At the Crossroads A Word from the Interim Pastor - Calling All Years Good - University Baptist Church
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MARCH 2021
At the Crossroads
UNIVERSITY BAPTIST CHURCH
A Word from the Interim Pastor
PASTOR BARRY JONES
Last fall, my Doctor of Ministry students and I read Kathleen Cahalan and Bonnie Miller-McLemore’s
book entitled, Calling All Years Good . The book is about how a Christian’s calling changes across
the life span from infant to oldest adult. It is a very good book, but I am mentioning it here because
I very much like the title. This month marks one year since I began serving as interim pastor at UBC. I
have always been amazed at how fast time seems to go by, and even more so as I get older. Still, it
goes without saying that the twelve months since last March have been unlike any year I can
remember. The events of our “COVID year” notwithstanding, I can gladly call this past year good.
Some important words come to mind as I think about this anniversary. The first word is “Thanks!”
Thank you for your openness to me, for your cooperation as the church makes decisions in these
most unusual circumstances, and for your faithful support of our efforts to continue the church’s
worship and mission while being responsible, caring for each other, and being good neighbors in
this community. Many pastors and churches in these divided times do not enjoy the unity and
patience that you all have shown this year. Thank you.
The other word that comes to mind is “Wow!” By that, I mean not just, “Wow, what a year!” I also
mean how pleased I am with what the church has been able to do when so much of what you would
ordinarily do can’t be done safely in the way you ordinarily do it. We have learned to Zoom. You’ve
moved from a prelude and a sermon recorded on an iPhone to a “warm, liturgical” livestream that
people gather around each Sunday and utilize for their worship practice throughout the week. The
mission activities of UBC have continued week after week. You’ve found ways to stay connected
when we’ve needed to stay apart. Through the deacons, Sunday School, weekly sharing time, mission
volunteers, staff and office volunteers, active ministry team members, and a dedicated Pastor Search
Team, you’ve not only “treaded water,” you’ve kept moving forward. None of this has been easy.
COVID adds at least three steps to every one step we normally take. It also hangs like a weight
around our shoulders even when we are not thinking about it. Many are struggling with the isolation
and limitations, including young people and also our oldest members. The economic ramifications
are pervasive and on-going. It is still okay in these circumstances not to be okay. With that said, the
spirit of UBC has shined strongly through the fog of COVID. Wow!
There’s good reason to think that the season of Lent gets its name from the lengthening days of the
spring season. The name of the season suggests there are brighter days ahead. The meaning of the
season calls us to reflect on our devotion to God in light of the reality of God’s surpassing devotion to
us, fully revealed in the self-giving and reconciling life of Jesus, and culminating in his Passion and
resurrection. Lent calls us to a time of discipline, reflection, and prayer, with the knowledge that if
Lent is here, then Easter can’t be far behind. The forty days of Lent teach us that, by living into each
day intentionally and purposely, day by day, we can learn to call this coming year and all the
succeeding years “good” as well.
Events & FYI's
Baptist Women in Ministry Month of Preaching, Sunday, March 7 @ 11a
Baptist Women in Ministry is a national organization that supports excellence
in ministry leadership for Baptist churches by “illuminating, advocating, and
nurturing the gifts and graces of women.” Each year, Baptist Women in
Ministry organizes a “Month of Preaching” to illuminate the distinctive gifts of
women ministers in Baptist life.
UBC will observe BWIM’s Month of Preaching on March 7. Our guest preacher
will be Dr. Jennifer Bashaw, assistant professor of New Testament and Christian
Ministry at Campbell University. Dr. Bashaw is a graduate of Baylor University
(B.A. and M.Div.) and received the Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is
an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches, USA. Her research
focuses on interpretation of the Gospels and on issues of biblical hermeneutics
and preaching. She and her husband Kerry live in Fuquay-Varina with their
three sons. We welcome Dr. Bashaw to UBC.
Lenten Bible Study:
"Curves Ahead: Spiritual Practices for Uncertain Times"
Wednesdays, through March 24 @ 6p
Interim Pastor Barry Jones is leading a Bible study for Lent. The study
has been meeting since February 17 and will continue through
March 24 at 6:00 p during the usual Wednesday night Zoom
meeting schedule. An invitation including UBC's usual Zoom link
will be sent each Wednesday to your email inviting you to join.
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Events & FYI's-continued
UBC Book Club, March 16 @ 7p
Zoom Meeting: March 16 at 7p
Book: American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
*To be added to the Zoom call, email Thomas Toms at ttoms1@nc.rr.com
Holy Week
The following services will be on UBC livestream:
Sunday, March 28 : Palm Sunday
Daniel & Mary Katherine Watson - duet 11a
Thursday, April 1: Maundy Thursday
Communion and Worship, 6p
Sunday, April 4 : EASTER
Celebration of the Ressurection, 11a
UBC Audio/Visual Team
UBC A/V team needs your assistance. As we appreciate the livestreaming of UBC’s worship, our A/V Team needs
more operators. If you are interested or know of someone, contact Craig for more details. No prior knowledge of
sound operation or video recording is necessary, just a willingness to learn.
