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UELC's Mission:
To Embrace and Share the Love of God in Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit Empowers us.
UELC's Guiding Principles: Jesus is our Lord and Saviour; therefore, we are to:
> Worship God in inspiring, diverse, and creative ways > Be a community engaged in spiritual practices that attune us to the Holy Spirit's guidance for our living > Welcome all people in their diversity to worship, learn, and serve with us > Be a safe place to learn, explore, and debate > Be generous stewards of the gifts God has given each of us to bless others and care for the natural world > Continue outreach to, and further develop connections with, the academic communities of Alachua County > Affirm human rights and work for social justice
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Council President's Report
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Dear fellow congregation members and friends,
The church council was busy during the month of October with 2 meetings held. The first meeting focused on updates to the University Lutheran Evangelical Church (UELC) constitution. There are several updates needed to the constitution. Many of these changes are mandated based on church-wide (ELCA) changes as well as changes at the level of the Synod (FL-Bahamas). Additionally, there are some updates specific to UELC. Please check your email in the coming weeks for more information about this process.
The regular council meeting took place on October 27th and the council heard a report from the Shared Pastorate Review Team (SPRT) regarding the findings of the congregational surveys that were distributed in September. The council voted to continue the Shared Pastorate arrangement at least through the end of 2020 and the 2 councils (UELC and Gethsemane Lutheran Church) will hold a joint meeting before the end of 2020 to discuss further recommendations.
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Church Announcements
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Wednesday Noon Prayer and Connection by Zoom
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November Birthdays
11/ 4 Loretta Fauerbach
11/ 8 Lissa Montmarquette
11/ 10 Krissi Norford
11/11 Andrea Fourman
11/18 Shari O'Brien
11/22 Rev. Terrance Jacob
11/26 Phil Noss
11/30 Jeanne Chamberlin
Continued Prayer Concerns
Prayers for healing: Lois Wilkowske, Schirmer family, Ron and Beverly Gronwall, Les O'Brien, Cecilia Noss
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 Members that wish to submit their offerings may do so in a couple of ways. You may send your check to either UELC office or mail them to me at 8520 SW 99th Place, 32608. Either way I will get them to the bank. Since there is no cash to be counted, it is appropriate that we don't need two counters, as we normally have. In addition to the deposit book entries, each check is photocopied for our records and accountability.
Jim Yale
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Greetings of grace and health! Families continue in care of Family Promise of Gainesville and our many community congregations. Good news: Two families have recently settled into permanent housing. That includes Janice, mother of five boys whom many of you have met, who has just started a new job! More good news! Pat Dasler reports that FP of GNV just closed on the purchase of a 4-unit apartment complex. This will give the organization more flexibility to rapid re-house families, or graduates of the program, in housing without having to rely as much on the local rental market. Beyond the three families currently in the program, FP is actually assisting others in crisis due to the pandemic -- with groceries, rent payments or rapid rehousing assistance.
The church shelter rotation program has been suspended till summer 2021, however we are asked, as we did in May and August, to continue providing meals, gift cards and prayer during our host weeks. We are not scheduled to host again until January 29 and April 4, 2021.
Thank you to several of you who either cooked a meal, provided a take away meal, or donated gift cards during our recent October host week.
Several ideas are being floated for engaging congregation volunteers more directly with families during these distanced months, to stand in place of the usual socializing and play time we experience when hosting at the church. Some ideas are hosting family virtual scavenger hunts, I spy or story time via Zoom; providing meal kits for families to make in their own kitchen, or craft kits for families to be creative with during the host week; donating gift or graduation baskets tailored to family tastes. Our congregation includes so many talented people -- your ideas are welcome!
Peace and well-being be with you and all! Thank you for your continued prayers and support for our community's neediest.
amy_schirmer @yahoo.com
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LIFT has gone virtual during this time when we cannot have the usual Monthly meetings at UELC.
Check your in-box each Thursday for LIFTvT [LIFTviaTechnology] programs.
The program during the month of November will be Giving Thanks and Thanksgiving.
Ron Bauldree
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Campus/Young Adult Ministry weekly meetings on Thursdays, 5:30-7:00.
Young Adult and Student Ministry continues to meet by Zoom and are studying the Bible. Right now they are going through the Book of Daniel.
For inquiries contact Krissi and Dan Norford (keb.dan@gmail.com).
