From Anne …
There will be many wonderful opportunities at St. Luke’s this month for worship and prayer, blessing, the joy of hearing beautiful music, and understanding the world and ourselves in new ways.
This is a great season to look around and find some ways you feel drawn more into the ongoing life of the faith community. The joy of a small church is that it’s easy to find a place of your own.
For some, though, worship is the main connection and no other feels necessary. Though St. Luke’s does offer ways that its members and friends can be in service to others, or join with a smaller group for learning, spiritual discovery, or fellowship, Sunday morning is the center point for the church, as we gather together by the grace of God to give thanks for all that God has done and to open our lives to God’s leading.
There’s a Native American creation story that tells of a great turtle deep below all that can be seen by the eye. On the great turtle’s broad shell rest the oceans and the lands – all the earth. I think Sunday morning is like that turtle. Coming to worship on Sunday morning, just resting in the Word, is the single spiritual practice that upholds everything else in our lives.
October Calendar
3 Holy Communion; Grate Patrol offering & meal-making
5 Grate Patrol meal delivery 7-9 pm
6 SPRC meeting
10 Second Sunday Concert 2-2:30 pm
11 Office closed for Columbus Day
15 Next Step Kitchen hosts St. Luke’s
17 Blessing of the animals 12:15 pm worship leaders’ workshop 1:00 pm
Our turn with Shelter dinner 6:45 pm
22 Next Step Kitchen graduation 12:00
24 church council 12:45
25 Shelter board meets 6:30
31 VIM Cuba trip report after church
…and coming up in November
All Saints observed November 7th
Charge Conference November 11th
Grate Patrol Offering October 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, October 5th. Sign up in the Wesley Room or email the church to be part of that night’s Grate Patrol team (7-9 pm; meet at the church).
September’s Grate Patrol offering was $92.00
Special Offering on October 24th
We will take our World Communion Sunday offering on Sunday, October 24th. This denomination-wide Special Sunday Offerings supports scholarships for international and US racial- and ethnic- minority graduate students; ethnic scholarships for undergraduate students; and scholarships for racial- and ethnic-minority persons seeking second careers in church-related vocations.
Beginning October 3rd – Understanding the Common & Historic Foundations of Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
Richard Pyle will lead a six week series, using Bruce Feiler’s Abraham: A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths (HarperCollins, 2002). The course aims to offer a vision of hope from insight into the common origins of these three major faiths. The class will meet at 9:45 am in the Wesley Room.
October 10th – Second Sunday Concerts
The fall/winter spring concert series begins at 2:00 pm on October 10th with a piano recital by Molly Orlando of Chopin, Beethoven, Kabalevsky and Liszt. Second Sunday Concerts are free and all are welcome. In the sanctuary, with refreshments afterward in the narthex.
October 17th – Blessing of the Animals
Francis was a thirteenth century saint who revitalized the church in his day through his attention to the spiritual gift of poverty. He was deeply connected to God’s creation and has left a legacy of story and song through which even today we are drawn to his joyful and simple teaching. Francis was born on October 4th, so we celebrate his gifts to the church during this month.
After church on the 17th, we’ll hold a blessing of the animals out in the garden. You can bring your animals to church that day! Anyone who wants to help plan this blessing or provide treats for the animals after the blessing, please get in touch with Anne.
October 17th – worship leaders training after coffee hour. If you feel drawn to the ministry of reading scripture and leading worship on Sunday mornings, please plan to attend this training workshop, led by Allen Hengst.
October 31 – Cuba Trip Report! The Volunteers-in-Mission team will give a slide show and report on the August mission trip to Holguin, Cuba, where they worked at Prince of Peace United Methodist Church. Please plan to stay after church for a rare glimpse of life in Cuba!
Next Step Kitchen Invites You to Help Cook in the Kitchen
As part of its job readiness program, the Next Step Kitchen would like to invite volunteers to participate in a day in the Kitchen to cook Eggs Florentine on Friday, October 15th. The plan--for those who'd like to cook eggs Florentine-- will be to start cooking by 9 am and to eat around 11 am so there is time to clean up before class ends, usually around 12:30.
In order to make the meal with enough for the participants, we will need the following:
17 large eggs
1 lemon
Butter, 1 lb
12 slices of Canadian bacon
large onion
2 tablespoons heavy cream
fresh parsley sprigs
1 package of cooked frozen spinach
2 pounds of red new potatoes
Fresh thyme
Note: We will increase ingredients if more volunteers are coming.
Please let me know if you can attend, and if you'd like to donate items or money to purchase the items above. Contact: Sonia Kassambara (703)308-0165, work phone or kassambara.sonia@epa.gov, e-mail
Also, the graduation for the second class of students will be Friday October 22. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m., and the luncheon will be held from 11:45 to 1 p.m. Contact: Susan Keenan, (202) 337-4257.
