From Anne …
One of the earliest articles I wrote for the Messenger five years ago was about planting bulbs in the fall and hoping for flowers in the spring. I spent Election Day last November planting tulip bulbs out in Delaware (after I voted). It was an act of meditation and hope, and it reminds me now that hope and expectation are not the same things at all. We can expect particular outcomes. We can wish for particular conclusions or solutions. We can work for particular goals. But hope is something different from these familiar ways we have of facing into the future. Hope has something more to do with planting a bulb in God’s soil and allowing God the time and space and freedom to make it grow. Of course we do our part the best we can: dig up the soil and let the air and the worms do their thing, plant the bulb at the right depth and at the right time, and water well.
I think about that image again today because there’s a lot around here at St. Luke’s that’s like a bulb planted, growing its roots underground still, the new green shoots just beginning to poke through the soil. We haven’t yet seen its blossoming, but we know its time of blossoming will come. It will come in God’s time, not ours. It will come in part because we continue to care for the conditions by nurturing community and reaching out in compassion and creating opportunities of hospitality and welcome for all. And it will come in part because God’s Spirit moves deep within the soil, and warms the air, and showers St. Luke’s with rain, and pours light on this congregation, and soaks us all in mercy and grace.
When Mary Magdalene turned around at the empty tomb that morning she thought she was seeing the gardener. And in a way, she was. So the true gardener of this particular patch of God’s precious garden – St. Luke’s --is the Risen Christ.
It is only as we allow our particular expectations and wishes and even our goals – all that we hold so dearly -- to be subjected and transformed by God’s mighty power, that we may begin to recognize the presence of God’s promise, in which we hope. This is true in each of our lives, and true for the community of St. Luke’s as well. We give up our familiar identity -- sometimes painfully – and discover our true identity. Not defined by all we have striven for after all, but Christ’s garden, reaching greenly toward the light.
April Calendar
3 Grate Patrol offering & meal making
5 Grate Patrol delivery 6:45 pm
10 Second Sunday Concert at 2:00 pm
17 Church Council 12:45
Our turn with Shelter Dinner 6:45 pm
23 Pre-Conference briefing/ District Conference
25 St. Luke’s Shelter Board 6:30 pm
Grate Patrol Offering April 3rd
Our monthly Grate Patrol Offering supports the purchase of groceries and supplies to make 150 bag suppers for people living on the street.
Our next Grate Patrol night is Tuesday, April 5th. Sign up in the Wesley Room or email the church to be part of that night’s Grate Patrol team (6:45-9 pm; meet at the church).
March’s Grate Patrol offering was $114.00
Mark Schaeffer Guest Preacher on April 10th
The Rev. Mark Schaeffer, Chaplain for the United Methodist student community at American University, will be St. Luke’s guest preacher on April 10th. The AU United Methodist community is one of St. Luke’s three ministry partners, along with The Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place and The Georgetown Ministry Center. Please welcome Mark on April 10th as he comes to bring the sermon.
Pastor’s Vacation Information
Anne will be on vacation from April 4th through April 11th. For pastoral emergencies during that week, please call Shalom Mulkey at the church office (202-333-4949) or call The Rev. Faith Lewis at Metropolitan Memorial –Eldbrooke Greater Parish (202-363-4900).
Church Council News
Church Council held its regular monthly meeting on March 13, 2005. The Council noted that there was confusion within the congregation about the prospect of St. Luke’s becoming a reconciling congregation. This is a decision that will be made by the congregation. The Council’s role is to communicate to the Congregation a process by which St. Luke’s will determine if it wants to become a reconciling congregation.
The Council also held a brief retreat last month to discuss ways to be more welcoming to new people. Ideas included directional signage outside, informational material easily available to newcomers, and a monthly Bring a Friend Sunday.
The Name Game!
Calling all creative minds! The guesthouse needs a name. Please email any suggestions to Shalom at shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org. Hmm, how does House of Shalom sound?
Kate McCann is the new Executive Director of St. Luke’s Shelter
It’s with great pleasure that the St. Luke’s Shelter Board announces the selection of Kate McCann as the new executive director. Kate brings strong administrative, public relations, and collaborative skills, a great deal of experience in identifying and reinforcing effective organizational behavior, and concern for the vulnerable members of our society. Prior to joining the Shelter team, she helped the global poverty reduction group NetAid raise money for their new youth programs. For Global Rights, an international human rights law group, she fundraised for programs in Central Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East while serving as art and editorial director of marketing and publication efforts. She holds masters degrees from Trinity College (Dublin) and Garrett Theological Seminary. Kate is also an active theatre and music buff. She can be reached at info@stlukesshelter.org, or at 202-337-4275
Going on a Pilgrimage
Members of the Guest House program committee will be taking a field trip after church on April 3rd. They will be taking a tour and talking to staff at The Pilgrimage, which is an educational and service learning center and hostel located at Church of the Pilgrims in Dupont Circle. The Pilgrimage, which opened in 1973, provides service learning programs for those called to explore the connection between urban poverty and the Christian faith. The Pilgrimage serves as a good model for St. Luke’s new guest house, scheduled to open in early 2006. The informational tour the committee will take on April 3rd will help generate more ideas in the ongoing planning of St. Luke’s new ministry. For more information about The Pilgrimage, please visit their website www.thepilgrimage.org. To get more information about St. Luke’s new program or to join the program committee, please contact Shalom Mulkey, shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org
--Shalom Mulkey
Music Notes for April 2005
Second Sunday Concerts
(All concerts are at 2pm on Second Sundays of the month)
APRIL 10th Organ/Piano duo recital Deke Polifka, piano & David Erwin, organ 2 p.m. This concert will feature works by Saint-Saens, Franck, S. Wesley and Joe Utterback.
