St. Luke’s Episcopal Church |
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Lifelines: News and updates for you from St. Luke's |
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Reverend Justin Chapman and family are home from vacation and, unfortunately, Justin has Covid. The Rev Gayle Marsh will be with us again this Sunday. Please join us! We had a lovely time with her leading worship two weeks ago and look forward to the opportunity to worship with her again, and to another good visit during Coffee Hour.
Many thanks to the Rev Paul Ehling, former St. Luke’s Intern, for leading us in worship last Sunday. It was great to worship with Paul again!
The Building & Grounds Committee + Finance Committee + Sr. Warden met on Sunday, March 12th, after morning worship. Many thanks to Andrew Altrichter, Kevin Graves, Jay Bryant, MJ Wagenson, Clayton Arndt, and Jeff Decker for an excellent, long, and very productive meeting!
Thanks as well to Doug Butler and Bill Hammer for all they have done and continue to do! We have a plan and people to implement said plan for having the roof repair done as soon as possible (which could be a while as roofing services are booked out many months). We will send out an RFP, obtain 3+ bids, hire someone, and get on their schedule as soon as possible.
We have established a Technology subcommittee of the Building & Grounds committee and hope to be taking steps to improve technology in worship and meeting spaces, increase our ability to offer things in a hybrid fashion so people can participate in person and via zoom in a way that improves everyone’s experience and increases our sense of being able to gather together and see one another.
The Vestry continues to review our progress on the current Transformation Experiments in our first Cycle of Innovation. Many are carrying this work forward and we look forward to sharing the progress and outcomes with you in the coming weeks and months! Small Groups started Thursday, March 2nd. On-going Stewardship efforts and new, innovative approaches to stewardship throughout the year are in development. Transformation Experiment Metrics and have been developed and shared with the Vestry. The Faithful Innovation Team launched it’s Lenten Project on Sunday, February 26th – remember to send your pictures to Jeff Decker!
The Vestry Retreat is scheduled for Friday evening, April 14th and Saturday, April 15th. This is an important opportunity to quickly build an effective Leadership Team. We have had two Vestry Working Sessions and one Vestry Business Meeting. Our next Vestry Business Meeting is Monday, March 20, at 7:00 PM. It will be our first Hybrid Vestry meeting. Our ability to do this is thanks to a very generous donation of an OWL – a device that enables effective hybrid meetings where all present can see and hear one another. When you see Jeff, please take a moment to thank him for this gift!
Please continue reading through the newsletter for information about the many exciting Collaboration, Music, Outreach, Book Club, Bible Study, and other activities that are going on at St. Luke’s and Calvary. And if the Spirit moves you, consider getting involved in or trying something new!
In Christ,
Kit Muellner & Cathy Botz
Serving as your Wardens
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Well, I sure was hoping to avoid catching covid but that’s not how it worked out in the end. On Monday evening, I started feeling something and the next morning I tested positive. Thankfully, my symptoms have been pretty mild so far.
Following the CDC guidance I’m staying home for at least five days. If everything goes well, Sunday morning would be the first time I could go back out in public with a mask on. Because that’s symptom-dependent and I don’t want to risk you being priest-less on Sunday morning, I booked a supply priest to preach and preside on Sunday. I’m again grateful to the Rev. Gayle Marsh for stepping in to cover for me.
Assuming things stay mild and improving, I’m hoping to be back in the office next week and back to leading worship on March 26.
I’m going against my leaning to keep such things to myself by telling you how disappointed I am by all of this. As I told the vestry earlier this week, I live to preside at Eucharist and I hate missing it. It’s nice to take a break for a few Sundays of vacation here and there, but it’s a huge bummer to have to alter plans week after week because of illness. I’m really sad that I can’t be with you in person on Sunday. I’ll be watching the livestream and I can’t wait to be back to normal soon.
Thanks to all of you who’ve expressed your concern and support for me and my family. We’re all doing well and gleefully anticipating the end of our bout with COVID-19.
Yours in Christ,
Justin
P.S. Just so it doesn’t get completely overshadowed: We had a blast on vacation. Elizabeth met all the princesses and rode her first roller coaster. We explored the desert, hiked in the mountains, and built castles on the beach. I took a surfing lesson. We ate all kinds of delicious food, including Mickey Mouse-shaped beignets. We soaked in the hot tub almost every night and generally had a good time playing and relaxing and exploring. It was very good, indeed.
