to gain is everything.  

To arise into Christian life is to understand that you have already lost.  All have sinned and are dead in that sin.  The Christian life then is, as Eugene Peterson said, “a daily exploration of the constant and countless ways in which God’s grace and love are experienced.”  This is good news.  I suspect this is also the reason for our Lenten practices and season.  We are practicing the reality of death preparing for Jesus’ death yet again and consequently our own.  We begin by owning our ashes, die on good friday and practice our resurrection on Easter Sunday.   

Living in the shadow of the reality of death so that we might more fully enjoy life might seem like an odd instinct, but it is a fruitful one.  Years ago UBC had a prayer in it’s arsenal that we read at the beginning of Lent in which we named just what we planned to fast from, but also what we intended to feast on.  The two live together like mountains and valleys.  Lent then, will not just direct us to Easter, but it will do so in the full reality of what could have been.  We take seriously the notion that death could have won.  And in greeting death we are freed from it.  

Meet the UBC(ers)

Sandvalls

Leadership Team Meeting

There will be a leadership team meeting this Sunday, March 14th after church. This is a reminder to let you know that you can reach out to any member of the leadership team to share concerns or ideas. Those members and the best email address to contact them are listed below.

Parishioner of the Week

The Carneys for winning Western Trivia at Jellystone Park North Texas.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu

Liturgy Stuff 3-7-2021

March 7, 2021

Below, you’ll find the song lyrics and scripture readings for the live stream on March 7th (in the order they are needed).

In the Night

I am weary with the pain of Jacob’s wrestling
in the darkness with the fear, in the darkness with the fear
but he met the morning wounded with a blessing
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

when Elisha woke surrounded by the forces
of the enemies of God, of the enemies of God
he saw the hills aflame with angels on their horses
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

I see the slave who toils beneath the yoke unyielding
and I can hear the captive groan, hear the captive groan
for some hand to stay the whip their foe is weilding
so in the night, my hope lives on

o in the night, o in the night
o in the night, my hope lives on

Call to Worship

we have gathered to worship
the Living God

seeking shelter in the wilderness of Lent

to enter the story of God

and find our own stories reimagined

that the Spirit of God might form our hearts and minds
in the way of Christ

that we might love God and our neighbor
with the whole of our ordinary lives

Amen

Mother

is there a hair on my head
you haven’t numbered yet, you haven’t numbered yet
in the night, crying in the cold
is there a pain of mine you haven’t called your own?

o mother comfort, mother known

though our minds so well ignore your grace
you bring it just the same, you bring it just the same
we reside in your self-giving love
but you’ve somehow found enough
for all the space that we take up

mother wisdom, mother love
mother comfort, mother enough

through life and death, that cradled set
beginning and the end, Beginning and the End
you are a shield, a beacon of defense
and our weaknesses align as you gather us in

o mother warrior, mother age to age
mother wisdom, mother grace
mother comfort, mother love-that-can’t-be-bought
mother faithful, mother god

Holy Anger

Holy Anger,
fire that i’ve learned to ignore
cloaked in shadow, cellared and bolted the door
return now to me—
i’ll slip the key through the grate—
for I feel nothing
where I know that I should feel rage

so braid the cords of my heart and then hand them to me
to drive out the vultures from every neck I can reach

Holy Anger,
i’ve heard that you’ve done it before
plastic lighters
illumined with timely resolve
this comfort is acid
and I fear that it may soon dissolve
this ethical axis
until justice collides with control

o, Drunken Warrior, stumble and flail into me
brace my shoulder and release my tongue from my teeth
and braid the cords of my heart and then hand them to me
to drive out the vultures from every neck I can reach

Old Testament Reading

Today’s Old Testament reading is Psalm 19:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    innocent of great transgression.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

New Testament Reading

Today’s New Testament reading is John 2:13-23:

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Giving

UBC relies on the generosity of the community. If you are a in place that you are able to give of your time, talent, and resources to UBC we would be grateful. If you want to make a financial contribution, the easiest way to do so is through our church center app.

Wayward Ones

we are the wayward ones
liars and beggars, those who betray
we hand you over, deny your name
cast you aside, yet still you say

this is my body, this is my blood
broken and shed to show my love

we are the broken ones
cowards and fools, all filled with disbelief
we forsake you, deny your name
cast you aside, yet still you say

this is my body, this is my blood
broken and shed to show my love

remember me, remember me
come to the table, take and eat
remember me

Be Thou My Vision

be thou my vision, o lord of my heart
naught be all else to me, save that thou art
thou my best thought, by day or by night
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

be thou my wisdom and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me lord
thou my great father, spirit, and son
thou in me dwelling and I with the one

riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
thou mine inheritance now and always
thou and thou only, first in my heart
high king of heaven, my treasure thou art

Benediction

As we approach this week

May we love God
Embrace Beauty
and Live Life to the fullest

Amen

UbcKids Videos

You can find this weeks’ UbcKids Videos here!

ITLOTC 3-2-21

ITLOTC

(In The Life Of The Church)

Epiphany

The Practice of Gratitude (by Taylor)

Hello friends!  Today is the second day of March. (Women’s History Month! Very exciting!) And, as I am sure all of you are aware, we entered into a Covid-based quarantine during the middle of March one year ago. I’ve seen most people claiming the 13th as the day most of the country began quarantining. It seems very strange to me that it has been a whole year. In some ways I can remember what happened last March more clearly than I can remember what happened in January. Remember on like March 18 when all those celebrities recorded themselves singing Imagine? We were like 5 days in.

