Longleaf @ 210 Week 2

The mobile "Longleaf @ 210" office! Stop by and see me some day!

Having an office in the strangest of locations is the new "normal" these days. This week, I tried a new spot, Bite a Bagel on CR 210. The people are so nice! I met Kathy, manager and Angelie, an employee who goes to school with my daughter Alayna and is in the same grade as her! Nice young lady! Thanks for the water refills Angelie!

As I have taken 1/2 of my time to Longleaf @ 210, I am finding that getting out of the office is becoming more and more of a joy than a fear or a disturbance. Why you might ask? I am finding that I have the opportunity to be present more now that I am face to face with people I encounter.

When I walk into a Dunkin Donuts or a Starbucks, I generally run into someone that I know from church or the community. I love meeting others and talking life. It's all kinds of conversations too! Everything from people moving to hospice care. With those conversations, we can care for each other and I can pray for the needs of our people and our community.

Pastor Juana Jordan and I at Village Bread, sharing our love for Christ and the church! Pray for Juana as she begins a new church in the heart of Jacksonville. 

I met with Pastor Juana Jordan this week. Juana is a dear sister in Christ who has been called to plant a church also in the downtown Jacksonville area. She and I met to discuss how God is using these two areas: St. Johns and Jacksonville as places to grow God's Kingdom. We discussed how people in both areas are vastly different, but even though they are so very different, they all want one thing: Relationship.

People are drawn to relationships. People have a need to be loved and appreciated. People need hope and encouragement. I have come to find in the church that we have what it is they are looking for.

I met with a part of our pastoral team and worship leadership this morning about hospitality in our Connection Contemporary Worship Service. I shared that those who are coming to our church as there for a reason: relationships and a desire to be a part of a community. People desire a relationship with God and with each other.

This week, our first hire for Longleaf accepted an offer to begin working for Mandarin/Longleaf. This person will be announced on Sunday in our weekly blast after worship. This person will become our new Small Groups Coordinator. This position will allow people to grow in community and relationships with God and each other. This position is of vital importance for the well-being of people's lives and the life of the church.

In Acts 2, we see the following:
2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

The beauty of this passage demonstrates that the early church was devoted to one another. Relationships were built and community was formed. Homes and small groups were such an important part of this community building and relationship strengthening.

As this role of Small Group Coordinator comes to fruition, I am excited to see how God will use this season to develop small group hosts and small groups for Longleaf @ 210. If you are along CR 210, I invite you to be in prayer as to how you will strengthen this community by building relationships in your homes/restaurants or in Amenity Centers.

I'm getting ready to go on a Mission Trip tomorrow morning (4 a.m.) with our Mandarin youth and all three of Jenn and my kids will be going. This will be my son's last hurrah as a youth before he goes off to college! I can't believe it.

Have a blessed day as you read and as you go forward living in faith and loving God and neighbor.

Longleaf @ 210 Week 1

This week I entered into a new transition in ministry. I am now supported by The Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church as a church planter. Beginning July 1, 2017, I will be working 1/2 time at Mandarin UMC and 1/2 time as a planter on CR 210 with the strategic initiative, Longleaf @ 210.

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. 

Us with Jenn's Dad, John, when we dated. We will miss you John! 

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. 

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. 

Kayaking With Jeff Fresh Expression! 

A great partnership with JaxPaddlesSports and Alex Gallaher! 

Kayaking with Jeff - preaching from Bird Island (Near Fort in St. Augustine, FL)

Absence Does Make the Heart Grow Fonder

It's been awhile since Jenn has left home on her own. August 2001, Jennifer went on a weekend trip to be with her mom in NYC. It's been 15 years since Jenn went away by herself. Much has changed.

We are now a family of 5 strong. We go in many different directions daily and there are many moving parts. I am grateful for the Calendar on my iPhone! It keeps us all in check!

Jennifer left on Thursday morning at 3 a.m. to go to the airport and will be back late tonight. Since she has been gone, I've had to get everyone to school, I've had meetings, pastoral visits, softball practice, four softball games, dance rehearsal, kayaking Fresh Expression with over 30 people, planned a cookout for it, sermon, worship services, three graduations, laundry, caring for the five pets, and oh, yes, making sure everyone had food! To say I've missed her is an understatement!