Two Ways to Support St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen
Support St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen this month by registering for the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon on November 20. Walk for St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen! To register on behalf of St. Luke’s, use the link at the St. Luke’s web site, www.saintlukesmethodist.org.
Federal employees can also support St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen by designating #7940 as your pledge in this year’s Combined Federal Campaign. If you would like a speaker from St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen for your CFC campaign kick-off, please contact Susan Keenan, susan@nextstepkitchen.org.
Shelter Dinner Opportunity October 17th
A group of church members and friends provides dinner for the Shelter residents on the third Sunday of every month. If you’d like to be a part of this enjoyable and rewarding experience, contact Nikki Parker or Cory Scott at nicoleparker555@hotmail.com and scott@urbanretail.com
Welcome new members!
Welcome to Farai Chigumbura, Janelle Rynes, and Darryl Smith, who joined St. Luke’s on September 26th. Welcome, too, to Janelle’s husband Joel and daughter Sophie; to Darryl’s wife Mimi and daughters Naomi and Hannah, and welcome to our connectioin through Farai with St. Dorcas United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
The Purpose-Driven Life through November
We have begun a study of Rick Warren's The Purpose - Driven Life every Tuesday evening in Anne's office from 7:30-8:30. The group meets weekly, and it's okay to not be able to attend every week. The book can be bought at most bookstores, since it's being used pretty widely right now. Come explore the book's perspective and find a circle of friends at St. Luke's.
New Directions for Congregational Leadership
After much thought and discussion over the summer, the Church Council has developed an innovative way for us to think about congregational leadership. We will continue to have the ongoing leadership roles through formal committee structures that work well and are so necessary for the life of the church: church council, staff-parish relations committee, renovation/trustees, Good Samaritan and finance.
In addition to these formal committees, the Council identified four core areas for 2005 around which adaptive committees will come together to define and accomplish specific goals for the year. The core areas for 2005 are: the new children’s ministry; the new guest house ministry; and supporting both new and ongoing aspects of our congregational spiritual life.
Please fill out the survey included in this Messenger and return it by mail, or drop it into the collection plate on Sunday. Our time and energy are among the gifts we bring!
Letters
From the Georgetown Ministry Center…
Dear Anne,
Thank you for St. Luke’s generous donation to the Georgetown Ministry Center. Your support allows us to continue providing the very best services to our homeless clients. Our great new group facility now offers our clients a professional environment in which to seek help. They are as proud of the new center as we are. Our shower and laundry services are much sought after…our psychiatrist continues to comfort the treatment resistant on the street and gently develops a trusting, therapeutic relationship. In the office we offer a flexible assortment of services intended to help homeless people move off the street and into safe appropriate housing.
Sincerely,
Gunther Stern
Executive Director
(St. Luke’s designated the Georgetown Ministry Center one of our three local ministry partnerships for 2004, supporting each of the three with $1,000.)
Children’s Ministry
Our new children’s ministry program is off to a great start. From the children participating in Reese Kolasky’s baptism, to the drawings children are completing during the service, to their involvement in Worship Arts with Amy, our children are establishing their place in our worship community and discovering new ways to express their faith experiences. I encourage everyone to stop by the Narthex to see the most recent pictures the children have drawn.
On Sunday, October 24th the children will take a special leadership role in the service and share with the congregation a snapshot of what they have been learning and experiencing within our church community. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Shalom Mulkey, shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org
Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing him more than yourself, or any other creature. In order to do this attend strictly to the sense of what you sing, and see that your heart is not carried away with the sound, but offered to God continually; so shall your singing be such as the Lord will approve here, and reward you when he cometh in the clouds of heaven-
-John Wesley
St. Luke's Choir started back again on September 12th. However, it is not too late to join in the fun. Our lighthearted but structured rehearsals are from 9:30 to 10:45 on Sunday mornings before the eleven o'clock worship service. We work on anthems and hymns for future Sundays too. Our choir is small dynamic and talented. They enjoy leading congregational singing and presenting choral works of varying styles. Interested? Conctact me via email at deke@saintlukesmethodist.org
--Deke Polifka, Director of Music Ministry
News from St. Luke’s Shelter/ Next Step Kitchen
St. Luke's Shelter and Next Step Kitchen continue to meet the needs of homeless men and women in the area. The Shelter is currently (as usual) filled to capacity and is continuing to find creative solutions to the diversity of needs our residents have. Specifically, we are working on trying to connect a resident to services in Canada- that's right, Canada. This gentleman came to this area thinking he would be able to find services to assist him. Unfortunately, his immigration status is making it very difficult to access services. Therefore, we are working on connecting him with more appropriate services in Toronto. While we have found an appropriate placement for him, we have not yet secured transportation- but are hoping that community members may assist us in securing bus transportation. If you are able and interested in helping out, please contact Susan Keenan at 337-4275.
Next Step Kitchen is currently holding its second job readiness class. We have 4 very motivated students and an Intern to assist in facilitating the class. Students will be taking the ServSafe exam October 13th and we will be hosting the 2nd Next Step Kitchen Graduation on Friday October October 22nd. We are currently accepting applications for the next session, slated to begin on Monday November 8th. Contact Susan Keenan for more information.
