From Dave…
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen . . . by faith Abraham went out, not knowing where he was to go." . . .Hebrews 11:1, 8
A seeing-eye dog trainer tells this story: A woman who had been blind from birth was standing at a very busy corner waiting for someone to help her cross the street. A man appeared beside her, took her arm, and said, "May I go across the street with you?" When they were on the other side, the woman was astonished when the man profusely thanked her for helping him across! "You know," he said, "when you've been blind as long as I have, it is a mighty big relief to find helpful people." Then it all came out, and they had a good laugh. "How did we ever get across the street?" the woman mused. "I guess it was because we had faith in each other."
What a tremendous happening! Had either person known the truth they would have never ventured into the street. But with "the conviction of things not see," their lives were much richer.
As you may know, I am finally venturing out of New England. Born and raised in Maine, I went to college in West Virginia, but then quickly returned to Boston University School of Theology, and have ministered in one form or another in Massachusetts ever since. On June 14, the day we were doing the final walk-through before closing on our house the next day, I was feeling a bit of trepidation for Washington traffic - and that's quite an admission for a 30+ year Boston driver. And coming to a new Conference, I am sure that I will need assistance in making the D.C. area and Saint Luke's my new home.
I suspect you folks may have a bit of trepidation about this new pastor that you know so little about.
We enter a time of getting to know each other, of feeling our way. Like Abraham (and Sarah), we are called to sojourn in a spiritual promised land, a place we do not know, like a foreign land. And like Abraham (and Sarah) we are in covenant with God with a "faith that is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."As we "go out not knowing where we are to go" may we have the assurance that God's grace and peace is always with us,
Dave Myers
July Calendar
3 Holy Communion
Grate Patrol offering & meal making
7 Grate Patrol delivery 6:45 pm
7 Jazz in the Garden, 6:30-8:30 pm
10 Narthex Gallery Opening~Photographs of
Carolyn Johnson, 12:15-2:00pm
10 Church Council Meeting
19 Our turn with Shelter Dinner, 6:45 pm
28 Jazz in the Garden, 6:30-8:30 pm
30 Shalom House Committee Retreat, 9am-12pm
Grate Patrol Meal Making July 3
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, June 7th. 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).
June’s Grate Patrol Amount: $83.00
Our Turn with Shelter Dinner July 17th
Once a month a group of members and friends prepares and shares dinner with the residents of St. Luke’s Shelter. For more information, contact the shelter dinner coordinator, Cory Scott, scottc@urbanretail.com
4th Annual Jazz Concert Series in the Garden at St. Luke’s
4th Annual Jazz in the Garden Concert Series at St. Luke's 2005 Summer Season continues Thursday, July 7th, with the Bossalingo, featuring guitarist Michael J. Harris. Bring a picnic dinner and blanket to sit on (no alcohol, please; children and dogs welcome). Free and open to all. All concerts start at 6:30 pm. Cancelled in the event of rain.
2005 Jazz in the Garden Concert Series Schedule
THURSDAY, JULY 7, 2005
Bossalingo
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2005
Jerome Meltzer Trio
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2005
Esther Haynes Trio
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2005
Asheley Elise
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2005
Special Guest, Julie Hall
Narthex Gallery Reopens in July
Join us for the reopening of the Narthex Gallery. Come explore the architectural images of photographer Carolyn Johnson on view in the Narthex Gallery, from Sunday, July 3, through Sunday, October 30. A special opening will take place on Sunday, July 10, immediately following the church service, from 12:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. All are invited.
The exhibit features four galleries by the Glover Park resident, which will rotate monthly: Southern France Gallery, July 3-July 30; Southwest Light Gallery, August 7-August 28; Greek Architecture Gallery, September 4-September 30; and Illumination Gallery, October 2-October 31.
Johnson has worked as a photographer in Washington, D.C., over the last 12 years and has studied photography both in the U.S. and abroad. Her work is in numerous private collections, and in the permanent collections of the American Institute of Architects, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Georgetown Hospital, all of Washington, D.C., and the New York offices of Kozusko Lahey Harris LLP. She is a member of the International Photographic Society of Washington, D.C. Her website is www.carolynjohnson.com.
