Operation Christmas Hope

Printer-Friendly Version | Email This Article

Operation Christmas Hope
Press Release
2006-11-08
Article Written by: Community Member

Palm Coast – St. Mark By The Sea Lutheran Church believes that the Christmas message is rooted in hope. "We live in a world marked by a search for hope and meaning" says Rev. Tom Bingol, "But there are those who often feel hopeless." Operation Christmas Hope aims to raise the awareness of our wounded and injured servicemen and women through a simulcast Christmas Eve Service that will be web cast over the Internet into expeditionary group Chapels in Iraq, Military Hospitals, Veteran’s Homes, and to those who have returned home. The church is working to create partnerships with local youth and young musicians, including the Flagler Youth Orchestra, the Jacksonville Youth Symphony Orchestra, and local schools, to convey the message of hope and the promise of peace that is central to this season.

We have partnered with Net FX Pro, a local computer company who is working with Shuttle Computer Company to build out a computer specifically for this ministry, coordinating with Home Theatre Group to secure a high quality digital video camera, and Real, Inc. to secure a version of Real Producer Software. The Heartbeat of Flagler will provide the connectivity through their "Live Remote Station" to a Shoutcast server.

We have now made initial contact and have either a partnering agreement or interest from the following: Wounded Warriors.Org, The Wounded Warriors Project, Jacksonville , Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86, Paralyzed Veterans Association Florida, Agile Expeditionary Group Chapels in Iraq and Afghanistan , The American Legion Post 115, VFW Post 8696 and their respective Auxiliary units.

In connection with the broader organizations of the Church, we have contacted Lutheran Counseling Services, which is an authorized Tri-Care benefit (military equivalent of insurance) provider of confidential counseling services. Lutheran Social Services of Florida is also a provider of a "Bill Pay" service that could be a critical benefit to those who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, or others who simply need assistance with managing the payment of monthly bills.

The Church is still seeking assistance in three areas: (1) funding for License upgrade from copy-right to a Mechanical License whenever both music and liturgy are aired. (2) Upgrading the sound board to a fully digital audio workstation to avoid loss of data or sound quality that occurs when converting sound from analog to digital signals. (3) Securing a Cable modem that provides larger bandwidth than our standard DSL connection. The church is in communication with Bright House Network and Media Gear.

Some Background: since the War in Afghanistan and Iraq began, there have been over 700 Floridians who have been called into service and returned home wounded. Some of these injuries are life changing events, such as amputations, paralysis, burns, shrapnel injuries, and wounds related to gun fire. 40% of all troops in the theatre of operations are Reservists, not active duty military. Some of these Floridians were Reservists who left jobs and families to serve, only to return physically unable to perform the vocations and jobs they once held. For some there is an incredible mental and physical toll that has devastated their personal lives, their ability to continue in the vocation of their choice, or to be faced with a disability. Perhaps worst of all, many of these brave men and women have received little attention as part of the untold cost of war. Indeed there are Veterans from all Wars who have returned home that would benefit from an awareness of those who were wounded, disabled, or in many ways broken, in body, mind, or spirit.

St. Mark By The Sea Lutheran Church is partnering with corporate and veterans’ organization to build awareness and support for these men and women who have served our Country at great personal sacrifice.

We are fully committed that this community event can impact lives of those wounded service personnel and veterans in a positive manner and help build bridges to ongoing support of these individuals in their daily lives. We are particularly interested in involving youth, because it is important that a generation does not forget these men and women or the sacrifices that they have made. If you are a youth, a musician, either vocal or instrumental, that would like to participate in this effort, please contact the church office at (386) 445-3420.

More information about St. Mark By The Sea Lutheran Church

Community Guide

User Poll

Recent Community Articles

Operation Christmas Hope