St. Luke's Episcopal Church |
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Lifelines: News and updates for you from St. Luke's |
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Last week I was in Winnipeg, traveling there with my longtime friend and colleague, the Rev. R.C. Laird. It was good to spend time with him and to reconnect with his family, including my goddaughter. They live in Olympia, Washington, so I don’t get to see them very often. It was also good—and hard—when the time came to complete the primary objective of our trip: to commit his father’s remains to their final resting place.
The days leading up to that were genuinely fun. We enjoyed road tripping across the vast expanse of northern prairie. We explored some quirky shops in downtown Winnipeg. We went rock climbing at a local gym (his eldest is nearly as excited about rock climbing as I am). We got donuts at Tim Horton’s a truly embarrassing number of times. We shared drinks and talked about anything and everything.
Amidst the fun, it was curious to see how grief was lurking there, right below the surface. Even while enjoying ourselves, the reality of what we were there to do was never far away. We had to run an errand one morning to acquire the hardware my friend needed to put the finishing touches on the urn he built. As we drove around, we shared family stories from long ago. We also caught glimpses of the details we lost in death. Just where was that house? What friends lived next door? What joy did you experience here?
When a loved one dies, grief comes partly because we can’t spend time together any longer. New memories can’t be made any more. We also lose all the memories that never seemed important to share in life. Memories, now lost in death, suddenly seem much too precious to be gone forever.
We gathered at the columbarium on a warm, breezy morning, to remember, to grieve, and to offer it all up to God. Nothing will ever fill the space left behind by the dearly departed; they mean too much to us for that to ever disappear. We take comfort by sharing the stories we have, remembering the love they gave, upholding one another, and trusting that God is in the process of bringing all things to their perfection in Christ.
In the words of blessing paraphrased from Henri-Frederic Amiel: Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who share the way with us. So be quick to love, make haste to be kind, and may God’s bless you this day and forevermore.
Yours in Christ,
Justin
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Next week, the Chapmans are headed to Glacier National Park for summer vacation. I’m leaving Thursday, August 4, and will be back in the saddle on Monday the 22nd. I’ll have specifics about pulpit supply and emergency pastoral coverage in early August. Also, the Lifelines will still go out, but I'm taking a break from writing while I'm away. |
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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!
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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.
If you're interested in singing with the choir, please join us at 8:45 to rehearse the music. We're not wearing robes currently and there's no commitment, so give it a try!
If you can't make it in person, please tune in for the livestream on St. Luke's Facebook page. Download the bulletin to follow along at home. If you can't catch it live, all our worship services are archived there for viewing anytime.
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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.
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Birthdays
- Alessandra Bauza
- Andrew Botz
- Jessica Botz
- Cecelia Lewis
- Terence Maus
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Casey Flynn Decker, brother of Jeffrey Decker
Casey Flynn Decker passed away suddenly on Friday July 8th in Irving, Texas. A memorial service will be in Irving on July 30th.
Diana Bork, sister of Karen Gould
Diana died unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 5. Her funeral was held on Monday, July 11, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Her obituary can be found here.
Joe Gibilisco
Joe died early on July 7. His funeral will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, July 30, at St. Luke's. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. His obituary is available 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).
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Mobile Vaccine Clinic at St. Luke's |
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St. Luke's is pleased to host a free mobile vaccine clinic on August 19th. Rochester Public Schools, Olmsted County Public Health, Mayo Clinic have partnered to provide a collaborative Mobile Immunization Clinic. This is a fast, easy, and convenient way to keep our children, schools, and community healthy throughout the year! For more information, click the flyer at right. |
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Calvary - St. Luke's Collaboration |
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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 fill out this survey to share your ideas!
**The team would love it if you'd complete the survey by July 31** Thanks!
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Please check out Calvary's weekly newsletter, The Visitor, published on Wednesdays. Current and archived editions are available here.
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Donations to St. Luke’s of new and gently used household items is on hiatus for a few months. If you would like to continue to share your treasures with others in need during this time a good resource is Catholic Charities at 903 West Center Street Suite 220 in Rochester, 287-2047.
Catholic Charities is currently in need of small household items, twin bedding, towels, kitchen utensils, pots and pans, glass cookware, baking pans, plates, bowls and cups, glasses, cutlery and kitchen tables and chairs. Random drop-off is Mondays, please call first if other days work better. Thank you for your generosity.
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From the Episcopal Church in Minnesota |
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Concluded: General Convention 2022
The Episcopal Church governs itself by a General Convention, which concluded on Monday. General Convention meets every three years and is structured like our US Congress, with two houses: the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. The House of Deputies is made up of a deputation of four lay people and four clergy elected from each diocese within the Episcopal Church. Learn more about General Convention and check out reports from the Minnesota deputation here.
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Bible Study: Luke
Bible Study is on Summer break, returning on August 24. We hope to see you then!
Meeting ID: 827 6194 5638
Passcode: 1884
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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.
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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. |
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St. Luke’s is...
Joyful community
Faithful service
Transformational worship
Growing in relationship with God in Christ.
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