Online registration is now open for Christ Journey’s Christmas and Advent casting. Anyone in 2nd grade or above is invited to click here to register and participate in one of our Christmas season worship experiences! The Worship Arts Ministry along with the other “creatives” at Christ Journey are getting very excited to begin planning with you in mind! The registration deadline is Monday, November 5, and the more of you that participate, the more dreaming we can do! Watch this short video for more info:

We invite you to join us as we help people find and follow Christ through worship, art and ministry this Christmas season! CLICK HERE to let us know you’re in.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

…………Sunday, September 9th.  We sure wish we could have met everyone last Sunday but didn’t want you to take unnecessary risks driving over to church that afternoon.  Who knew Monday would be wetter and windier than Sunday!  We are certainly thankful that the storm didn’t hit here and want to keep everyone affected by it in other places in our prayers!

Details are the same as before with everything starting in the Worship Center at 2pm.  We will have kiosks set up outside in the drive-thru area where you’ll check in first, then get a quick photo taken, pick up a registration form, then come inside the Worship Center for the festivities!

If you need childcare, we need your reservation by 5:00pm Tuesday, Sept. 4th.

You all are our best advertisers, so feel free to invite friends and family.  You can direct them to this blog page or our Facebook event page for details.  On Facebook, look for “Creative Arts Casting Call”.  (https://www.facebook.com/events/427378567314990/)

We are SUPER excited about next Sunday.  Hope to see you there!

We have an idea that many of you don’t realize just how many opportunities there are here at our church to serve within the arts community.  Almost every ministry area needs your creative gifts to help them.  That’s why Sunday’s Casting Call is so important.  Check out the list below to see why we need you!

DISCOVERY LAND

- Large Group Director - produce a fun, relevant environment where preschoolers learn Bible truths through creative Storytelling and worship.  Oversees Large Group Storyteller, Worship Leaders and Tech volunteers.
- Large Group Storyteller - ensure the communication of Bible truths through hosting and storytelling in Discovery Land Large Group Experience
- Large Group Worship Leader - ensure fun and relevant worship times in Discovery Land Large Group Experience
- Large Group Tech Leader - ensure the execution of sound and lighting in Discovery Land Large Group Experience.

FAMJAMZ

- Drama Team - experienced actors who appear as “sitcom characters” and storytellers; directors also needed
- Teaching Team - experienced public speakers who appear as hosts and storytellers
- Music Team - experienced singers who lead with personality
- Dance Team - choreographers, dancers and “movers” who lead with energy
- Production Team - producers and backstage directors who direct productions. Audio/lighting/media/camera operators who execute the production.

HIGHWAY 252

- Storyteller - communicates Bible truths through storytelling in HWY 252 Large Group
- Host - energetically captures kids attention and sets the stage for the Bible story in HWY 252 Large Group
-Worship Leader - leads fun and relevant worship in HWY 252 Large Group
- Director/Producer - oversees and ensures HWY 252 Large Group production is executed with excellence
- Audio Engineer - executes audio cues during a HWY 252 Large Group production
- Lighting Operator - executes lighting cues during a HWY 252 Large Group production
- Media Operator - executes audio/visual elements (i.e. lyrics, images, videos, audio clips) during a HWY 252 Large Group production

STUDENT MINISTRY

- Lighting Operator - program and/or operates lighting system in weekly student environments.
- Media Operator - creates and/or operates media shows in weekly student environments.
- Audio Technician - Operates sound board and mixes for various student ministry environments.
- Producer - Oversees the production team and overall look and feel of services.
- Instrumentalists - plays guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, etc for weekly environments – proficiency required.
- Vocalist/Worship Leader - assists in leading worship/singing for weekly environments – proficiency required
- Music Director - Assists in training and leading student band, recruiting and auditioning instrumentalists/vocalists – high musical proficiency required.
- Host - Welcomes students, communicates announcements, transitions from one element of the service to the next.
- Game Leader - Research, plan, execute, and lead games/interactions during weekly environments.
- Programming/Creative Team - Assists in the planning of services, brainstorming creative elements for services and scheduling volunteers.

