Faith's sanctuary with brightly lit with new lightbulbs. Arriving in Jacksonville in late November, we had only a couple of weeks before we would be heading north again. So, we did what we could to get a handle on the work that would be starting once we returned, and to follow up on activities that had been waiting for our return.
Joe climbs high in sanctuary to change lightbulbs over the chancel Church Projects
Joe had arrived a few days before us, spending several days blowing off some of the many roofs at Faith. However, when we arrived, we joined forces on our first project. The highest lights in the sanctuary have needed new light bulbs for some time. However, how to reach them has been a problem. Joe devised a modification to an extension ladder that allowed him to climb up high and reach all but one. As his helpers on the ground, we steadied the ladder, passed supplies up and down and remained extremely grateful for his willingness to work up high. The chancel area is now brightly lit and looks great.
Joe had arrived a few days before us, spending several days blowing off some of the many roofs at Faith. However, when we arrived, we joined forces on our first project. The highest lights in the sanctuary have needed new light bulbs for some time. However, how to reach them has been a problem. Joe devised a modification to an extension ladder that allowed him to climb up high and reach all but one. As his helpers on the ground, we steadied the ladder, passed supplies up and down and remained extremely grateful for his willingness to work up high. The chancel area is now brightly lit and looks great.
Dave supervises the Advent Wreath construction A few days later, Pat and Fred arrived and, as frequently happens, we put them to work almost immediately. We were in the middle of creating a larger-than-life Advent wreath for the parsonage front lawn. Using a 4ft table top, an abandoned artificial lighted Christmas tree, 20ft of PVC pipe, several end caps, some lamp sockets, some flame-like bulbs and a 3 cans of spray paint, we set to work. To create the wreath itself, our first task was to dismantle the Christmas tree. Using some bolt cutters, we separated the tree limbs from the tree. And then we painstakingly took the lights from each limb until we had separate strands of lights, 3 of which still lit. Using the lights, we wrapped the greens securely into a circle to cover the outer edge of the table. Next we determined a good height for the PVC candles that would look correct in proportion to the wreath. Using the chop saw in the wood shop, Dave cut 4 to a 22” height for the outer candles and 1 several inches taller for the Christ candle.
Fred, Barry, Cathy and Dave by wreath in place at parsonage Since it was already Friday of the first week of advent, our timeline was a little accelerated. Ideally, the caps would be wired for the lights before painting, or the painting would take place several days before the wiring, so it would be completely dry. That wasn’t going to happen. Cathy took the “candles” and paint and spray painted 3 purple, 1 pink and the tallest one white. After a couple of coats, the candles looked pretty good, but only a hour later, we had moved them back inside to install them on the table and begin wiring the lights.
(Nearly) finished advent wreath. A socket is still needed in the Christ candle. The bottom caps were secured to the table with screws and the top caps removed to cut a hole big enough for the light socket. (After one not-so-centered socket hole was drilled, we had to swap the top and bottom caps on that candle.) As the sun set, we were installing the last of the sockets and wiring them together to a single plug. Since another candle needed to be lit each week, the sophisticated solution was to leave the unlit candle bulbs loose in the socket until that candle was to be lit.
Since time was of the essence, we loaded the wreath into the back of Pastor Barry’s truck and headed over to put it in place. To our delight, it looked pretty good. And it brought some Christmas to the parsonage lawn. Pat and Fred had barely had time to take a breath before they finished their first project.
Since time was of the essence, we loaded the wreath into the back of Pastor Barry’s truck and headed over to put it in place. To our delight, it looked pretty good. And it brought some Christmas to the parsonage lawn. Pat and Fred had barely had time to take a breath before they finished their first project.
100 pallets on their way out of the campground For years, the back of the campground at Faith had been the place where some debris had accumulated, but in 2020 a number of pallets started arriving with more regularity due to the distribution of food in nearby apartment complexes. By the time we arrived this fall, the count was nearing 200. So, to regain the space and access to a couple of campsites, we got the green light to place an ad in Craigslist. Within a few days, over 100 pallets were on a trailer pulling out. The rest left a week later. Of course, in the intervening week, 11 more arrived. And so it goes.
This tree split in half after a storm this fall While the church had little damage from the recent hurricanes, one tree on the property didn’t survive one of the storms. The limbs had been cut away, but needed to be hauled away. With the unseasonably warm temperatures, disentangling these limbs and cutting them to manageable lengths was hot work. We were grateful when the last of the debris had been removed and we could get out of the heat.
One of dozens of internet switches in the inventory Dave is the go-to parts guy for all this maintenance activity. And since we were heading north on the 12th of December, he did what he could to ensure those staying behind had what they needed to keep going on their projects. And, of course, we spent time working on the internet. There were several issues still outstanding since the summer’s lightning strike that could only be addresses in person. Cathy inventoried all the switches across the campus and collected 4 that needed to be returned. Dave worked on solving some problems with the livestream as well as problems in other spots on the campus. Of course, there will be more to do. Meanwhile Pat and Fred started working on several small engines: a blower, lawn mowers, etc. Butch and Cheri arrived about a week after we did, and within days he was fixing water pipes and working on tuning up the tractor.
Dave is the go-to parts guy for all this maintenance activity. And since we were heading north on the 12th of December, he did what he could to ensure those staying behind had what they needed to keep going on their projects.
Dave is the go-to parts guy for all this maintenance activity. And since we were heading north on the 12th of December, he did what he could to ensure those staying behind had what they needed to keep going on their projects.
Broken spring-loaded latch that needed to be replaced RV Stuff
Shortly after arriving at Jacksonville, the latch on a large drawer in the galley broke off and would no longer secure the drawer shut. Luckily this happened after we were done moving for quite a while. Cathy ordered some replacements and worked to install them. While all of the “how-to” videos show how easy the installation is in a cabinet, the demos were not being done upside down inside a drawer. After much too long, she managed to get the replacement installed. However, since the latch was slightly smaller, it didn’t grab as tightly as the one it replaced, and this was a very big drawer (almost 3 ft). To ensure it stayed closed underway, she installed 2 latches equally spaced from the center line to give more holding power.
Shortly after arriving at Jacksonville, the latch on a large drawer in the galley broke off and would no longer secure the drawer shut. Luckily this happened after we were done moving for quite a while. Cathy ordered some replacements and worked to install them. While all of the “how-to” videos show how easy the installation is in a cabinet, the demos were not being done upside down inside a drawer. After much too long, she managed to get the replacement installed. However, since the latch was slightly smaller, it didn’t grab as tightly as the one it replaced, and this was a very big drawer (almost 3 ft). To ensure it stayed closed underway, she installed 2 latches equally spaced from the center line to give more holding power.
Enjoying our last evening on the balcony outside our room Disney – Hilton Head
It was our second year visiting the Disney Hilton Head resort for a few days in mid-December. The time there was spent relaxing and enjoying the beautiful area around the resort.
It was our second year visiting the Disney Hilton Head resort for a few days in mid-December. The time there was spent relaxing and enjoying the beautiful area around the resort.