Time is moving strangely for me now. In some ways it seems to drag and in sometimes it seems to pass in big chunks. This has been compounded by the winter storms we experienced a few weeks ago. And I find myself feeling like it’s slipping through my fingers like sand.

In Women’s Book Club right now we are reading a book called Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The subtitle of the book is “Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” and it is proving to be one of my favorite books that we’ve read in WBC thus far. Kimmerer is a university trained ecologist (she has a PhD in the subject) and she is also a member of the Potawatomi Tribe, and much of the aim of the book so far is aa discovery and description of how she (and how the reader might in turn) has woven these strands together in her life. It is fascinating.

In one of the chapters we read for this week’s discussion, she talked about the power of ritual and particularly a family ritual that was performed by her family on summer mornings when they were camping. It was short and simple – it basically involved her father pouring the first cup of brewed coffee out onto the land and saying thank you. But it was meaningful – a liturgy that grounded Kimmerer and reminded her to be thankful; helped her remember that she was connected to the land around her.

And I began to think of my recent relationship with time. How it currently feels wobbly and like I can’t grab hold of it. How it seems to slip through my fingers. And so I began to think that it might be good for me to come up with some sort of ritual that helps me feel grounded, that helps me remember to be thankful for the time I have. I think that it might stop me from feeling like time is slipping through my fingers, but maybe it won’t.  Maybe I’ll still feel that way – but I think that marking the time with a ritual will at least help me set my own intention, help me to feel grounded, and help me to be thankful for the time I have even if it moves rapidly. I’m not sure what my ritual will be yet – I’d like to keep it simple, just a phrase or two and maybe some time spent in reflective silence. And I think I’ll start it on March 13th.

I’d love to know if you have any family or personal rituals that are meaningful for you! If you don’t mind sharing, please send them my way: Taylor@ubcwaco.org.

Meet the UBC(ers)

Marcus Mataga

A note on my interview with Marcus. Apologies, this one got away from me. I got enamored with Marcus career as an attorney and began a series of irrelevant questions. I apologies. If you are just here for the biographical stuff it’d probably be best to skip to about 8 minutes. If you want some free legal advice, start from the beginning.

UBC Survey

Asking one more time for those of you who haven’t filled out the survey to do so.

It has been a long time since we have been able to be together as a worshiping community. In the absence of that togetherness and with a constant eye on what is developing with COVID, the leadership team is interested in your thoughts on UBC sense of connectedness. Would you be willing to take this short 8 question survey? We’d be grateful.

Survey can be found here.

Spiritual Trauma Group

HEALING TOGETHER

Have you ever been hurt by the church? By a congregational leader? By a pastor? Have you ever felt your humanity attacked by a religious teaching or idea? Have you ever wondered if you would ever be able to reconcile your love of Jesus with the hurt you have experienced from the people who claim to be like him? Have you ever read a biblical passage and felt it does not align with the God you thought you’ve come to know?

If you have answered yes to any or all of these questions, you are not alone. Many of us have experienced hurt at the hands of church leaders, religious teachings, and/or religious institutions. But I believe there can be healing and I believe that we can start that process together. This series is first and foremost one thing: a safe space to process and hopefully a place to heal. We will sit in silence together, read together, journal together, discuss together and pray together. Using methods and principles from Healing Spiritual Wounds: Reconnecting with a Loving God After Experiencing a Hurtful Church by Carol Merritt Howard, Biblical narratives, and prayer practices, we will seek to learn more about who we are and who God is in the midst of hurt.

When does it start? Wednesdays starting March 10, 2021 at 6-7pm (Central time)

Other important information: Due to the potentially sensitive nature of what we discuss in this group, it will be a closed group. We are also going to cap the number of people in this group to 10 so that we can ensure everyone has a chance to share.

Contact Jess Gregory (jess_gregory2@baylor.edu) if you are interested!

Parishioner of the Week

Kaleb Loomis & Aly Vukelich for getting married in the midst of the Texas winter apocalypse and a global pandemic. Their love truly will not be constrained by anything.

Work is Worship

Greeters: No Greeters this week

Coffee Makers: no coffee makers this week

Mug Cleaners: no mug cleaners this week

Money Counter:  no money counters this week

Leadership Team

If you have a concern or an idea for UBC that you’d like to share with someone that is not on staff, feel free to contact one of our leadership team members. 

Chair: Kerri Fisher: Kerri_Fisher@baylor.edu

Luci Hoppe: lhoppe@gmail.com

Jeremy Nance: Jeremy.J.Nance@L3T.com

Joanna Sowards: jo.sowards@gmail.com

Kathy Krey: kathykrey@gmail.com

Jose Zuniga: jzgrphix2002@yahoo.com

Taylor Torregrossa: Taylordtorregrossa@gmail.com

Student Position: Davis Misloski

Student Position: Maddy O’Shaughnessy

UBC Finance Team

Do you have a question about UBC’s financial affairs? Please feel free to contact any of your finance team members. 

Catherine Ballas: catherine@refitrev.com

Jen Carron: jen.carron78@gmail.com

Mike Dodson: financeteammike@gmail.com

George Thornton: GeorgecCT1982@gmail.com

UBC HR Team

If you have concerns about staff and would like contact our human resources team, please feel free to email any of the following members.

Erin Albin: erin.albin1@gmail.com

Sam Goff: samuelgoff92@gmail.com

Rebekah Powell: rpowell671@gmail.com

Kristen Richardson: wacorichardsons@gmail.com

Craig Nash: Craig_Nash@baylor.edu