Sonshine North News and Prayers

TEC Weekend

2012-02-24T09:24:00.000-08:00

I would like to report that the last TEC> went very well, If you have teenagers
13 and up please consider sending them They will be well supervised and you get a
rest-full weekend out of it LOL.
To watch God work around in in the teenagers is a bless-full sight to see.
As with SNVDC. All there needs will taken care of reaching our teens before they
wander will help them stay grounded.

Love Brother George Men's # 48

Next weekend is Feb 2013 so if he or she is 12 by next year they can go? :>)

Kairos Outside of Northeast Florida Walk in Love

2012-02-23T22:27:00.001-08:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Kairos Outside Of Northeast Florida # 14 Is on March.16 - 18, 2012.

On March.17th is the Kairos Outside Of Northeast Florida "Walk In Love" which is our version of the serenade.
Starting at 8:00pm!
Please come out and Sing and support our Guests who will be attending.

Right now we have 15 Guests that we know are coming. But we are Praying for at least 20.

We also Need Agape (Palanca) for the Ladies so please talk to your churches and groups about doing some to help us out. Count needs to be at least 20 to 25 pieces.
Our guests are the only ones who receive the Agape! There will be no Agape for the team.

We also still need "Green Palanca" to help with meals for the Ladies!
Meal tickets are $5.00 so please see Lisa Rogers, Jessie Molendyk, or Myself to give money.

Also we need help with Camp Setup and Teardown at Camp St.John on the 16th of March and 18th of March.
So again please talk to your churches and groups and come out to help us.
(More Hands Make Light Work)

Also we need lots of Prayers so if you have Not Signed the Prayer Chain then please consider doing so by contacting myself, Lisa Rogers, or Jessie Molendyk.
You do not have to be on site at the camp and can do it at home. We please ask for you to consider doing an Hour or 2.
So that the Ladies know how much we care about them.

Please Consider helping us out!
Remember that "Christ Is Counting On You"

God Loves You And So Do I,
Rebecca Rodgers
SonShine North Via De Christo # 48

Prayers for Gwynn and Rob

2012-02-16T05:18:00.000-08:00

My friend Jacki in Minnesota lost her mother after a long illness.

Rebecca and her job interviews and spiritual discernment in all things. Healing for her leg too.

My friends Don Livernois and Gloria Cox who are failing in health to make there transition to heaven as quickly and painlessly as possible.

I would also like to request for Rob and me. We still don't have orders.

I also have a friend who has invented a new game. It is a wonderful game that focuses on GRATITUDE it is a game for all ages, for all stations of life and development. A game that focuses on our gifts and surroundings. This game can be played with family members or friends. The prayer need is for their game and their fund raising. They have a page on FacebooK (gratitude-thegame). They have a website: www.gratitude-thegame.com. I would ask each of you to consider pledging to their goal of $19,000. The deadline is February 17, 2012. If you go to the website and click on
KICKSTARTER it will set you up to pledge.

Thank you!

Blessings,

Gwynn Sorenson

IN GOD WE TRUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the HOOT for TEC

2012-02-16T05:16:00.002-08:00

Howdy

This is to all family and friends, or just plain curious folks...

Please feel free to join us at the HOOT....the TEC version of a VDC serenade.

Come dressed in all your outlandish garb and plan to sing LOTS and LOUD.

The HOOT begins at 6:15PM and ends at 8PM.

Here are directions:

Take I-10W from Jax 70 miles (+/-) to I-75

Take I-75S to Lake City/Hwy 90 exit...go West on Hwy 90 towards Live Oak (15+/-) to Camp Weed

On Hwy 90 there is a large Camp Weed sign on left, that is the entrance....make a left from Hwy 90 and follow this to the entry way that comes up on the right in 1 mile

This entry way into the camp....a fork will come in the entry way....veer left and cross the bridge.....you are not in the camp area.....follow signage to the parking behind the youth pavilion.

