Transitions
Saint Luke's Charter Member
Ann Clements McCowan
December 30, 2009
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Dorothy Jane Roberts Kuykendall
December 20, 2009; mother of Margaret (Tom) Sullivan and grandmother of Barrett Sullivan.
Richard Kirvan Brantley
December 21, 2009; brother of William (Lucy) Brantley and uncle of Lucy (Michael) Hawkins.
Agnes Bottoms
December 31, 2009; mother of Betty (Doug) O'Neil.
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them.
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Liam Joshua Hepworth
December 23, 2009; son of Cyndi Ray and Josh Hepworth and great-granddaugher of
Idabelle Gay.
Alden Grace Johnson
January 3, 2010; daughter of Ashley and Dan Johnson.
As they grow in age, may they also grow in grace and in the knowledge of their Savior Jesus Christ
Sunday Lectionary Readings
January 10, 2010
First Sunday
after The Epiphany
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17,21-22
Thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:1-3(a) |
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By the Rev. Stephen DeGweck
The world says forgiveness is for wimps. What's the saying? "Don't get mad, get even." I think it's called "sweet" revenge. In the teaching of Jesus, forgiveness isn't meant to be wimpy. It's meant to break a cycle, a cycle that simply escalates further and further. Somewhere, somehow, we need to learn how to break that cycle of hurt and revenge. We need to learn to forgive. Forgiveness is serious business. If anyone has ever done you a serious wrong, you know how serious forgiveness is. It's perhaps the most difficult thing we're ever called by God to do. Read more. . . |
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Time Change For
Wednesday Evening Eucharist
Please note that beginning January 6th, our Wednesday Evening Eucharist will be held 6:30 pm, rather than 7:30 pm. |
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Attention Senior Adults!
Tuesday, January 7, 2:00 pm
Enjoy snacks and a movie in Graham Hall
Featured presentation: Julie and Julia
Friday, February 5
Next Alabama Symphony Coffee Concert! Contact Jeanna (802-6218 or jspeegle@saint-lukes.com) if you would like to ride the church van. Tickets may be purchased at the door. |
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Important ECW Dates
First Monday Program & Luncheon
February 1 ~ 11:30 am
ECW Day Retreat
Saturday, February 20
We will take the church van and leave around 9:30 am and return before 3:00 pm. There is a cost of $10 for a box lunch. Please contact Shauna hard for a lunch reservation
All women of the church are welcome! |
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Searchers will meet on Monday, January 11 at 10:30 am in Room 214. Please bring a sandwich. We will begin our new program on Walking the Bible. |
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Are You A Caregiver Who Needs Some Support?
Do you spend much of your time caring for a loved one who is ill, disabled, or elderly? Once a month Saint Luke's offers a group where caregivers come together for support fellowship, and often exchange helpful information. An opportunity for family caregivers to give and receive support. We meet the fourth Monday of each month at 12:00 noon in the Small Dining Room. Feel free to bring your lunch. The next meeting is Monday, February 22. There will be no meeting in January. To learn more, call Gail Sharp (871-7025 or gailsharplpc@aol.com). |
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September Song
A History of Norwood
Now available is a memoir of early days in Norwood written by Bill Pogue, a former resident. It is called September Song and can be yours for a $25.00 donation to the Norwood Resource Center. These donations will enable the Resource Center to again provide free income tax preparation to members of the Norwood community. Please help support one of our Outreach projects and enjoy reading about a time in early Birmingham history. Copies are available in Barbara Vandergriff's office on second floor. |
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2010 Claypool Lecture Series Presents
Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Authors of Same Kind of Different as Me!
Friday, January 22, 2010 6:00 pm
The Wright Center, Samford University
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Stewardship of Creation
Take a few minutes one night this week and look at the stars in the night sky, what a wonder from our Creator. |
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An Epiphany Thought
"Let's never forget why God showered his unfathomable love upon us at Christmas two thousand years ago: because he cared so much for our wounds, and for this suffering world, that he personally entered the fray, this blood bath we call history, to redeem us -- and history -- from the blood bath. . . That's what Christmas is all about: the decisive blow God dealt to evil, injustice, and suffering at the cross. But it started in Bethlehem, when a baby lying vulnerable in a manger threatened a tyrant. Can we, like the wise men, discern the cosmic significance of that this Christmas?"
(From J. Richard Middleton, "Let's Put Herod Back into Christmas: A Meditation on Matthew 2:1-23." The Catalyst 16, nos. 8-9 (November-December 1993). |
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New Health Ministry Communication!