ADULT LIFE

- BaseCamp Tech - provides technical support to help execute BC environment. (Includes: Lighting, Media, Sound.)
- Breathe Tech - provides technical support to help execute environment. (Includes: Lighting, Media, Sound.) for Breathe Events
- Circle of Friends Tech - provides technical support to help execute environment. (Includes: Lighting, Media, Sound.) for our Circle of Friends Tuesday mornings bible study
- Titus 2 Tech - provides technical support to help execute environment. (Includes: Lighting, Media, Sound.) for our Tuesday night titus 2 Group environment

CHURCH ONLINE

- Studio Team - whether you’re on camera or behind the camera, you’ll help to create the videos and environment for our weekly online experiences.

CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS

- Copywriter/Editor - enjoys writing and/or proofreading to ensure we communicate well through writing.
- Graphic Designer - has a good eye for what looks fantastic & plays nice with Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator.
- Digital Composer - makes inspiring music to support our videos.
- Photographer - loves capturing a moment on film/SD card.

VIDEO PRODUCTIONS

Live Production
- Video Director - creatively directs the video switcher and manages all live video production areas.
- Video Switcher - manages and switches trough each camera shot for live edit, called out by the video director.
- Camera Artist - operates one of six possible video cameras.
- Shader - manipulates primary camera feeds through color and brightness controls for an even look on screen.

Pre/Post Production
- Videographer - a Videographer is a person who works in the video medium — recording moving images and sound onto linear analog or digital tape, non-linear digital disc, or any other digital recording media, such as memory cards.
- Editor - Film Editors assemble footage of feature films, television shows, documentaries, and industrials into a seamless end product. They manipulate plot, score, sound, and graphics to refine the overall story into a continuous and enjoyable whole.
- Motion Graphic Artist - motion Design is the art of graphic design within the context of motion graphics such as film, video or computer animation. Examples include the typography and graphics you see as the titles for a film, broadcast design like show opens for television or the spinning, three-dimensional logo at the end of a TV commercial.
- Producer - a film Producer initiates, coordinates, supervises and controls all aspects of a production, from fundraising and hiring key personnel, to arranging for distributors.
- Screenwriter - writers are involved in the creation and/or development of all types of creative writing for film and TV.
- Music Editor - music Editors help directors to achieve their musical ambitions on films, and provide a crucial link between the film and the composer. They structure the soundtrack, ensuring that all the components work together.
- Boom Operator - boom Operators assist the production sound mixer on film and television sets, and operate the boom microphone, which is either hand held on a long arm or dolly mounted (on a moving platform).
- Director - the Director is the driving creative force in a film’s production, and acts as the crucial link between the production, technical and creative teams.
- Makeup Artist - makeup and hair are key elements in the overall design of films or television productions, creating a look for the characters in relation to social class, and time periods, and any other elements required to create the desired illusion.
- Storyboard Artist - storyboard Artists translate screenplays, or sequences from screenplays, into a series of illustrations in comic book form.
- Costume designer - the Costume Designer is responsible for all the clothing and costumes worn by all the actors that appear on screen. They are also responsible for designing, planning, and organizing the construction of the garments down to the fabric, colors, and sizes

WORSHIP ARTS

Operations and Hospitality
- Translation Team - engages listener through heartfelt translation of the pastor’s message and other elements of the weekend service; requires appointment
-Radio Distribution Team - distributes translation radios to attendees prior to service and checks back in after service

Platform
- Music Director Team - musicians experienced in leading rehearsals and directing instruments; requires audition
- Dance Team - dancers skilled in jazz, ballet, and modern dance who create expressions of worship; requires audition
- Drama Team - actors and scriptwriters who provide interpretive communication in weekend services and other ministry environments; requires audition
- Instrumentalist Team - skilled rhythm section, brass, woodwind, and string players who provide music support as needed for area ministry environments; requires audition
- Worship Host Team - welcomes weekend service attenders from the platform by providing a warm greeting and helpful information; requires appointment
- Worship Leader Team - skilled vocalists who provide point leadership in the weekend worship experience; requires appointment
- Vocalist Team - skilled vocalists for solo, background, or ensembles scheduled in various weekend environments; requires audition

