From Anne …
The pieces of the puzzle are beginning to come together for us this fall, as we hear the recommendations of the Church Council for our vision and direction in the coming years. The Council has worked hard over the summer to gather information, discuss, imagine, argue, analyze, and pray. The Council has held additional meetings, including Saturdays and late-nights, to complete recommendations for the primary areas of worship and music, outreach ministry, and education. All this work is invisible and behind the scenes, but it has been essential to our ability to move forward into this new stage in the life of our congregation. And not only the Council, but also many other people have come together in various groups to follow up on the Council’s initiations. So one group immersed itself in readings on liturgical space, thinking together about the needs of the sanctuary, and took responsibility for the architect selection process. In another area, a group had responsibility for selecting the manager for the investment funds. And in a third area, the choir took responsibility for the selection of our new Director of Music Ministry. All in all, at least half our congregation has been actively involved in some part of this spring and summer’s work as we prepare for our new beginnings. It has taken many hours, many hands, many minds, and many good hearts to seek our alignment with God’s unfolding will for St. Luke’s. One person even talked his way into a rural elementary school while on vacation so he could send out an important set of emails when his own phone line went down. I feel a great deal of gratitude to everybody who gave so much of themselves to this often intense and challenging project over the summer. You all did this with such good humor and grace!
So this month of September will be a time when things begin to come together for us. The many wonderful and inspired ideas of our congregational meeting last March are now emerging as more developed plans and actions. Our vision begins to be made visible this month. What an exciting time for us!
This month we welcome our new Director of Music Ministry, Deke Polifka. Deke brings not only his skills as a musician but also his spirit and enthusiasm to this new position, which will include his development of a music ministry that reaches out to the community in new ways.
It’s also such good timing that The Rev. John Rottenberg, a pastor in The Reformed Church of America (and Carmen’s father) will be with us for his doctor of ministry project. Later in the newsletter is an article by John describing his project. We will learn from John and John will learn from us over the next several months. I hope you will think about being a part of the group that will participate directly in John’s project. It will be an engaging and thought-provoking and enjoyable experience.
Looking ahead to October, we also want to take time to celebrate the successful completion of the property sale, scheduled for mid-October. The second 50th anniversary celebration set for October 19th was originally intended to focus on looking forward, as our anniversary celebration in May honored the past. Little did we know how good the anniversary committee’s timing would be when they first arrived at the October 19th date over a year ago! So we will celebrate with our neighbors that day, with the Georgetown University Gospel Choir and a barbeque out on the lawn after church. October 19th is also Bring a Friend Sunday!
September Schedule of Events
1 Shelter Labor Day Barbeque, 4 pm
Church Office closed
2 Grate Patrol 7-9 pm
4 Church Council 7-9 pm
6 Glover Park Day 11-4
7 Holy Communion & Grate Patrol Offering
New member orientation after coffee hour
11 Jazz in the Garden 6:30-8:30
14 New Member Sunday
congregational meeting after church
21 Rev. Charlie Parker preaching
Volunteers in Mission Cuba trip meeting
Our turn with Shelter dinner
25 Church Council 7-9 pm
28 meeting with John Rottenberg after church
And coming up in October …
4 AIDS Walk
5 Holy Communion & Grate Patrol Offering
Grate Patrol meal making after church
Congregational meeting after church
19 Bring a Friend Sunday, anniversary celebration & neighborhood party after church
New to Saint Luke’s --Flexcar
Need a car to run errands after church? Join Flexcar. Flexcar is the nation's largest and oldest provider of car-sharing programs and now you can find one conveniently located in the church parking lot. For more information about membership and rates please see www.flexcar.com.
Labor Day Barbeque at St. Luke’s Shelter
All are invited to the annual Labor Day Barbeque hosted by St. Luke’s Shelter, beginning at 4 pm on Monday, September 1st. Just bring a dish to share. It’s always a good time for residents, former residents, staff, friends and volunteers.
Glover Park Day September 6th
Glover Park Day was rained out in June, but has been rescheduled for next Saturday, September 6th. This is a fun community day with music, food, and activities of all sorts. At Guy Mason Recreation center 9across the street from the church.) St. Luke’s has an informational table at Glover Park Day – stop by, or come and sit for a while. Maybe there will be brownies … 11-4 pm.
New Member Orientation Sunday Sept. 7th
On Sunday, September 14th, new members will be received into the life of St. Luke’s. All who are planning to join St. Luke’s on the 14th are invited to participate in a new member orientation group on Sunday September 7th, following coffee hour. The orientation includes a tour of the building, an introduction to the ministries and direction of the congregation, a review of membership, and time for questions. The orientation is also for anyone who is thinking about becoming a member of the congregation, whether or not you plan to join on the 14th.
