Transitions
DEATHS
Mills Vann Perkins Sr., February 11, 2010; brother of Carol (Wilmer) Poynor and stepfather of Michelles Miles McNamee.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. ________________
Sunday Lectionary Readings
February 28, 2010
Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35 |
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O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. |
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An Opportunity for All Ages to Serve our Diocesan Youth
It's HAPPENING at Saint Luke's!
On March 5 through 7, Saint Luke's will host Happening #56 for high school youth in our Alabama Diocese. During a two-day gathering, participants will experience the love Jesus Christ as shown through the sacraments and the ministry of fellow students, clergy, and lay leaders. During this time, the teens are encouraged to take a renewed faith back into their everyday life to "make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Christ."
As a host parish, we are responsible for all meals, snacks, homes in which to shower, and housing at the church for approximately seventy-five people. We want to give everyone in the parish the opportunity to help serve these youth from across the Diocese. Please consider giving your time, talent, and/or monetary donation for this important weekend. Some specific needs are: preparing meals, serving meals, money for snacks and water bottles, and money for meals. If you can help, please contact Katherine Cole (335-4135 or kathcole96@yahoo.com), Meme Hobbs (memehobbs@charter.net), or Leigh Dawkins (bleedawkins@aol.com). Saint Luke's members who are on Happening #56 staff are: The Rev. Christopher Girata (Head Spiritual Director), Lindsay Joe, Ginny Nix (Lay Rector), Sarah Katherine Cole (Observing Rector), Betsy Cobb, Walker Cole, Kathleen Hanson, Lindsay Joe, Saunders McElroy, Molly Sheffield, and William Talliaferro. |
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Experience the Labyrinth this Lent
The season of Lent calls us to prayer, discipline, and an inward journey and reflection and self-examination. Many Christians have found blessing and renewal through the ancient spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth. The labyrinth is a series of intricate, inter-weaving pathways, laid out within a large circle. The pathways parallel our journey through life. Accompanied by soft music and a quiet, meditative atmosphere conducive to prayer and reflection, walking the labyrinth can unlock the quiet places in our hurried souls, and cause us to focus on our journey towards God. It is relaxing, satisfying, and spiritually rewarding for anyone seeking a quiet place for peace and restoration. Walking the labyrinth requires no preparation and takes typically less than thirty minutes.
You are invited to enter this world of quiet peace and prayer by walking the labyrinth at Saint Luke's this Lent. The labyrinth will be set up in Graham Hall and available on Friday, February 26, from noon until 7:00 p.m., and once again on Saturday, February 27 ,from 9:00 am to noon. There is no cost, and no prior reservation is necessary. If you have questions, please call the Rev. Steve DeGweck (802-6203) or Mary Ellen Calhoun (733-1244). |
Alabama Citizens for Constitution Reform presents the Film
Open Secrets
Based on actual transcripts from Alabama's 1901 Constitutional Convention, Open Secret is a re-enactment that looks into a part of Alabama's history that is not well-known and not necessarily pleasant. Delegates to this convention openly discussed ways to disenfranchise black and poor white voters. They dismiss women's right to vote. This group of delegates wrote the Constitution under which Alabama currently operates. The film will be shown this Friday, February 26 at 6:30 pm at the Carver Theatre.
A group of Saint Lukers will meet in the church parking lot at 5:30 pm, this Friday, February 26 and carpool or caravan to the Carver Theatre. For more information, please contact Edith Hunt (edithhunt@att.net or 967-9430). |
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Interfaith Dialogue Workgroup
Sunday Evening Program Continues
About six years ago, Bishop Parsley met with several Christian churches, and they agreed to create a sustained partnership involving top leaders and lay people from diverse faiths to nurture ecumenical relationships and respond faithfully to social issues in Alabama. Thus the Alabama Faith Council was born. Interfaith Dialogue is one of the eight workgroups of the AFC.
During four Sundays in Lent, the Interfaith Dialogue Workgroup will offer a program here at Saint Luke's, from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm in Room 232. These Interfaith Workgroup programs will be excerpts from Bill Moyer's Journal, and discussion will follow. All are welcome!
February 28 Faith in Politics
March 14 Sojourners among Us
March 21 Just Food |
ECW First Monday
March 1
11:30 program: Our speaker will be Michael Calvert, President of Operation New Birmingham
He will bring us up to date about our city and
talk about plans for its future!
12:00: Luncheon
Childcare is provided; all women are welcome! |
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Attention Senior Adults
Our Senior Adult Ministry will sponsor a van ride to the Cathedral Church of the Advent Lenten lunches each Thursday in the month of March. The van will depart from the back parking lot of Saint Luke's at 11:25 am and return about 1:30 pm. Reservations are not required; however, you can guarantee a seat by calling 802-6218. Otherwise, it will be first come, first served. The van will open at 11:15.