Here's the web site for the camp: http://www.campweed.org/Home.aspx

Blessings,

Pr. JDB+

Prayers for Rau Family

2012-02-14T12:37:00.001-08:00

Please ask the community to life the Rau family up in prayer. Karl's mother passed away this past Friday in North Carolina. Pray for their safe travels and comfort and peace during a difficult time. Services are this week in North Carolina.

blessings,

Bettilyn Lunetta

Palanca "wheat" for TEC Weekend

2012-02-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Any one having Palanca "wheat" for the TEC weekend, we need it by Friday this week. Please contact Tim so that it can be picked up or delivered.

Also we are in need of people to donate one hour of prayer time for our teens during the weekend. Please send your name, home town, and church
so we can add it to our prayer chain.

Remember Christ is counting on You!

God loves you and so do I
Tim Davis
tadfla@bellsouth.net
738-2935

Request from TEC

2012-02-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

Publix is offering a $10.00 gift card for spending $100.00 on groceries. I am asking everyone, if you shop at Publix, to go to Publix.com, click on coupons, then print the gift card coupon. You can deliver the cards to Crossroad, Advent, or Spirit of Christ , or contact me and I will pick up the cards A.S.A.P.

This offer is valid through February 8.

With enough cards, we can get the food for the TEC weekend without spending any money.

Yours in Christ,
Tim Davis
904-738-2935
904-291-5940

Prayers for Samantha

2012-02-06T12:53:00.001-08:00

Samantha, my 11 year old daughter, is having major back surgery at Tulane on the 17th of Feb. Please keep us in your prayers. She was suppose to give blood at the Blood Center but had several panic attacks. We are asking for prayers of strength as well as protection. We are also asking anyone that can donate blood to do so. :) The Blood Center is doing a blood drive for Samantha. You can donate anytime between now and the 17th. Just make sure you mention that you are donating for Samantha Schwartz. :)

Thanks a bunch. :)
Jennifer Schwartz

Prayer Request for Katy Hendry

2012-02-06T11:05:00.000-08:00

Below is from a friend of ours. Please hold Katy up in prayer.

Thanks,
GLYASDI,

Karen Kwaak

Dear Prayer Warriors:

Katy Hendry is back in the Hospital – same symptoms of abdominal stress & pain. Miserable with chills & fever. CT reveals another abscess plus other floating things – now doctors are unsure if it is diverticulitis, are planning to go in on Monday and explore. Please hold them up in prayer to make good decisions, and Katy to be comforted by God’s faithful presence.

February Ultreya

2012-02-06T11:04:00.000-08:00

JOIN US ON SATURDAY ... FEBRUARY 18TH AT....   HIGHPOINT COMMUNITY CHURCH
84 Knight Boxx Rd
Orange Park, FL

Secretariat meeting....    3pm   (open to everyone)

POTLUCK ...    5 pm

ULTREYA ....    6 pm

SPREAD THE WORD !!!
ENCOURAGE YOUR GROUP TO COME !!!

REMEMBER... CHRIST IS COUNTING ON YOU !!

More Good News on Joe

2012-02-06T11:01:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone,

Joe had his follow-up appointment with the doctor today and he gave Joe the Good News!!! The biopsy came back clear! Again thank you all for the continued prayers the love and support is overwhelming.

Love,
Joe & Deloris

FITS TEC

2012-01-30T08:12:00.000-08:00

De Colores SNVDC!

Fun in the Son Teens Encounter Christ #1 will be February 18-20th. Thank you all so much for all of the support that you have shown FITS TEC already! We REALLY appreciate it!

Anyone able and willing to make/contribute palanca (we call it Wheat at TEC) can drop it by Advent (Brenda LaBranche) or Cross+Roads (Tim Davis) locations and we will get it to Camp Weed in Live Oak for the weekend. It should not include a group name or note with it. Roosters, chicks, and rainbows are not really part of TEC so the youth may not get that symbolism if it is used.

