The Pane: But What About You? How Can You Share Your Best Self with UBC?
Over the last several months, I have written extensively on what facing “next” as a faith community will require of us. You’ve probably participated in the ongoing Together After conversations in your Sunday School and Spiritual Formation groups, considering challenging questions about “next.”
What is difficult is to consider now is what you as an individual can offer to help us boldly step into this new reality.
For some, we don’t consider what we can share because we don’t think we bring anything of value. For others, we are maxed out in all areas of our life and don’t think we have anything left to give. For some, we look at our age or station of life as a hindrance to sharing.
But what if I told you that if each person shares just a little bit of themselves with UBC, then collectively, it doesn’t take much to help us meet next with bold faithfulness and experience success?
The key is that each person shares some of their strengths, passions, resources, and time.
What this moment requires of us is a collective sharing of our best selves for the success of our vision.
So, I’m issuing a challenge to you. Prayerfully consider what you can share of yourself with your faith community.
And as you pray, let me share some of the tangible ways you can volunteer.
Greet one Sunday per month before Sunday School or Worship: a 20-minute commitment once per month
Assist with children one Sunday per month: a 1.5-hour commitment once per month
Learn to run the worship cameras one Sunday per month: a 1-hour commitment once per month
Join the Care Team in creating a welcome environment on Sundays: a 1-hour commitment once per month
Help with childcare one Friday per month as we rebuild our young adult ministry: a 2.5-hour commitment once per month
Participate in an upcoming Gathering: a 2-hour commitment once per month
Teach toddlers or children once per month: a 1.5-hour commitment once per month
Invite a friend to join you for worship or at UBC event: a 10-minute commitment
Join the Retiree Team in creating opportunities for connections: a 1-hour commitment once per month
Join the Connect Group Team in creating like-interest opportunities: a 1-hour commitment once per month
New Mask Policy
On May 14, Governor Edwards announced that Louisiana would fully adopt the CDC mask guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals. Those guidelines state that you are no longer required to wear a mask in indoor or outdoor public spaces if you have been vaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated, you are encouraged to continue to wear a mask to protect yourself and others.
Therefore, if you have been vaccinated, we would like to give you the option to choose whether you wear a mask when attending activities on UBC's campus.
For those working with children and for children under the age of eligibility for vaccinations, mask-wearing will be required.
We recognize that we are all in different places and will take a different timeline in removing masks in shared spaces. If you feel more comfortable continuing to wear a mask, please feel free to do so. We respect your choice.
Welcome Tanya Parks by Signing Up for a Care Week
We want you to be a part of welcoming the Parks family to South Louisiana with hospitality and care. You are invited to sign up for one of ten care weeks. This is an opportunity to bring a meal or care package to the Parks family. You are encouraged to approach this with your unique personality and giftedness.
Each week has two spots available to allow more members to share hospitality. Sign up for a care week by clicking on this link or calling the office: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4da8a82aa5f85-care1
HOPE Grief Support Groups, starting July 15th
Graduation Recognition, June 6th
FORMATION
Why Sunday School & Spiritual Formation Groups? A Weekly Dialogue
One of the successes we celebrate about UBC is the health of our Sunday School and Spiritual Formation Groups. We’d like to explore why.
Each week, we ask these groups to spend five minutes at the beginning of their meeting to discuss a provided question. Insight from the group’s discussion can be sent to Andy (andy@ubc-br.org) and Eric (eric@ubc-br.org).
June 6: Why is this small group important to me?
Noon Summer Book Club Begins June 10th
Join our Noon Summer Book Club for a bi-weekly conversation about Jemar Tisby’s new book, “How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice,” beginning on June 10th.
The group will meet in-person and online in the Fellowship Hall on the Second and Fourth Thursday of June, July, and August.
Purchase the book on Amazon in digital, audio, and hardback editions.
For those joining via Zoom, use the Mtg ID: 314 698 8114.
Please contact Andy via email (andy@ubc-br.org) or phone (225.766.9474) if you plan to join.
Phasing Out Zoom for Worship by June 6th
Help With Sunday Worship Stream Quality
Volunteers can help with many different aspects of the project including planning equipment, software, and workflow upgrades; equipment installation; running a camera; or just being part of a rotation that monitors the soundboard or keynote during worship on Sundays.
Prior experience in video production, live sound, or social media is welcome, but not required. We are willing to provide training, if needed. To volunteer, please contact Justin (justin@ubc-br.org).
Return of the Normal Sunday Schedule Set for June 20th
At the beginning of the pandemic, the Sunday School and Spiritual Formation start time changed to 9:15 am to allow for less time for excessive contact before worship.
On Sunday, June 20th, we will return to a 9:00 am start time for our Spiritual Formation and Sunday School groups and bring back the 10:00 am Coffee & Community time in the Heritage Room.
Sunday participants are encouraged to pick up a coffee and treat while utilizing the Heritage Room, Narthex, Sanctuary, and Courtyard for conversations during Coffee & Community.