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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. as we celebrate Eucharist on the Fourth Sunday in Lent. As always, please join us for coffee hour following worship.
If you can't make it in person, please tune in for the livestream on St. Luke's Facebook page. You don't need an account to watch the video; just click the link above and the livestream should be the first post on the page. Download the bulletin to follow along at home.
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Wednesday Evening Lenten Worship
5:30 p.m. in the Chapel
Please join us for Evening Prayer on Wednesdays at 5:30. It's about thirty minutes of prayer, scripture, and quiet reflection--the perfect mid-week Lenten reset.
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Make Music with Us!
Choir
We need your voice! If you'd like to sing, please meet in the worship space Sunday mornings at 8:45 to rehearse the hymns and service music. We also rehearse at 7:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month.
Handbells
The St. Luke's Handbell choir practices weekly on Wednesday night from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. We meet in at St. Luke's, downstairs in the office area. Anyone interested in having fun while making a joyful noise is welcome. For more information, contact Harold Solbrig / harold@solbrigs.us / 507-319-2628
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Decorate the Altar for Easter |
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Easter Lilies for the Altar!
Decorate the Altar this Easter Season with Easter Lilies. Give them in memory of or in thanksgiving for.
Envelopes for giving are on the table in the Narthex. Return by Friday, March 31st for your dedication to be included in the Easter Service Leaflet.
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Where do you see God in the world around you?
Everyone sees God differently, and we would like to know where you do.
Please take a little time and that phone I know you have and take some pictures to share with everyone. Email them to Jeff Decker at jadecker@ptd.net or text them to Jeff at 908-892-1220. [Call Jeff if you need any technical help]
We will use all the pictures to make a St. Luke’s Collage.
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Birthdays
- Logan Bryant
- Shanna Altrichter
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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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St. Luke's - Calvary Collaboration Corner
Episcopalians Working Together
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Message from Diane O’Mara: Members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Calvary Episcopal Church are invited to a Caring for Minnesota Town Hall on Saturday, April 29th from 2-4pm in Rochester (Location TBD). All Rochester legislators from Senate Districts 24 and 25 will be invited. Our goal is to gather over 200 people of faith and shared values, where personal stories about hardships and challenges will be shared. The ask to our elected officials is to support laws to address these needs, to create a caring economy, multiracial democracy, and just climate future. Topics will include paid family and medical leave, fully funded public education and childcare, democracy and voting rights, clean energy and climate funding, a MinnesotaCare healthcare buy-in, and more.
ISAIAH, a nonpartisan organization of people of faith, is convening this meeting in coordination with several parishes and mosques in Rochester. We hope to make a strong statement from the Episcopal community that these issues are what we stand for. Similar meetings are happening all over the state in April, but Rochester’s can be one of the largest and most important. ISAIAH helps us to realize that which the Holy Spirit is asking us to do, ‘to treat our neighbors as we want to be treated’. People from many Rochester congregations and beyond are getting involved and working together, as everyone realizes that alone, we can’t do very much, but that working together, we can make a huge difference.
In my volunteer work, I encounter many people experiencing economic hardships like not being able to pay for health insurance, child care, rent, or even food. Channel 1 is having a hard time keeping up. Rochester Salvation Army and Saint Vincent have so many people calling that they stop answering the phones after a limited number of calls. The Dorothy Day house is filled to capacity. So many in our community are struggling, but we know that together Minnesota can become a state where all people, regardless of race, culture, or economic status, can thrive. Many of these policy issues are possible to achieve this year but only if we show a public demand for them.
Lay leaders from Calvary and St. Luke’s will be calling parishioners and encouraging them to attend. Please say ‘yes’ when you are called and come to support this very important meeting or better yet, please call me at 507-261-3773 or email me at dianeomara@charter.net, to let me know that you can come.
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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. |
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Service of Apology for Slavery
Saturday, March 25, 11am Central
The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York | Livestreamed
The Bishop of the Diocese of New York invites all Minnesota Episcopalian to participate in a solemn Service of Apology for the participation and complicity of the diocese (and others) in the transatlantic slave trade and in that trade's continuing aftermath and consequences. This service will include a video address by the Presiding Bishop.
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JRLC Day on the Hill
Thursday, March 30 | Minnesota State Capitol
Join people of many faiths for the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition's Day on the Hill. Meet with legislators to advocate for issues important to people of faith. A training will take place via Zoom the night before, March 29th, from 6:30-8:45pm.