Grate Patrol Offering on September 7
Once a month we make and deliver 150 bag suppers for people living on the street. Please plan to stay after church on August 31st help make the meals. Our next Grate Patrol night is Tuesday, September 2. 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). August’s Grate Patrol offering was $381.00
New Washington-Columbia District Superintendent Installed September 7th
The Rev. David Argo will be installed as our new District Superintendent on Sunday afternoon, September 7th, at 4 pm at Asbury United Methodist Church, 926 11th St, NW, with a reception following. All are invited to attend.
If you want to go but need a ride, please let Anne know.
From Deke…
Dear members/friends of St. Luke's,
What an exciting time to be joining this beautiful place of worship! I have met so many talented and wonderful people here already and really look forward to joining you as Director of Music Ministries on August 31st. Anne, Shalom and I have some great ideas for the ever-growing music program here.
As some of you know, I was married in June and in addition to this, my wife and I attended five other weddings in July/August! Now that this "nuptial tour" has ended I welcome my new life at St. Luke's and cannot wait to get started.
God Bless- Deke Polifka
*Jazz in the Garden September 11th - Dennis J.*
Through the years Dennis has performed at several clubs in the DC metro area such as HR-57, Bohemian Caverns, Whit Lowes, and Madam’s Organ, and his CD was recently featured on WPFW. 6:30-8:30 pm, in the garden. This is the last concert of the year.
Congregational Meeting September 14th
There will be a congregational meeting after church on Sunday, September 14th to hear and discuss the church council’s recommendations for new directions based on the congregational visioning workshop held in March.
Combined Federal Campaign Includes St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen
Federal employees take note – St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen has been accepted by the Combined Federal Campaign! Our number is 7940. Please tell your co-workers about St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen and encourage them to make it a part of their annual payroll deduction for charitable contributions. If your workplace is sponsoring an informational fair during the Campaign, please try to have St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen included in fair. Call or email Next Step Kitchen’s Executive Director, Susan Keenan, at 202-337-4275 and susan@nextstepkitchen.org.
The Rev. Charlie Parker to Preach Sept. 21st
Charlie Parker is Executive Director of Emmaus Services for the Aging (located in the Shaw neighborhood), an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, and a long-time friend of St. Luke’s.
Shelter Dinner Opportunity on September 21st.
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 Shalom Mulkey, shalom@saintlukesmethodist.org.
From John Rottenberg…
America is a very different place than it was fifty years ago, when President Eisenhower began his campaign to add “under God” to our pledge of allegiance. It is especially different being Christians in America today. We no longer experience a society in which Church and state support one another in promotion of a Christian culture. But amid all the traumas and transitions which the contemporary Church faces, we sometimes forget that the dramatic creativity and growth of the Church’s first four hundred years occurred in an oppressively non-supportive environment. In scrambling to address the very real challenges of our current situation, we must be careful to not to exchange the good news of the church’s birthright for some worldly concoction which promises to satisfy our desires.
I am convinced, for example, that we do not need the multi-million dollar industry which promises to provide “church growth” and “spiritual renewal.” Those are already available to us in being the Church! Growth in grace and gospel transformation are promised by God and made available through the Spirit to the body of Christ. That is why I am doing my Doctor of Ministry project to discover how congregations can more effectively discern their extraordinary nature and Spiritual resources.
Upon my first visit, I was impressed with several realities of St. Luke’s which were evident during your worship service. Anne and I then talked about my doing my D.Min. project with your congregation. The Church Council discussed my working with you for a few months during this year, and welcomed the idea. I begin my project with the belief that intentional consideration of gospel and culture issues is essential for any church to meet the current challenge of faithful witness in our consumer society. So, I am excited about discovering how you of St. Luke’s are responding to the changes and choices which you face as Christ’s church. How is your life as a congregation answering the question, “Why is there a church anyway?” What is your mission, and when do you know that you have successfully realized it? Where are the resources for successful ministry to be found? Perhaps there are other questions you want to ask, or propositions you want to test. Would you be interested in sharing with me in a process of discerning God’s grace in your midst, in order that the world into which God sends you might more readily discover God’s grace in your midst?
17th Annual AIDS Walk on October 4th
It is that time of the year again! The 17th Annual AIDS Walk—Washington 2003 and St. Luke’s is a returning team.
This is a 5K fundraising walkathon that takes place every year organized by the Whitman-Walker Clinic of Washington DC. The walk takes place on Saturday, October 4, 2003 at 10 am, Freedom Plaza.
Please see the information and sign-up sheet in the Wesley Room. For more information, you can contact me, Rosalyn Zulu, at rosazulu@yahoo.com or visit www.aidswalkwashington.org
News from our church family …
Olivia Akosua Burgess arrived on Sunday, August 17 at 9:33 am. Prior to her grand entrance, we went about our business routinely on Saturday and curled up to Gangs of NY around 10 pm. As usual, we discussed the movie and fell asleep after 1 am when the contractions began. Paul was an amazing labor coach, using the Lamaze breathing and birth ball. By 5 am it was clear we were going to have the baby that day, so off we drove to the hospital at 8 am. It was a peaceful delivery and all natural birth and we had our angel an hour and a half later! It is such a joy to have Little Akos' maternal grandmother with us (relief is the word). Besides being our pediatrician-in-residence, she has been spoiling us rotten with Ghanaian dishes which I, especially, have been craving for months.
