ANDIE’S POST
Town Hall and Vision Sesh
This week was a banner week for UBC as we spent some time taking stock of where we are and where we are headed in 2026. As you may know, at the end of each year our staff sits down and reflects over the previous season and dreams about what could be on the horizon. We were able to give updates at Town Hall on Sunday and took time yesterday to do some visioning for 2026, so here's the skinny.
Here's some highlights from Town Hall:
-We are excited for our leadership to learn and grow together and still have one more spot open if you are interested in joining!
-Our giving has increased this year (thank you!) and we are still $5,000-7,000 under our goal each month before paying Greer's salary.
-Sharing the community pastor responsibilities between myself and Nicole is really fun and is creating more opportunities to spend time together as a congregation.
-We are investing into a new venue housed in The Backside called The Stockroom, a nod to our building's roots as a grocery store. It'll be an arts and creatives space that will host galleries, storytelling events, concerts and more!
Here's some highlights from our Visioning Sesh:
-We are spending time with the question, "What will our core emphasis be in the upcoming year?"
-The Stockroom, youth room update, and outdoor playground space are major projects for 2026.
-As a staff, we all took note of how the emphasis of engaging has fostered growth and connection in our church and an expanding sense of belonging.
-We love the relationships and dynamics on our team and are grateful for the ministries, studies, and special events/liturgies that are happening on a regular basis.
What can you do?
-Keep showing up! It has been very cool to see new connections being built and how the different community opportunities are creating crossover for people who don't usually spend time together.
-Want to see something new start at UBC? Let's talk about it! The last few months, we've had more congregants take initiative and invite people to get together, start or host an event, and get creative in what they want to see happen at UBC. This is communal work and we want to hear from you.
-Giving Tuesday is coming! As mentioned above, we are so grateful for the ways UBCers have contributed financially; it is hard for a lot of us right now. The work we do together is funded together, so please consider giving to UBC on a regular basis or on Giving Tuesday if you're able. This year we've expanded our community partnership with Caesar Chavez and are exploring adding an elementary school to that partnership in 2026. We also host two different non-profit community groups and want to increase the use of our building in that way. Your giving did that, because our community survives on your generosity!
-Reach out! There are people in our church who are going through hard things, who feel lonely, who wonder if their presence in our congregation matters. While we do everything we can as a staff to connect with anyone who wants support, this is a community. Maybe it's time to reach out and make a new friend at UBC.
I say this with my whole heart: Pastoring UBC is one of the greatest joys and honors of my lifetime, and I cannot wait to see what this upcoming year brings!
THIS WEEK
Youth Group - Wednesdays @ 6pm
Thanksgiving LoveFeast- Sunday, November 23rd, 6pm
Stish & Bish - Monday, November 24th, 7pm
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
Arrow Christmas Gifts
Each year, UBC comes together to partner with Arrow Family Ministries to bring care and encouragement to children and teens in foster care. This partnership is important to our church family and to Arrow ministries. We have been able to provide a good portion of their gifts each year and this is a meaningful way to support the community.
This year, we are collecting gifts for children and teens in three age groups: 0–7, 8–14, and 15–18. Gifts can include toys, games, books, or gift cards…anything that brings joy to kids of various ages.
Gifts can be dropped off at UBC in Nicole’s office through November 28.
HEB Gift Card Drive
Want to help other people buy groceries? 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!
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
BYOGBH- Friday, December 5th, 7-9pm
Join us from 7:00–9:00 p.m.for a cozy evening of gingerbread house decorating! Bring your own gingerbread house kit—we’ll festive cocktails and mocktails and charcuterie. Let’s enjoy good company and holiday cheer together! This gathering is for ages 21 and up!
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.
A Liturgy of Mourning- Thursday, December 11th, 5:30pm
Childcare available and dinner to follow.
Derek Webb Show (TICKETED)- Sunday, December 14th, 8pm
Click here for info and tickets.
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Find more details and our full calendar of events on our website. This calendar is updated frequently, so check back often!
PREACHING SCHEDULE
11/23- Jamie
11/30- Andie
COMMUNITY BOARD
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
Katie Robinson
Travis Cheatham
Maggie Griffin
Mary Ellis
Brooke Reich
Staff Support Team
Kyle Howerton
Jim Wren
Betsy Bracken
Finance Team
Brandon Glover
Jonathan Hill
Ben Rose