For those of you who have been requesting more information, I have included the FITS TEC brochure and registration with this email. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at brendalabranche@gmail.com.

Thank you!

GLYASDI
Brenda LaBranche
SNVDC #42

Update on Joe Malone

2012-01-30T08:10:00.001-08:00

DeColores,

I am shouting from the roof tops Praise God! Joe's surgery was
successful today!
They did not have to do a skin graft, they did the biopsy under his arm and the
doctor said he didn't see anything abnormal but they sent it off to be tested.
Gods hand was in everything today, a beautiful day, great doctor and wonderful
caring nurses and staff the bonus was I had a lobby full of wonderful groupies
supporting us.

Thank each and everyone of you for your prayers and messages I can't begin to
tell you how much they have meant to us. What an example of Christian
Community
in Action!!!!

God's Blessings,
Deloris

Here’s the “how-to-support” TEC

2012-01-30T08:09:00.001-08:00

Thanks for all your support thus far. Through our faithful witness and work
Fun in the Son Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is becoming a reality. Our
first retreat is February 18-20. Check out the website for more
information. (http://www.fitstec.org/)

I write this note to inform you of ways we may support the weekend as
4thDay communities: Chrysalis, Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, Via de
Cristo, etc.

First, cash donations for scholarships, etc., are always welcome. If this
is where you feel led to help then send checks to: Spirit of Christ
Lutheran Church, 145 SW Sweetbreeze Dr., Lake City, FL 32605….on the memo
line of the check, put “Fun in the Son TEC.”

Second if you like to make palanca, then this paragraph is for you. Palanca
is called Wheat in TEC. There are no rooster themes or chickens, but there
are butterflies. Make butterflies, apple pies, magnets, bangles, bobbles,
etc, and get them to Camp Weed ideally on Friday Feb. 17 or arrange to get
it to the weekend through TEC members in your parish: Brenda LaBranche
Advent Lutheran, Tim & Sue Davis, Crossroad Lutheran, the Bryants,
Bethlehem & Spirit of Christ Lutheran. And one other point…palanca”wheat”
is unlabeled. It comes without a label so that it is perceived as a gift
from the whole community, not from sub-communities of the whole community.
(not my rule, just the way it is done)

Third, show up to help. There are areas within the team that are
under-staffed. Outside community is welcome to come and help in these
places: chapel & kitchen. (Kitchen---in Tec-speak means decorate the dining
area.) Also there are 3 very large events on the weekend that could be
well-supported by outside community: 1) the Agape meal, done Sunday
night….set-up and tear down are big jobs, 2) after the meal is the Hoot on
Sunday night…come join, sing, laugh, dance, then leave…the Hoot is like
taking Serenade from a Via weekend and ramping it up several notches, 3)
Evening Prayer…done LATE on Sunday night…this is a quiet, holy time, and
generally outside community is not a part of this, yet in this case more
people, singing together gathered in a large circle around the team and
retreatants (TECites) is considered to be a good thing.

Fourth, if you want to donate food, drink, etc., please contact Tim Davis,
Harold Young or Les Proehl…these are the awesome folks serving as a cook
team. They can better assess what needs are in these areas.

Fifth, individual letters to Tecites are not a part of the retreat. If you
want to write an individual letter for a single person, do so, yet deliver
it after the weekend one-on-one…. However, you are welcome and encouraged
to write Wheat letters, meant for the whole community. You ask….

What is a Wheat Letter?

It is a short note of encouragement offered during a TEC (Teens Encounter
Christ Retreat) written by those who have made similar retreats, created
for the purpose of lifting up a community of people, by offering them the
chance to hear that they are part of family that is far larger and more
numerous than only those souls gathered together for the retreat.