I am so glad Jenn used up her rewards miles before they expired. She got to spend some quality time with family. Our family in PA is so precious to us and we miss them more than words can explain, but we are so grateful for the blessings of good health and happiness here in Florida.

Jennifer, I can't wait to see you tonight. Your family misses you babe. Love you so much. Safe travels home. I couldn't imagine life without you.

Tommy and Logan being themselves with Aunt Jenn 

My precious nieces Katie and McKenzie, we sure miss you! 

My dear Mother-in-Law Cheryl and Brother in Law, Eric 

Mom and Sister Jenny. Sure miss you all. 

Aunt Jenn with the kids on Sunday in PA

Silly Face time! I love this! This is what we do when we FaceTime each other! 

My bride is getting ready to come home. :)

New Set of Shoes Soon

I'm going to need a new set of shoes if I keep this pace up. Today, the rubber on my soles made contact with quite a bit of concrete.

Mondays I work from County Road 210 in St. Johns County. Since today was Monday, I began my day shortly after 9 a.m. (This week, I am focusing on Stonehurst Plantation, just off CR 210. It's a beautiful development, with a large number of homes.)

I began my day in my dress shoes, my golf pants and a golf shirt. I thought this would be appropriate attire to go door to door. About 15 minutes into my walk, I noticed that my feet were already getting sore. I continued on my way, talking to residents and putting postcards in the doors of those I did not speak to. My feet were aching.

By the time I got back to where I was parked (Thanks Andrea and Rich for the parking spot!) my feet felt quite tender. I drove home and got a much more comfortable pair of shoes. Had some lunch and came back out to go door to door. It was a great afternoon of walking door to door. I met some new people and invited them to the Easter Egg Hunt this weekend at their amenity center. One little girl was so excited to hear, that she began to tell her daddy all her favorite candies in the Easter egg.

I made it back to my van after almost six hours of walking. Just as I came upon my van I reached in my pocket to get my van key and it was gone! There was no way I was going to go back and trace my steps! I just put in 20,000+ steps! Thankfully Jennifer was off today and she came by and dropped off another key.

Faith Sharing on CR 210 or faith sharing anywhere involves wearing our shoes out so we can engage people where they are at. The older I am becoming in the Post-Christendom culture opens my eyes to the need now more than ever to meet people where they are at and share the love of Christ with my community.

Just a month ago, I sat at the bar and met a really nice guy by the name of Robert. (See previous post) He shared his story with me and I shared mine. We have emailed back and forth and this man now is worshipping with his wife at her church and I was inspired by Robert's story of cutting carbs out of his diet. Since then I have shed 25 pounds just by cutting carbs and being inspired by Robert.

Faith sharing is incarnational, which means that we can hide behind a screen or sit at the church and wait for someone to show up. It does not work that way anymore. Faith sharing is in the flesh. Faith sharing involves meeting people and it involves the process of developing relationships.

I am reminded of this as I read the story of Jesus encountering the Samaritan woman at the well. She had been married 5 times and was living with another man. Jesus encounters her at the well and begins a conversation with her. (Jews and Samaritans didn't associate with each other). This woman sees Jesus for who He truly is and proclaims to all in the town that day that Jesus is the Lord.

This would not have happened if Jesus would have followed cultural norms for the day (of not speaking to people "not like us.") However, Jesus met this woman where she was at, her life was transformed and she lived a life of hope and new meaning!

Wouldn't it be great if we could practice this type of living? It can and does bring life change to self and others! I write this to say that although I walked 11 miles today and feel exhausted from walking 5 of those miles in dress shoes (I don't recommend doing long walking in dress shoes), I wouldn't change it for anything. I'm having a great time meeting new people at the "well" and listening to their stories and bringing the hope of Christ to their lives.

This is where transformation begins...meeting people where they are at in life with the incarnational love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I now know. Wear comfortable shoes.

A United Methodist Pastor Walks Up To The Bar...