The following will be preaching:
March 4th - The Rev. Stuart Latimer, Grace Presbyterian Church, Chicago
March 11th - the Rev. Joseph A. Gibbes, St. John's Parish, John's Island, S.C.
March 18th - The Rev. Dr. Mark Gignilliat, Asst. Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School
March 25th - The Rev. John Zahl, The Church of The Holy Cross, Sullivan's Island, S.C.
Your name will be submitted in drawing for a free lunch each Thursday!
Thursday Menu Choices: Advent's Original Chicken Tetrazzini, Chicken Brunswick Stew, Pimento Cheese sandwiches, Turkey Sandwiches |
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Thank you so much to everyone who donated coats and jackets to our coat drive for families in the Grace/Woodlawn area. When doing your spring cleaning, please hang on to those outgrown coats and save them for our coat drive that will resume in November. |
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Holy Week and
Easter Services
Click here for service schedule. |
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Saint Luke's Offers Grief Support Group
The burden of coping with grief and loss can at times be overwhelming and debilitating. Healing can begin within a caring and supportive group where each participant is encouraged to share his/her journey with others. Once again we are offering a six-week support group experience for interested adults who may be struggling with an experience of loss. The group will be facilitated by the Rev. Steve DeGweck and Betsy Smith and will meet for six consecutive Monday evenings beginning April 12 at 7:00 pm in the Tilson Room. The group will focus on a different theme or aspect of the grief experience each week. Members will be encouraged (not required) to share their experiences and insights within a safe, supportive, and prayerful fellowship. We will require a minimum of five participants in order to offer the group, and registration will be capped at twelve persons. Non-Saint Luke's members may attend on a space-available basis. Registration for Saint Luke's members only will be taken until April 1. After that date, any remaining spaces in the group will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, or simply to know more about the group, call Steve (802-6203) or send him an e-mail at sdegweck@saint-lukes.com. |
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Facing Hospitalization?
Your clergy make daily visits to the major medical centers in Birmingham whenever we are aware of a member's hospitalization. Further, a priest is always on call for after-hours emergencies. If you or a loved one is hospitalized for any reason, especially overnight, please contact the Clergy Secretary Barbara Vandergriff (802-6207 or bvandergriff@saint-lukes.com) so we can make a pastoral visit. Given modern "privacy" regulations, it is virtually impossible for us to find out about your hospitalization unless you let us know. Hospitals will not call us or release information to us, even if you list yourself as a St. Luke's member during patient registration. Visiting our sick in hospitals is never an "inconvenience" to your priests-it is the reason we're here! Please help us to better serve all God's people at Saint Luke's by keeping us informed of illnesses or crises that may be affecting you or those you love.
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We are pleased to have one our own Dr. Hans Watford provide us some important information about heart health. Take time to review his 8 key points and see what areas need some work. Also take a few moments to recognize the wonder of our Creator who gave us hearts that:
*pump about 5 quarts of blood each minute or about 2,000 gallons of blood each day.
* Beats about 100,000 times per day.
Wow!!
Ask your self - what can I do to help this remarkable organ function best.If you have any questions, please contact Carol Pearce (cpearce@saint-lukes.com or 802-6209).
8 Steps You Can Take For Your Heart
By Hans Watford, Jr., MD, FACC
February is Heart Month, and as a Cardiologist, I wanted to remind everyone about some important ways we can impact our risk of heart attack and stroke:
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Don't smoke. Even second-hand smoke increases your risk. Smoking cessation will lower your risk of stroke and heart attack.
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Get your cholesterol down to goal. Current Guidelines suggest that total cholesterol of 200 may be acceptable if no other risk factors; however, that's also the average value for patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. Many studies show that lowering total cholesterol below 150, and bad cholesterol (LDL) below 70 can actually cause regression of vascular plaque (atherosclerosis). Most cardiologists aim for those targets. Talk to your doctor about what your goal should be.
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Control your blood pressure. Hypertension damages blood vessels and the organs they supply. Over the last decade new research has prompted doctors to recommend lower BP goals than in the past. Guidelines continue to evolve, but currently they define normal BP as below 120/80; pre-hypertension 120-139/80-89; hypertension 140/90 and above. If diabetic, known vascular disease, kidney disease, or evidence of organ damage from hypertension, then stay below 130/80. Aside from these guidelines, other studies suggest risk begins as low as 115-120/70-75, and many experts say the current guideline cutoffs are too high. Compounding health issues can modify these treatment points, so check with your physician about the right goal for you.
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If Diabetic, keep your blood sugar under control. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle will make many otherwise normal people develop Diabetes Mellitus.