It looks like this:

“Hi,

I am Yahtzee Bryant. I made Bathed in Bubbles TEC #1 where I sat at the
table of Feed-Me-Yo’-Scraps. I am writing to you today because I know it is
Die Day and I know looking at life and death and Jesus and us can be heavy
stuff to process. I remember how tough it was for me to consider the talks
that day. But, I managed to do it! Yay!

So hang in there it. It is worth it. It will get better and better. Know
that I am praying for you here in Gainesville, FL. My wife Daisy and I are
so excited that you are making this retreat.

God Loves You and So Do We,

Yahtzee George & Daisy Belle Bryant”

Sixth, invite folks to attend as TECites. Non-Lutherans are welcome. This
is ecumenical…Lutheran-sponsored, teen driven, adult-supported, ecumenical
outreach. Anyone person grade 8 or above is welcome. And applications and
medical forms may be found on the website http://www.fitstec.org/

Lastly, and most importantly, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! And I say again, PRAY! God
is doing good things. Faithful prayer is essential to being the
non-anxious, loving community our world so desperately needs to see. And
when you commit to pray for this retreat, consider emailing your name,
church and city of residence to Tim Davis at tadfla@bellsouth.net or
tadfla1958@gmail.com to be added to the prayer banner, which is the same
thing as the SNVDC prayer chain, just done TEC-style.

There may be other ways to support this retreat that I have not remembered
or visioned. If you have any awesome ideas, run them by TEC Council leaders
like Brenda LaBranche, Tim Davis, Hugh Rhea, Laura Rau, Dana Luther, Summer
Michael, Jessica Sprecher, the Bryants, Adam Hopkins, etc.

Thanks for reading this email. I know it was long. It had to be long to get
out all this information to so many who are asking me for it on a
one-on-one case by case basis. Let’s support these teens mightily to the
glory of God.

Blessings,

Pr. JDBRYANT+

Head Spiritual Director

Fun in the Son TEC

Joe Malone Prayer Request

2012-01-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

*Prayer request:
Joe has a melanoma on his left forearm and they will be doing surgery on Thursday, January 26th at 3:15pm at Memorial Hospital. Also will be checking his limp node under his arm to make sure it has not spread. We would appreciate being lifted by your prayers for the doctors, nurses and staff as well as for Joe.

God is in control
Blessings,
Deloris Malone

Mark Your Calendar

2012-01-23T09:26:00.001-08:00

I know some of you were at the Secretariat meeting on Saturday, but just for record purposes here are the scheduled dates for all the 2012 and 2013 weekends at Camp St. Johns:

Coed #4              17-20 May 2012

Men’s #57          20-23 Sep 2012

Women’s #57    27-30 Sep 2012

Coed #5              2-5 May 2013

Men’s #58          19-22 Sep 2013

Women’s #58    26-29 Sep 2013

TEC Weekend News

2012-01-03T08:05:00.001-08:00

To all of the VDC family,

TEC (teens Encounter Christ) #1 is going to be held on February 18-20 at Camp Weed in Live Oak Florida.
Many of you have asked if there was anything we need for the weekend.
We will gladly accept any palanca (wheat) that is given. We need 40 pieces for pillow wheat and 60 pieces for table wheat.
We do not use the rooster/hen, so anything with chickens would loose their meaning.
Please contact me if you have palanca for TEC, so I can arrange to pick it up.

Tim Davis
5532 Newton Road
Middleburg, Fl 32068
904-738-2935

I also need a list of people who will be praying during the weekend.
Please include name, home town and church
This list can be emailed to me at tadfla@bellsouth.net

God is counting on you!
God Bless,
Tim Davis
Wheat Team Director

Pray for David Myers

2011-12-27T04:38:00.000-08:00

My neighbor, David Myers is having a very high risk, but necessary, surgery on January 3rd at Mayo Hospital. I've asked all of my facebook friends, and their friends, and their friends friends to keep David and his family in constant prayer for 24 hours on the day of his surgery. I’m also asking the VDC community to join in as well. I’m sure God won’t mind if we double (or triple) our efforts.