No really...I did. There's a story behind it!

It was a long day, I had gone 9 hours without eating, on my way home from the funeral home across town and I asked Jenn on my way home if there was dinner at home. There was not (Alayna had a softball game and the family was there).

I was craving Chinese take out the whole way home until I got to the light on CR 210 where the Chinese Take Out restaurant is. All of a sudden I thought, "No, I don't want Chinese, it's too much food and I will be sick if I eat it all."

I passed the Chinese restaurant and drove past McDonalds (didn't want that either) and came across a local Mexican restaurant. I got out of my car, and thought, "Oh, I will just order at the hostess station and then go sit back in the car until my dinner is ready."

I get to the hostess station and said, "I would like to order take out." The hostess replied, "You can order takeout at the bar and wait there." I said, "Ok, thanks." As I am walking up to the bar, I thought, "Oh great, the pastor is sitting at the bar and as people come in that may know me, they may think something is really wrong with me, that I'm depressed, I'm a loner, that I just want to be left alone."

I sit down anyway. Open seat. Great. No one on either side of me. All of a sudden, I feel a tap. It's a man I don't know. He says, "Don't think I'm getting all snuggly with you. This is my stuff. (Pointing to his keys and drink) I replied, "Oh, I'm sorry sir, I'm just ordering take-out. He then told me what the specials were.

I order my food (take-out of course :)) and a sweet tea.

He begins telling me about the bartender and how she wants to travel the world and that he had traveled to many places too. I thought this guy was pretty interesting. He told me he had gone to law school worked for a university up north. I then asked him what he did and he told me that he was in the healthcare business. He explained alittle bit of what he did and then he came around to asking me the QUESTION...

"WHAT DO YOU DO?"

What's a United Methodist Pastor to say at the bar? Lol! I was honest and said, "I'm a pastor." His eyes got as big as saucers and said, "Here I am telling you about the specials!" We laughed. The next words out of his mouth were this, "I think that tonight is meant to be."

We began to talk faith and life. He has an interesting life, a great story! He asked me where I was a pastor. I said, "Mandarin United Methodist Church." His eyes got big again! He told me his child plays basketball for Upward and he is on our campus each weekend. The next words out of his mouth were, "I am coming Sunday. This is great!"

He asked for my card and I just ran out of cards so I told him to hold on and I ran out to the car to get a card. I brought it in and he was so appreciative. I was grateful too. Why? Because, I was led to not eat Chinese, pass McDonalds and stop at the Mexican Restaurant. I was grateful because the hostess told me to go to the bar to order. I was grateful because I sat down at the bar and had a sweet tea and decided to wait there. I was grateful because I got to meet Robert.

God's grace is at work. As Methodists, Prevenient Grace is a hallmark of our United Methodist faith. This grace of God comes into our life when we are least expectant of it. This grace moves us and convicts us. I am thankful the sanctifying grace of our Lord Jesus that continues to move us forward in holiness. I was tired, I was hungry. I didn't want to meet and greet. God had other plans for me to get me out of my cocoon.

This Sunday I am preaching on Luke 9:28-36, The Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus doesn't want us stuck on the mountain taking in His glory only for our own edification, Jesus wants us to get out off the mountain and share that glory for others to see.

I truly believe God desires for Longleaf @ 210 to come to fruition, because God continues to put people into my life daily along this stretch of road that want to talk faith. I love it!

I am glad I stopped by and was told by the hostess to go sit at the bar. I met a new friend. Hope to see you this Sunday or another Sunday,  Robert, if not, that's ok, at least God brought us together to have a good chat on faith.

Meeting Others Where They Are At

Yesterday was a long day coming. After nearly a year of studying our area's demographics, planning and praying, acting and implementing, the day finally arrived.

This was an opportunity for the Strategic Initiative: CR 210 to breathe life into its existence. We hosted our first Community Invitational Event for Longleaf @ 210, A Branch of Mandarin United Methodist Church.

We arrived at 2:00 p.m. and unloaded our materials for the days events. Volunteers began to arrive to work their areas, the food trucks were arriving and music checks were being done. The weather was perfect, approximately 70 degrees and overcast with no wind.

