Newsletter 11-4-2025

ANDIE’S POST

Community Partner Highlight: McLennan County Diaper Collective

It has been an absolute delight housing McLennan County Diaper Collective in one of our upstairs offices, and heading into the holidays, we have a chance to do more than provide building space (though that matters!).  The need for diapers increases this time every year.  One in three Central Texas families struggle to provide enough diapers each month for their babies, and we can help that number shrink.  Right now is the perfect time to pick up a pack to donate!  Target (yes, boo, I know) is running a special on diapers through the 8th: Spend $75 and get a $15 dollar gift card.  That's $90 worth of diapers for $75, which equates to nearly two families' worth of diapers for a month.  If that is out of your budget, but you still want to help, grab a friend (or three) and pool resources!  If you want to give your time, I've linked the volunteer calendar below.  Families have the opportunity to reserve diapers, and volunteers gather twice a month to sort, package, and label the diapers for distribution.  As a staff, we are working to expand and solidify our community partnerships, and this is a great opportunity for UBC to step into that relationship building and care for our neighbors in tangible ways.  Please email me at andie@ubcwaco.org if you need any additional information, and if you need diapers, you can reserve them through the MCDC website!  I'm proud of you!

https://www.mcdiapers.org/get-involved

THIS WEEK

Coffee Hour w/ Nicole- Wednesday, 9:45am, Common Grounds Franklin Ave.

Youth Group - Wednesdays @ 6pm

Liturgy of Gratitude- Thursday, November 6th, 5:30pm **CHILDCARE AVAILABLE

ubcCollege Friendsgiving- Thursday, November 6th, 6:30pm
Email hannah@ubcwaco.org for details.

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

HEB Gift Card Drive

Ever feel helpless to solve a big problem, but want to do SOMETHING? In preparation for the likely gap in SNAP benefits, we are gathering HEB gift cards to help who we can keep food on the table. We have created a drop down in our giving app labeled “HEB Gift Cards,” and any money you contribute to that fund will be spent on that endeavor. Also, if you are a person who would benefit from grocery assistance, you can email any of the pastoral staff, and we will get you connected with resources.

Prep Parties//Meals Available

After the Congressional Budget Bill passed in July of 2025, we knew that we had to respond with radical hospitality through practical means.  The bill cut food assistance funding significantly, and will have lasting impacts on SNAP eligibility and work requirements.  With so much food insecurity already in our community, we launched Prep Parties at UBC.  Prep Parties are a chance for small groups of people to gather together, cook freezer meals, and stock the freezer in our kitchen.  The meals are free to anyone in our congregation or broader community who may need them, whatever the reason.  Too much month at the end of the money?  Busy weekend protesting and advocating for policy change?  Hosting a MiCasa and don't have time to cook?  Please grab a meal!

If you are interested in joining our next round of Prep Parties, please email andie@ubcwaco.org.  The plan is to restock on a quarterly basis, and we need shoppers, cooks, and hosts.

Feed the Youths
Part of our youth group’s Wednesday gatherings is eating dinner, and you can sign up to be the source of said dinner!

ubcKids Donation Requests

Kids ministry is looking for some gently used donations! Contact nicole@ubcwaco.org if you have any of the following to donate:

2 large rugs
complete puzzles for young kids-elementary
cars, hot wheels, etc
train tracks/train toys
magnatiles/magnetic toys
pots, pans, cookie sheets
play doh, play doh toys

Leadership Team Nominations
We’ve got an open spot on Leadership Team, and are taking nominations. If you know someone who would be a good representative voice for the congregation, email andie@ubcwaco.org!

Jess Wishlist
Our office manager, Jess, is a social work intern at Waco High. As some of our teachers did at the start of the school year, Jess has offered us a wishlist link to help support the work she is doing in the lives of students. You can find it here.

Kid’s Volunteers

SIgn up to help with ubckids! Do it for the future! You can sign up here.

Tech Volunteers

Want to help keep the wheels from falling off on Sunday mornings? We are in need of volunteers to run lights, slides, and our livestream in the tech booth. No prior experience required--we will train you on whichever station you would like to help with. Email jamie@ubcwaco.org for more info.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Town Hall- Sunday, November 16th, noon

UBC:Renew- Thursday, November 20th, 5:30pm
Children Pre-K-3rd Grade are invited to UBC: Renew, an evening filled with spiritual formation and putting our faith into action. Parents are invited to join Andie in the backside for a parent-centered workshop!

Thanksgiving LoveFeast- Sunday, November 23rd, 6pm

Carols, Cocktails, and Cookies- Sunday, December 7th, 7pm

The Book Club @ Ubc- Monday, December 8th, 7-8pm
We are reading Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover.

Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often! 

PREACHING SCHEDULE

11/9- Andie

11/16- Andie

11/23- Jamie

11/30- Andie

CONTACT INFO

Pastoral Staff

Andie Pellicer, Lead Pastor
(andie@ubcwaco.org)
Jameson McGregor, Worship & Arts Pastor (jamie@ubcwaco.org)
Nicole Dizdar, Kids Pastor
(nicole@ubcwaco.org)
Hannah Kapitaniuk, Volunteer College Director
(hannah@ubcwaco.org)

Leadership Team

Britt Duke
Marcus Franklin
Katie Robinson
Margo Shanks
Brooke Reich

Staff Support Team

Kyle Howerton
Jim Wren
Betsy Bracken

Finance Team

Brandon Glover
Jonathan Hill
Ben Rose