Jean Ribault was a French naval officer serving under Admiral Gaspard de Coligny who attempted to colonize in Florida near the mouth of the St. Johns River at Fort Caroline.
Fort Caroline State Park
With some 150 colonists, he landed on Florida soil and claimed the land for France. As a Huguenot Protestant, his belief in God was strong. In 1565 he founded the Fort Caroline settlement on the St. Johns River , even placing a monument there.
Fort Matanzas State Park. St. Aug.
The Spanish who had their own claims to Florida at St. Augustine eventually scattered his group and captured Ribault. The name Matanzas is Spanish for “slaughters” named after the1565 slaughter of Jean Ribault and his group. Being Huguenot, they were as Protestant heretics.
The fort at Matanzas is small but accommodating. You can get their free on a boat ride set forth by the Florida State Parks system. The trip is about an hour long but you can stay longer and there are tables for picnicking.
Don’t we all want to “Do The Most Good”? While shopping at Publix, “Where “Shopping is a pleasure”, I met up with Dell after putting a meager amount into the kettle. ( “Every penny counts”, of course). Actually, while walking completely past her and almost to the car, realized I had some bills in my pocket so I returned to give. She was so happy to have a donor and smiled with great action and verbal gratitude.
The kettle has been around since the 1890’s. Back in that day, a captain had seen someone drop money in a kettle to help the poor. He took the idea for his own and today it is a staple of this organization especially at Christmas.
The Salvation Army was founded by William and Catherine Booth in east London. The movement spread by way of many of its followers of the faith, one being Eliza Shirley who verbally begged the founder to allow it to go to the USA. Through a turn of events and with a team of 8 including George S. Railton and seven ladies, it was brought to America.
The Salvation Army has been in Jacksonville since 1891, a time when the streetcar era was making way to welcome the railroad boom. Only a little over 10 years earlier than the beginning of the Salvation Army’s start on the East Coast, came Henry Plant’s introduction of the street car. This then, moved toward his railroad” intro into the city. This very act made it possible for great amounts of movement, travel, growth and development in and around the city of Jacksonville. This new growth brought a need for an organization of hope, giving of resources and a heart for the homeless and destitute.
The Salvation Army’s mission statement reads:
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and o meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
The Salvation Army of Jacksonville provides the following services:
Social Services
Towers Center of Hope
Towers Center of Hope Housing for Men
Red Shield Lodge Shelter for Single Women and Families
Pathway of Hope Program
Holiday Assistance
If you have a heart for this mission statement, you might be interested in taking part in this ministry and do more good.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Florida Times Union, Google Search, Salvation Army
Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom.
Freedom is not free. Someone paid the ultimate price and others served with a cost as well.
Alec P. Vaughan, Jr. My Dad.
The Wreaths Across America program happened here in Jacksonville and across the United States on December 17, 2022. The mission is stated above and is a reminder that we must love and protect our freedom.
This year, my 9 year old grandson participated in the laying of wreaths and was able to lay a wreath on the grave of my Father, a World War II vet and a cousin. He also laid a wreath on that of Mema .He laid a wreath by Alec P. Vaughan, Jr., my Dad, his great grandfather and a cousin, Richard Torres. He also laid one by his Mema, Emily Sweet Vaughan and her husband, George Sweet.
Ramey Dingman, My Grandson
There were ceremonies across America including at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. near, Washington, DC., The Nation’s Capital and the boys had a ceremony at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens cemetery.
Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom. 12-17-22
It is believed that St. Francis of Assisi was credited with having the first nativity scene in 1223. So, given that, the tradition of the manger scene is quite old and of course important in the world of Christian history.
Jacksonville, Florida is not considered to be in the Bible Belt but is “partially” so. Florida’s neighbor, Georgia is in the Bible Belt and while Florida is not considered to be “in” the Belt, it is considered very religious.
According to a search on Google, Jacksonville is considered diverse with various faiths. It also claims 94.4 % Christian. With that said, to see Nativity scenes throughout the city is no surprise.
Today, I was on Lannie Road and saw this Nativity way out in the country. It warmed my heart.12-14-22
See you tomorrow,
Category: Country Life, Faith | Comments Off on Jacksonville Celebrates Christmas with Nativity Scenes- Day 14
The Parade of Trees is held at Christmas time in Green Cove Springs just south of Jacksonville. Individuals and businesses purchase a tree and decorate it to their own heart. Some are dedicated to those who have gone before them, others to a cause and still others to their business.
We walked by the Baptist Church’s “empty” tree and made the comment that while the church was requesting and executing on getting people’s prayers answered, it needed to do a little work on their boring tree.
This just goes to show you cannot judge a book by its cover. The tree had no ornaments because the sign says to “take an ornament” off of the tree. We had a good laugh. Good for the Church, giving as usual.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine has a simple Christmas tree with tags offering those with tender hearts to donate. While I was there, besides the tree was a large, brown bag of snacks and crackers apparently left by a parishioner for the less fortunate.
The Cathedral is a monumental building with tall ceilings, beautiful beams and incredible decor. The room was completely empty of people when I walked in. Before leaving, no more than 4 people came and went. It was open at 11:00 am and I was met at the St George Street entrance (side door) with a very sweet and friendly lady encouraging me to enjoy my time.
Martin Luther caused quite a stir in the Catholic Church in the 16th-century causing the Reformation with “Christ Alone”. He also is believed to be the first to add lights (by candle) to the Christmas tree. The Catholic Church resisted use of Christmas trees which was a Lutheran Church tradition. In 1982, the Catholic Church set up a Vatican Christmas tree for the first time in Vatican City.
