The Pane: What Gets Us to a High Level of Thriving
If you recall the end of last season’s College Baseball playoffs, there was significant controversy. No, it was not that the Tigers lost a heartbreaker after clawing out a come from behind victory in the previous game.
The North Carolina State Wolfpack were ousted from the playoffs, not because of runs or wins. Instead, it was due to so many of their players tested positive for COVID-19. That is a disappointing and pandemic-logical way for a great team to end their season. So many experts had them pegged as potential winners for the College World Series, only to have it slip from their fingers on the edge of greatness.
The NC State Wolfpacks of the world are far too common in life. Sometimes you can have all the right pieces in place for success and thriving, only to have something unexpected detour the road ahead.
University Baptist Church is a faith community with all the right pieces in place that can lead to a higher thriving level.
First and foremost, we have the most extraordinary people in Louisiana who care deeply for each other. We have a legacy of creativity and innovation, a sprawling campus of space and grounds, as well as a lack of financial debt and entanglements. We are ideally placed right in the middle of the shadow of LSU, a growing residential and commercial sector, and prominent neighborhoods. Finally, we have an openness to the Spirit of God’s leadership to guide us.
UBC has terrific connections in the community, from the Mother’s Day Out Program to English Conversations, from advocating locally for the equal rights of our neighbors to the Soccer Academy, from ongoing Space Partnerships with fitness and art classes to free Family Tree Café, and from decades-long friendships to an incarnational presence at Highland Elementary School.
We strive to enhance our capacity to love, care for, and nurture people of all ages, whether they be the traditionalists generation that built the foundation of where we are today, the Baby Boomers, Generation X, or Millennials.
We are earnestly seeking to grow this congregation because we have the resources, the giftedness, and the passion among our people to have a more significant impact on Baton Rouge today than ever before.
We are stepping boldly into a new and unfamiliar future that looks very different from the past. Yet, we are fixing our eyes on Jesus as he leads us into new ways of meeting and loving our neighbor, growing in our spiritual journey, and becoming a beautiful expression of the church.
We need everyone, not a select sampling of UBC, to bring their best selves to what we are doing and where we are going.
What part will you play in the success of the church?
Will you prayerfully consider helping us sustain and support future growth by volunteering your time with UBC? Check out www.ubc-br.org/volunteer for more information.
Barnabas Project Sundays
Are you in a Barnabas Projection connection? The Barnabas Project is an intergenerational connection between retirees and children with their families at UBC.
Click the image above for more information.
Grand Re-Opening of the Family Tree Café
After months of closure, the Family Tree Café will reopen on October 4th with a creative redesign.
We are still looking for volunteers in the café on Mondays-Thursdays, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Learn more by clicking the image above.
World Communion Sunday
On October 10th, we will host World Communion Sunday in worship. Join us for a celebration of the diversity of the Kingdom of God and the inclusiveness of Jesus table for all. For those joining from home, you are encourage to line up the elements of communion before worship begins.
MISSIONS
Ecuador Mission Immersion
The invitation is open to join the growing team heading to Ecuador in July of 2022.
Form more information, click on the image above.
Hurricane Ida Collection
We are collecting items for disaster relief efforts in Houma. If you are able to bring any of the following items to the church office. For information on what to bring, click on the image above.
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.
UBC Choir is Back- Everyone's Welcome
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.
RELATIONSHIPS
Fall Gathering Save the Date
UBC will host its annual Fall Gathering on October 24th with an afternoon of hayrides, games, trunk or treat, and chili cook-off for all ages. We hope you will consider now inviting others to attend, volunteer for an activity, or enter the chili cook-off competition.
Stop by the Soccer Academy
The UBC Soccer Academy is underway. With over 60 children participating, we have the unique opportunity to be the presence of Jesus to dozens of families. Even if you are not volunteering, you are invited to stop by on a Saturday, 9-10 am, to connect with participants.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Sunday Name Tag Project
Get to know new and unfamiliar faces on Sundays by picking up a name tag as you enter the worship space. The name tags will be in the Narthex center table. Write your name and answer each week’s conversation starter question.
CHURCH OF THE NATIONS
Fellowship Lunch this Sunday, September 26th
Join us for a Fellowship Lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the service this Sunday, September 26th. Sunday’s service will be held in the Chapel.
Please RSVP to Eric at eric@ubc-br.org so that we can plan for how much food to prepare.
KIDS
Spiritual Formation Series
Please bring your children to join us for our current Spiritual Formation Series, “Seeking Justice Together.” The series is led by Rev. Tanya Parks and takes place in the Children’s Branch during Sunday school.
Click on the graphic above for more information.
YOUTH
Save the Date for Youth Fundraiser Events
An announcement detailing the fundraising activities will follow-up shortly.
GENERAL UPDATES
Save The Dates
How To Give
STAY CONNECTED DURING THE PANDEMIC
Mask Policy Update
UBC once again recommends both vaccinated and unvaccinated participants wear a mask while indoors on campus.
We invite you to sign up to provide a care package for one of these 41 staff members. The care package should include candy, a $6 gift card to Lighthouse Coffee or CC’s, a small hand sanitizer bottle, lip balm, and something fun of your choosing.
We want to equip you to be the hands and feet of Jesus by pouring time, care, and attention into making one of these packages. This is why we are asking you to prepare the packages versus donating to the project.
Once you have purchased the items, drop by the church office to fill one of the official package bags, and write a personal note to put on the finishing touch. The office will be open on Sundays 9-11:30 am, and Monday through Thursday, 9 am-4:30 pm.
