University Evangelical Lutheran Church
and Campus Ministry

The Lampstand - May 2022
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
Pastor's Corner

The Cross and the Empty Tomb: a time for Mourning and for Celebrating
 
We have come through Lent and arrived at the Easter Season by God’s Grace. For most it’s been a blessing and for some it’s been a struggle. The rhythm of the Lenten-Easter season is like the rhythm of life. There is joy and sadness at the same time and it seems that at any given time we as a community are balancing that. Last year, some of us were grateful for healing while, at the same time, others were struggling with diagnoses of new illness. I remember one prayer time where we had to list both the same day. This year the same is happening.
 
The timeless hymn, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross captures the mystery in the stanza:
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
 
Easter reminds us that we are resurrection people, while we are people of the Cross at the same time. It’s not a mere paradox. It’s the reality of Christian life. There are many catchy phrases to try to capture that theologically, like “Already but not yet”, etc.… but we don’t need to look far as a congregation. In April we had the Baptism of Baby Sloane, daughter of Rachel Cook and Philip Guiry on one Sunday, then that week was Crucifixion Friday, then Resurrection Sunday and the following week the Memorial Service of Kathy Brill. All were a blessing yet it was joy mixed with sadness.
 
As your pastor for five years (May 1), my heart rises and sinks with each of you, but by God’s infinite Grace through Christ, like many of you, I have been able to find deep joy and peace. We ought to let ourselves have unbridled joy, even as we ought to let ourselves fully experience our sadness, being stuck in neither but embracing this dance of life as with us as long as we are on earth. The “Preacher” writes in Ecclesiastes 3:

1For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
 
As a Greek philosopher put it, “the only constant in life is change.” (Heraclitus). Our contentment lies in accepting this reality, embracing it and letting ourselves fully live it until that day when we meet Jesus “face to face”.
 
Peace be yours always,
Pastor Terrance
President's Notes

Council met with a representative of the Parking Committee to discuss a new process for charging and reserving parking spots for game days. The committee decided it would be best to base the price for spots on the desirability of the matchup. Letters went out to season holders on the 27th. As CYAM continues to grow, the intention is to cede responsibility for parking to the students of CYAM.
 
Ron Bauldree and Ron Gordon have agreed to be voting representatives at the upcoming Synod Assembly. 
 
The final draft of Phase I of the constitutional amendments (those mandated by Synod) has been sent on to Synod. Council continues to work on Phase II (internal constitutional amendments).
 
The biggest piece of news is not good, unfortunately: the incoming Church pianist abruptly accepted an internship in Miami, to begin in May. Council thanks Crystal Jacob and Pastor Jacob for their hard work in finding a pianist and their continued efforts in filling the position for our Church. Thanks should also be extended to Joan Anderson, who played the piano at Kathy Brill’s memorial service.
 
On a happier note, UELC will celebrate its fifth anniversary under the shepherdship of Pastor Jacob on Sunday, May 1st! Our seminarians, Sharai Jacob and Krissi Norford, will also be giving sermons in the months of May and June, respectively.
 
UELC and its council will need continued prayers and spiritual support as we continue to navigate life in the midst of a pandemic.

Blessings,
Dan Norford 
May Servants

Sunday, May 1
Assisting Minister: Pat Dasler
Altar Guild: Joan Anderson
Ushers: John MontMarquette, Ron Fourman
Sound Assistant: Sharai Jacob

Sunday, May 8
Assisting Minister: Krissi Norford
Altar Guild: Pat Dasler
Ushers: Gene Brandner, Andy Noss
Sound Assistant: Melissa Singer

Sunday, May 15
Assisting Minister: Sam Borgert
Altar Guild: Jackie Klein
Ushers: Jeanne Chamberlin, Ron Gordon
Sound Assistant: Crystal Jacob
Preacher: Sharai Jacob

Sunday, May 22
Assisting Minister: Ron Bauldree
Altar Guild: Elaine Manion
Ushers: Roger Springfels, Ron Fourman
Sound Assistant: Melissa Singer

Sunday, May 29
Assisting Minister: Melissa Singer
Altar Guild: Joan Anderson
Ushers: Gene Brandner, Andy Noss
Sound Assistant: Sharai Jacob
UELC People






Continued Prayer Concerns

Prayers for healing: Cecilia Noss, Babs Dalsheimer, and Kim Gauthier.
Did you know?

Anyone in the congregation who is experiencing financial difficulties due to the ongoing pandemic, please reach out to Pastor. We have a "discretionary fund" that might be able to be utilized to assist those who find themselves in this situation.

UELC Council
Kathy Brill Memorial
Baby Sloane Baptism
Music and Worship
Greetings All,
 
I am so disappointed to inform the council that Jose Lora the pianist who was going to begin work on 04/17/2022 is unable to serve as our pianist because he has accepted an internship in Miami beginning 05/15/2022. It was not worth our effort to have him play for just three weeks, so he did not start at all.
 
