NICOLE’S POST
Community Partnership Updates
Hey there. The ice has melted, the sun is coming out, and the year is rolling. I’d like another kind of ice to melt away too, and I know that is actively on our minds. Holding space for all of us as we navigate how we help, how we speak up, how we cope, how we just be in this world right now.
Connection is something I’m grateful for at UBC. Connection with like-minded people, navigating this together, and refusing to be silent about injustice. I’m grateful for many opportunities to connect with each other through meet-ups, dinners and events, reflect with special liturgies and in our church services, and serve the community alongside each other.
We have some updates on our community partnership front. Firstly, Brazos Kids/Hewitt Kids/Waco Kids Dental has reached out about partnering with UBC and sponsoring community events, in order to integrate into our community, and because they believe in what UBC is doing in Waco and the safe space we create. Our first event with them will be on March 4, where we will put on a movie night for our CCMS friends alongside our regular Youth night. Brazos Kids will sponsor the food, and we will provide popcorn and drinks. If you’d like to donate either popcorn kernels for the popcorn machine or drinks for this night, you can bring them to the kids check-in office anytime before March 4. Looking for things like water bottles, Coke, Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, etc. Another way to help out is with your time– I’d love help managing set up, clean up and serving food and things during the movie night! You can email me at nicole@ubcwaco.org if you are interested.
Secondly, we have strengthened our partnership with Pack of Hope Waco, which I am also a board member for. UBC has been able to assist with food donations and now we are the meeting place for their once a month board meeting! We meet the third Monday of each month at UBC in the rock n roll room at 5:30. If you are interested in what POH does, or even becoming part of the board yourself, you have my invitation to come check out a meeting, just shoot me an email and let me know! Another way to be involved with POH? On Tuesdays at 3:30 at Poppa Rollos on Valley Mills (in the back warehouse building), they pack bags for their various partner schools to distribute to kids for the week. HUNDREDS of bags! If you have some time to give, come help! Kids are welcome to help pack as well.
I am excited and honored to be in this role where I am connecting UBC with our community. Thank you all so much for your constant support with these endeavors, and I am looking forward to spring at UBC.
THIS WEEK.
Youth Group- Wednesday, 6pm
Sunday Liturgy- Sunday, 10:45am
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
CCMS Movie Night Volunteers
We are going to host a movie night at UBC for our CCMS students on Wednesday, March 4 from 6-8 pm along with the Youth Group. Brazos Kids Dental is sponsoring pizza and we will have drinks and popcorn. We will be showing Remember the Titans.
We'd love for UBCers to join and come get to know Brazos Kids Dental, a partner with UBC that will sponsor many community events for us, as well as meet some CCMS students and their families!
Nicole would like help with set up, clean up, and management during the movie time! To sign up to help, email nicole at nicole@ubcwaco.org.
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.
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!
KIDS CAMP
Nicole has reserved 4 girl spots and 4 boy spots for Passport Camp July 19-22nd @ Lake Brownwood. Cost per spot is $408. This is for completed 3rd grade- completed 6th graders! We will also take a male and female chaperone and need drivers.
Some scholarship money may be awarded through Passport and fundraising through UBC. Nicole has applied for the money and will be able to disperse what we are awarded and what we raise on an as-needed basis.
More info on camp here:
https://passportcamps.org/project/lake-brownwood/
If you’d like to claim a spot for your child(ren) or have questions, email Nicole@ubcwaco.org.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Coffee Hour w/ Nicole @ CG Woodway- Wednesday, February 11th, 10-11am
ubcUniversity- Thursday, February 12th, 6:30pm
Special interest? Burning curiosity? Join us for ubcUniversity! You can present on your area of expertise and/or hear from fellow ubcers on theirs. Sign up here or in the lobby.
Post-ubcUniversity UBCYP Slow Rise on the River Hang- Thursday, February 12th, 7:45pm
Galentine’s Day- Friday, February 13th, 6pm
The Gals are gathering at Andie’s for Galentine’s Day. Email andie@ubcwaco.org to sign up and hear more.
Lent Book Study- Sundays at 9:30 (beginning February 15th)
We’ll be reading Walter Brueggemann’s Interrupting Silence.
Love Lovefeast- Sunday, February 15th, 12pm
Sign up with what you’re bringing or to help set up/clean up here!
King Cakes & Pancakes- Tuesday, February 17th, 6:00pm
Sign up to make pancakes, bring a griddle, etc. here!
Ash Wednesday Liturgy- Wednesday, February 18th, 7am and 5:30pm (same liturgy at both times)
FuzzLab Waco Profit Share- Sunday, February 22nd, 2-5pm
Join us at Fuzz Lab Waco for a profit share! Fuzz Lab has multiple different crafts priced between $10-$68. Fuzz Lab will donate 10% to UBC kids which will help fund kids’ camp and other kids’ events!
The Book Club @ ubc -February 24th, 7pm
Join us in the backside! We will provide tea, you provide snacks! We are reading You Didn’t Hear This From Me by Kelsey McKinney.
All-Ubc Field Trip to the Perot- Saturday, February 28th, 10am-4pm
Fun Fact! With a Mayborn Membership , you get free entry into the Perot in Dallas! Blocking off this Saturday for UBCers to head there together have a day of fun! Expenses on UBCers (look up Mayborn Reciprocal Benefits for details on free admission), but Nicole will bring snacks to share.
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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
2/8- Jamie
2/15- Andie
COMMUNITY BOARD
Liturgies for Resisting Empire Boba and Book Talk @ Garland School of Social Work- February 17th, 12:15
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
Maggie Griffin
Adam Moore
Travis Cheatham
Mary Ellis
Brooke Reich
Staff Support Team
Kyle Howerton
Jim Wren
Betsy Bracken
Finance Team
Brandon Glover
Jonathan Hill
Ben Rose