Beginning this month, Saint Luke's Health Ministry will begin a series of monthly articles in the Dialogue regarding health and well-being. The New Year is always a great time to take stock and think about areas of one's life that need some fine tuning. These articles will cover topics related to our mental, physical and spiritual health. You will have an opportunity to receive information as well as take part in interactive assessments. From a spiritual perspective Father Steve DeGweck will begin the year with a spiritual health inventory. He will provide monthly follow-up information that can guide one into a deeper spiritual life. You also will be given the opportunity to assess your physical health and identify areas for improvement. While we think of the gifts of life and health that God has given us, let's think of the ways that we can be good stewards of these gifts. |
Important Tax Information
To ensure the deductibility of your financial gift to Saint Luke's, do not file your 2009 income tax return until you have received a written acknowledgment from us of your contributions. Some of your contributions may not be tax-deductible if you file your tax return before receiving a written acknowledgment of your contributions to Saint Luke's. Also, please remember your contributions you wish to be tax deductible for calendar year 2009 must be received in our office by December 31, 2009 or postmarked no later than December 31, 2009. Thank you for your generosity. |
Consider Giving IRA Funds
On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed H.R. 1424 which extends the provisions for distributions of Individual Retirement Account assets direct to charity. For 2008 and 2009 only, anyone age 70½ or older can transfer up to $100,000 from an individual retirement account to a charitable organization.
The donor benefits by not paying income tax on the distribution as he would have if it had come directly to him. The distribution is excluded from taxable income as long as the gift is a qualified charitable contribution and the donor receives no goods or services in return. The gift must be transferred from the IRA directly to the charity.
At a time when charitable organizations face financial challenges in meeting the many needs of the constituencies they serve, this transfer offers a way to supplement budgets for worthy causes. Saint Luke's is no exception. Simply contact your IRA provider and request checks to the charitable organizations of your choice.
Saint Luke's is a qualified recipient of these assets and would be pleased to receive gifts, pledges, debt retirement gifts, or endowment funds from your distribution. Please call Betty O'Neil (802-6201) for more information and/or consult with your financial adviser before completing a transfer of assets. |
Sunday School Resumes This Sunday, January 10!
Rotation...this Sunday we will begin a new Rotation studying the story of the boy who shared his lunch...John 6:1-14
Schedule
1st B.C. to P.C. Computers Room# 211
2nd Parable Place Drama Room# 227
4th Holywood Movies Room# 216
5th Thou Art! Room# 111
Third Grade Bible 101
We are looking forward to starting a new semester of learning. We will begin by diving in to the New Testament.
Congratulations to the following for memorizing the books of the Old Testament: Dede Bird, George Davis, Catherine Haas,
Claire Kimberlin, William Miller, Allie Ritchie,
Caroline Ritchie, and Salley Rose Wilkerson.
Thanks to Laura & Pat Miller who worked so diligently with these children all fall semester!
Sixth Grade Seekers
We are looking forward to having you back in Sunday School! Be on the lookout for our next fellowship activity!
Wednesday Night Programs Resume January 13
We are so excited to begin our Wednesday night programs again! Can't wait to see you there!
Attention 5th & 6th Grade Parents
Created By God will be Friday, February 5th & Saturday, February 6th. The program will only be available to Saint Luke's attendees. Watch for registration forms. The parent meeting will be Sunday, January 31st at 4:00 pm in the Founders Room. Questions? Call Emily Boles or Ashley Monachelli at 802-6211.
Save the Date for VBS 2010!
Vacation Bible School 2010 will be June 7-10. Registration will begin soon... Adults, be thinking about how you can help!
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Sunday School Resumes
This Sunday, January 10!
9:15 to 10:15 am
Newcomers Class: (January 10, 17, and 24, 2010; January 31, February 7, and 14, 2010; February, 21, February 28, March 7)
This class is for anyone wishing to learn more about Saint Luke's and our various ministries. Classes will focus on the Episcopal Church, Saint Luke's, and finding a ministry. The goal is to help to assimilate and educate newcomers, casual visitors, and those considering a deeper commitment, such as confirmation. The Tilson Room, The Rev. Richmond Webster
Studying Our Sunday Scriptures: Using a lecture/discussion format, Father Steve relates Sunday readings to their place in the themes of the season of the church year and to everyday Christian living. Discover how the Scriptures of the day reflect on each other and explore their historical context. Room 225, The Rev. Stephen DeGweck.
