St. Luke's Episcopal Church |
|
Lifelines: News and updates for you from St. Luke's |
|
Lots of news this week:
- Bishop Loya to make his biennial visit to St. Luke's next month
- New Sunday Morning Faith Formation series coming in October
- A handful of new pastoral care notes
- A fun community event and fundraiser
- And much more. . .
|
|
I’m excited to announce that the Rt. Rev. Craig W. Loya, Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, will visit St. Luke’s next month.
Every year, Bishop Loya is committed to spending one full week in residence in a mission area outside of the Twin Cities, together with members of the diocesan staff. This year’s residency will be in the southeast mission area, from September 30 to October 5. This will be a time for the Bishop to get to know a region of the diocese more deeply, provide a time for the Bishop and faith leaders to strengthen connections, offer mutual support, and celebrate what God is doing in the Southeast.
Bishop Loya will visit St. Luke’s on Tuesday, October 4. He’ll be accompanied by the Rev. Canon Blair Pogue, Canon for Vitality & Innovation, and by the Ven. Chip Whitacre, one of ECMN’s three archdeacons.
We’ve got a fun evening planned!
- At five o’clock, you’re invited to join us outside by the fire pit for a weenie roast.
- At six p.m. we’ll move inside for Eucharist. At that service, Bishop Craig will preach, preside, and welcome new members to St. Luke’s.
- Following Eucharist (around seven) and over dessert and coffee in the fellowship hall, there will be time for conversation with the bishop and his staff.
If you're interested in helping Doug Butler with the weenie roast (a St. Luke's tradition!), or bake bars or serve coffee with Amy Caucutt, please inform Karen in the church office.
I’m really excited to host the bishop next month. He last visited St. Luke’s on Sunday, October 25, 2020, when everything was still being done on Zoom. It will be fun to have him here in person.
If not before, I'll see you then for St. Luke's "date night" with the bishop!
Yours in Christ,
Justin
|
|
A new season of Sunday Morning Faith Formation |
While on summer vacation, I read Brian McLaren's newest book Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned. I found it to be an incredibly honest, thought-provoking, and hopeful read. Well before I finished reading it, I knew I wanted to read and discuss it together with all of you.
So, starting Sunday, October 9, we'll begin a series of conversations focused on sections of Do I Stay Christian? There's only one copy at the library, but it's in stock at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon. If you'd like to read this but need help affording or obtaining a copy, just let me know.
I've planned the our conversations around the various celebrations queued up for the end of the year. Here's my initial plan for our discussion:
___Oct 9 - Introduction through Chapter 5
___Oct 16 - St. Luke's Sunday (no book discussion)
___Oct 23 - Chs. 6 through 10
___Oct 30 - Chs. 11 through 15
___Nov 6 - All Saints Sunday (no book discussion)
___Nov 13 - Congregational conversation: Advent worship (no book discussion)
___Nov 20 - Chs. 16 through 20
___Nov 27 - Thanksgiving weekend (no book discussion)
___Dec 4 - Chs. 21 through 24
___Dec 11 - Chs. 25 through Afterward
Don't let the chapter counts scare you off---the whole volume is 228 pages, so each discussion covers about 35 pages. I spent two weeks reading it because I paused frequently to stop, think, and fill the margins with notes.
I'm really excited to talk about this book and I hope you are, too!
|
|
Call or text: 612-618-3826
Email: revjustinc@gmail.com
Drop in Office Hours: Wednesdays, 12:30 to 3:00.
If you'd like a visit, communion, prayer, or just time to talk, please call, text, email, or drop by office hours. I'd love to connect with you!
|
|
Sunday Eucharist: 9:30 a.m.
Please join us for worship on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and plan to stay for coffee hour following worship.
St. Luke's Handbell Choir returns to worship this Sunday! Thanks to all the members for their hard work in preparing to lead our music with the sound of bells.
|
|
Discretionary Fund Sunday
On the third Sunday of every month, we put the loose-plate offering (i.e., any money that's not in a pledge envelope or otherwise designated) in St. Luke's Discretionary Fund. Our Rector uses that money to help people in need in our community.
In the last month, we've spent over $700 on food, gas, and car repairs helping people on the margins to get to work and put food on the table. The account balance is currently less than $300, so your generosity is especially important and appreciated.
|
|
The choir is back!
Calling everyone who wishes to sing in joyful praise and fellowship! We're doing a soft restart of the choir this summer, meeting in the worship space at 8:45 to rehearse the hymns and service music. We're not wearing robes right now and there's no commitment. Let's make music together!
Handbell Choir
The St. Luke's Handbell choir practices weekly on Wednesday night from 7:30 to 8:30 PM downstairs in the St. Luke's church building. Anyone interested in having fun while making a joyful noise is welcome.
|
|
Birthdays
- Jeff Martinak
- Julie Farley
- Brian Moskalik
- Doug Butler
- Allison Walker
|
|
|
Nan Shorter
Nan's funeral will be held this Saturday, September 17, at River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation is from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; the funeral begins at 10:30. Her remains will be placed in St. Luke's columbarium in a private ceremony later that day. Nan died on May 12, 2022. Her obituary is available here.