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We are so grateful to our St. Luke’s members for their ongoing donations to the Operation Backpack program over this school year. Both Sunset Terrace Elementary School and John Marshall High School students have received needed supplies from our St. Luke’s members who are supporting this program. Thank you!
Once again we are shifting our focus on Sunset Terrace Elementary School. During the month of March, the greatest needs that have been identified for Sunset Terrace are:
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Warm waterproof gloves/mittens for elementary school sized hands
- Snow pants size 6-16--- can be gently used in good condition
- Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body Wash
- Tooth Brushes, Toothpaste, and Floss
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Healthy Snacks that do not contain peanuts and do not need to be refrigerated. Some examples: raisins, unsweetened apple sauce, Keebler or Club crackers, Nutra-grain Bars, Quaker Oats Chewy Bars, natural fruit roll-ups, fruit leather, apple and banana chips, Goldfish crackers, pretzel and cheese packs, and popcorn
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Gift cards for Walmart, HyVee or Target in $10 increments so teachers can buy emergency supplies for students or for parents in a difficult situation to buy paper products.
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Kwik Trip (gas only)--- these are for families in a difficult situation who need gas to get kids to school.
These supplies can be dropped off at St. Luke’s on Monday through Friday, 8-5 and, of course, on Sunday morning. Gift cards should be given directly to our Parish Administrator, Karen Gould (in the church office). Other supplies can be placed in the drop bins are located in the downstairs foyer.
Thank you for your ongoing generosity and continuing to think of the needs of these students.
Thanks so much!
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Please mark your calendar to attend the ‘Caring for Minnesota’ event in Rochester on Saturday, April 29, (location TBD)with our legislators, hosted by ISAIAH and supported by Rochester faith communities and people with shared values. We are hoping the Episcopal congregations of St. Luke’s and Calvary will show up in large numbers, to show our support for Paid Child Care and Paid Family Leave and the Buy In for Minnesota Care. Our support is crucial as these important issues will be decided in the coming weeks.
Other important dates to mark on your calendar. Just showing up to show your support is so important.
An exciting bill passed in both the House and Senate this week and will be signed into law by Gov. Walz. All Minnesota children will now be eligible to receive free breakfast and free lunch every school day. No more stigma against certain children and no more district paperwork.
Paid Family Leave and Paid Child Care have passed the House and are working their way through the various Senate committees. Any bills not passed by end of session might end up in some form in the Omnibus bill.
ISAIAH is also supporting more people being able to get MinnesotaCare. Currently MinnesotaCare is only available to U.S. citizens who live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level of less than or equal to $27,000 year. The bill would allow premiums on a sliding scale for people above that cap. About 200,000 Minnesotans do not have health insurance and racial disparities have widened. Many people simply can’t afford the steep premiums. Follow this link to contact your legislators to let them know you support MNCARE Buyin.
Rep Luke Frederick told us that phone calls and emails coming in have increased in hate and aggression, and that meeting with ISAIAH volunteers and supporters who say, “How Can We Help?” is like coming to a place of warm friendship and sunshine. He stated one of the ways we can all help is to call or email your legislators with a simple, “Hi, my name is xxx and I live in Rochester, MN. I’m calling to say thank you for your work!”. He said an email like this gets printed out and put on their doors, so that they can look at it after a hateful phone call or letter and it uplifts them. This link will help you to know who represents you and give you their phone number voice mail. So please call them and tell them how much you appreciate their work and that you support the above bills. It makes their day and is such a simple act of kindness.
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Facing the Fentanyl Crisis |
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Facing the Fentanyl Crisis through Recovery and Restoration in Rochester
Thursday, April 13th 2023, 3pm-7pm
Christ United Methodist Church
400 5th Ave SW Rochester
Please join us coming together to learn about the challenges within our community impacting those struggling with addiction
Hear from leaders within the community on how we can support each other's strengths while focusing on SOLUTIONS as we face the fentanyl crisis TOGETHER!
Panel Discussion, Resource Fair, and Narcan training with FREE distribution on site.
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Concert at B'Nai Israel Synagogue |
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The Mind and Music of George Gershwin
A Performance by Richard Kogan, MD, Psychiatrist, Musician, and Storyteller
Those of you who saw Dr. Kogan perform Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto #1 with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra this season will know that we’re in for a treat to hear this wonderful pianist again.