Young Adults - The Sunday Paper: This class is for Young Adults by a Young Adult! We will be looking at the biggest news of the week and how those current events affect your life. Some of the issues we'll find in the Sunday Paper will address the biggest questions we face as Christians, such as: war, atheism, religious violence, social ethics, and more! Enjoy some coffee with old friends and new friends on Sunday mornings with the Sunday Paper! Room 212, The Rev. Christopher Girata
The Key to Happiness - Growing Closer to Jesus Christ through the Obedience of Faith: Why did God create us? What is our role in fulfilling God's purposes? Cultivating an obedient heart joins us to God's grace, the Holy Spirit and our Christian faith in a way that spirals upward to greater joy, peace and energy. Learn what the Bible says about obedience. Room 232, Drayton Nabers and the Rev. Rebecca DeBow
Living the Questions: Living the Questions is a video/ discussion series intended as an alternative to studies that supply all the answers; instead it sees faith as a journey. Facilitators, with the help of videos and a directed discussion, will create an environment where participants explore faith as a personal journey relevant to lives in the 21st century. Living the Questions is for those yearning for something more than the shallow platitudes that often pass for theology. It's for those who want a class that encourages questions and dialogue. Founders Room, The Rev. Mark LaGory, Victor Darley-Usmar, Chris Heckemeyer, and Sandra Watson |
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Mid-Week Offerings
MONDAY
Classes begin January 11, unless otherwise noted
Women's Bible Study
Session I: Kay Arthur's Lord, Teach Me to Pray: Practicing a Powerful Pattern of Prayer: A five-week, interactive, discipleship study that helps women grow in a love for God's Word and in a desire to communicate with Him. Learn what the Lord's Prayer teaches about effective prayer and how to put into practice its timeless principles. Kay Arthur says of this study: "We are going to learn God's basic precepts on prayer - principles that will give you a biblical understanding of prayer. . .yours to put into practice for a lifetime, just as Jesus intended when He taught His own disciples how to pray."
Session II: Priscilla Shirer's Discerning the Voice of God: Having a hard time knowing what God is saying versus what others are saying? This six-week Bible study is designed to help participants know the voice of God: His language, character, and tone of voice. By growing closer to God through His Word, participants will be able to discern God's voice from the voice of strangers.
9:30 am to 11:00 am, Warren Cain and Diane Weatherford, Room 224 OR 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Janis Cole and Lynn Callahan, Room 224. Books may be purchased from Barbara Vandergriff (802-6207 or bvandergriff@saint-lukes.com).
Seasons: This study and support group is open to all mothers with young children (through preschool age). For information contact Lisa Beck (lbeck@capitalsouthbank.com or 879-6818). Childcare is available. 10:30 am to 11:45 am, Tilson Room. This class does NOT meet the first Monday of each month.
Becoming a Disciple through Bible Study: DISCIPLE is a program of disciplined Bible study aimed at developing strong Christian leaders. This thirty-four week overview gives the Old and New Testaments equal time, emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as a revelation of God. The study draws upon the work of scholars, the personal Bible reading and study of the participant, and dynamic group discussion to aid understanding of the Bible. For more information, please contact the Rev. Rebecca DeBow (802-6202 or rdebow@saint-lukes.com). 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, Small Dining Room, Hans Watford.
TUESDAY
Classes begin January 12, unless otherwise noted
Men's Bible Study: Dreams and visions, handwriting on the wall and a fiery furnace-explore the strange, apocalyptic world of Daniel. Newcomers are welcome to join us at any time. Call Al Smith for more information (967-0593). 6:30 am, Tilson Room.
Good Samaritan Bible Study: How to Be a Good Samaritan. Watch presentations by well known authors, such as Rob Bell, Bishop Tutu, and Philip Yancey that will inspire Christian action and encourage discipleship. This course lasts six weeks. Tuesdays, 9:00 to 11:00, Joe Palmer and Betsy Smith, Room 224.
Second Seasons: A Bible study and support group for mothers of elementary age school children. Everyone is welcome to bring a lunch. For more information, please contact Livy Abele (586-6069 or livyabele@yahoo.com). Noon, Room 214.
Women's Bible Study: Spend some quality time with Sunday's Scripture. Women of all ages and stages enjoy studying the lectionary. 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Tilson Room.
WEDNESDAY
Classes begin January 13, unless otherwise noted
Men's Bible Study and Breakfast: This group is studying The Acts of the Apostles. Breakfast is served, and the Bible study will conclude by 8:00 sharp. 7:00 am, Graham Hall, The Rev. Richmond Webster
Listening Hearts Book Study and Breakfast: Drawing on centuries of Christian literature and "the silence of prayerful listening," this book shows how to recognize and define God's call. It explains how to eliminate barriers and prepare one's heart to receive that call while remaining faithful and attentive to God's voice. It also tells how a faith community can be a source of support to those who are discerning what God is saying to them. Breakfast is $3. Class size is limited. Contact Rebecca (802-6202 or rdebow@saint-lukes.com) to express interest. 7:00 am, Small Dining Room, The Rev. Rebecca DeBow and John Douglas. (See below for an article about this class.)
Wednesday Night Program: Supper for the whole family begins at 5:30 pm in Graham Hall, followed by programs for youth and children. A contemplative service of music and Holy Eucharist begins in the Chapel at 6:30 pm.