At 3:15, all of our volunteers gathered for a time of prayer and we hoped for people to arrive! Arrive they did! We had people from the church as well as people from the community come, children were playing, youth were hanging out, people were singing, and community was being strengthened.

Our ministry booths were all set with information on our new Fresh Expressions. I was working the "Kayaking With Jeff" booth, Nick and Mary were working the "Sports and Faith" Booth, Pastor Will was working the "Brewery Booth" and my mother-in-law, Cheryl was at the T-Shirt table. Kathy was doing her incredible work with face painting with great help from Renee, Bill was leading the musicians, Andrea was welcoming people, John and Gerri were thanking people for attending, Chad was playing games with our older children and Jennifer was leading the little ones in games! It was so exciting!

We met many young families over the two hours at the Johns Creek Amenity Center. These families shared with us their desire to see more ministry opportunities along CR 210 as it just seems too far to drive to Mandarin multiple times each week. We had some share with us that they are so excited to come to church on Sunday to check us out. I had a discussions with a mother who wanted to know more about what it means to be "Methodist."

I felt like a pioneer in a new land yesterday as we journeyed out of the walls of the church into a new frontier! It's great to be in a place where everything is SO new! There is an excitement here and a movement of God's Holy Spirit in this place. It is my prayer that we can continue to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in ways that will continue to bring people into a deeper relationship with Christ and each other.

Looking forward to what God will continue to do!

Longleaf @ 210

Calvin Reed, a prominent resident in the 1800's, named the land we worship on Mandarin. It was named after the Mandarin Orange. In its earliest beginnings, the little village of Mandarin had no churches, and then shortly after its beginning in 1874, Methodism began to spread in the Mandarin area. We are the recipients of faith sharing that occurred 142 years ago! 

Interestingly, 142 years later, we see new life beginning in a new area called County Road 210 and faith sharing with United Methodist roots is beginning to branch out among a new group of people.

Throughout the last year, after studying MissionInsite demographic information, leadership at Mandarin UMC identified County Road 210 as an area of exponential growth. Over the next decade, estimates of 42,000 homes will be built in Northern St. Johns County, making it the third fastest growing counties in The United States.

Part of our call as followers of Jesus Christ here at Mandarin is to share our faith in new ways. Longleaf @ 210 is a movement of the Holy Spirit by the people of Mandarin UMC to share our faith in Jesus Christ in new and exciting ways. Longleaf @ 210 is a branch of Mandarin United Methodist Church. A "branch" identifies this ministry as an extension of our church, or a link to the ministries of this church. "Branch" does not mean an actual physical structure, but instead ministries that are extensions of our church family to the greater community. A plan was introduced to Church Council in November 2015 laying out ministry in the next three years along the County Road 210 Corridor.

Our hope in 2016 is to begin 10-15 Discipleship Groups and 5 Fresh Expressions. A Discipleship Group is very similar to a small group at church where people will meet in homes, restaurants, amenity centers to study God's Word in different ways. A Fresh Expression is a form of church in our ever-changing culture. Fresh Expressions go to where the people are at. 

For example, there are many kayaking advertisements related to kayaking in St. Johns County. God laid it on my heart to begin a Fresh Expression of Kayaking for the CR 210 community. On January 9, 2016, we launched our first Kayaking Fresh Expression. This journey included both people from church as well as people who do not go to what we think of as church. On the kayak trip, there was prayer, there was Scripture reading, there was a brief message and their was discussion, and thus, a new community of faith developed. 

Fresh Expressions are a way to reach people in new ways. Kayaking Trip Video (Click to watch)

This along with other fresh expressions being offered in the CR 210 area will be on display THIS Sunday, January 31, at Johns Creek Amenity Center II from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

We invite you to come out this Sunday, January 31. The address to Johns Creek Amenity Center is 251 Huffner Hill Circle, St. Augustine, FL 32092.  We invite you to be part of our first community invitational event and be sure to invite your neighbors and friends to join you!

We invite you to join us in prayer as God leads us in new ways of sharing our faith along the County Road 210 area in the coming years.