The brochure with information is posted both upstairs on the bulletin board as well as downstairs near the entrance, and here.
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A few years ago, I shared information about a film in production documenting the first women ordained to the priesthood in The Episcopal Church. That film, The Philadelphia Eleven, is nearing completion. The producers are hoping to release it this fall and are raising the last bit of money to get the project over the finish line.
I have personally supported this project and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished film. I hope we'll be able to arrange a screening at St. Luke's.
You can see a trailer here. For more information and to donate, click here.
--Rev. Justin
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If you have donations of new or gently used household items, including couches, tables with chairs, beds, bedding, towels, dishes, etc, here are many wonderful options.
Catholic Charities at 507-287-2047 will arrange pickup from your house and accepts all the above. Donations are used for refugee families.
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Resource Room at 507-288-7313 works with St. Vincent De Paul for helping Rochester homeless families and adults or for families in crisis with relocation needs to start their new apartments. They accept non-furniture items. They will arrange a time when you can drop off your items.
St. Vincent De Paul (507-250-5715) directly accepts beds, tables, dressers and household items, (not couches), but will usually ask you to hold onto the items until move in day, as they do not have a storage place. They appreciate a drop off, but will pick up if needed.
The Landing (507-884-0423) and The Warming Shelter (507-458-1223) accept new or gently used adult socks and jeans, which are given to homeless adults. Feel free to drop these off at St. Luke’s and we’ll get them delivered.
If you have any questions about any of these ministries or would like to help volunteer, please email dianeomara@charter.net.
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Bible Study: John
Join us on Zoom for a wide ranging conversation about the Bible, God's action in our lives, and the interesting (and sometimes esoteric) scholarship that informs our readings of John's gospel.
Meeting ID: 827 6194 5638
Passcode: 1884
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Book Group
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (fiction)
Tuesday, March 28th, 6:30 pm
Discussion through Zoom.
Enjoy the book; then join us for a discussion led by Tami Walker.
Watch for a St. Luke's Book Group notice to join the meeting by computer or phone.
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We are thankful and blessed to now have enough individuals who have agreed to join our first small group! Our goal with these groups is to explore together a life centered on Jesus; centered together. This is a discipleship series of a guided small, gathered community exploring how to become more deeply rooted in love with God and connected with one another, so that we grow to look, act, and love more like Jesus. We are currently working with our first group to find a time for our first and ongoing gatherings. Look for periodic updates from our first small group as we engage in this important work of discipleship together.
For those who would like to participate in a future small group, please reach out to Diane O’Mara ( dianeomara@charter.net, 507-261-3773) to express your interest. As enough individuals agree to participate to form more groups, we will kick them off. |
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St. Luke's Facebook and Website Pictures |
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Pictures, pictures and more pictures!
Diane O’Mara is requesting your help, so she can more easily update St. Luke’s Website and post to St. Luke’s Facebook page. If you took any pictures of the Candlemas Service or reception, could you please send them to Diane. If you have pictures of any other St. Luke’s events, such as blessing of the animals, Doug’s wiener roast during the Bishop’s visit, or any events at all, please send pictures via email to dianeomara@charter.net. Just label the subject line St. Luke's – event and replace the word event with whatever the event was. Most importantly , let’s all start taking pictures, since many of us carry our phones everywhere, so that our Website and Facebook page starts reflecting all the beautiful and caring activities St. Luke’s congregation is involved in, outside of St. Luke’s and inside of St. Luke’s. This type of activity will cause people to Like and Share, which will spread the word that St. Luke’s Episcopal is out in the community!
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Recognizing Volunteerism Through Pictures and Facebook Posts |
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Almost all of us volunteer in the Rochester community. The parting words of each service tell us to make a difference in our community and in our world. We want to show the Rochester community that people from St. Luke’s Episcopal use their hearts and hands for sharing and caring and helping, not just on Sunday, but every day of the week.
When you are volunteering, let us know what organization you are involved in. Have someone snap a picture so that it can be shared on our Facebook page. From Mayo Clinic, “Research also has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety. . . Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings by releasing dopamine.” This publicity will also help spark new volunteers for your favorite organization as St. Luke’s Facebook posts are liked and shared. In each post we can mention the organization you are volunteering for and link to their website. Imagine the possibilities through sharing your volunteer activities!
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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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