NICOLE’S POST
UBC Spring Retreat
This past weekend, about 20 of us set out on an adventure to Meridian State Park for our UBC Spring Retreat.
GTG Outdoors, a non-profit organization led by UBCers Gabe & Meagan GarMelo, hosted our group and showed us the ropes of camping in the RAIN!!!
We spent a lot of time by the fire, laughing, playing games, napping in hammocks, and watching the kids splash in puddles, get covered in an obscene amount of mud, and explore trails, caves and the woods.
The most special part of this time together was the bonding that happens with a group when you are staying as warm, dry, and light-hearted as possible during a challenging outdoor experience. We all posed the question at least once, “should we just pack up and leave?”, and every single person voted “no!!!”; we wanted to stay, even though it was hard. This picture of community, resiliency, and the desire to spend meaningful time together was absolutely glorious!
If you’ve never gone on a GTG adventure with us, I implore you to consider joining next time! Nothing beats embracing beauty with this amazing group of people (and Gabe’s five star camp cooking).
We ended our evening on Saturday with spiritual reflection, sticky s’mores, and deep life conversations. I know we all feel better for choosing this rainy adventure together.
THIS WEEK
Love Your Mother Earth Day Tote Bag Decorating- Tuesday, April 21, 6-8PM
At Ubc, we love God, embrace beauty, and live life to the fullest. One of the ways we can embody those values is by caring for our earth! Join us for reusable tote bag decorating on Earth Day Eve, April 21st, from 6p-8p. Sustainable but make it crafty! $5 per bag; email andie@ubcwaco.org to register!
Youth Group- Wednesday, 6pm
Pizza and Pints @ Shorty’s Woodway- Thursday, April 23, 6-8pm
Family-friendly pizza night with other Ubcers. Come hang out and grab a slice!
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 Backpack Donations
Bring backpacks, or donate money toward backpacks at ubcwaco.org/give and choose community partnerships. Accepting donations until May 17
CCMS Teacher Appreciation
We are accepting $5-$10 gift cards (or donations to Community Partnerships fund) by May 3rd!
Sharyl West (Loeung) Mealtrain
With Sharyl’s permission, her story is being shared and the need for support is great for her and the boys right now. Please keep her in your prayers and consider helping with the meal train!
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
The Book Club @ UBC- Tuesday, April 28th, 7-8pm
We are reading Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
May Day Dinner and Flower Gifting- Thursday, April 30, 6-7pm
We are sharing spring with our friends and neighbors! Join us for dinner and a potluck make-your-own-bouquet bar in honor of May Day. 6pm in the Backside!
Mister Rogers Sunday- Sunday, May 3
Each year around graduation season, we take a moment to reflect on the life of Fred Rogers and remember that vocation is not divided into sacred and secular categories. We also celebrate our graduates. If you are graduating this semester (high school, college, grad school, etc), we’d love to recognize you in church and feed you after. Please reach out to andie@ubcwaco.org so we can be in touch.
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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
4/26- Annie Wilde
5/3- 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, Community Engagement Coordinator
(nicole@ubcwaco.org)
Leadership Team
Maggie Griffin
Adam Moore
Travis Cheatham
Mary Ellis
Brooke Reich
Staff Support Team
Jim Wren
Betsy Bracken
Finance Team
Brandon Glover
Jonathan Hill
Ben Rose