A Word from Paul

If there were ever a month that made me believe in luck, it would be the one that just ended.

This August was already going to be a great one for the Burgess family. We started the month with a Maine vacation, which was amazing, and packed with everything from lake fun and Acadia National Park to an impromptu Stephen King tour (that one was for me) and a Red Sox game in Fenway. The week after was our annual beach vacation with Eliza’s family and her college friends, and we returned to Chapel Hill just as the students were getting back, as well, which is always a blessing.

None of that stuff was necessarily “lucky,” though. I’d categorize it as “fortunate.” We were blessed by all of it, but we planned and expected it.

But August also brought plenty of things we could never have planned and certainly didn’t expect. Like when, out of the blue, Eliza and I got offered tickets to join our old neighbors and dear friends from Wilmington, Blair and Crystal, to see Jack Johnson at Walnut Creek in the pit (i.e., on the floor right in front of the stage!). Or when, surprisingly, my sweet sister offered to gift us the Golden Retriever puppy she got in July after realizing he was a bit too much for a working single mom to manage (granted, some might not consider this lucky, but Steven has wanted a Golden forever, and the boys are over the moon for our newest furry family member, Pilot). And then, of course, there’s the free trip to Dublin we were a part of winning with some of our best friends, Jonny and Denise, to watch UNC kick off their football season. Talk about luck of the Irish!

So, as I said, if I were on the fence for believing in luck, last month would have definitely pushed me over.

But honestly, I’m not on the fence.

I can’t say I believe in “luck.” And, to bring it into the realm of the theological, I also have a hard time saying that God specifically orchestrated for these amazing opportunities to happen directly for us. That’s probably because I can’t help but consider the flip side of the coin when it comes to that sort of pondering. 

For instance, while August was amazing, June and July were pretty rough. In the middle of June, our HVAC went out, which brought both unexpected discomfort and expense. In July, my friend Clif Harris, who served with me at Winter Park Baptist, passed away after a battle with cancer. Clif helped me through some really tough times, and has been a rock for that church for over three decades; he’s truly a legend in his field, and losing someone as full of life and light before he even hit 70 testifies to life’s sometimes painful unfairness. And the hardest thing about this summer, which I haven’t shared broadly until now, is that my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. We’re all working through the feelings of that. On the one hand, there’s gratitude that we have a diagnosis for some symptoms we’d been seeing, because a diagnosis opens the door to treatment and stability within a new normal. But on the other, there are the implications of that diagnosis, and, more broadly, the reality of aging that has now transitioned from something conceptual that we know will come to something actual that has burst into our lived experience.

And while those are some examples from my life, we all have them. So what do we make of it all?

Are we on a cosmic seesaw bouncing between the poles of lucky and unlucky? Did God cause painful and unwanted things to happen to our family in June and July, then try to make up for it with some blessings in August? Some believe, with much conviction, that those are the way these things happen, and far be it from me to take that from them.

But the God I have come to know in Jesus is less like a lucky coin. I don’t see life as a “heads, God causes good; tails, God causes bad” situation. I do believe, as James says, that “Every good and perfect gift is from above,” and—as he also says—that trials can end up being gifts, as well, because they develop perseverance and lead to “the crown of life” (James 1:17 and 1:12, respectively). But I don’t think that requires believing God is planning and puppeteering every “lucky” and “unlucky” thing that happens to us. Instead, I put a lot of stock in Paul’s promise that, “In all things, God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). I believe that, in all things and times—good or bad, lucky or unlucky—God is there, and if we seek God in those times and lean into the Way of Jesus, we will discover blessings, because that’s simply how this amazing universe, crafted by an ever wise and eternally loving Creator, is designed to work.

So, am I lucky because of August? Am I unlucky because of the prior months? Who can say? I just know that, whatever June, July, August, or any other month in any other year may bring, I will celebrate the “lucky” and persevere through the not-so-much while following after Jesus, because he’s there through it all, and he’s the One who, indeed, works all things for the good.

“Adopt” a Tar Heel Opportunity

Families and Students Encouraged to Participate

This ministry connects college students (even Blue Devils!) with a family from the UBC congregation who will walk alongside students during their college journey.

