University Evangelical Lutheran Church
and Campus Ministry
The Lampstand - March 2021
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Our Mission
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
Dear UELC Congregational Family,
Thank you to all who were able to attend the virtual Annual congregational meeting via Zoom in February.
The council met on February 23rd to review committee reports and many items of business. One issue the council discussed at length was the return to in-person worship services. Various members of the congregation have expressed their feelings regarding a desire to return to some form of in-person worship. The council acknowledged there are at least 2 distinct issues that we must address around this issue. First, the health and safety of all involved and second, the logistics and manpower issues that must be considered. If we were to begin having some form of in-person worship, there will certainly be members who do not feel they are ready yet to return to in-person worship. As such, there would be a need to continue to provide a virtual worship experience to accommodate those members. Currently, the production of the virtual service is quite a labor-intensive process. The council will be invited to the next meeting of the UELC Covid-19 advisory task to further discuss this important issue.
I sense this is an issue where many have strong feelings and I ask for the congregation’s patience and forbearance as we seek to make decisions that are in the best interest of everyone while acknowledging that we likely will not meet everyone’s expectations or timeline. We WILL eventually return to in-person worship and I pray that this issue does not become a divisive one for our congregation. We have weathered the storm thus far and I pray we can continue to pray for and support one another through these unprecedented times.
Best regards,
Becky Borgert
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COVID-19 Vaccination Registration - Alachua County Residents 65+
This provides a link to register for COVID-19 vaccination if you are 65 years or older:
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Wednesday Noon Prayer and Connection by Zoom |
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MARCH Birthdays
3/3 Kim Gauthier
3/7 Amy Schirmer
3/12 Cassandra Lipka-Leite
3/20 Beverly Gronwall
3/24 Wesley Noss
3/28 Martin Vala
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We isolate now
So when we gather again
No one is missing
Continued Prayer Concerns
Prayers for healing: Lois Wilkowske, Schirmer family, Ron and Beverly Gronwall, Les O'Brien, Cecilia Noss
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Worship Committee: Focus on Lent
We are so happy to have Sharai singing with us again. More voices are always welcome.
We were really busy with vocal recordings and planning for the Holden Evening Prayer which we are using every Wednesday for the Lenten period, with different meditations to help us on our Lenten journey this year. The process was a little different from recording for Sunday worship and we were not sure how it would all come together. Moses, our surprise cantor, did an awesome job. I think it all turned out great!
The liturgy was changed for Lent and that added to the list of new recordings that had to be completed on time. We had and still have a lot going on this month and I am so grateful to members of the choir who always do their recordings with willing hearts.
Maundy Thursday will also follow the Holden format, as there will be no Wednesday Holden Evening Prayer during Holy Week. Good Friday will be a complete service. Unless we are advised otherwise by the DOH and the CDC as interpreted for our context by our UELC COvid-19 Advisory Group and Pastor, we have planned all services to be online for March and April, at least.
Thank you to Pastor and the congregation for continued loving support and encouragement.
Crystal Jacob, Minister of Music for UELC Worship Committee
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Finances Update
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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Choice Dollars - Thrivent
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Family Promise Update
Blessings, joy, peace and love to you all in this new year!
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LIFT
LIFTvT will resume after Easter on April 8, 2021.
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Young Adult Ministry
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.
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The Bee - What's Happening
During this time of not being able to meet in person, The Bee is virtually sharing twice during the month The Story BEEhind the Hymn.
Articles are written by Janet Janke and researched from different sources and people.
Blessings,
The Bee
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Adult Forum
Adult Forum is not meeting for now.
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Village of Hope
The 2020 renewal time for VOH sponsorship was cut short with the pandemic shutdown of in person worship. A special thank you to those who did renew during the past year. Since we send a check from the congregation it isn’t necessary to let the Lazarus Project know who renewed. Therefore, I just told them that everyone who sponsored a child in 2019 had renewed for 2020.
Now it is time to renew sponsorships for 2021. Hopefully now, with the new finance team in place, I will be able to know who has renewed this year and send a more accurate list.
The cost to sponsor one child is still $480 a year. This can be paid annually, quarterly, or monthly at $40 a month. Another option is for two or three people to share a sponsorship of a child.
Checks should be made out to University Lutheran Church and put in your offering envelope with the notation “Lazarus Project” on the special gift line and also on the memo line of your check. Checks should be mailed to either the church or to Jim Yale. Your contribution will be reflected on your UELC statement of giving.
Sponsorships enable the Village of Hope to provide each child with a Christian education, uniforms, two meals each school day, and dental and medical care.
Good news! The VOH school and the Health Center are now reopened after a two week shut down due to the violence that was occurring in Haiti. As they said in their recent e-mail, prayers have been answered.
For additional information contact Janet Janke,
Lazarus Project Coordinator at University Lutheran Church, at
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Our Pastor and Staff
Pastor Terrance Jacob
Pastor, Congregation and Campus Ministry
Crystal Jacob
Minister of Music (Direct Choir and music-related ministries)
Moses Choi
Pianist
Evelyn Simmons
Administrative Assistant
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