Production
- Audio Engineer Team - programs and/or operates and mixes audio for various environments
- Lighting Team - program and/or operates lighting systems in various weekend environments
- Media Team - programs and/or operates media in various environments
- Stage Design - creates visually appealing stage designs for each weekend message series through design & construction

Programming
- Creative Team - brainstorms creative and multi-media ideas for weekend services
- Backstage Team - manages personnel entrances and stage design needs during weekend services
- Songwriting Team - composes original music and lyrics based on themes and instructions developed during worship planning; requires appointment
- Weekend Producer Team - coordinates the service schedule and flow of information between production team and platform personnel in weekend services; requires appointment

Visual Communications
- Graphic Arts Team - designs graphics to enhance weekend service communication

Video Production
- Camera Team - operates video cameras in weekend services
- Video Director - calls cues to cameramen and switcher operator in weekend services
- Switcher Operator - performs live transitions and cuts between cameras in weekend services

CARE MINISTRY

- MarriedYou LIVE Production - works to offer audio/visual/ creative support for MYL events.

by Jeni Hacker (WAM Volunteer)

Casting Call!

Those two words, when put together cause a visceral reaction inside of me. Do they do that for you?

For many, these words are special, exciting and I’d even argue, magical. An opportunity to do their thing, to be seen and heard with the hopes of being seen and heard by many more. A time to let that light shine baby (if you and I were speaking in person, I’d break into song here). You get the idea.

For others, dread, anxiety and a grapefruit-sized knot in their stomach. An opportunity to be judged and criticized with the fear of being judged and criticized by many more.

I am a card-carrying member of the latter group.

Recently, I have jumped back into the pool of professional theater…and the water was freezing. I have always disliked the audition process. The feeling of being in the waiting room with everyone else auditioning. The feeling of vulnerability during the actual audition. And then… the waiting. Ugh. It’s awful. Why do I do this?!

Well, because by the grace of God, I learned something a while back. I’m not special. But the way God has gifted me is. The hard part is keeping those things straight. When I get all wrapped up in the gift, how it makes ME look and how it makes ME feel, the anxiety comes. But when I can treat the gift as just that, a gift, and lay it on the altar for God to do as He pleases, what is there to get worked up about? Jesus says this in Matthew 23:19:

Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

Just like those He was speaking to then we know the answer to this. It is not for our own pleasure or fulfillment that we have been gifted (although those are often the benefits). It is for His glory and His purposes that we have been gifted. Harder to get all tied up in knots about that, huh?

So here’s your shot. If God has gifted you in an artistic way, this is your chance to bring that gift to the altar. Let God bless your offering and bless us as He receives it.

—

So, “Creatives,” save this date as we host an open casting call for the new ministry year.  Singers, actors, dancers, film-makers, script-writers, fine artists, graphic artists, lighting designers, audio engineers, or anyone who desires to be one of these.  This is for you!  Go to ubcmiami.org/creatives for more info.

Sunday • August 26 • 2pm • Worship Center

As a recovering superstar wanna-be (I’ll share that story one day in my memoir.), the words “front and center” find their comfy ring in my ears. At every casting call, audition or especially at actual show production rehearsals, my stomach did those excited, yet nauseating somersaults as I yearned from my very soul that those sweet words of important affirmation would soar through the air to land on ME!!!! “Angie! Front and center!”

Well, things change as your life story plays out, don’t they? And while I enjoy the absolute honor and privilege of leading worship for my church, I can’t say that I get the same “thrill” I used to when I get those “front and center” platform assignments. These days, the stomach still knots, but it knots with the serious responsibility of bringing my best to the opportunity God has given me.

