Newsletter 12-9-2025

LITURGY OF MOURNING

Several years ago, we attached a liturgy to our calendar to remind us to take time to give voice to feelings of mourning and lament in our lives. Emotions are part of the equipment that allow us to participate in the world around us and within us. Some are easier to give space to than others, but they are all important, truth-bearing embodied messengers. Mourning, sadness, grief, lament, dereliction, etc. are of a variety that we generally wish to avoid, but if we give them space, we might find ourselves more aware of that which is important to us, more grateful, more connected to our neighbor, more connected to God, and more human, in general. Our Liturgy of Mourning is this Thursday at 5:30pm. It is about 30 minutes long. There will be childcare and we’ll have soup if you want to stick around after. If you have any questions or want more info, email jamie@ubcwaco.org.

THIS WEEK

Youth Group- Wednesday, 6pm

A Liturgy of Mourning- Thursday, December 11th, 5:30pm
Childcare available and dinner to follow.

UBCYP at MainEvent- Thursday, December 11th, 7pm
For more info, email andie@ubcwaco.org.

Derek Webb Show (TICKETED)- Sunday, December 14th, 8pm
Click here for info and tickets.

Advent Book Study- Monday, December 8th, 6:45-7:45 (childcare available)

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
The Altahifs welcomed baby Vivian the day before Thanksgiving! Sign up for the meal train here.

Wanted: MiCasa Hosts!
We have a veritable slew of potential MiCasa participants waiting in the wings and we are looking for hosts and/or facilitators.  Our small group format is communal, so you can trade off facilitating or pick someone to lead discussions/activities for the week or season.  If you are interested in hosting a new group in your home or in facilitating one at the church, please email Andie at andie@ubcwaco.org. If you are interested in joining, same email, different subject line!

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.

Freezer Meal Prep Parties
Love spreadsheets?  Love organizing?  Love feeding people?  Join our Freezer Meal Prep Party Org team!  This team places people together for the Prep Party, provides shopping lists and recipes, and oversees transport to the church.  Email Andie at andie@ubcwaco.org to join!

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:

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

Meet up @ the Mayborn Lights: 12/20 5-7pm. UBCers responsible for admission; email nicole@ubcwaco.org if you need ticket assistance! 

All Ubc Christmas Movie Night- Wednesday, December 17th, 5:30pm
We’re watching Noelle and eating pizza and popcorn! BYOCandy or sweet treat.

Christmas Eve Service- Wednesday, December 24th, 5:30pm

BRUNCH CHURCH- Sunday, December 28th, 10:45
The Sunday after Christmas each year, we have Brunch Church. There’s a bit of a liturgy throughout the meal, but we mainly just get together, eat brunch, and reflect on the year. Bring a brunch dish to share. Ubc will provide mimosas, zero-proof mimosas, and coffee.

The Book Club @ Ubc- January 27th, 7pm
Next book is Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid on 1/27 from 7-8 pm. Join UBC Book Club Group Me for updates:https://groupme.com/join_group/111260659/Y05RlzDf

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

PREACHING SCHEDULE

12/14- Andie

12/21- Andie

12/28- BRUNCH CHURCH

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, Community Engagement Coordinator
(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