The 411 on the new baby:
Weight: 6 pounds 13 ounces
Height: 20 inches
Eye Color: light brown (we think)
Hair Color: Black
You can send messages to:
Paula Akompong and Paul Burgess
520 W. Fern Avenue
Redlands, CA 92373
Akosua_fosua@yahoo.com
Michael Ruzicki has accepted the full-time position of Director of Music and Liturgy at The Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church in Laurel, Maryland. Michael reports that he is thrilled with his new position and asked to be remembered in the prayers of the congregation. Michael’s new address is:
Michael Ruzicki
3563 Fort Meade Rd. #621
Laurel, MD. 20724
301-317-0457
Joyce and Derrick Wagner report that their son, Matthew Scruggs, has safely returned from Iraq and is back at Ft. Hood, Texas. Matt will be completing his military service and coming home for a few weeks before beginning college in Tennessee.
September Birthdays
Sept. 3 Mark Wagner
Sept. 4 Anne McAffee (88!)
Sept.10 Bob Craig
Sept. 19 Betty Lawrence
Sept. 23 Curt Canada
Sept. 25 Cathy Early
Sept. 27 Donnie Lyon
Happy birthday to all!
Volunteers in Mission Awareness Day September 21st
Sept. 21 has been designated as Volunteers in Mission Awareness Day by the 2003 session of the annual conference. We will be having an information and planning meeting after church that day in preparation for the Cuba trip. This is a very important kick-off meeting at which key information will be shared with potential travelers and organizers. If you have any questions, please contact Sylvia Zulu, sylzulu@yahoo.com
Fannie Mae Help The Homeless Walkathon November 22
St. Luke’s Shelter/Next Step Kitchen will again participate in the Help the Homeless Walkathon. Register now to support the Kitchen by walking on the 22nd.
Joys and concerns
Dorothy Pearson shared the joy of having her sister Eliza Wharton and her nephew Ted Pearson in church
Salome Peters shared the joy that both Kaou and Sonia’s father arrived safely in time for Sonia and Kaou’s wedding
Eliza Wharton gave thanks to God for being at church this morning, and thanks to St. Luke’s for all the prayers
Johnathan Peters thanked the choir for singing “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” a hymn of great significance as he has safely returned.
Jen shared the joy of her return from Australia, and her birthday
Beth asked for prayers for her sister, Larissa who is trying to quit smoking
Nancy gave thanks for Frances Fort being in church
Kim asked for prayers for Eric, age 27, recovering from chemotherapy
Erminda shared the joy that her daughter Jennifer had passed her CPA exam.
Penny Andrews asked for prayers for her during a time of deep depression
Curt asked for continued prayers for our military
Sandi shared the joy of having her friend Mary at church
Carmen Rottenberg asks prayers for her sister’s pregnancy.
Clint asked for prayers for those close to his friend in Kansas who died in a boating accident
John asked for prayers for a friend who is recovering from heart surgery
Curt asked for prayers for all those in West Virginia affected by the sniper there
Dorothy Preston asked for prayers for her ex-husband who has been diagnosed with cancer and is forgoing surgery
For Julio Eduardo Garcia
For Marian Potter’s mother, Mary Van Putten, and for Marian
For Inne’s mother, Jung Sook
For Nikki Parker’s grandmother Phyllis
Prayers for Africa, especially Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Mauritania
For the 2003 Church Council: Penny Andrews, Curt Canada, Karen Cox, Allen Hengst, Julie James, Dorothy Pearson, Sonia Peters, Kim Pyle, Richard Pyle, Kate Ransom-Silliman, Leslye Wooley and Sylvia Zulu.
Situations of danger and violence throughout the world
For the street people in downtown DC who gather to receive Grate Patrol meals each night.
For the community of St. Luke’s Shelter.
For Wings of Hope Orphanage in Haiti
For those living with HIV/AIDS
Shelter Dinner Opportunity on September 21
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 Shalom Mulkey at st.lukesumcdc@verizon.net.
Yoga Classes return this month
Yoga will resume on Mondays and Wednesdays in September. Contact Beth (bethsworobuk@aol.com) for more information.
Coffee Hour Hosts for September
7 Leslye Wooley and Derek Willis
14
21 Zulu/Kymoyo Family
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 Joyce Wagner at joyce.f.wagner@att.net or 703-836-8064.
Scripture Texts for September
Sept. 7 Mark 7:24-37
Sept 14 Mark 8: 27-38
Sept 21 Charlie Parker preaching
Sept. 28 Mark 9: 38-50
Missed Church on Sunday?
You can still keep up with the latest prayer concerns and church events by checking the church web site. 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.