Lampstand August 2023

University Evangelical Lutheran Church

and Campus Ministry

The Lampstand - August 2023

Our Mission

UELC's Mission:

To be a diverse and inviting congregation and campus ministry sharing God’s love with all in the community.

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

Pastor's Corner

Pastor Jane was excited to accept a call to City Lutheran Church. But within a few months, she knew she was in for a challenge. She discovered that the congregational profile was developed by the call committee and only a few other members. The resulting description of the congregation was inaccurate, and Pastor Jane wasn’t the right pastor for that congregation at that time.

As the UELC Council finishes the preparatory work prior to forming a call committee, I hope you all will pray daily for the congregation, the call committee that will be formed soon, and the pastor God is calling to serve here.

The call committee will put the work done by the Council into the congregational profile. Then, the committee will ask for your help, asking you to complete some surveys. These surveys will describe the congregation’s gifts and weaknesses, and the preferred gifts and abilities of the next pastor. The results of these surveys will be more accurate if everyone takes the time to prayerfully fill them out.

This is where discernment comes in. Discernment is the process of allowing God to speak to us, to give us direction into the future. When we take the time to pray, to listen for God before we do something, we have a better chance of hearing what God has in mind for us. There is a better chance that the pastor who interviews will be a good match for the congregation seeking to call a new pastor.

Pax et bonum (peace and all good)

Pr Lynn

President's Notes

Dear UELC congregation and friends,

The church council met on July 25th via Zoom to conduct the monthly meeting.

After much preparatory work, we are rapidly approaching the finalization of the UELC

call committee to lead the efforts of extending a call to a new pastor for our

congregation. It is anticipated that during the month of August, the council

will present a slate of call committee candidates to the congregation for

approval.

The BEE recently held a food and fellowship event to welcome Summer B students.

Students were served three straight days of breakfasts and dinners. Campus

Ministry is excited to have reached a “critical mass” of ten students which

makes us eligible to apply to be an organization on the UF campus. This status

as an organization will allow us to have a table, pass out or post flyers, etc.

to spread the word about UELC’s campus ministry.

As the fall academic semester approaches, the Hospitality Action Team (HAT) is planning a “Welcome back” luncheon after worship on Sunday, August 27^th. HAT will be providing the barbeque sandwiches and the congregation is asked to bring a side dish to share.

Plans for the annual stewardship program which will take place during the month of

October were discussed, culminating with a congregational dinner on Reformation

Sunday.

Warm regards,

Becky Borgert

August Servants

Sunday, August 6

Preacher: Abby Knapman

Celebrant: Peter Fauerbach

Assisting Minister: Sam Borgert

Altar Guild: Elaine Manion

Lector: Sam Brill

Ushers: Ron Fourman

Sound Assistant: Melissa Singer

Video Assistant: Ivan Calderon

Sunday, August 13

Preacher: Pr. Lynn Fonfara

Assisting Minister: Pat Dasler

Altar Guild: Joan Anderson

Lector: Rick Dienhart

Ushers: John MontMarquette, Andy Noss

Sound Assistant: Melissa Singer

Video Assistant: Ivan Calderon

Sunday, August 20

Preacher: Pr. Lynn Fonfara

Assisting Minister: Ron Bauldree

Altar Guild: Pat Dasler

Lector: Sandy Bauldree

Ushers: Jeanne Chamberlin, Phil Noss

Sound Assistant: Amy Schirmer

Video Assistant: Ivan Calderon

Sunday, August 27

Preacher: Pr. Lynn Fonfara

Assisting Minister: Ron Bauldree

Altar Guild: Rachel Jin

Lector: Sam Brill

Ushers: Roger Springfels, Ron Fourman

Sound Assistant: Amy Schirmer

Video Assistant: Ivan Calderon

UELC People

Thank you Declan for the music!

Campus Young Adults

During July the Bee hosted UF students for several meals. Most of the students were international and included both undergrads and graduate students. Shari O’Brian hosted a pool party at her home on July 29^th. August plans are shaping up thanks to our partners in HAT and the Bee. Shari and members of the Bee, held a pool party for our students on July 29^th. It was good to see our friends from Kenya increase their comfort with being in the water.

Abby Knapman will be preaching on Aug 6^th with Rev Peter Fauerbach celebrating communion. Abby was one of our members of Campus and Young Adult Ministry and is headed to seminary later this month.

There will be a welcome lunch after church sponsored by HAT on Aug 27. Watch the bulletin for details I believe the congregation is asked to bring a side dish to go with pulled pork sandwiches.

Heads up students, we will be needing student volunteers to help check in cars during the home football games.

On Instagram, follow our brand new campus ministry @campusministry_ulc

Socialize with UELC

You can help University Lutheran reach more people in our community by following our social media profiles. The more people engage with our posts by liking them, writing comments, and sharing them, the more people will see what we are posting and sharing!

On Facebook, like our page at www.facebook.com/UELCGainesville

On Instagram, follow our brand new campus ministry @campusministry_ulc

Offering Direct Deposits

It is Sunday morning and you are on your way to church. Part way there you remember you have not written a check for the offering plate.

It is another Sunday morning and you are sitting in the sanctuary you write a check and slowly you attempt to remove your check from your check book as quietly as possible.

It is another Sunday at church and you realize that your offering check and envelope remain at home on your dresser.

These are some of the ways that the use of direct deposit helps UELC to receive consistent income to pay its bills.

If you wish to learn more about the use of direct deposit, contact Jim Yale to get set up.

Adult Education Returns

Council decided it was time to offer Sunday morning Adult Education again. It will begin on July 9^th. During July the topic will be the Devotions created by the Just Love team of the Florida Bahamas Synod, based on the book, The 1619 Project. Janet Janke has agreed to lead the discussions during the month of July. Adult Education begins at 9:30 and ends at 10:15 in time for worship.

The Bee

It has been a very busy summer for The Bee at UELC!

Hosted the 3 day Blitz of Food and Fellowship welcoming UF Summer B students.

Hosted LIFT to restart this ministry with a luncheon of summer salads and speakers from the Dragon Rising College [acupuncture & Oriental medicine]

Assembled Blessing Bags for UELC members to take to give to the homeless.

Initiated a drive for school supplies for the students at Parker Elementary. Deadline for donations is Sunday, August 20^th.

Village of Hope

A check for almost $9,000 has been sent to VOH representing 17 sponsorships from UELC. This support is greatly appreciated as they prepare for the next school term.

Prayers have been answered as they were able to complete the school year and give the required national exams. They are happy to report that despite the gangs currently active in Haiti, none of their students, teachers, medical personnel or staff have been harmed.

Save the date! When LIFT meets on Sept. 21st there will be a Zoom call with personnel in Haiti and the states to get all the up to date info and have a chance to ask questions. .

Our Pastor and Staff

Pastor Lynn Fonfara

Pastor, Congregation and Campus Ministry

pastoruelc@gmail.com

Amy Schirmer

Music Ministry Coordinator

Declan Tse / Pablo Coral

Pianist

Evelyn Simmons

Secretary

ulcgainesville@gmail.com