Our Mission

I have recently had the opportunity to interact with some UF students. I accepted these invitations because it’s what a leader of a congregation in the midst of a university ought to be doing. I think you will find what we discussed interesting for your own pondering.

The first invitation was from a reporter from the Alligator, the student newspaper. You may have seen the article about women in ministry, with my picture on the front page. My main point was that while “We’ve come a long way, Baby”, we still have a way to go for women to have full equality with men in acceptance and compensation. Here is the link, in case you missed the article. https://issuu.com/floridaalligator/docs/issue_26_49a691ff08369d

It pleases me to say that I definitely have not experienced the lack of respect or compensation at UELC, and I am so grateful to be part of this congregation. At the same time, I invite you to pay attention to how women are treated in other settings.

I also had the opportunity to speak with students from a religion class. Sent out in teams, the students created questions for an interview with a religious leader about religious extremism. The first question was perhaps the most difficult: define religious extremism. Or even simpler: define extremism.

Two related questions we wrestled with were, “Was Jesus extreme in his day?” and “Were the Jewish leaders right to turn Jesus over to the Romans?” Our conversation led to more questions: “Did they have a choice?” “What was God’s plan?”

We came to agree that conversations with folks who disagree with us are important. We can look for ways to agree with each other and work together to create a more united and healthier culture. For example, Family Promise is not just a Christian project; it is supported by Christian, Jewish, and Unitarian Universalist organizations.

I invite you to ponder these questions about extremism: How do you define religious extremism? Was Jesus a religious extremist? What do you think about the Jewish and Roman response to Jesus? Why do these questions matter to you? Do they matter more during Holy Week?

Wishing you many blessings

Pr Lynn

The council met on March 28th via Zoom to conduct the monthly meeting.

As a follow up to the Visioning Retreat held in the Kaiser Center on March 11^th, the council unanimously voted to accept the purpose statement that was drafted at the meeting. This purpose statement reads that UELC is “to be a diverse and inviting congregation and campus ministry sharing God’s love with all in the community.” As you may recall, the Visioning Retreat was the most recent step undertaken in a structured curriculum, as outlined by the Synod, that congregations undertake during a pastoral change. The next step will be the formation of a Call Committee. The call committee will be comprised of 6 members of the congregation. It is a best practice to strive for diverse representation (e.g., length of membership, age, gender, ethnicity, etc.) on the call committee. The council will develop a slate of candidates and after confirmation of willingness to the serve on the call committee, an election by the entire congregation will be held at an upcoming special congregational meeting. If anyone is interested in serving on the call committee, please contact Becky Borgert ([email protected] or 352-672-5836). Council will strive to present a diverse slate of candidates for the congregation’s consideration.

Warm regards,

Becky Borgert

April Servants

UELC People

The Evening Bible Study will finish the current topic of Leadership in the Bible April 19 and 26. Our next topic will be a 15-session video series called Searching for the Historical Jesus. The class will meet by Zoom at 7pm on Wednesday evenings, May 3, 17, and 24.

As the largest religion in the world, Christianity is comprised of thousands of denominations reflecting 2,000 years of ideas. While many branches of the faith vary wildly, they all spring from the same source: a rabbi from Galilee in the far provinces of the Roman Empire. To better understand Christianity today—and, thus, our world—you will journey back to the source and reflect on the man at the center of the Christian faith, the historical Jesus of Nazareth.

From the high priests of Judaism to Gnostic Christians to the Catholic Church, Jean-Pierre examines the mystery of Jesus after the brutality of his crucifixion. With generous quotes from scripture, 3-D animation, and beautiful cinematography of historical sites, Searching for the Historical Jesus brings to life a man whose message shaped the world.

The Evening Study group was discussing how Jesus would have worshiped and what happened in a synagogue during Jesus’ time. Pastor Lynn suggested visiting a local synagogue and contacted Rabbi Michael Joseph at Temple Shir-Shalom. Rabbi Joseph assured her that we would be very welcome at the temple for sabbath worship on any Friday night.

Pastor Lynn suggests going on Friday, April 21. Worship begins at 7pm, and uses both Hebrew and English, so we won’t be totally lost. Let’s meet at 6:45 at the Temple, 3855 NW 8^th Avenue. For those who are unable to join in person, or who want a sneak peak, the Zoom link is on the congregation website. https://www.shirshalom.net/zoom-invitations

It would be helpful to know how many plan to come, so a sign-up sheet will be available in the Kaiser Center.

Thanks to all for your participation in the Visioning Retreat on Saturday March 11.

Through Bible study and prayer, and some fun, we are working together to determine God’s mission at UELC now. We are working together to pray, imagine, dream, and envision how God is calling us to be Jesus’ missionaries in this time and place.

All voices are important to the present and future of the congregation.

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

Offering Direct Deposits

LIFT

Due to the Covid pandemic LIFT (Lutherans In Fellowship Together) has not met for its monthly potluck luncheons for the past two years. We plan on restarting the luncheons by the summer of this new year. Of course, that depends on a lessening of the impact that Covid-19 and it many variants have on our lives. Let us all be responsible and stay safe. 

LIFT coordinator 

Young Adult and Campus Ministry

March was a slower month for CYAM due to Spring break. On March 30^th Shari O’Brien did a presentation to the students exploring their spiritual gifts. Getting to know themselves and each other better. April 16^th will be a student led service with our Peer Minister, Joel Beaudry, giving the message. All roles will be filled by students with perhaps a little guidance as needed from members. April is the month we bid our Senior students farewell. Graduating this semester are Joel Beaudry and Tiana Andriamiarantsoa. Wilson Matungwa will be graduating at the end of summer.  

The Bee

Village of Hope

A huge thank you to our compassionate UELC congregation moved by the spirit to help ensure all children in our community have a home! First, to the Lutheran Gators Bed Race Team of 2023 for giving it their all and garnering our best placing ever -- 2nd place -- in Family Promise's 8th annual Bed Race Fundraising event on Feb. 25. Thank you to many others of you for contributing from your pocket books to compile a larger-than-usual donation for the fundraiser of $1,000. Included in that were your Christmas Christchild Tree offerings.

Our Pastor and Staff