MAY 8th The Thomas Circle Singers James Kreger, director 2 p.m.
About the Thomas Circle Singers
For twenty-nine years, TCS concerts have raised funds and awareness for organizations serving the homeless and hungry, children and families at risk, the sick, and victims of violence in Washington, D.C. They are the only local choral organization to donate all subscription concert ticket proceeds to nonprofit organizations every year. TCS has raised over $100, 000 for local causes in the last six years alone.
Founded in 1976, The Thomas Circle Singers remain an independent, all-volunteer chamber chorus, making their home at Luther Place Memorial Church on Thomas Circle. “Dulcet performances of diverse selections” and a unique dual mission distinguish the organization from the area’s fine choruses. Today, as always, the group’s music reaches beyond the concert hall to touch the lives of those in need. In recognition of its numerous achievements and for staying “in tune” with the community, TCS was named Washingtonian of the Year 2000 by Washingtonian Magazine.
-Deke Polifka
In the life of our community …
We celebrate the wedding of Kirsty Cynthia Zulu and John Clifford Klobucar on April 2nd. Kirsty’s parents and other family members will be here from Zambia for the month.
We give thanks for Inne Kim’s safe return from Kuwait and Korea following the unexpected death of her father in Kuwait. Inne’s mother will be joining Inne and JK here soon.
Coffee Hour Hosts for April
3
10 Dorothy Pearson & Mary Day
17
24
Thanks to all who have signed up to host coffee hour this month. The sign-up sheet is posted in the Wesley Room, or you can just contact the church office if you’d like to host next month. If you’ve never hosted and want guidance, Nancy Smyrnas will help you. Just give her a call ahead of time at 202-365-0084 (evenings/Saturdays).
Scripture for April
3 John 20: 19-31
10 Luke 24: 13-35
17 John 10: 1-10
24 John 14: 1-14
April Birthdays
6 Julie James
10 Eliza Wharton
10 Al Crosby
19 Likando Komoyo
21 Shalom Mulkey
26 Lucille Dade
29 Russel Belanger
29 Candice Morgan
Joys and concerns
For Kim’s grandfather Howard and for his wife Edna
The joy of being with family for Easter
For Andrea’s father
The joy of Inne’s return
For Penny who has completed chemotherapy
For Martha Wagner, who fell recently
The joy of Julie’s new job
For the continuing recovery of Susan’s friend Vera after surgery
The joy of a new job for Charles
The joy of Reese’s recovery from a kidney infection
For our jury system, and for justice
For Kirsty and John as they prepare for their wedding on April 2nd
The joy of Jen’s mother being here
The joy of Curt’s being back
For Susanne and Brad, who celebrated their wedding on March 19th
For the Cox family -- Karen, Kojo and Emma -- on the death of Emma’s sister
For Inne and her mother and brother on the death of her father in Kuwait
For our congregation as we explore the process of becoming a reconciling congregation
For St. Luke’s future pastor, Dave Myers, and for his wife Deb, in this time of transition
Continued prayers for Betty Lawrence at Knollwood
For peace
For the Pyle’s young friend Eric
For our military in Iraq and for the people of Iraq, and for our leaders that they may lead with wisdom
For the children and staff of Wings of Hope Orphanage, in Haiti.
For Prince of Peace Methodist Church in Holguin, Cuba
For the community of St. Luke’s Shelter.
For those living with HIV/AIDS
For our members who are unable to attend because of their health: Emma Cox, Jeanne Goss, Lucille Dade, and Margaret Roberts.
Put yourself on the map. We now have a map on the wall in the Wesley Room so that we can see where everyone is from and also the places we all keep in our hearts. Please add your places during coffee hour today.
Missed Church on Sunday?
You can still keep up with the latest prayer concerns and church events by checking the church web site, www.saintlukesmethodist.org. The Weekly Messenger appears there each week to help you stay in touch with your church family. And thanks to Derek Willis the site is always up to date and easy to navigate.
Spring Forward
Yes it’s that time again! Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour. Yes, I know we’re loosing a hour of sleep, but on the bright side we’re gaining more daylight…