Recently, we began asking those who attend our church, UBC Miami, to be front and center. After years of “Come on in and sit wherever you like,” we implemented the new, “Come on in and please sit as far front and to the center of the room as possible.” The overall response to this has been very positive, but not without some questions. Here are the answers to the why behind this:

There are 3 main reasons we have begun to redirect seating for our worship services.

1. We gather to worship together on the weekend with our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection, with the response being our life’s devotion. Filling the front and center of the room first creates a sense of community as a corporate body of worship.
2. We value a worship environment that focuses on God, without distraction. If the seats up front and to the center are not filled first, then those who come late interrupt the worship of those who are seated on time.
3. Pastor Bill White and the other platform communicators lead for 5 services each weekend. It assists them greatly to have the front of the room filled, so they do not have to reach people by talking over a large gap of empty rows between them. It strengthens the communication between the platform and the congregation.

We hope you’ll say yes to the invitation to be front and center when you attend UBC Miami! Bring your very best to the opportunity God has given you to worship as you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.

Be Blessed!

Angie Lopez, Exec. Dir or Worship Arts Ministry

You can’t walk around UBC Miami and not get a sense of something great in the making.  Summer is here and in ministry summer is that time of regeneration, refreshment and recharge.   In this Summer Season I am getting a unique opportunity to learn form the UBC WAM team(Worship Arts Ministry) and what an honor that has been.

I have been inspired by the intentionality in planning that the WAM team uses in every meeting.   Every detail is thought through, discussed and prayed over.   When that process is what guides a meeting then you know that the very best is what is going to be put forward.

One of the core values for WAM is “Artistry”.  This means WAM values Creativity in Representing Truth, Excellence in Presentation, and Intention of Worship service design.  I am getting to see this value exercised every time I engage in a conversation with one of the Master Minds in the Worship Arts Ministry(WAM).

Needless to say exciting things are coming down the pipeline this Summer and Fall at UBC Miami.   Can you feel the excitement!!!

Ricky  Garcia

I hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend (and I pray the Lord graces us with some sun!)… and I also hope we’ll get to be together at UBC this weekend, too! Is that all too much to ask??

As a leader in the Worship Arts Ministry, allow me to take this opportunity to tell you what you’ve seen happening in our weekend services the past two weeks. WAM values worship. (I know, no brainer.) But here’s what we mean when we break that down:

We value God as the focus of our experience.
We value participation in spirit and in truth, expressed corporately and without distraction.
We value communication that is relevant to our culture.

This is not all that matters to us, but it’s a piece. Some big pieces. And so - the introduction of stanchions and aisle ushers assists us all in an experience where we can communicate to our culture, because they are participating with their hearts and minds as we create an environment with as few distractions as possible. This contributes to our holding the Lord high as the focus of our brief times together each weekend. What a privilege!!

I must thank Robert Rivera, our Associate Director of First Impressions, for his commitment to putting hands and feet to this. It’s been a joy to watch him rethink and re-inspire. I need to also officially introduce Lily Garcia to you, who we’ve invited to be with us for 3 months to study all our points of connection campus-wide. Her passionate experience partnered with Robert’s faithful diligence are a dangerous combination toward making UBC the kindest, friendliest place in Miami! Together, I am watching freshness fall on the vision and mission we’ve always been after. We help people find and follow Christ because we want to win as many as possible, as soon as possible, by the most effective means possible. Do it, Lord.

So whether you are serving with us this weekend, or you are “off” and enjoying the opportunity to come with your family, you are a part of this. Why? Because chances are, guests have noticed your part of what we do. And they recognize you. And they love to see you worshipping with them on your “off” weekends. Welcome to leadership!

There’s so much more I want to say, but who knows if you even made it to the end of this email, right? Be looking for us to be in touch over the next few months with more unbelievably exciting plans. We are praying so much over you. I’m serious! For now I’ll sign off with this…

Grateful for your part in the breakthrough!

Angie Lopez