DEATHS
Saint Luke's Member
Antoinette (Toni) Lewis Tully,
April 23, 2010
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.
BIRTHS
Claudia Cathryn Nagi and
Patrick Brigman Nagi,
April 21, 2010;
daughter and son of Cathy and Peter Nagi, grandchildren of Judy and Joe Rogers, and great-grandchildren of Jan Wilcox.
________________
Sunday Lectionary Readings
May 2, 2010
Fifth Sunday of
Easter
Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1-6 John 13:31-35
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
|
| |
|
Looking for an old Dialogue?
Click here for our newsletter archive:
| |
|
|
Perspective
This sermon was preached by the Rev. Stephen DeGweck on Stewardship of Creation Sunday, April 25, 2010.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet. The flocks and herds, the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea. (Psalm 8:6-7)
Many of you will remember the name Russell Schweikert. Schweikert was one of the Apollo astronauts. After returning to earth from his space adventure, he wrote about what the earth looks like when you view it from the moon. "You see the earth not as something big," he wrote, "but as a small thing out there, like a Christmas tree ornament. And the contrast between that bright blue and white tree ornament and the black sky, that infinite universe, really comes through, and the size of it, the significance of it. It is so small and fragile and such a precious little spot in that universe that you can block it out with your thumb, and you realize that on that small spot, that little blue and white thing, is everything that means anything to you - all of history, and music and poetry and art and death and birth and love, all the tears, joy, games, all of it on that little spot out there that you can cover with your thumb." Looking at the world is all a matter of perspective is it not?
(Read more) |
|
4th Annual God & Jazz Concert
This Wednesday, April 28
featuring Top Secret
Come for a light supper at 5:00 pm in Graham Hall!
A glorious night of music that brings together God and the original American musical tradition - jazz.
$10/person donation
Children under 12 years are free.
Saint Luke's Nave, 6:00 pm
|
ECW First Monday NIGHT!
May 3, 7:00 pm
All women of the church are invited to our First Monday gathering in May. This will be a NIGHT meeting, and we are going to have some fun! Come to Graham Hall for a bunco party (for beginners) with a light dinner, dessert, and refreshments. Tickets are $10.00 and can be bought at the door or are available during the week in Barbara Vandergriff's office. We will have prizes. We will not have childcare for this event. |
Consider Volunteering for Vacation Bible School
VBS Registration Deadline is May 1st!!!! That is right around the corner!!!! Don't forget to register your child and yourself to volunteer!
Do You Know . . .
It takes approximately...
90 people to run an Extraordinary VBS at St. Luke's
50 people to a SUCCESSFUL VBS at St. Luke's
30 people to run an AVERAGE VBS at St. Luke's
To date, Saint Luke's has 20 people confirmed to work the week of VBS...
Where would you like to help?
Register to help by calling 802-6211 or
|
|
Swimsuits for Sawyerville Day Camp!
Sawyerville Day Camp is a mission, sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, located in Hale County in the heart of Alabama's Black Belt. This year the camp has expanded to two weeks meaning that over 400 children in this underprivileged region will be served.
In the past, Saint Luke's has collected art supplies and goggles for the summer camp. This year, we are charged with collecting NEW swimsuits for the kids to wear during their favorite part of the day. Since there are specific needs with respect to sizes, we are approaching our collection with an "Angel-tree" philosophy. Look for the table in Claypool Commons where you will select a specific size of swimsuit to purchase. Once you purchase the swimsuit, please bring it to the bin located in the Commons no later than June 1st. Swimsuits may also be purchased in your honor if you would rather make a monetary donation. |
|
Friday, May 7
55th Place Spring Ingathering
On the first Friday of May (May 7) Saint Luke's will serve as a collection drop-off for 55th Place. We will accept used household items, linens, small appliances, small furniture, kitchen items, clothing, and more. Volunteers will be stationed at the porte-cochere to help remove donation items from your car between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. All you need to do is gather your items and drive to the church! 55th Place is one of our Saint Luke's outreach ministries, and proceeds go to help the needy in Birmingham.
|
|
Purchase Your Tickets for the Gumbo Gala to Benefit Episcopal Place
Saturday, May 8
11:00 am to 2:00 pm Caldwell Park
Enjoy Cajun food, music, entertainment, and fun as professional and amateur cook-off teams cook and serve gumbo and compete for the title of "Best Gumbo in Birmingham" at the annual Gumbo Gala. All proceeds will benefit Episcopal Place (one of our Saint Luke's outreach ministries), an affordable housing community near Caldwell Park. Tickets will be on sale here at Saint Luke's this Sunday for $10 each.
For more information or to register for the event, please go online at www.gumbogala.com or call 939-0085 or e-mail kmueller@episcopalplace.org. |
Please Excuse our Progress!
We recently have had to remove a number of shrubs from our columbarium area while the sprinkler system is being repaired. Our landscape designer is presently working on a set of plans that will allow us to reuse shrubs that will be removed during columbarium expansion. |
Coming Soon!
For Senior Adults and those Physically Challenged: Valet Parking on Sunday Mornings
Saint Luke's received a very generous gift to provide valet parking for our members and visitors who have reached their senior years and those who are physically challenged both permanently and temporarily. A contract is being finalized and optimistically we will be able to offer this service beginning the first Sunday in May. Watch for more details to follow. You may call Betty O'Neil in the church office (802-6201) if you would like more information immediately. |
|
Read Your Copy of Village Living!