So far, several students and families have reached out. Students and families are encouraged to reach out soon, if interested.

If you are a college student or family who would like to participate, you may reply to this newsletter.

CBSF Fall Retreat in Ashboro, NC, September 25-27

Living Intentionally in a Busy World

The Cooperative Baptist Student Fellowship Fall Retreat for College Students and Young Adults is coming up September 25-27 in Asheboro.

Registration fee is discounted to $55, if you register by September 1! Click here to register. Contact the UBC church office or Paul for questions about attending the retreat with UBC.

Student Lunches & Fellowship, Most Sundays after Worship

Volunteer Hosts Appreciated

These lunches are in addition to the annual Student Sunday and gather in the Great Hall after worship. Click here for the Fall 2026 schedule.

Volunteer hosts assist by providing the meal. If you would like to volunteer, you may sign-up here.

For questions, please reach out to the church office.

Know some university students? Please invite them to attend! We would love for them to join in!

Student Sunday & CBSF Fall Kick-Off 2026

UBC had so much fun welcoming students back to the community in August.

We had an amazing time together on Student Sunday--welcoming students in worship, sharing a meal together in the Great Hall, as well as hearing a few tunes from special guests, the UNC Clef Hangers! Special thanks to Katherine Brooks, Joe Bray, and to everyone who volunteered and/or prepared a dish for the meal.

Later that same week, the UNC Chapter of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship NC kicked off their Fall 2026 gatherings with a cook-out, yard games, and puppy adventures.

Check out a few special moments below. We're looking forward to making many more memories together this year!

CBFNC Youth Beach Retreat, October 2-4, at Fort Caswell

Registration Deadline, Tuesday, September 8

Parents, to register your kids for the retreat, please email the church office or contact Betsy Watson. The registration deadline is Tuesday, September 8.

Fall 2026 Youth Group Gatherings

All Sunday meetings gather 5pm-6:30pm in the Youth Room, except for Franklin All-Nighter and unless otherwise stated. 

• Sunday, September 13
• Sunday, September 27
• Friday-Sunday, October 2-4 (CBFNC Fall Retreat)
• Sunday, October 18 (Bonfire at the McCoys)
• Saturday sunset-Sunday sunrise, November 7-8 (Franklin All-Nighter) 
• Sunday, November 22
• Sunday, December 6 (Christmas Party)

Request for Youth Hosts - Volunteers Appreciated

I would again like to extend the invitation and request to all the Youth Group parents and UBC members to please consider choosing one night this fall to “host” youth group at church.

This would involve coming to church at 4:45, bringing and setting up refreshments (you can be reimbursed for food), helping clean up, and closing things up at 6:30. Zeb Mathis, Youth Group volunteer, takes care of the devotion and program.

Please let me know if you are available for one of the Fall youth group dates. I’m happy to talk through things in more detail. 

I will continue to be the person to send the text reminders for each meeting. 

Please contact me by replying to this newsletter and let me know if it might work for you to host a youth group night (dates listed in the article above). If you are busy this fall but would like to do it in the spring, please let me know that, too. Also, if two families would like to share a night, that works as well. Thank you for considering my request and responding to this message. We have a FABULOUS youth group.

With gratitude,

Betsy

Music & Worship Ministry

Let us Make a Joyful Sound, Join UBC Chancel Choir

Choir rehearsals currently meet at 6:30pm on Wednesdays. *Choir rehearsals will gather at 6:45pm beginning, September 9.

Handbells rehearsals resume on September 13 at 12:15pm after worship.

Email Craig for more info.

Wonderful Wednesday Resume, September 9, at 6pm

Adults will gather in the Insko classroom with children meeting in the Children's Hall.

Wednesday, September 30, will be a special Wonderful Wednesday congregational gathering with Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness and other local congregations at University Baptist Church. For more information about this gathering, see the "Missions" article below.

Sunday Morning Classes Resume Sunday, September 13, 9:45am

Elementary - Children's Hallway

Youth - Youth Room

Young Adult, Married, Singles (YAMS) - Hospitality Room

Adults - Insko Classroom

Promotion Sunday, September 13

Children will move up to their new Sunday school classes beginning September 13, when we return to our regular Sunday school schedule after the One Event Sunday on Labor Day Weekend.