“Four Galleries by Carolyn Johnson will be available for viewing before and after church on Sundays and on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 3 through October 30.
For more information about Narthex Gallery Exhibits please contact Shalom Mulkey, shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org.
--Shalom Mulkey, Director of Admin. and Programs
Music Notes
The other day, I was describing the eclectic mix of musical styles that we use in worship at St. Luke’s. The person I was talking to was astonished that we blend classical, taizé, gospel, spiritual and contemporary music into one service. “Why don’t you just have several services?” they asked. Trying not to make a “oh, here we go…” face was difficult, but my reaction was just stifled enough to pass under the radar.
I went on to explain that our church is just as diverse as the musical styles we use (if not more so). In addition, the United Methodist Church’s identity is based on our being a united body of people from many cultures, continents and other classifications. It is only natural that the music we choose should be so varied.
The music at St. Luke’s is not a dish with too many contrasting flavors. Rather, there are a variety of musical courses which help us to nurture our relationship with God in different ways.
-Deke Polifka, Director of Music Ministry
It is not too late to register for this summer’s music camp. We still have a few spaces left. For more information please talk to Deke (deke@saintlukesmethodist.org)
Wish List
Do you want to help with this year’s music camp, but can’t take time off from work to volunteer on-site? Consider donating a few items from the wish list below.
Snacks
Goldfish crackers (4 bags)
Pretzels (2 bags)
Fruit Snacks (4 boxes)
Graham Crackers (4 boxes)
Countrytime Lemonade Mix (2 large cans)
Grate Patrol Items
Travel size toothpaste (100)
Toothbrushes (100)
Please place all donations in the box marked “music camp”, located in the Wesley Room. We will be accepting donations until July 10th.. For more information or to volunteer the week of the camp, please contact Shalom Mulkey, shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org.
What’s In a Name?
An identity, a message, and meaning. St. Luke’s Guest House has a new permanent name, which the program committee feels accurately describes our new service-learning/hospitality ministry. Drum roll please…the name is Shalom House.
Why Shalom House? No, I didn’t suggest or campaign for it. The committee decided that the biblical meaning of Shalom clearly defines the message and mission of the guest house. Walter Brueggemann wrote, “The central vision of world history in the Bible is that all creation is one, every creature in community with every other, living in harmony and security toward the joy and well-being of every other creature…Shalom is the substance of the biblical vision of one community embracing all creation.” It is a time of well-being, right relations, justice and peace. Through sharing and living a true vision of Shalom we are challenged to be engaged in building a better world for all; and this is what we hope to teach and continue to learn through this exciting new ministry.
Thank you to everyone who submitted guest house names. The decision wasn’t easy! If you would like more information about Shalom House or are interested in joining the program committee, please contact Shalom Mulkey, shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org. The next planning meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 30th, 9am-12pm.
--Shalom Mulkey, Director of Admin. and Programs
Church Council News
At the meeting of June 19 the Church Council passed the following resolution:
The Reconciling Congregation statement, which has been reviewed and discussed by the membership over the past several weeks, represents the spirit of St. Luke’s and the Church Council believes it is important to make an explicit statement.
Our new pastor, Dave Myers, should be part of the process of discussion on this statement.
A final decision on the statement will be made at the Charge Conference this fall.
News From our Church Family
I'm thrilled to announce that JK and I got married in Belize on June 12th. Thanks to St. Luke's for your well wishes. -Inne Kim
I'd like to request that our church community be alerted to the fact that we have a young friend, Eric Battle who continues to struggle with cancer. We are asking for the prayers of everyone as he continues to be so very courageous in the face of this adversity. Thanks.