Faith Community-Based YMCA Service Learning Center
UBC is still reaching for its $5,000 goal for the Faith Based Service Learning Center. To donate, you may send a
check to the church designating the donation for the “Service Learning Center” on the memo line. To donate,
you may send a check to the church designating the donation for the “Service Learning Center” on the memo
line. Keep an eye on our fundraising each week, here, and prayerfully watch as UBC reaches for its goal! For more
information about the SLC and how to volunteer, please click here. -Gracefully yours, Kim Ring
Thank You Barry!
As he nears his one-year anniversary at UBC, the Staff Support team
would like to express our deep gratitude for the leadership of Dr. Barry
Jones. Barry arrived at UBC in extremely challenging times as we faced
both the loss of our 30-year minister and the onslaught of a global
pandemic. His calm, steady demeanor and style of leadership have kept
UBC heading in the right direction and inspired confidence throughout
our membership.
Barry has proven to be much more than an interim minister. In fact, he
has been our minister in the interim. His talent in the pulpit combined
with his compassion for his flock have been a great source of comfort for
all of us. Barry has literally been a Godsend for UBC and will always be a
part of our church.
Barry, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for all you have done
and continue to do for us.
Joe Bray
Chair - Staff Support
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Pastor Search Team Update
Greetings from your Pastor Search Team,
We would like to thank you for your time and survey feedback that was gathered during The Pastor Search Team:
our third congregational conversation on January 24th. We have collected responses Daun Whitley, Sharon
from 42 members and are working to compile this information into a church and pastor Kepley, Jessica Meyers
profile. This document will be posted on our church's website in the near future. Once
(diaconte chair), Marty
this document has been posted, we will enter the Active Search phase. With the
Maloney, Samantha
guidance and experience of Bill Wilson of the Center for Healthy Churches and Seth Hix
Shaw (secretary),
of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship NC, your PST will begin evaluating a list of
Thomas Toms (vice
candidates. This evaluation will be grounded in the feedback that has been collected
chair) and John Ring
during our congregational conversations. As we continue this process, please keep the
(chair)
Prayer of Indifference in your daily thoughts: I am indifferent to anything but God's will.
Grace and Peace.
John Ring
Missions
Easter Books & Rice for Chin Members
Dear UBC Family,
This year to honor our Chin families at Easter, we will provide a bag of rice for each
family and a children’s Easter book for each family with children.
UBC will purchase all the rice and books. Please follow the link below to sign up
to donate money for one or more items. Please send or drop off a check for your
total amount to UBC with “Chin Family Easter” in the subject line.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4DA9AF2DA2FD0-chin
We hope this will be a safe and efficient way to provide gifts for the Chin families
at Easter. Please sign up to donate money for items by March 24, 2021 .
Please contact Rhonda (Missions Chair) or Betsy (Deacon Chair) with any questions:
rhondabangertyoga@gmail.com
betsywatson42@gmail.com
As always, thank you for your sustained generosity and prayers for our Chin
families.
In Christ,
The Missions Team and Deacons
Children's Ministry
March Children's Birthdays
Here are the birthdays for the children in our church. I
encourage you to send cards (or even a little note if you 10th Alexandra Meyers-age 12
don’t have birthday cards) to wish them a Happy Birthday. 17th Tennyson Litchefield- age 11
If you are not sure of an address, email me and I will send it 28th Ivy Kate Hargrave- age 1
to you. Thank you for helping our birthday girls and boys
feel loved! - Allison
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Connect with UBC
Email: ubcinfo@ubc-ch.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UniversityBaptistCH
YouTube: www.youtube.com, search "University Baptist Church-Chapel Hill, NC"
Giving to UBC Online?
CONTACT: JO ELLEN BLAINE
Use the bill pay feature on your online banking to set up
a one-time or recurring check, sent straight to UBC. You
ubc-ch.org
just need our address. No hassle, no stamps, free!
Questions? Contact Jo Ellen at the email below!
Zoom Link for Bible Study & Prayer on Sundays (@ 9:30a) & Wednesdays (@ 6p):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9632883898?pwd=MlhkL25GNllkNTBVT09TSnZTVGpOUT09
UBC Ministry Staff
Barry Jones-Interim Pastor
barryjones@ubc-ch.org
Craig McCoy-Minister of Music Jo Ellen Blaine-Financial Assistant
craigmccoy@ubc-ch.org jblaine-finance@ubc-ch.org
Allison James-Director of Children's Ministries Hollie Motley-Office Administrator
allisonjames@ubc-ch.org hmotley@ubc-ch.org
Hunter Hoyle-Accompanist/Organist Anna Cherry-Youth Ministry Coordinator
hunterhoyle5@gmail.com cherry5@live.unc.edu
Samantha Shaw-College Ministry Intern
samms@live.unc.edu
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