Bibles to Kindergarteners, Sunday, September 13

Children entering kindergarten this fall will receive a Bible from the church during worship on Sunday, September 13. If you have a child entering kindergarten this year or an older child who never received a Bible from a church, please let Emily know.

Sunday Morning Children's Registration

All parents of children from babies to 5th graders, please look for the registration table (coming soon to the Gathering Area) to update your child's information for Sunday morning activities. Thank you for helping us to have the most current information on your child, and your whereabouts on Sunday mornings in case of an emergency.

Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness Congregational Talk

Wednesday, September 30, 6pm at University Baptist Church

Orange County Partnership to End Homeless will be facilitating congregational talks focusing on the landscape of homelessness in Orange County, root causes, and what the homeless response system in Orange County looks like. All local congregations, community members, and students are welcomed.

Find more about Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness here.

Welcome to the UBC Family, May & Eric!

May and Eric joined the UBC family on August 16, 2026. UBC is blessed to welcome you in!

5th Annual Franklin All Nighter

Sundown to Sunup, November 7-8

Our goal for this year is to raise $30,000 for local mental health services for:

• UNC students - offered through UNC Counseling and Psychological Services - "CAPS"
•    UNC student athletes - offered through UNC Athletics Mental Health and Performance Psychology program - "MHPP"
•    The unhoused in Orange County - offered through the Street Outreach, Harm Reduction & Deflection team - "SOHRAD"

Registration is open now! Student registration fee is $10 with code STUDENT25.



To register, volunteer, donate, or sponsor, click the button below!

Troubled Times: Putting Faith Into Action

University United Methodist Church Fall Seminar Series

Sundays, September 13-27, 9am at UUMC in Grumman Chapel

This Fall Seminar Series is a response to this challenge to us as citizens and as followers of Jesus. The presentations will focus on the Voting Rights Act history, court decisions, and how it affects our fellow citizens as well as hearing from marginalized groups. Let us follow the words of Jesus in Matthew 25 when he tells us to care for the stranger, the hungry, the prisoner, and the poor – “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” 

For more info, click here and select the "Fall Seminar Series" drop-down menu.

Helping Church Thrive: Creative Workshop Retreat

November 13-14 at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem

Designed for Deacon Boards, Finance Committees, Personnel Committees, Properties Committees, other church leadership teams and church staff.

This Retreat Offers:

• Impactful large group presentations on leading change and navigating conflict from pastors and lay leaders

• Practical learning tracks

• Small group sessions & collaborative learning spaces

Choose from Learning Tracks on Topics Such as:

• FINANCE & PROPERTY – Building Use, Legacy Giving, Financial Resources, Aging Buildings

• PERSONNEL – Healthy Hiring Practices, Personnel Structures, Personnel Handbooks • CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP – Volunteer Selection and Training, Spiritual Formation of Leaders

• LEGAL – Abuse Prevention and Response

• LEADING CHANGE & NAVIGATING CONFLICT – Designed for Clergy

To register or for more information, click here. Registration deadline: October 30th.

UBC carpool opportunity! If you would like to be a part of a UBC carpool, drivers appreciated!, please reply to this newsletter by October 30th to let Hollie know.

Members in Service

Sunday, September 6

Greeters: Stan Comer, Tyler Motley

Tellers: Ted Barrow, Zollene Reissner

Sunday, September 13

Cross Bearer: Lincoln Durham

Greeters: Susan Anderson, Donna Harward

Tellers: Susan Anderson, Donna Harward

Sunday Morning Greeting Opportunities

Church Members and College Students Appreciated

Greeters assist before/during Sunday Worship services. Greeter duties include setting up before worship, passing out bulletins, etc. Your help would be so appreciated! Click here to sign-up!

2026 Football Parking

Volunteers Appreciated

Volunteers are needed 4 hours prior to kick off to assist checking in fans who have reserved a parking space. The sign-up sheet is available here.

Church Office Closed, Monday, September 7

In honor of Labor Day.

Giving to UBC Online

You may set-up one-time or recurring giving by clicking here! Church members can sign-up for a Realm account to track giving, here.