RELATIONSHIPS
Second Wednesdays, June 9th
We are hosting a Second Wednesday on June 9th. The evening is designed around a social distanced meal in the Fellowship Hall, with kids participating in age-based groups and adults gathering outside to catch up on life.
Meal participants will be assigned an individual table for their family with a pre-packaged meal. The cost is $5 per adult and $3 for kids (2 and older). The meals will be simple with healthy kid-friendly options.
The meal will be available starting at 5:15 pm, with kids going off to age-based groups at 6:00 pm.
To provide the best-resourced experience for First Wednesdays, families will need to register no later than Monday, June 7th.
As we gather, we ask that families follow social distancing guidelines, with adults and school age children wearing masks at all times away from the family dinner table. Families should remain at their assigned dinner table until the departure for age-based groups and outdoor adult conversations. We will have interactivities at the tables for the kids.
We will send out text reminders one week and four days before the First Wednesdays. To receive text reminders, text "UBCkids" to (844) 947-6161.
Use this form to sign up and pre-pay for your family's meal: https://www.ubc-br.org/post/second-wednesday-June-9th
First Summer Gathering & Kids Club, June 13th at 4 PM
Join our first Summer Gathering and Kids Club on June 13 at 4:00 pm.
Kids, ages infant through 5th grade, will enjoy activities, crafts, games, lessons, and dinner. Drop off will occur at the Children’s Branch entrance. Register here by June 10th: https://form.jotform.com/211304851522142 .
Adults can pick one of the following activities: art, beginners’ yoga, board games, or cooking. A dessert social will wrap up the event at 5:45 pm. Please sign up for one of the activities by clicking on this link or calling the office: https://form.jotform.com/211304748703047 .
The Summer Gatherings are intended to be a time to build stronger connections within and through UBC. We hope you will not only participate but invite others to join you.
Celebrating Deb McElgin, June 13th at 5:30
Young Adults Night Out, June 18th at 5:30 pm
Join our Young Adults Night Out on the third Friday, 5:30-8:00 pm. This month, we will meet on June 18th.
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 Tuesday, June 15th here: https://form.jotform.com/211376129025147. The restaurant location will be texted to you.
Sunday Name Tag Project
Connect Groups
You may now sign up online on the UBC website: www.ubc-br.org/cg
YOUTH
Youth Summer Event Schedule
For more information, contact Eric at eric@ubc-br.org or visit www.ubc-br.org/youth
KIDS
RETIREES
Retirees Luncheon, June 9th at 12 PM
CHURCH OF THE NATIONS
Worship via Facebook, YouTube, and Zoom
Join us for a live-streamed worship service at 10:30 a.m. via any of the following platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ubcbr/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/ubcbryt
Zoom: Join Meeting ID: 923-023-246-4
password is: ubc
English Conversation
Topic: Ocean Garbage
Please use the link below to download the lesson:
Download the Zoom Cloud Meetings app on your phone or computer and type in this meeting ID:
570-645-579-3
password: ubc
GENERAL UPDATES
Sunday Morning Volunteers
As we step into this new normal, we need your help. Consider volunteering for one of the following:
Greet one Sunday per month before Sunday School or Worship: a 20-minute commitment once per month
Assist with children one Sunday per month: a 1.5-hour commitment once per month
Learn to run the worship cameras one Sunday per month: a 1-hour commitment once per month
Join the Care Team in creating a welcome environment on Sundays: a 1-hour commitment once per month
Help with childcare one Friday per month as we rebuild our young adult ministry: a 2.5-hour commitment once per month
Participate in an upcoming Gathering: a 2-hour commitment once per month
Teach toddlers or children once per month: a 1.5-hour commitment once per month
Invite a friend to join you for worship or at UBC event: a 10-minute commitment
Join the Retiree Team in creating opportunities for connections: a 1-hour commitment once per month
Join the Connect Group Team in creating like-interest opportunities: a 1-hour commitment once per month
To Get connected, please reach out to Andy at andy@ubc-br.org or 225-766-9474.
Quarterly Business Meeting, June 6th
How To Give
Save The Dates
STAY CONNECTED DURING THE PANDEMIC
How to Live Stream Worship
To view Live Stream worship click on the links below:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/ubcbryt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ubcbr
To join worship via Zoom, you can either call with a normal phone or use a smart device.
Call 312-626-6799
Enter the Meeting ID Number 9230232464 and press #
Press # again
Using the Zoom App:
Enter the Meeting ID Number 9230232464
Enter the password “ubc”
Sunday School and Spiritual Formation Group Temporary Meeting Spaces
As some of our classes begin to return to campus for hybrid in-person and online meetings, the following are the temporary meeting spaces for the groups. Please maintain six feet of distance and where your mask while your class is meeting. View a larger image here.
COVID-19 Phase Guideline Implementation
With some of our members beginning to return after being vaccinated, we ask that each person refresh themselves on the guidelines for Sunday mornings.
Copy Link to View: https://www.ubc-br.org/post/covid-19-phase-guidelines
