The Pane: Continuing to Cultivate Our Missional Presence
“We have left everything to follow you,” Peter confessed to Jesus. You see, the disciples had just witnessed Jesus’ conversation with a wealthy young man who proclaimed he would do anything to inherit life eternal. Upon here this, Jesus called him to consider the commands. But when the guy told Jesus that he had lived them out perfectly, Jesus said to him that he should sell all his possessions, give the money to the poor, and then follow him.
The disciples were shocked by this. They began reflecting on their own lives and the jobs they had left behind. How much more could they give away if Jesus was asking this man to give away everything.
But they missed the point. It’s not about what you give away but what you are receiving. Unfortunately, sometimes the things we value the most prevent us from finding life to the full, true life through Jesus.
Since the disciples were willing to follow Jesus in faith, they received an extraordinary invitation from God to transform the world through the loving grace of the Good News of Jesus. Thus, they had the brilliant task of teaching everyone about the way of Jesus that brings life to the full.
And for those of us that see just how remarkable their impact was through the letters of the New Testament, we can’t imagine doing the same.
As one author put it, “Jesus was not inviting these fishermen into a church job or an engaging hobby, which is how many of us understand vocation in the Church today. If we are not careful, our ingrained expectation of a professional class of clergy will quickly sabotage our ability to understand the ministry of Jesus and the disciples.”
UBC has a rich history of being the presence of Jesus in Baton Rouge, whether through the partnership at Highland Elementary or teaching English to international students, repairing bicycles for those experiencing homelessness or collecting necessary supplies for disaster relief victims, seeking justice for the equal rights of all members of our community or providing freshly harvested crops for local families in need.
In missions, we become the presence of Jesus in the world by meeting the needs of others.
As we continue to cultivate our missional presence in the community, we want to invite you to be an active participant in this good Gospel work. If you are part of a Spiritual Formation or Sunday School group, find ways for your group to meet the needs around you, whether through organized UBC opportunities, partnerships in the community, or organic opportunities you’ve discovered. You can also serve individually through some of our mission partnerships, learning more at https://www.ubc-br.org/missional-ministry.
One unique way we are cultivating our missional presence is through Missional Sundays. Beginning in 2022, we will utilize the fifth Sunday of a month to worship by serving our community. Opportunities will be organized for all ages and abilities to be the presence of Jesus in our community during the Sunday School and Worship hour. If you would like to be a part of the planning team to discern and cultivate those opportunities, I want to invite you to reach out to me via phone (225-766-9474) or email (andy@ubc- br.org).
Let us celebrate the good work God is doing through us and vigilantly look for new opportunities to be the love of God to our neighbors.
2022 Governing Board Nominations
To submit nominations, click on the image above.
RELATIONSHIPS
Young Adults Night Out
Join our Young Adults Night Out on the third Friday, 5:30-8:00 pm. This month, we will meet on October 15th.
Click on the image above for more information.
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.
Fall Gathering Chili Cook-Off
Click the image above to sign-up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
VOLUNTEERING
Reading Friends Volunteer Training
The training luncheon for Highland Elementary’s EveryBody Read’s program has been rescheduled for Sunday, November 14th after the service.
To sign-up, click on the image above.
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.
Fall Gathering Volunteers Needed
With UBC’s Fall Gathering right around the corner, we need a lot of volunteers to make the event a reality.
Click the image above for information on how to sign-up.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION
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.
Thursday Prayer Group Returning October 21st
Starting on October 21, the group will meet every Thursday at 12:30pm over Zoom. We will be reading The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen.
Zoom Information:
Zoom ID: 570-645-5793
Password: ubc
CHURCH OF THE NATIONS
Worship in the Sanctuary this Sunday, October 17th
Contact eric@ubc-br.org for more information.
KIDS
Spiritual Formation Series
For more information on the series, click on the image above.
YOUTH
Save the Date for Youth Fundraiser Sale
UBC's youth will be offering crafts, plants, and baked goods for sale on the Sundays above. All proceeds will go to support hurricane relief.
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.
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