Also, all 15 members of the Pyle family will be vacationing 4th of July week in Green Lake, Wisconsin at the American Baptist Assembly grounds. This is the place where Richard spent many summers as a youth due to his father being an American Baptist member. The assembly provides a wonderful opportunity for spiritual growth on a beautiful lake and grounds complete with recreational and artistic opportunities. -Richard Pyle
Baptisms
We rejoice in the baptism of Katherine Xavia Rynes of May 29th, the baptism of Christopher Wright of June 12th, and in the baptism of Likando Kumoyo of June 19th.
July Birthdays
9 Nancy Smynas
21 Gladys Manuel
23 Dorothy Bowers
24 Derrick Wagner
27 Kaou Kassambara
St. Luke’s Shelter’s Next Culinary Arts and Empowerment Training Begins July 5!
While the church undergoes renovation, our Next Step Kitchen trainings will be held Mondays through Fridays for three hours at DC Central Kitchen, located at the Federal City Shelter near Judiciary Square. From July through September, 10 students will learn the basics of self-empowerment through the practical and motivational curriculum called “Out of Poverty” and the basics of food preparation and safe food handling through DC Central Kitchen’s culinary arts curriculum. Following their graduation, St. Luke’s Shelter will partner with DC Central Kitchen staff to help students take their “next step”, such as more intensive culinary arts training, food handling certification, internships or employment. The summer 2005 class will be composed of women and men ages 19 through 53, who have been recruited in partnership with DC Central Kitchen, Community for Creative Non-violence Federal City Shelter for women and men, and the New Hope Ministries/Open Door Women’s Shelter. Our transitional shelter and hypothermia shelters for men will be located on the top floor of the church during renovation. Shelter program updates include trainings on accessing dental care and employment issues related to one’s criminal record. Thank you, St. Luke’s congregation members, for your continued support of this powerful ministry!
-- Kate McCann, Executive Director
June Congregational Giving
Monthly Pledges
Budgeted $5000/month
Actual Pledges $3,641/month
Received in June $3,720
Non-pledge and Anonymous Giving
Budgeted $1,333/month
Received in June $3,066.30
Coffee Hour for July
3 Leslye Wooley & Derek Willis
10 Allen Hengst & Sonia Kassabara
17
21
28
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, contact Nancy Smrynas at 202-965-0084
Joys and concerns
For Dorothy Preston’s sister who has been hospitalized and for Dorothy’s son’s father who has cancer
For Shawn’s uncle diagnosed with colon cancer
Sylvia shared the joy of having so many people in church.
Derrick shared the joy of seeing Matthew graduate from drill-sergeant training
Earl shared the joy of his parents celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary
The joy of Molly and Vince expecting their child in December
The joy of family and friends present for Likando’s baptism
For Jen’s uncle, recovering from bypass surgery
For Penny, recovering from a stomach virus
The joy of Shalom’s sister Charity being here today
For Nate and Shalom’s friend Dan whose hand was blown off in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan, and for all those killed and injured in the war, and their families and friends
Sonia shared the joy of having her father in church on Fathers’ Day
The joy of the birth of Matthew Wilshire’s nephew, Lucius Jackson Wilshire
For Susan’s son Carl, who graduated from St. Alban’s yesterday
For Marian’s friend and her friend’s father, recovering from triple by-pass surgery
For the people of Zimbabwe during this difficult time
For Matthew Scruggs, in the final weeks of drill-sergeant training
Thanks from Joyce to all those who came by her booth at Glover Park Day!
For the joy of a beautiful Glover Park Day
The joy of Dorothy Pearson’s being back and recovered
For Don’s mother, in a time of transition
For Jen’s friend Kirsten, for guidance
For those facing unemployment
For those who have died in war
For Rosalynn Zulu, graduating from Montgomery College
For Susan Calloway’s continuing recovery
For Priscilla’s family in Cape Town, S.A. on the death of her uncle
Farai received approval of her asylum status, and brought her friend to church
For our congregation as we explore the process of becoming a reconciling congregation
For St. Luke’s new pastor, Dave Myers, and for his wife Deb, in this time of transition
For peace
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, Betty Lawrence, and Margaret Roberts.