THURSDAY
Classes begin January 14, unless otherwise noted
Bishop's Bible Study (Led by Rector): Named in honor of the late Bishop Furman Stough, this class is led by the Rev. Richmond Webster. Our study is The Acts of the Apostles. The same study is also offered during the Men's Wednesday Morning Bible Study. All women are welcome. 10:30 am, Room 232. |
Listening Hearts Bible Study
This past fall John Douglass asked me if I'd like to participate in a group to discuss "listening" and how it affected discernment. We would read a book Listening Hearts and for six weeks discuss what we'd read, how we could better hear God's voice and how we could use this kind of listening in discerning what kind of ministry we'd enjoy etc.
Discernment as pertaining to ministry at one time interested me greatly; several people I knew were seriously considering seminary leading to ordination or becoming a deacon.
In fact for a short while I, too, silently mulled over this kind of thing. It seemed glamorous, the robes and trappings were pretty, and one got to preach. Suddenly it occurred to me that all this came at a high price. If one was not rejected right out by the Commission on Ministry or the Bishop, one would attend several years of grueling seminary study followed by very hard work. Thankfully this revelation came to me before I'd voiced my thoughts and vague robe ambitions. Also, thankfully this kind of grueling study did not cool the ardor of our current priests, and we are blessed with clergy to whom the ordained ministry is more than a handsome robe.
Discernment, however, is needed for any kind of ministry or work. Is God calling one to be a Stephen Minister or begin a home Bible study or participate on the Altar Guild or write a book or just to be a serious parish member? Do we feel "called" to be a part of work only because we like the group doing it, or not called because we don't like some of them?
Do we feel strangely drawn to go deeper with God? Desire to ask the Holy Spirit to direct us? Long to know what lies deeper than surface Christianity? Do we have no special direction in mind but want the opportunity to listen and just see what happens?
For me this kind of listening is exciting. Who knows what the Holy Spirit will reveal to any of us who take the time and opportunity to listen?
Another listening group will begin in mid January. What better way to have a meaningful Lenten season than to listen---carefully to what God may be saying to you.
--Tina Darnall
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Lars is here!! As you can see from the photo, some of our SEYC girls helped Lars Porter, our new Director of Youth Ministries, decorate his new office!
We are excited about his being here and this semester and starting the New Year. We hope you will join us for all of the fun events we have planned! Be on the lookout for the Spring Calendar in your mailboxes by next week!
Sunday School starts back January 10th!! All Youth Sunday School classes will meet in Graham Hall for donuts and a chance to meet and get to know Lars! Come ready to ask your toughest questions but be ready because he might ask you one in return!
EYC starts back!! Sunday, January 10th 6:00-7:30pm. Meet in Graham Hall! |
Sample the Arts
Alabama Folk School
It's that time again! Please join us for our second annual Sample the Arts workshop. Back by popular demand, you can take as many as four different classes at this build-your-own-schedule retreat. Adult students will be able to choose from: Appalachian Clogging, JoAnna Laney; Carpentry, Dick Keydoszius & Mark Johnston; Felting a Flower Appliqué, Jackie Miller; Pine Needle Basketry, Jean Kerr; Pottery with a Native American Flair, Ruth Manasco; and Silver Art Clay Jewelry, Nancy Burleson. Occurring only once a year, students can choose classes (as you register) for each morning and afternoon of the "sampler." If craft classes aren't your interest, you may wish to choose a Bluegrass instrument to study with choices of electives in the afternoon. Bluegrass classes available include: Bass, Kathy Hinkle; Fiddle, Gathel Runnels; Guitar, Herb Trotman; or Mandolin, Jason Bailey.
Students typically come for a few days during the week to study one kind of art, rather than sampling several kinds. During this workshop students will sample some of the best the school has to offer and find what most appeals to them. Folk School Director, Danielle Dunbar, says, "We hope students will enjoy what they've learned and tell family and friends what a unique opportunity the Folk School is. Alabama has a wealth of music and craft traditions to preserve-it can all be done here, at Wonderful, Wonderful, Camp McDowell!"
Anyone interested in registering may call Danielle at (205) 563-9990 or go to www.campmcdowell.com/folkschool. There are a limited number of spaces in each class set by the instructors. The 3-day workshop will be held January 31 - February 3, 2010.
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Subscribe to our NEW Podcast!!
You can now subscribe to the Saint Luke's podcast! Enjoy listening to sermons and teachings from the clergy of Saint Luke's, updated every week. Search for "Saint Luke's" in iTunes, or click here to follow step-by-step instructions.
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New Email Address?
So you won't miss any of the Saint Luke's digital newsletters, be sure to let Nancy Cain in the office know if your email address changes. Contact her at (ncain@saint-lukes.com or 802-6200).
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