Will have to advertise this vacancy again. Having a student as a church pianist ideally means they should be living in Gainesville and be available during summer and holidays. This was the case with Jose, except that his internship ended up being outside of town. We will follow up on our previous leads at UF and reach out to other churches too. In the meantime, we are fortunate to still have our recorded and we will go on with our music ministry as usual. 
 
The liturgy we are using is from ACS - All Creation Sings, the addendum to the ELW. I added on the new Gospel Acclamation which is so lively and expresses heartfelt praise and joy to our Risen Lord. I was expecting to have the members of the Music ministry practice singing and playing percussion instruments with our pianist but unfortunately I will have to revise this plan. We will be adding more of the liturgical hymns as we gradually lengthen worship in keeping with updated Covid protocols. 
 
I am so happy that Joan Anderson agreed to play the piano for Kathy's memorial service on Saturday 04/23. She may even be open to playing the piano for some familiar hymns for Sunday worship. 
 
Blessings 
Crystal Jacob
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. 
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. 

Ron Bauldree
LIFT coordinator 
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.

For inquiries contact Krissi and Dan Norford ([email protected]).
Congratulations Graduates!

Campus Ministry student Will Speer graduated this Spring with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Classics with a minor in French and certification in Teaching English as a Second Language. Will will be pursuing a graduate degree in Education Curriculum and Development with a focus in Teaching English as a Second Language with a goal of teaching overseas. He currently works at the UF English Language Institute (ELI) and will continue working at the ELI while in graduate school. Congratulations!
Campus Ministry Spring Retreat

Members of the Campus and Young Adult Ministry kayaked down the Rainbow River March 19th, 2022. Pat Dasler organized the event and provided the meals and childcare. We enjoyed kayaking down the river on a beautiful spring day, and seeing the identifying the wildlife along the river. Dan and Krissi provided the comic relief as they tried to navigate the river in a tandem kayak. We hope to have another retreat in the fall.
Adult Forum

Adult Forum is not meeting for now.

Contact Dan Norford for more information: [email protected]
Family Promise

We're leaping toward our first in-person Family Promise hosting since January 2020! To transition back into the shelter rotation model, we're only asked to house, feed and comfort 1 or 2 families. If you are able to help in one of these ways or have any questions regarding volunteering or the Covid protocols we'll follow, please contact me. amy_schirmer @yahoo.com
 
  • meals for 1-2 families - drop off at church for evening host to set up buffet style (about 5:30)
  • evening host - oversee meal provision, set up, clean up, distantly socialize and see to any needs of the families
  • overnight host - ensure families safely nestled; put out breakfast items in morning
  • groceries - fresh, non-perishable and paper service items
  • grocery gift cards (for purchase of fresh, refill & special request groceries during the week) 
  • gas gift cards (given to FP to distribute to families)

Also, regardless of your knowledge of Family Promise, you'll find this 30-45 minute 'volunteer training' provided by Family Promise national office. I found it informative and moving. Circulating this now, as we are returning to the rotational shelter model, is not a coincidence; there are some good tips for volunteers given candidly by guests, as well as background of Family Promise I'd never known. You are awarded a virtual certificate at the end, and asked for feedback. Access here. If you're short on time, skip to this part of Module 1: Volunteering with Family Promise
  •   How can volunteers help?
  •   Best Practices
  •   You make a difference

Thank you for your continued support in helping prevent the cycle of homelessness. 
Amy
Village of Hope

This is the Easter message from VOH in Haiti. “Today we rejoice that HOPE and NEW LIFE have been restored to VOH. We have faithfully prayed for peace during this past year and we are now able to rest on Jesus’ promise of new life!
 
We are pleased to share that two of our VOH graduates have completed their medical degrees and returned to serve the VOH Health Center. This is a beautiful image of how the gift of education provides hope and is already making a difference in the future of Haiti.
 
Thank you for your faithfulness through this year! With your continued support we have been able to move forward with our mission to provide hope for the future. Thank you for being a part of our Village of Hope family!”
 
At the end of May a check from UELC will be sent to VOH with the donations that have been contributed thus far. Please consider renewing your sponsorship if you haven’t yet or begin a new sponsorship. One time donations can also be made.
 
Just put VOH on the memo line of your check and put it in the offering plate. The cost is still $480 per year or $40 a month.
 
Janet Janke, Lazarus Project [VOH] coordinator at UELC
Pinelands Conference Spring Gathering
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services visit
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services webinar
Our Pastor and Staff

Pastor Terrance Jacob
Pastor, Congregation and Campus Ministry

Crystal Jacob
Minister of Music (Direct Choir and music-related ministries)

Evelyn Simmons
Administrative Assistant