​UBC Commons Will Meet Wednesday, July 1st at 6:30pm To Look Toward the Future. 

University Baptist Church's new UBC Commons gatherings are off to a strong start. Our first session brought together members and friends for an evening of thoughtful conversation about the stories that have shaped our church and the values that continue to define who we are. Participants identified shared themes and even began crafting language around the core principles that will guide our future. If you missed the first session, now is the perfect time to jump in. 

Session Two, "Looking Ahead: UBC 2035," invites everyone to imagine what University Baptist Church could become over the next decade. Through guided discussion, participants will explore hopes, dreams, and opportunities for our congregation as we seek God's direction together. No special preparation is required, and new participants are warmly welcomed. 

The UBC Commons is designed to be an open conversation where every voice matters. Rather than making decisions, these gatherings are helping us listen to one another, discover common ground, and discern where God may be leading our church. 

Whether you've been part of UBC for decades or have only recently begun attending, we hope you'll join us for Session Two. Bring your ideas, your questions, and your hopes for the future as we continue building together.

University Baptist Church is once again collecting food and household items for our friends at Bloomington Pathways during the month of July. For many years, our congregation has faithfully supported this important local ministry, and we'd love to make this month's collection our biggest yet. Our challenge? Beat 103 pounds of donations—the total we collected in May! (We're still waiting to hear June's final total.)

Each month, Bloomington Pathways provides groceries, hygiene products, and household essentials to individuals and families in our community. Thanks to the faithful coordination of Jen Cook, UBC has been a regular partner in this ministry for many years. Thank you, Jen, for helping keep this important outreach going!

We've already delivered our June donations, and now it's time to begin collecting again for our July delivery. The current pantry needs include everyday food staples like broth, pasta sauces, tortillas, canned beans, potatoes, fresh or canned vegetables, snack foods, helper meals, bread, cooking oil, sugar, and condiments, along with hygiene and cleaning items such as body wash, hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, bleach, mouthwash, razors, and more. Bloomington Pathways has also asked supporters to consider gluten-free and dairy-free options whenever possible to better serve neighbors with dietary needs.

If you'd rather shop online, there is an Amazon Wish List available. Simply click HERE to order items directly.

Every can, every bottle, every bag, and every roll makes a difference. Thank you for helping University Baptist Church continue sharing God's love in practical ways throughout our community.

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Two weeks have passed since the last vines were taken down and the final decorations were packed away, giving us a chance to reflect on another wonderful week of Vacation Bible School at University Baptist Church. From June 8–11, our Rainforest Falls VBS welcomed eight children for four evenings of Bible stories, music, games, crafts, and shared meals with their families. While we always hope to welcome even more children, we are deeply thankful for the opportunity to invest in the lives of every child who came through our doors.

Each evening began with a family meal, bringing children, parents, volunteers, and church members together around the table before the night's activities began. Those shared meals reminded us that VBS is about more than programming—it's about building relationships and strengthening our church community.

For the many adults who volunteered their time, Vacation Bible School was as much a ministry of service as it was a ministry for children. Preparing meals, decorating classrooms, leading music, telling Bible stories, and simply showing up each evening reflected the love and hospitality that make UBC such a special place.

Vacation Bible School remains one of the most important annual ministries of our church. We are grateful to every volunteer, donor, cook, teacher, decorator, and family who made this year's Rainforest Falls adventure possible. Thank you for helping plant seeds of faith that we trust will continue to grow long after the decorations have been put away.

​University Baptist Church will host a four-week conversation series this summer called  The UBC Commons , inviting members, friends, and attendees to gather on June 24, July 1, July 8, and July 21 at 6:30 p.m. to reflect on the church's identity, discern God's direction for the future, and imagine what UBC might become in the years ahead.

The gatherings will provide opportunities for participants to share stories, discuss the congregation's strengths, explore the needs of the Bloomington community, and consider the unique role God may be calling UBC to play in the future. The process is designed to be collaborative and conversational, welcoming voices from every stage of church life—from longtime members to those who have only recently begun attending.

Each session will focus on a different theme:

June 24 – Story & Identity - discuss how we got here
July 1 – Looking Ahead: UBC 2035 - What do we hope UBC will look like in ten years?
July 8 – Finding Our Purpose and Direction - Consider our church's mission, vision, and core values.
July 21 – Finding Symbols of Our Story - Explore images, metaphors and themes to express who UBC is and who it hopes to become. (This session will be held on Tuesday due to Church Supper on Wednesday.)

All sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. and are open to anyone who considers UBC their church home or who simply wants to participate in the conversation. No special preparation is required—just a willingness to listen, share, and imagine together.

As UBC looks toward the future, The UBC Commons offers a chance to remember the stories that have shaped the congregation, celebrate what makes the church unique, and prayerfully consider the next chapter of its life and ministry.

With Pastor Annette away this week to attend the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's 2026 General Assembly in Jacksonville, Florida, UBC will welcome church member Asher Ensmenger to the pulpit on Sunday, June 21. Asher will be sharing a message based on this week's lectionary passage, Ruth 3:1-18.

Many at UBC know Asher as a gifted musician, deep thinker, and active participant in the life of our congregation. This Sunday, he'll put on a different hat as he offers his reflections based on the nighttime encounter between Ruth and Boaz that helped shape the future of God's people.

The Book of Ruth is a story of faithfulness, courage, vulnerability, and grace. Ruth 3 finds the story at a turning point, as Ruth steps boldly along an uncertain path and puts her trust in God's provision. We can't wait to hear Asher's take on this intriguing story and listen for encouragement he might draw from it. 

Meanwhile, Pastor Annette is spending the week in Jacksonville with Baptists from across the country at the CBF General Assembly. This year's Assembly is all about boldness. This is a chance for these Baptists to gather "we live into our call to a boldly faithful way of being Baptist—using our voices for prophetic witness, telling stories of mission and ministry impact and moving toward innovative ways of thriving." We look forward to welcoming Pastor Annette home and hearing about the people she met, the ideas she encountered, and the inspiration and rejuvenation she brings back to UBC.

Join us this Sunday as we worship together, hear Asher's message, and continue seeking God's guidance for our congregation and community.