Luther tree with lights
Fast forward, 2022 and the Cathedral Bascilia has a tree in the sanctuary.
Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Wikicommons (Luther photo), History . com, Ramey, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
St. Augustine Basilica Location: 38 Cathedral Place, St. Augustine, Fl 32084. Go visit.12-6-22
Fruit Cove Baptist Church is located south of downtown Jacksonville past Mandarin and the Julington Creek Bridge, just outside of Duval County. The church is located at 501 State Road 13 in St. John’s County.
The church began in 1978 “when a small group of Baptists began meeting in homes in the Fruit Cove area”. At that time, there was a two-lane highway. Today it is hustling and bustling with a four-lane highway, strip malls and several grocery stores.
The Christmas tree for 2022 is a faux fir tree with white snow painted on its branches. There are several trees in the lobby. We used this one for a photo op. Sometimes you’re not ready for the photo and no one got a better one so there’s that. The kids are cute tho….
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Photo-Katie Dingman, Visit: Fruit Cove Baptist, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
Christmas has been a tradition at First Baptist Church Jacksonville for many years. The First Baptist Church of Jacksonville began in 1838, with a handful of people, both Black and White, seeking to serve God. From 1838 until the 1861-Civil War, the church developed and grew having several locations over the years in which to worship. During Civil War times and the Indian Seminole war there were months on end that the church was not even functioning in a group setting so it is unknown if the church decorated their facility in any way. We now have some understanding of this type of situation having gone through the Pandemic beginning in 2020 and not meeting for months and months. Though the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic from March 8 and into the 2021 Christmas season, the First Baptist Church did not meet in person. There were some decorations however because a lot was done online and the podium area was prepared for online worship. Decorations were limited by those who went to the church to perform online services. We are still seeking information and history on the traditions of the Baptist Church in Jacksonville. We hope to have more information over time.
FBC- 2022
From the 1960’s until the present it seems the church had a Christmas Tree in the building at some location. Over the years, the dining hall has definitely been a place of great decoration, color and beauty. For years and years Sunday School classes would have their Christmas parties at the church in one of the divided areas and there would be great fanfare and decoration. Throughout the building for years, beautiful Nativity scenes and the like would be in departments throughout the church. Classrooms were decorated by the members of each class and there was no end to the beautiful and creativity of people who loved the Lord.
Season upon season the church facility was decorated by Virginia Ennis, a faithful member and owner of Gladwell’s Florist. Wreaths, streaming greenery, Christmas trees, ornaments, Nativity scenes depicting the Christ-Child and lighting were seen throughout. For many years this was the way First Baptist decorated the church.
There have been many seasonal traditions through the years including the decoration and lighting of the tree, giving to missions in a wooden manger and the “Chest of Joash”, the traditional pledge card/giving day.
Decorating the church has been important concerning seasonal celebrations at First Baptist Jacksonville. In recent years, staff, leadership and lay members have been decorating and this year was no different. “Serve Day” was used as a way to allow members to take part and many Christmas decorations were set up. It is unclear when the first tree was decorated at the church but for sure, the birth of Christ has been front and center.
This year’s tree is at least 20 feet tall with the songs of the seasons framed and hanging . Go see it. It will not disappoint.
See you tomorrow,
Sources: Personal interviews, Personal experience, Buddy Wall, church historian, [Idea about a tree a day came from the editor of the Daily Record, Karen Mathis].
Visit-First Baptist Church- 125 West Ashley Street , Jacksonville, Florida 32202
The famous painting of the Signing the Mayflower Compact 1620, a painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris 1899 represents so very much regarding this document. The Mayflower Compact lets us all know that our great Nation’s early beginnings were rooted in the Christian faith and we, even today should give thanks to God for His blessings to America.
Jean Leon Gerome’s 1899 paintingStamp- Signing of the Compact
Modern version
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.[16]
According to “Foster Fuels . Com” propane can heat up in as little as 20 minutes and the gas in it never expires. So, why in the world did the propane tank that when shaken leveraged itself as if it had a great amount of liquid but did not go capooey when it was in the blazing fire of July 2022 pool burn? Grace of God? We honestly think so.I’ve always told my children they are worth a million to me and I certainly stand by that.
First of all, we did not realize the tank was in the deep part of the 20 x 40 swimming pool that we were about the use for an incinerator. We had been clearing the family property and had used the 3 foot area to burn limbs, brush and small items. At some point, the tree limbs became bigger and more so we extended the burn toward the 6 foot end of the brick pool.
It would seem that with the amount of heat surrounding the old 1960’s gas propane tank that it would have gone “Capooey” and more than likely no one would be able to really tell this story because it could not have been explained.
Who even knew the tank was at the bottom of the pool? How did it get there? Who put it there and how long ago had it found it’s home at the bottom? We do not know the answers to those questions. What we do know is that after that July day’s burn, we looked the next day to see what had been accomplished and to our surprise, our lives had all been spared from an explosion. The tank was half buried in the wall of a sand pile near the bottom of the old brick swimming pool and still in tact. While it looked burned and charred, it was whole and leaning.
Propane was basically founded around the 1850’s by chemist Dr. Edmond Ronalds. By 1920, the old Ford Model T began leaking and the vapours brought about the possible uses of this volatile gas called propane, thus becoming a mainstay in the home and by 1927 came the first gas-powered cooking appliances.
The industry today is valued in worth at $34.2 billion. To us, this failure of this tank not to blow up is certainly a miracle in our mind and worth a million, per person in lives. We’re thankful today for God’s grace. We can’t answer why that either, except for by His goodness.