David and his wife, Skye, live across the street from me. They are a young couple with a two year old baby girl. David has been in and out of the hospital for most of the past couple of years. He has had his spleen and most of his pancreas removed. Now they are combating internal bleeding from varicose veins that have developed in his abdomen. They are going to put in some shunts and stints to alleviate the problem. Because of his overall health he is not a good candidate for surgery but at this point the surgeon doesn’t feel like they have much choice. If the leakage gets worse or if there is a rupture, they most likely would not have time to get him to the hospital. The surgeon has cleared the entire day for this operation as they won’t know the full extent of the problem until they get in there. They are only giving him a 30% chance that this will work and that he’ll survive. Surgery is scheduled for January 3^rd at Mayo Hospital.

If you’re on facebook and I don’t have you on my ‘friends list yet, please feel free to join the vigil and the conversation there at the link listed below. It is an open event and you don’t have to be ‘friended’ to join in.

In the meanwhile please add David, his family, and the doctors and medical staff to your daily prayer list.
https://www.facebook.com/events/204063089682566/

Your brother in Christ,

Bob Cook,

SNVDC Men’s # 55

Keith's Status

2011-12-15T23:50:00.001-08:00

Below is a summary of my brother's follow-up visit. She (my mom) mentions bone marrow cancer, and lymphoma....lymphoma is one of three types of bone marrow cancer. There are two types of lymphoma, Hotchkins and non-Hotchkins, and several varieties of each of these. I do not know if it is Hotchkins or non-Hotchkins (I believe one is more aggressive, while the other is more easily treated). We will find out more after his oncology appointment with an oncologist.

Thanks for your continues prayers,
Gail

----- Original Message -----

Subject: Keith's status

Dear family,
Duke and I (my mom and dad) just got back from Keith's. He had an appointment with the orthopedic doctor who did his surgery this morning. The Biopsy showed that he has bone marrow cancer, which I believe is also known as lymphoma. The doctor used both terms. He will know more when he sees the oncology doctor. The office is setting up an appointment for him. The treatment could include oral medication, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.
Keith is recovering well from the surgery. The pain has subsided a lot. He get around pretty well with a walker. The doctor put a "pin" in his femur that runs the length of the bone and can't put much weight on it yet. He got the stitches/clamps out this morning. We drove his car over to Carolyn's after his doctor's appointment since he will be staying there a couple of weeks until he gets more self sufficient. He is concerned about getting around in bad weather, doesn't want to risk any falls and can't shovel snow. He E-mailed that he tried getting into his car after we left and didn't have too much difficulty. He had talked about going to work tomorrow at one point but don't know if that is still in his plans. I did err in saying it was his right leg, it is the left leg, which will make driving easier.

Rebecca Rodgers

2011-12-15T23:49:00.001-08:00

Dear SonShine North Via De Christo Community,

I have been attending Church Of The Epiphany on 103rd Street at Harlow Blvd ever since the summer and now I will joining.
There will be a service on January.25,2012 at 7:00pm for me and the others that are joining and will be preformed by the bishop since it is an Episcopal church.
You all are invited!! Please keep the date in mind!

Address is: Church Of The Epiphany (Episcopal)
5230 Harlow Blvd
Jacksonville,Florida
( corner of 103rd Street and Harlow blvd)

If you need directions then call me at (904)707-1723

Thanks,
Rebecca Rodgers
SonShine North Via De Christo Women's #48

Prayer for Keith Gercke

2011-12-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

Please remember Keith in your prayers. Our healthy son showed up at Gail's before Thanksgiving with a limp. He was sure it was from a slight injury that had occurred during exercise. He had had it a couple of months at this time. After seeing it wasn't getting better he had made two visits to his physician. On the second visit he was referred to an orthopedic doctor and set up an appointment for after his return from Florida. This visit was on Thursday, Dec. 1st.