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Loose that belly fat. New research proves that abdominal fat is metabolically different than fat elsewhere. It produces compounds that circulate and directly damage blood vessels. Any diet can help you lose weight, but I recommend Weight Watcher's for a program that will actually keep the weight off.
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Exercise routinely. Walking at a good pace as little as 20 minutes three days a week will improve your heart and stroke risk. Within limits, the more activity, the better. If your joints are an issue, swimming or water aerobics may be just the thing for you.
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Be more afraid of the disease than the treatment. TV adds are required to shout possible side effects of therapy, without saying how rare they might be. Some people forget that the worst possible side effect is likely to be a stroke or heart attack, if risk factors go untreated.
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Eat a healthy diet. The Mediterranean-Style diet is most often advised for vascular health.
You can't change the genes you inherited, but you can change the fuel that drives these diseases. I've been in practice over 20 years, and there's no doubt that the steps outlined above have made my patients more stable. The ones who keep having trouble are invariably those who neglect one or more of those items. If you aren't meeting these goals, it is never too late to start!
Note: The health related information presented is not intended to take the place of qualified medical advice. Always consult your physician before starting a new health regimen. Your physician is your best partner in making healthy life style changes. Saint Luke's Health Ministry always strives to provide health information from reliable sources and links. However, Saint Luke's cannot guarantee that there are not inaccuracies. Please use information in conjunction with the advice of your physician. |
Here are just a few more of our projects:
The committee has encouraged stewardship in our community by including youth and adult participation at the Saint Luke's e-cycle day. In the fall youth, clergy, and parishioners joined with The Friends of Shades Creek in their Clean -Up of Shades Creek Day.
Throughout 2008 and 2009 speakers were invited to Wednesday night programs to speak on several environmental subjects. We are grateful to Bishop Henry Parsley; Maggie and Mark Johnston, Director of Camp McDowell; Michael Churchman, Executive Director of The Alabama Environmental Council; and Wendy Jackson, Executive Director of the Freshwater Land Trust. |
We had a great turn-out for the pancake supper. There was good food, great company, and the music from DJ Joe Palmer was fantastic. The youth group certainly appreciates every support and participation.
As a reminder, this Sunday is the Episcopal Diocese Youth Field Day. In place of EYC at the church, this Sunday we will meet for games at Little Shades Creek Park in Vestavia, February 28, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Wear Saint Luke's apparel if you have it, and come ready to have a good time.
Habitat for Humanity
Before our summer mission trips, we thought we would take a day to prepare. The Youth will be helping with the Alabama Diocese Habitat House on March 20th. This will be a great chance for anyone returning from Spring Break a few days early to serve in the Birmingham community. More details will be coming.
Summer Mission Trip Dates
We have mission trips planned for both Junior High and Senior High students. Click here to learn about these great opportunities. |
Saint Luke's Men & Boys Banquet
"A House Divided"
Thursday, March 25 6:00PM Graham Hall
Click here for details. |
Sunday, February 28 - Rotation
1st Parable Place Drama Room #227
2nd Thou Art! Room #111
4th B.C. to P.C. Computers Room # 211
5th Holywood Movies Room #216
Third Grade Bible 101
We will continue our study of the New Testament in room #218...see you there!
Sixth grade Seekers
Our new Youth Minister, Lars Porter, will visit our class so he can meet all of you! Make sure not to miss this!
We will have a VBS kickoff during the Sunday School hour on March 7th. Details will be in the next newsletter. Be sure to be here!
Save the Date for VBS 2010!
June 7-10!
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What is a Mite Box?
The term mite box (also alms box or poor box) refers to a box that is used to save coins for charitable purposes. This has been a tradition at Saint Luke's for many years of giving all of our children mite boxes on the first Sunday of Lent. On Easter Sunday the children will bring their mite boxes to church with flowers in them to put on our cross. The term mite box (also alms box or poor box) refers to a box that is used to save coins for charitable purposes. Contemporary mite boxes are usually made of cardboard and given out to church congregations during the Lenten season. The mite boxes are collected by the church and donations are given to the poor. Mite boxes are popular with children because they can fill them with small change and it teaches them the principle of giving to the poor. The Mite box giving promotes the spirit of contributing based on the intent to help others and not on the monetary amount.
The money collected during this Lenten season will be given to PreSchool Partners to help buy supplies and materials. This is a wonderful and simple way for our children to begin giving to others! There will be extras in the commons. |
Open enrollment for the Day School's Fall Registration is going on now. Please contact the school at 871.3453 or click here to print the registration forms. Priority is given to families already enrolled, then church members, and then to the community. You may also register for summer now. Please contact the school to inquire about our program. |
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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