Robert B. Wallace
Dr. Wallace was a member of St. Luke's until he moved to Washington, D.C., in 1980. He died on August 23, 2022, surrounded by family. His obituary is available here.
Bill Joos, husband of Sharon Lee
Bill died on Friday, July 29, in Cupertino, California. Bill was married to Sharon, who was a longtime member of St. Luke's before moving out of state. A celebration of Bill's life will be held on September 24 in Cupertino. A link to his obituary is availabe here.
Have news to share with the congregation? Please get in touch with Rev. Justin (612-618-3826, revjustinc@gmail.com) or Karen (507-288-2469, gouldk@stlukesepiscopal.org).
|
|
Bishop's Visit to St. Luke's - October 4 |
|
Bishop Loya with be visiting St. Luke's on Tuesday, October 4th.
- 5:00 PM - Outdoor weenie roast...bring your own lawn chair and visit with the Bishop.
- 6:00 PM - Eucharist with the Bishop.
- 7:00 PM - Minnesota coffee and bars with the Bishop.
If you would like to help cook hot dogs with Doug Butler, bake bars, or serve coffee with Amy Caucutt, please inform Karen. See you at St. Luke's 'date night' with Bishop Loya.
|
|
Calvary - St. Luke's Collaboration |
|
St. Luke's and Calvary Episcopal Churches in Rochester, MN, are beginning works to collaborate. We are seeking input from both congregations and collecting your ideas. What great ideas can you think of to encourage our parishes to work together to serve each other to serve God? You can consider the areas of Worship, Education, Social and Outreach - or another category, too. Imagine the greatness we can do when we all join together. |
|
Please check out Calvary's weekly newsletter, The Visitor, published on Wednesdays. Current and archived editions are available here.
In addition to a variety of worship services, Calvary regularly has other public events that are sure to be of interest to folks like us.
|
|
Fundraiser for The Village |
|
Saturday September 17, 12 - 4 pm
The Village Community Garden at Covenant Church
4950 31st Ave NW, Rochester 55901
Music, Food, and Fun!
Free and open to the public
The Village Agricultural Co-op is doing their annual Farm Fest on Saturday. It is a fundraiser for their work and a celebration of all the planters and growers as they near the end of the growing season. There will be fresh produce for sale, crafts in booths and some prepared food products as well. It's bound to be a lot of fun!
The Village supports individuals by reducing their grocery bills, preserving indigenous agricultural practices, sharing their culture with one another, enhancing their physical and mental health, and building a healthier community and planet while growing healthy food. It's part of an effort to overcome disparities in wealth, education, and home ownership between the white majority and marginalized people of color (Minnesota has some of the largest disparities in the country).
This is The Village's main fundraiser for the year. Please consider stopping by Farm Fest on Saturday.
More information at https://www.rochvillage.org
|
|
Operation Backpack Coordinator Needed |
|
St. Luke’s is looking for a new coordinator for our Operation Backpack program!
Please email or call Karen in the office or contact our Outreach Coordinator Barbara Solbrig if you are interested in taking on this ministry.
Operation Backpack is an easy, fun, tangible way for St. Luke’s to assist local kids at the elementary and high school levels to attend school prepared and ready to learn. In the Fall we provide back-to-school supplies, and throughout the rest of the year we offer healthy food snacks, socks, coats, or hygiene items.
Operation Backpack is an easy ministry to coordinate. The schools supply us with lists of specific needs, we publish those needs in the Lifelines and /or bulletin, the items magically appear in the plastic crates by Karen’s office, and then the goodies are delivered to either John Marshall or Sunset Terrace School. Operation Backpack is an easy and fabulous way for our church family to fulfill the Great Commandment to love God and to share that great love by helping our neighbors in need.
|
|
Rochester Duplicate Bridge Club warmly invites you to Chat Bridge, Mondays 10 - 11:30, beginning September 12th. This is an informal group with mentors available to help with bidding, leads, and play of the hand. If you are a "party' bridge player, Chat Bridge will give you insight into what duplicate bridge looks like. There is no charge, no partner needed, and is a drop-in event. Beginning and intermediate classes will start in September; registration is done online with Rochester Public Schools Community Education, Adult Enrichment. Hope to see you soon!
Sue Greenberg, Club Manager
|
|
From the Episcopal Church in Minnesota |
|
This year's annual ECMN Convention will be held in Rochester, Thursday, October 27, through Saturday the 29th. More information here.
|
|
 |
Bible Study: Luke
We're back! Join us Wednesdays at 10:30 as we read and discuss Luke's gospel. It's always a wide-ranging and interesting conversation. Hope to see you there!
Meeting ID: 827 6194 5638
Passcode: 1884
|
|
|
|
Book Group
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich (novel)
Tuesday, September 27th, 6:30 pm
Discussion through Zoom.
Enjoy the book; then join us for a discussion led by Julie Phyliky.
Watch for a St. Luke's Book Group notice to join the meeting by computer or phone.
|
|
|
|
If you've got something to include in next week's Lifelines, get in touch with Karen (507-288-2469, gouldk@stlukesepiscopal.org). The deadline is Wednesday at noon. |
|
St. Luke’s is...
Joyful community
Faithful service
Transformational worship
Growing in relationship with God in Christ.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