The X-ray showed a tumor on his right femur. The doctor was concerned about the bone breaking and he was using crutches and moving about as little as possible. He had a Cat-Scan scheduled for Monday and an office visit with an associate orthopedic doctor immediately following it. On Saturday evening as he was sitting on his sofa, he sneezed and a piece broke off the bone. He was in excruciating pain. Fortunately, Carolyn, who had just returned from spending a couple of days at her mom's to celebrate her retirement, stopped by and was with him at the time. She called an ambulance and had him taken to St. Vincent's Hospital. Keith had his Cat-scan Sunday and was visited by the doctor this morning. The cat-scan showed a couple of small tumors on his spine. He will have surgery on his leg bone to remove the tumor and do a biopsy, and to put a pin is his femur.

At this time we don't know anything definite. It seems pretty likely that he may have lymphoma. He expects to be released from the hospital in a day or two. His plans are to probably go to Carolyn's house since she has a ranch style and his is two story with no downstairs bedroom. Marcia has some time off coming and has offered to spend a couple of days there, as have we.

We are trying to respect Keith and Carolyn's wishes but feel there may be some loose ends to tie up at Keith's home if he won't be there for a while.

Prayerfully,

Donna/Mom

Please keep my brother(Keith Gercke) , and the rest of my family (my mother is fearful of lymphoma) along with his girlfriend, Carolyn in your prayers.

Thank you,

Gail (Felder) Gercke

Tim and Annie at Calvary United Methodist

2011-12-02T05:36:00.000-08:00

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

And come join us
Saturday, December 3rd
at
Calvary United Methodist Church
112 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, Fl
Starting at 6pm with an all you can eat Ice Cream Social for $5
Followed with entertainment at 7pm in the Sanctuary by

Tim and Annie

Grab up your babies and tell all your neighbors
that everyone knows they put on a good show.

Just wanted to let everyone know that if you can't make it for the Ice Cream Social at 6pm that we would love for you to join us at 7pm for the entertainment by Tim and Annie.
Blessings,
Joe & Deloris

Prayers for Aunt Shirley

2011-11-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

Please add my Aunt Shirley to your prayers. She was admitted to the hospital yesterday and the family has now been informed that they do not think she is going to make it through the day. It has something to do with her lung tissue hardening. Thank you.

Brenda LaBranche
SNVDC 42

Little Malorie Rose Klug

2011-11-21T19:33:00.000-08:00

Ok, many of my friends are on Facebook and know that my dear friends Rachel and Billy Klug have a 2 year old daughter that has undergone brain surgery that they found a week ago. The Pathology report is back and it is a grade 3 cancer and she will be undergoing localized radiation 5 days a week for the next 6 weeks! Blessed be to God that the surgeons were able to remove her tumour, and now the serious attack to prevent it from coming back. Little Malorie Rose Klug is only 2 years old, she has a handsome twin brother Micah and her parents are very special. I am asking you all to include them in your prayers daily until we beat this mean ole cancer! I know that with the prayers of all of us they will find the strength to continue to fight this ugly battle and Victory will lie in the hands of God! I am blessed to be a part of such a loving community and I know that Rachel and Billy are both very FAITHFUL and appreciate all the prayers!

GLYASDI,
Katherine Morrison

Tim and Annie

2011-11-21T19:31:00.000-08:00

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

And come join us

Saturday, December 3rd

Calvary United Methodist Church

112 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, Fl

Starting at 6pm with an all you can eat Ice Cream Social for $5

Followed with entertainment at 7pm in the Sanctuary by

Tim and Annie

Grab up your babies and tell all your neighbors

that everyone knows they put on a good show.

Prayer for Susie Smith

2011-11-19T04:51:00.001-08:00

Susie Smith, a pilgrim on the 2010 fall weekend had surgery this morning to remove a rapidly-growing malignant mass in her breast. I don't know which hospital she is in, but I'll find out.

Thanks!
God bless you guys!

Peg