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The Worship Assistants and The Choir remains a joint effort of UELC-GLC choir with more voices. The music and worship service is still put together with no two people in the same room, but using virtual tools and hard work. Once again, for those that missed it before, here's how the music is done (without naming the technology and software).
Our Minister of Music, Crystal Jacob coordinates and arranges the music and the voices for the music. Our pianist, Moses Choi receives the music from Crystal, records it and sends it back to her and she assigns it to individual choir members. Each vocalist practices with the music, then records just their singing parts and sends it back to Crystal and Moses. Moses combines the individual recordings and his music, and sends it back to Crystal. Sometimes the whole process for a song may need to be redone, but most times it sounds great. They send the music to Pastor Terrance who inserts each hymn into the service video, adds a slide for the words (like with the liturgy), then he produces and uploads it to YouTube as a complete service.
The Worship Assistants are con-ordinated by Ms. Chris Bennett (Gethsemane) and Pastor. Was get the readings/prayers, record a video in their homes and send it to Pastor, who produces it as with the music.
Thanks to all who show such great dedication and commitment and make our worship service a blessing to all. Unfortunately, not all of the regular choir members and worship assistants from UELC or GLC can cope with the above process for now - but we are working on that!
Submitted with Praise to God by Crystal Jacob, Minister of Music
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The Bee - What's Happening?
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The Bee
During this time of not being able to meet in person, The Bee is virtually sharing each week The Story BEEhind the Hymn.
Articles are written by Janet Janke and researched from different sources and people.
Below is the thank you card that was sent to The Bee from the guidance counselor at Parker Elementary, [formerly J.J. Finley]. She is most appreciative of the books, blanket throws, and masks that she is able to give out to the students she works with at the school.
She identifies children in crisis that she feels will benefit from this project. The child is able to select a fleece throw and a new book which are then placed in a special bag to be taken home. There is a label on the bag and in the book that says it is from the Ladies of The Bee at University Lutheran Church.
Last month, in addition to the 24 Book/Blanket Bags that were donated, Loretta Fauerbach sewed 42 masks made with child friendly patterns that were a big hit with the children who received them.
Even in the midst of a pandemic, UELC's The Bee is able to continue this Book & Blanket Bag project to our neighborhood school.
Blessings,
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Adult Forum is not meeting for now.
Contact Dan Norford for more information: keb.dan@gmail.com
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From the Village of Hope September newsletter:
"When the students returned to school in August, everyone had a smile on their face and were thankful for the opportunity to be back in the classroom. In late August, our photographer was able to begin taking pictures of the students. We are currently printing and organizing the school pictures for their sponsors back in the States. The students were able to remove their masks for the photos and the smiles of thanksgiving look more radiant than ever. Smiles that say "thank you" and "I appreciate your gift and sacrifice."
UELC was in the midst of the sponsorship renewal time when everything shut down in March. A check was sent to VOH this summer for the sponsorship that had been renewed. Another check will be sent before the end of the year for those the funds that have come after the shutdown. If you haven't renewed as yet there is still time. Just send your check to the church or to Jim Yale with VOH sponsorship on the memo line.
If you have any questions please contact Janet Janke, UELC's Lazarus Project coordinator.
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Our Pastor and Staff
Crystal Jacob
Minister of Music (Direct Choir and music-related ministries)
Moses Choi
Pianist
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December Newsletter Deadline
Please send any articles for the December newsletter by November 28th to Andy Noss andrew.noss@yahoo.com
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November Worship Volunteers
Nov 1
Nov 8
Nov 15
Nov 21
Nov 29
Altar Guild
Nov 1
Nov 8
Nov 15
Nov 21
Nov 29
Lector
Nov 1
Nov 8
Nov 15
Nov 21
Nov 29
Ushers
Nov 1
Nov 8
Nov 15
Nov 21
Nov 29
Greeters
Nov 1
Nov 8
Nov 15
Nov 21
Nov 29
Sound Assistant
Nov 1
Nov 8
Nov 15
Nov 21
Nov 29
Counters
Nov 1
Nov 8
Nov 15
Nov 21
Nov 29
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Still Collecting Diapers!
We are still collecting infant/toddler diapers for Gainesville Community Ministry. You can put them in the lime green container in the Kaiser Center.
Gainesville Community Ministry says they often get plenty of newborn and small infant diapers, but not a lot of the larger size (fitting 20 pounds and up).
So, if you could, donate some of the larger sizes.
If you have questions, you can contact Krissi Norford.
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