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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,
I was just saying to a friend that I am so grateful for Zoom and yet at the same time, I am so "over" Zoom!
I suspect the part about being "over it" has to do with the multiple Zoom meetings I must attend every week as part of my job! On the other hand, one of the reasons I am grateful for Zoom is because the UELC church council can continue to meet and "see" each other. The council is dedicated to making sure the important work of our congregation continues to move forward during this time when we are not worshiping together in person. The council met on August 25th and was updated regarding the work and activities of the various ministries and teams, including the Financial Action Team.
The council discussed our appreciation for everyone from UELC and GLC who are contributing to the music ministry. The council especially acknowledged Crystal and Moses for the extended hours they are dedicating to continue bringing us meaningful, uplifting music as part of the video service each week. Thank you to all!
Best regards,
Becky Borgert
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September Birthdays
9/ 2 Sofia Panagiotopoulos 9/ 7 Ruth Fugmann
9/ 7 Joan Anderson
9/16 Patricia Gordon
9/17 Kristina Panagiotopoulos
9/28 October Stutzman
9/30 Richard Ezell
9/30 Virginia Lakotas Hedden
Continued Prayer Concerns - Prayers for healing: Lois Wilkowske, Schirmer family, Ron and Beverly Gronwall, Les O'Brien
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It is with a heavy heart that I announce that this afternoon our dear brother and friend, Dutch Shirmer passed on to eternal rest in Christ Jesus. Some of you knew that last Friday, Dutch was moved to hospice, as he entered the final stage of Parkinson's Disease. Today at Noon Prayer, we prayed for His eternal rest and strength for Mary Lou and Gretchen. Two hours later Dutch passed on peacefully and Mary Lou and Gretchen found strength and peace. They were playing Dutch's personal favorite hymn, "Beautiful Savior" (ELW 838) in the room on their phone, during which Dutch passed into eternal rest with God. This was also the last hymn he sang privately in church with our UELC choir last year.
Dutch told me the last few times I met with him, "I'm ready for the afterlife. I'm ready to go Home, pastor."
Let's take comfort, rejoicing in Christ with this scripture text I read to Dutch, from Revelation 14:13
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are (those) who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
There are no plans for an immediate Celebration of Life Service. As of now, Mary Lou wants to honor Dutch's request that the Service be held at UELC after we resume full in-person worship, even if it is next year. There will be a private cremation in anticipation of that. We hope to have an obituary sent out soon.
Rest eternal grant him, O LORD; and let light perpetual shine upon him.
Please continue to hold Mary Lou, their children: Kurt, Eric and Gretchen, and their families in your prayers.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Terrance
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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 Peace and Health!
If anyone would like to help, we could still use $25 gift cards from Publix or Walmart sent to the Family Promise Day Center at 229 SW 5th Street, Gainesville 32601. Thank you!
Amy Schirmer
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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 September will be God's work, Our Hands, Family Promise and Baker Friends.
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 Gospel of John.
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Please refer to Pastor's Corner above.
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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 will be virtually sharing twice during the month The Story BEEhind the Hymn.
Blessings,
The Bee
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Adult Forum is not meeting for now.
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Good news to report from Haiti!
First, the Village of Hope School, Health Center, and Hope House where mission teams stay suffered no damage during the recent hurricanes.
Next, the school has been open since the beginning of August and doing well with the students wearing masks and social distancing. Although usually done by mission teams, the staff is now taking pictures of the individual students to send to sponsors. Hopefully some of you might be finally getting a new picture of your sponsored child.
Last, the 80 plus Haitian staff at VOH have been fully paid each and every month and the staff is humbly grateful for this support in these unusual times.
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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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October Newsletter Deadline
Please send any articles for the October newsletter by September 28th to Andy Noss [email protected]
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September Worship Volunteers
Sept 6
Sept 13
Sept 20
Sept 27
Altar Guild
Sept 6
Sept 13
Sept 20
Sept 27
Lector
Sept 6
Sept 13
Sept 20
Sept 27
Ushers
Sept 6
Sept 13
Sept 20
Sept 27
Greeters
Sept 6
Sept 13
Sept 20
Sept 27
Sound Assistant
Sept 6
Sept 13
Sept 20
Sept 27
Counters
Sept 6
Sept 13
Sept 20
Sept 27
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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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