Saint Luke's and our own Richmond Webster will be featured in the May issue of Village Living, a monthly newspaper that is mailed to all Mountain Brook residents and the surrounding community. |
|
Upcoming Events for Seniors!
JULIET Luncheon ~ Thursday, May 13: NOTE DATE CHANGE! We will meet at the church at 11:00 am and take the van to have lunch at the Bright Star in Bessemer. AARP Driving Course for Senior Adults
Saint Luke's will offer an AARP Driving Course for Seniors here at the church on Tuesday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 12 from 8:30 am until noon in Room 232. This is an opportunity to brush up on driving skills. The cost is $12. for AARP members and $14. for non-AARP members We still have some spots available, so call Jeanna if you're interested (802-6218).
Trip to Montgomery, Tuesday, June 15: There will be a chartered bus trip to Montgomery to tour Saint John's Episcopal Church and eat lunch at the Capitol City Club, accompanied by the Rev. Richmond Webster! Mark your calendar and look for details to come soon. |
|
Might God be Calling You to Become a Stephen Minister?
Next fall we will launch a new training class for another group of Stephen ministers. Stephen ministers support the pastoral care ministry of our church, working alongside our clergy to provide Christian care, encouragement, and emotional and spiritual support to people who are going through a difficult time, such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness.
The ministry is open to men and women. Candidates must be at least thirty years of age, confirmed communicant members of Saint Luke's for a minimum of three years, faithful in worship attendance and involved in the parish life of Saint Luke's. All candidates should understand that serving as a Stephen minister is a demanding but rewarding calling. A minimum commitment of two years is called for, which begins with the successful completion of a five month-long training class. The training consists of weekly classes and outside-of-class reading assignments. Once trained, a Stephen minister is paired with a care receiver, with whom the Stephen minister is expected to meet on a regular, usually weekly, basis. Stephen ministers also meet on two Tuesday evenings each month as a whole group for case supervision and on-going training. An annual weekend retreat is held.
Stephen ministers are a loving and close-knit community of servants. If you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and especially for listening, and are prepared to meet the time requirements, we invite you to prayerfully consider whether God might be calling you to this challenging ministry. If you think you might be interested, or just want to know more, speak with Fr. Steve DeGweck (802-6203) who can provide you with more information and an application. Interviews will begin this summer.
The PBS "Religion and Ethics" news show recently aired an eight-minute feature on Stephen Ministry that vividly describes the life-changing ministry happening in thousands of congregations. Click here to view the Stephen Ministry feature on the PBS website.
|
Community Grief Support
Offers Groups
In addition to the grief support group offered twice a year by Saint Luke's, there are groups offered through the Community Grief Support Service in Homewood. These groups are professionally led and provide an excellent resource for healing and support for persons suffering loss. This is a community resource I highly recommend!
Groups being offered over the next few months include:
· Widowed persons of employment age, Tuesdays, May 4-Jul 13, 5-7:45 pm, S. Highland Presbyterian Church
· Widowed persons, retired, Wednesdays, May 5-Jun 23, 10-11:30 am, CGSS Office, 1119 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood
· Loss of Adult Child, Mondays, May 17-Jul 5, 6-7:30 pm, CGSS Office, 1119 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood
· Loss of Parent, Sibling, or Grandparent, 6-7:45 pm, Apr 29-Jun 17, Thursdays, CGSS Office, 1119 Oxmoor Rd, Homewood
The Community Grief Support Service is an interfaith, non-profit organization which affirms spiritual values and welcomes persons regardless of religious or denominational background. Call CGSS for more information at 870-8667.
--Father Steve DeGweck |
|
Have You Ever Wondered . . .
what to do with corks from wine bottles? Cork is a renewable and recyclable material. Whole Foods is now in partner with Cork ReHarvest. They will recycle them into shipping containers, cork tile floors, and post-consumer products - and no cork is wasted in the process! |
|
Attention Parents of rising 3k-6th graders
You should have received your spring mailer regarding the upcoming school year. Please note that we will have another parent information meeting, Sunday, May 16th at 9:15 a.m. in room 232. Childcare will be available for children 4 and under. Please come to discuss next year and to turn in your volunteer forms.
Vacation Bible School 2010!
June 7-10!
Vacation Bible School registration is now OPEN!!!! Go to www.saint-lukes.com/vbs.html for information and to register.
There are two ways to pay:
1) CHECK: Please make checks payable to Saint Luke's Episcopal Church and mail them to c/o Emily Boles at the church or drop them in the basket in the Children's Ministry Office.
2) ONLINE: Pay online using PayPal. You can access this option by visiting our VBS registration page listed above!
|
May 9th is Youth Sunday!
On this special day, youth will participate in all areas of worship, from ushering to preaching. Please contact Lindsay Joe (802-6206 or ljoe@saint-lukes.com). All youth need to sign up to participate in Youth Sunday as soon as possible.
May 1st is the deadline for the Urban Ministry Junior High Mission Trip.
This trip is offered for rising 7th graders through rising 9th graders. The mission trip is June 6-11th.
June 1st is the deadline for Appalachia Service Project volunteers. This Senior High Mission trip is for rising sophomores through graduated seniors. The dates are July 3rd-11th. There are still spots available for male and female adult chaperons.
For more information, contact Lars Porter (802-6212 or lporter@saint-lukes.com).
|
Day School Parents: Mark Your Calendars for these
Important Dates!
May 9 - PreK (4 year olds) Blessing at Saint Luke's Church @ 10:30 am
May 20 - Last day of school for students |
Subscribe to our 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. |
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).
| |
|
|
|