I know most of you are still in summer vacation mode, but before we know it November 20th will be here. What is November 20th you ask? It’s the Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walkathon…but it is more than that. The Walkathon is an event that actually starts months before the actual walk downtown, and its impact will be felt for years by people who are served by homeless services agencies that participate. Of course, St. Luke’s Shelter- Next Step Kitchen is one of those agencies. We raised almost $15,000 last year through the walkathon and those events that take place in the months prior. Our goal this year is to raise $20,000- and we need your help to do it.
How can you help? There is a way for each of you to help no matter what your interest. You can walk. Register to walk in the main event on the Mall on 11/20 or participate in a mini-walk that benefits our program- ask your school or community group to contact us (if we get 250 or more walkers we could raise $5,000- there are registration forms in the Wesley Room). You could become a partner, join the Friends of St. Luke’s Shelter and contribute as little as $10.00. You could invite us to speak about homelessness at your school; we get incentives for doing presentations. There are other ways as well. If these ideas sound good to you or you have questions, please contact me at 337-4275.
By the way, the special speaker this year is Cal Ripken. If the Friends of St. Luke’s Shelter raises at least $1,500 to become a partner they will get free tickets to the breakfast with Cal on the morning of the Walkathon! Hope to see you all on November 20th!
Susan Keenan
Church Family News.
St. Luke's celebrated the sacrament of baptism on September 12th with the baptism of Reese Parker Kolasky, daughter of Carrie and Bob Kolasky.
Kate Scheeler and Mark Childress were married on September 30th in Lusaka, Zambia. Many blessings on Kate and Mark!
Paula Akompong Burgess and Paul Burgess share the birth of their son Evander, little brother to Akosua, in Redlands, California
The Pyle family welcomed a new granddaughter on September 11, 2004 at Sibley Hospital. Her name is Sadie Evans Downing, child of Riley and Missy Pyle Downing.
Address Updates
Eliza Wharton
3000 Gentilly Blvd #121
New Orleans, Louisiana 70122
504-324-8784
Curt Canada rdeanie@comcast.net
Shirley Henderson shenderson9744@comcast.net
Coffee Hour Hosts for October
3 Rosalyn Zulu & Likando Kumoyo
10 Karen Westergaard
17 Darryl Smith & Family
24
31 Joyce & Derrick Wagner
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.
October Birthdays
15 Kevin Ritz
24 Maya Craig
Joys and Concerns
For the new members joining St. Luke’s: Farai Chigumbura, Janelle Rynes, and Darryl Smith
Nedi Abudabeh asked for prayers for his health
For Marian Potter’s friends Matthew, whose mother died recently, and Nettie, grieving the loss of her daughter
For Arianne Perkins, taking the LSATs on October 2nd
For Craig Silliman’s sister Kim, mother of four young children, with breast cancer
For Matthew Scruggs, son of Joyce and Derrick Wagner, being redeployed to Iraq in January, and for the end of the war
For Nakuma and her new baby
For the victims of a drive-by shooting in Sonia Kassambara’s neighborhood, and for the safety of the neighborhood
For Michael Kelly
For Curt Canada’s brother Curtis, homeless and sick in Indianapolis
For the hurricane victims, and for those working to bring them aid
For James Anderson
The joy of Evander Burgess, new son of Paula Akompong Burgess and Paul Burgess
Thanks that Sonia Kassambara is safe after a frightening close call on the highway, and a reminder to take care of ourselves
For Deke and Amy’s grandmother Winifred, recently diagnosed with lung cancer
For Don Scroggin as the trial against the tobacco industry gets underway
For the Joy of Missy Plye Downing, new granddaughter of Dick and Betty Pyle.
For Penny Andrews and her family on the unexpected death of her brother-in-law
The joy that Gladys Manuel and her daughter Lorraine May will be visiting in October
For Janelle and Joel Rynes as they prepare for the birth of their second child
For Captain Dennis Pascal of USAirways
Derrick Wagner shared the joy of vacation time away and Marc’s fourth birthday; and asked for continued prayers for Joyce’s parents as they adjust to assisted living and nursing care
For the blessing of family and friends gathered for Reese Kolasky’s baptism
For Next Step Kitchen’s new class, beginning September 13th, and for Director Susan Keenan’s family on the death of her grandmother
Continued prayers for Jen
For the Pyle’s young friend Eric, who is moving toward death from cancer
For Earl Williams’ cousin Eric, in Iraq
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 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..
Scripture Texts for October
3 Luke 17:5-10
10 Luke 17: 11-19
17 Luke 18:1-8
24 Luke 18: 9-14
31 Luke 19: 1-10
New Church Directory
We are currently working on an updated church directory. Please make sure that all of your information is correct.
Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour. Day Light Savings time ends October 30, 2004
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.