This transition comes with great excitement as we journey together into a new frontier! This week of new beginnings began with some sadness. My first day into the transition, I had to officiate my father-in-law's funeral back in Pennsylvania. It was a sad moment as John was just down here in Florida for our son's graduation party. John had a massive heart attack while quad riding on his mountain property at his home. John was only 67 years old and just got used to retirement. Needless to say, this first week of "official" church planting work came with difficulty.
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| Us with Jenn's Dad, John, when we dated. We will miss you John! |
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| The kids and I at one of our most Holy and Sacred Spaces: Jumonville. The day we laid PapPap John to rest. |
I was able to spend the second half of the week interviewing two positions. The first is for a small groups coordinator position for Longleaf @ 210 and for Mandarin UMC. This part time position will help coordinate small groups off-site and will empower small group hosts to rise and lead. I am very excited to see where God is going to lead this person! Yesterday, I spent the day interviewing people for a Web/Social Media Admin position at Mandarin. This person will help Mandarin with its communications via video, social media and through the web! We had some great candidates come through!
Yesterday, I began my day in a video conference with Dan Jackson, Director of New Church Development and Diane C. a marketing strategist, working with Florida Church planters on marketing. We all had great conversation as we begin to think of ways to market and reach out via social media/web.
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| With some awesome Church Planters at our Academy in May 2017. |
As we begin this journey with Longleaf @ 210, I share the following:
The landscape of County Road 210 in Northern St. Johns County is vastly different than what it was 4 years ago. Development has become the norm for this part of our region and with this development occurring, thousands of people from all across The United States are now calling St. Johns “home.”
Mandarin United Methodist Church has been a recipient of this continued growth and development in Northern St. Johns County. We have welcomed many newcomers into our church family and are sharing life with our new community along CR 210. Since 2016, Mandarin United Methodist Church has actively been reaching out to this part of our region with a strategic initiative called “Longleaf @ 210.”
Longleaf @ 210 is meeting people where they are: in communities, in restaurants, in homes and even on the water ways! Throughout 2016-17, Longleaf @ 210 has hosted the following:
1. Community Events: Reaching people in communities such as Aberdeen, Johns Creek, Stonehurst, and more!
2. Small Groups: Small groups are forming in the CR 210 area. Small groups currently meet in places like Dunkin Donuts on CR 210 and in people’s homes.
3. Fresh Expressions: A new form of church for an ever-changing culture. Kayaking With Jeff and Women’s Craft Night have already captured the hearts of many in our community.
Mandarin United Methodist Church’s health and vibrancy has caught the attention of our Florida Annual Conference and The Northeast District. The Florida Annual Conference is actively supporting our efforts to become a multi-site church that will allow people in St. Johns County along CR 210 the opportunity to worship and grow in discipleship in their own back yards. We are beginning this journey with the Conference and the District.
What can you do as we prepare for the continued movement of God’s Holy Spirit?
Pray. Pray for God to be present in the ministry of Longleaf @ 210. Pray for small groups to begin so that lives are transformed. Pray for a place we can worship weekly. Pray that God would lead us to the right people to have conversations about property. Pray that God would lead us to that right piece of property so that the mission of Jesus Christ can be continued in an area that has no Wesleyan presence as of yet. Pray for those God is raising to lead.
Know. Come to know what God is doing through Longleaf @ 210. With prayer walks, community events and activities occurring; invite friends, co-workers, classmates and neighbors to be a part of the excitement around this movement!
Grow. Get involved in small groups. God is stirring your heart to grow in faith and discipleship. Small groups are a great way to grow in faith. We will have 200 adults actively engaged in small groups before we launch into weekly worship. With 200 adults and their children, a movement has begun!
Go. Be missional and serve the Lord. Longleaf @ 210 will be serving Christ and our neighbor in love and care. Longleaf @ 210 has already worked with The ASSIST program of St. Johns County, an initiative to end homelessness for 700 children and youth. We raised over $3500 at our Community-wide Palm Sunday Worship alone!
I, Pastor Jeff St. Clair, a resident of Aberdeen in St. Johns County is the lead and point person on this initiative. If you would like to speak to me about this movement, please contact me at jstclair@mumc.net or by phone 904-268-5549 ext. 134 and I would be happy to meet you or talk with you about the possibilities.
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| Kayaking With Jeff Fresh Expression! |
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| A great partnership with JaxPaddlesSports and Alex Gallaher! |
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| Kayaking with Jeff - preaching from Bird Island (Near Fort in St. Augustine, FL) |
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