The Window: January 27, 2021

UBC Communications
Jan 27, 2022
4 min read

The Pane: Being the Presence of Christ With Cleats, Painted Fields, and Cones

Churches pay ministry consultants millions of dollars per year to tell them how to reach their community more effectively. But, often with a “one-size fits all” mentality, congregations are informed of all the things they need to change about themselves and the hundreds of thousands of dollars they will need to spend to make it a reality.

But what if connecting with our neighbor is as easy as spaying lines on a field, setting up some cones, and organizing a soccer academy?

Did you know that since the spring of 2019, UBC has hosted six soccer academies on the church’s ball field? These six 6-week sessions have seen over 500 children, ages 2 to 10, on our campus to learn how to play the game.

Stop and think about that for just a second. For not cost to UBC, except the time to organize and lead, our church has been able to minister to over 500 families!

The UBC Soccer Academy has built a strong reputation for excellence through your support and service.

And as we look to our seventh academy, beginning at the end of February, we want to continue to improve how we connect with participants by elevating our capacity to be the presence of Christ on six 1-hour Saturday sessions.

We need your help by serving in various volunteer roles, such as checking in players, guiding age-based groups to activities, coaching, distributing water, or setting up.

Our newest facet we’d like to launch this February is our Care Team, which will provide coffee and water to parents and spectators, sparking conversations and building relationships.

Will you help us be the presence of Christ through the Soccer Academy? Sign up to help with one Saturday or as many Saturdays as you can here: https://form.jotform.com/212913959293163.

Missions Sunday, January 30

On January 30, UBC will worship through acts of compassion and service on our first Missions Sunday. Both Sunday School Classes and worship participants are invited to participate in several mission projects on campus and around the community. The projects are designed to provide each person, no matter their age, station of life, or skill set, the opportunity to contribute to the worship of loving God by loving our neighbors.

Participants will arrive at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall for Coffee & Community, followed by a brief time of spiritual formation and worship, breaking up into four mission projects, with most activities wrapping up by 11:30 am.

You are invited to help pack Kindness Bags, write notes of encouragement to CBF missionaries, prepare a meal for Open Air Ministries, or attend an Open Air service. For those participating in the Open Air service, the group will depart around 10:30 am, wrapping up after 12 pm.

MISSIONS

Save the Date for the Ecuador Fundraiser on February 6th

The Ecuador Mission Team will host a fundraiser meal on Sunday, February 6, along with a silent auction. Circle, highlight, and hold this date on your calendar to help raise support for the 2022 Ecuador Mission Immersion.

Ecuador Support Project

All contributions should be labeled “Ecuador Support Project.” You can also donate online by clicking on the image above.

Silent Auction Luncheon February 6th

UBC is hosting a silent auction and luncheon on Sunday February 6th to raise funds for the Ecuador Mission trip in July. We are asking your assistance in procuring items for the auction. If you could ask for items or gift certificates from your employer, friends or family, it would be greatly appreciated. Gift certificates for spas, restaurants, grocery stores or any other retail establishment would be great. We are not limited to these type of items and would welcome art work, LSU merchandise, personal services or other items that people would be willing to bid on. To donate items or services contact Herb Bennett, herbbennettbtr@gmail.com, 225-317-5898.

UBC Stained-Glass Christmas Ornaments

For informant how to purchase your ornament, click the image above.

RELATIONSHIPS

Soccer Academy Regular Registration Ends February 7

For more information about the Soccer Academy and to register, click on the image above.

Soccer Academy Volunteers Wanted

UBC's Soccer Academy returns in February. We need 12 different volunteers each Saturday to make the Academy function.

Sign up to help for one or as many Saturdays as you can. Volunteers can sign up here for set-up, player check-in, group guiding, coaching, snack distribution, and participant care: https://form.jotform.com/212913959293163.

Young Adults Night Out - Friday, February 18th

Our Young Adults Night Out will be on February 18th, 5:30-8:00 pm.

The group will gather at a local restaurant for outdoor dining. Realizing not everyone can arrive by 5:30 pm, plan on joining the group as you are able.

If you have kids, you can drop them off at the church, beginning at 5:15 pm, for dinner and activities for $10 for the first child and $5 for each additional child.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 16th here: https://form.jotform.com/220044191068145. The restaurant location will be texted to you.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION

Little-Big Things Question of the Week

During our upcoming “The Little-Things” series, Sunday School and Spiritual Formation classes are invited to engage in a weekly dialogue about how their small group can help UBC thrive by living out these expressions: Spirit-Led, Formation, Relationships, Volunteering, Intergenerational Connections, Missions, and Holy Imagination.

The hope is that your group will center the brief conversation on practical and tangible goals for your specific group.

Thursday Prayer Group is Back!

The group meets every Thursday over Zoom at 12:30pm. We will be reading The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen.

Join us on Zoom.

Zoom ID: 570-645-5793

Password: ubc

VOLUNTEERING

We Need Your Help as Our Church Grows

As out church continues to grow, we need your help. Consider volunteering for one of the above.

Choir is Back

The choir is back! We are currently rehearsing Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Music Suite. All are welcome. Previous experience not required. Safety precautions include masks and distancing. Join us! Contact justin@ubc-br.org for more information.

CHURCH OF THE NATIONS

Not Chapel Worship for Mission Sunday

Contact eric@ubc-br.org for more information.

KIDS

Spiritual Formation Series

Please bring your children to join us for our current Spiritual Formation Series, “God’s Story for You and Me.” The series takes place in the Children’s Branch during Sunday school.