NICOLE’S POST
The first time I went to church as an adult, after college, after some distance, it was because a coworker invited me. My daughter Georgia was six months old. The pastor only spoke Spanish, which I do not speak, and honestly, that felt kind of perfect for where I was spiritually at the time.
When I walked in, everyone assumed I’d be sending my baby to the nursery. I didn’t. It quickly became clear that this was a very unusual choice in that space. My baby’s noise wasn’t exactly welcomed, and I felt like everyone was staring right at me and my screechy baby. They probably weren’t. Or maybe they were!
Fast forward a few years later, when I tried church again. That baby was now four. I also had a two-year-old Marko and another baby boy, Marin. We sat in a pew-filled church while a priest delivered the message. My kids crawled on the floor. They knocked over the kneelers…each one crashing down with a dramatic BOOM. And I kid you not, one child yelled “BORING!!!” in the middle of the service. Truly horrific.
Why am I telling you this? I honestly don’t know. Maybe I just need to reiterate that my life is chaotic and that I’ve embraced it the best I can.
But also because this Sunday is Family Church Sunday. It’s one of our quarterly reminders that there is room for all of our UBC-ers, every age, every stage. There is room for our chaos. Room for floor-crawlers and inappropriately timed “BORING!”s (though, for the record, Andie is anything but boring).
One of my favorite threads of UBC is our commitment to the idea that there is no separation between the sacred and the secular. It’s all holy. The joyful noise. The messiness of real life. There is enough space for it all, and we want it all.
I love having your kids in our nurseries and classrooms. And I love having them in the service. They are welcome in whatever way makes sense for you and your family. And Andie says it every time and she means it: let them make noise. We love it, and we love them.
So if church is a little louder this Sunday, or if Marin Dizdar sends a crayon flying, just call it what it is: our church family doing family things.
THIS WEEK
All Ubc Christmas Movie Night- Wednesday, December 17th, 5:30pm
We’re watching Noelle and eating pizza and popcorn! BYOCandy or sweet treat.
Youth Group- Wednesday, 6pm
Meet up @ the Mayborn Lights: 12/20 5-7pm. UBCers responsible for admission; email nicole@ubcwaco.org if you need ticket assistance!
Advent Book Study- Monday, December 22nd, 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
Pack of Hope Volunteers
Especially during Baylor breaks, there is a big need for packers on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:30 @ Poppa Rollo’s on Valley Mills. We send more bags home for breaks like Christmas break, too, so we need more hands! You can just show up, no prerequisites needed. Kids are welcome to come help pack bags too! More info at https://packofhope.org/faq or email nicole@ubcwaco.org.
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
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 the UBC Book Club Group Me for updates: https://groupme.com/join_group/111260659/Y05RlzDf
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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
12/21- Andie
12/28- BRUNCH CHURCH
1/4- Jamie
1/11- Andie
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