The Pane: The Little-Big Things Series Returns Sunday
Did you know that cigarette butts make up 30-40% of coastal and urban litter found during clean-ups? We have all seen them scattered on the curbside outside of our favorite restaurant or grocery store, hiding away on the edge of the shrubbery outside the stores.
An estimated 5.6 trillion cigarettes are smoked each year, and two-thirds are improperly disposed of. So that's 4.5 trillion butts each year.
In central London, it cost the city over $1.4 million to clean them up and properly dispose of them. So, an environmental activist had an idea to convince the city to install on street signposts and rails these small aluminum boxes that attract the smoker with a faint yellow glowing light and a well-designed question on the front, such as “Favorite food, pizza or hamburgers” or “Favorite superhero, Batman or Superman.”
They are called Ballot Bins. This little aluminum box has reduced the litter of cigarette butts by nearly 80%.
More often than not, when we look at the success and failure of a church, we believe it takes tremendously huge, overhauling changes. And so, churches will either subjugate themselves to change their entire identity to model themselves after the latest fastest-growing church, or they will settle into immobility, not wanting to compromise their identity.
We have convinced ourselves that the difference between one thriving church and one failing is a different as night and day.
But what if what separates successful churches and failing churches is relatively small? What if the difference between thriving and floundering focuses on subtle and small things that make an incredible difference?
We are coming back to our series, “The Little-Big Things: How Shared Spirit-Led Commitment Drives Oversized Results.”
Throughout the series, we have been journeying through the Book of Acts who hosts a repetitive statement not found in any of the rest of the New Testament letters: And the church grew in numbers.
After taking a break for Advent, we will return to the series this Sunday. Won't you join us online or in person for worship? Catch up on missed sermons by listening to the UBC Baton Rouge podcast: https://www.ubc-br.org/podcast.
Early Registration for Soccer Academy Ends Today, January 6th
The UBC Soccer Academy is back for another set of 6-sessions, February 26 - April 2. Early registration opens December 6 and closes January 6 for $10 off.
Instead of trying to schedule your entire week around scattered soccer practices and games, especially if you have more than one kid playing, register your kid(s) for a series of 1-hour sessions on Saturdays for six weeks. Your child will learn the fundamentals of soccer through fun activities and a scrimmage at the end of each session, all in the comfort of one hour per Saturday for six weeks.
For more information about the Soccer Academy and to register, visit www.ubc-br.org/academy.
UBC Stained-Glass Christmas Ornaments
For informant how to purchase your ornament, click the image above.
MISSIONS
Ecuador Support Project
All contributions should be labeled “Ecuador Support Project.” You can also donate online by clicking on the image above.
Collecting Items for Kindness Bags
You can donate items for the Kindness Bags initiative in January, part of our January 30th Mission Sunday. These are food and hygiene bags you can put in your car to give to those in need.
Donate some of the following items by dropping them in the collection buckets in the Narthex, church office, or MDO by January 23rd: small tissue packs, antibacterial wipes (not the gel b/c of alcohol content), ½ size water bottles, PB crackers, tuna lunch kit, toothbrush/toothpaste pkt, soap bars, wash cloths.
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.
Mission Sunday, January 30
UBC will worship on January 30 by loving our neighbor by engaging in several missional projects around our community. The projects will be designed to incorporate all ages and abilities within UBC, providing an authentic way to meet the needs of our neighbors and create space for intergenerational connections.
If you are interested in helping plan or lead one of the missional projects, please contact Andy by phone or email (andy@ubc-br.org).
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.
RELATIONSHIPS
Barnabas Project Sunday, January 9th
For January, our Barnabas Project will be moved to January 9, not the first Sunday as is typical.
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
Our Young Adults Night Out will be on January 21st, 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, January 19th 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
Worship in the Chapel this 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.
GENERAL UPDATES
Save The Dates
How To Give
Mask Policy Update
Click on the image above to review our updated mask policy.
