December 11, 2024
GENEROSITY UPDATE
Thank you for your continued generosity, which is making a significant impact both locally and globally. Last month, we shared three areas of giving for which we asked the church to pray, and we’re thrilled to provide updates:
- We are pleased to announce that we will be giving a check for $13,080 to Clearfield Bible Church. This donation will address critical expenses following their devastating fire, specifically the cost of separating the well between the church and the parsonage—an expense not covered by insurance.
- Angel Tree Donations: This past Sunday, we collected 486 gifts from our congregation to support our Angel Tree initiative. These gifts will benefit families within our church and the local community in need of help during this Christmas season, impacting 224 individuals and 66 families. Thank you for your generosity in making this possible!
- Annual Giving Update: Last month, we rediscussed our ambitious approach to this fiscal year’s projected income. After prayerful consideration, analyzing past giving patterns, and recognizing the growth in our community, we committed to a bold financial plan to meet the needs of our expanding congregation this fiscal year. Since that announcement, we have consistently met—and even surpassed once—our weekly giving goals. As of December 1, 2024, we are ($149,482) behind in anticipated giving. While many churches are facing financial challenges due to the economic climate, your faithfulness and generosity are a true blessing.
Thank you for your continued prayerful discernment and commitment to generosity. Your support is essential for the Kingdom work happening here at Uniontown, and it allows us to continue sharing the gospel and nurturing discipleship.
OPERATIONS MANAGER UPDATE
After an extensive search and interview process, we are excited to announce that Julie Miller has been hired as our new Operations Manager. Throughout December, Julie will work closely with Dana Weaver, whose last day will be December 31. We will celebrate Dana’s retirement in early January—stay tuned for details!
Julie has deep roots in the Union Bridge area, where she was born and raised. She currently lives just outside New Windsor with her husband of 30 years, Bill, and their youngest daughter, Bethany (19). Julie and Bill have two older daughters, Morgan (30) and Faith (26), as well as four grandchildren—Aubrey, Gabriella, William, and Liam—ranging in age from 4 to 11.
Julie has been connected to UBC for over 15 years, volunteering in the church office since 2018 and becoming a member in 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, gardening, cooking, sewing, and exploring new hobbies. Julie and her husband love spending time outdoors, tending to their small "farm" and staying active.
Julie shared,"I have been blessed by UBC and all those I interact with. I’ve truly enjoyed being part of this church and am thankful for the opportunity to serve in a greater capacity."
Please join us in welcoming Julie to her new role.
CHRISTMAS UPDATE
The Christmas season is here, and we’re excited to celebrate with you at Uniontown! Visit utown.org/Christmas for all the details. Here are a few highlights to keep in mind:
- December 11 at 6:30 PM: UBCYM Christmas Party at the Westminster Movie Theater
- December 11 at 6:45 PM: Team Kid Christmas Play at the church
- December 15 at 6:30 PM: All-Church Christmas Party (Bring a dessert or hors d'oeuvres or finger foods to share!)
- December 15: Choir Sunday
- December 24: Christmas Eve Services at 3:30 PM, 5:15 PM, and 7:00 PM (Reserve your seats!)
Christmas Eve Services – Why Seat Reservations?
We’ve learned from past experience that without seat reservations, it can be challenging to accommodate everyone who wishes to attend. For example, in previous years, we’ve seen over 1,100 people arrive for a single service, which exceeds our seating and parking capacity and creates safety concerns.
Our goal is to share the gospel with everyone who comes, and seat reservations help us ensure a safe, welcoming experience for all. By planning ahead, we can avoid overcrowding and make sure everyone has a seat.
Thank you for understanding and helping us share the Gospel with as many people as possible!
CONNECT FAIR
We’re excited to announce the upcoming Connect Fair on Sunday, January 5! This is a fantastic opportunity to have your questions answered, sign up for events and classes, and get plugged into the life of Uniontown. Additionally, we will release our master calendar for the winter/spring semester in the next few weeks. This will help you determine where you may connect and what questions you have at the Connect Fair.
At the Connect Fair, you’ll find information about:
- Discover Uniontown: Join us for Discover Uniontown, a lunch held after church on Sunday, January 12, for those who are new to Uniontown. This is a great first step to learn more about our church family, ask questions, meet leadership, and build connections.
- Learn Together: New Digging Deeper classes will be starting (or continuing), and we’d love for you to join! These classes focus on studying the Bible and include smaller group discussions for prayer, connection, and spiritual growth.
- Grow Together: Interested in joining a Community Group? Let us know at the Connect Fair! We’ll work hard to connect you with a local group where you can grow in faith and fellowship.
- Serve Together: Many ministries will be represented at the Connect Fair, ready to answer your questions and help you find ways to serve within our church family.
- Discover Membership: If you’ve been attending Uniontown for a while and feel ready to make it your official church home, sign up to attend our Membership Class starting on Sunday, January 19. We recommend being involved in the life of the church for about a year before taking this step.
The Connect Fair is a perfect chance to get involved, learn more about what’s happening at Uniontown, and take your next step in faith and fellowship. We can’t wait to see you there!
