February 15, 2011
St. Luke Episcopal Church
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Junior Warden

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Christian Formation

Padre's ponderings 

 

I woke up this morning (Tues., Gulf Shores) at about 3:30, as I often do.  Headed to the kitchen to get something to drink.  As I stepped out of the bedroom I was greeted by an almost full moon setting in the West, and a beam of light shining on the surface of the lagoon right into the living room.  The west wall of the living room has four 3'x 6' windows side by side so it was quite spectacular.

The Daughters are rightly to be commended on the splendid reception they hosted for Nancy Gray's funeral.  One could tell, without it being said, that her family very much enjoyed it.  It was the perfect, painless (apart from her death), most convenient way for them to gather together.

And speaking of commendations, did you notice James O'Brien III's picture in the paper last Sunday?  He was honored with a medallion as the Field Grade Officer of the year at Little Rock Air Force Base.  Field grade officers include the ranks of major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel.  This particular award, I think, is typically given to majors, but all the same it's a huge achievement.  And much more so if all field grade officers were in contention.  Congratulations to Major O'Brien!

I noticed the figures on giving last Sunday.  Not a very pretty scenario.  Obviously some people, probably including some who have pledged, are holding back on their financial commitment to St. Luke's.  That puts the vestry in a tight place, not the least of which is in offering a new rector an attractive salary package.  They've already decided to make the administrator's position part-time, which is probably doable, but there is no such option for the rector, and the kind of rector you need.  You've gotten by with me part-time, but there is much more to do than I've done.

This all reminds me of a "Wizard of Id" cartoon.  The diminutive king and a large friar are walking along.  The friar says, "Some folks give one-tenth of their income to the church."  The king replies, "No kiddin?  Tell you what - I'll double that!"  In the next panel he adds, "Put me down for a twentieth."  I could say more, but will leave it at that.              

Denis Baum, Interim Rector  

 

CALENDAR  
Wednesday - February 16, 2011
6:00 PM  Brotherhood of St. Andrew
6:00 PM  Chancel Bells
7:00 PM  Chancel Choir
 

Thursday - February 17, 2011

9:00 AM  Respite Care

10:00 AM  TGIT 

7:00 PM  Community Group - Adult Classroom

 

VII Epiphany  - February 20, 2011

8:00 AM  Holy Eucharist Rite I
9:20 AM   Christian Formation
10:30 AM  Holy Eucharist Rite II

Monday, February 21, 2011
7:00 PM  Community Group - Hodge's House 

PRAYER LIST
Christi Blain, Kay Gay, Annette Gerace, Teddy Brehm, Penny Jenkins, Louis Jenkins, David, Maynard Gonterman, Anne Gonterman, Carolyn Ford, Fr. Lawson Anderson,  Lance Lockridge,  Austin Edwards, Corey Moses, Ella Edwards,
Suzi Martinka  and family, Naedean Mayland, Sophie Papi, Mildred Ford, Jim Howell, Katherine & Rhonda Herring, Sally Lumpp, Hamilton O'Brien, Marion Spivey, Search Committee.  


Special Concerns:  for all the men and women of our Armed Forces, especially Lance, Jake, Bret, Brian, Parker, Justin, Morgan, Matt, Joshua, Mark, Doug.

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew will meet at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 16th,in the Library Room.  We will continue the study of the book, Disciplines of a Godly Man.  Please join us.  For more information contact: 

Dickey Mayland, 835-6411, [email protected] 

 

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

 

2011 Proposed Budget                                    $280,000.00

2011 Mortgage Assist. Program Pledged      - $35,000.00  

2011 Proposed Operating Budget                    $245,000.00  

2011 Pledges received                                     $185,545.00 

2011 Shortfall                                                   ($59,455.00)  

2011 Pledge Cards still out                              33 

DATE CHANGED      C-130 TOUR FLIGHT SQUADRON AND THE FLIGHT LINE FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

Sponsored by the Young Adult Class 

All church members invited (geared toward the kids though)

Activites/areas covered: tour of the C-130, a flying squadron, and the flight line fire department.  Other areas of the base if interested and time permits

Saturday Feb 26, 2011 from10:00 AM to noon

Sign up in the Narthex and/or e-mail me at [email protected]

Great church activity and fellowship

 

FROM THE ORGAN BENCH

The opening hymn in this Sunday's liturgy will be "The Church's One Foundation", which is named Aurelia and was written by Samuel Wesley.

His grandfather was an Anglican priest and with his brother John started the Methodist church.  He had a doctorate degree in music and was quite a well respected organist. 

The tune was originally paired with a different text which was a wedding text by John Keble, "The voice that breathed o'er Eden."

The hymn tune name is Aurelia which comes from the Latin Aurum which means gold, which refers to "Jerusalem the golden."  The tune was first used with the text that we know it today in the appendix to the original edition of "Hymns Ancient and Modern", published in 1868 and we are better for it.

Michael 

The Rev. Dr. Richard H. Schmidt, 

Editor of Forward Movement, visiting in April


The Rev. Dr. Richard H. Schmidt, editor and director of Forward Movement Publications, will be visiting Arkansas April 1st and 2nd. He will speak at St. Margaret's, Little Rock on Friday evening on the subject of humor and on Saturday he will speak about discerning God's will.

 

Schmidt will preach Sunday, April 3rd at the 8:00 and 10:30 am services at St. Luke's, North Little Rock.

 

Everyone is invited to attend all of the weekend's events.  Additional information will be posted as it becomes available. 

St. Luke's Church in North Little Rock is now receiving nominations for the position of Rector. For information about St. Luke's and a description of the position, www.stlukeepiscopal.org

 

Please direct inquiries and nominations to The Rev. Canon Jason  Alexander in the bishop's office, [email protected]  or 501.372.2168.

Centering Prayer Workshop March 5

centeringprayer-stamp

Martin Luther once said  "We are all mere beggars telling other beggars where to find bread."  It is in that same spirit that St. Mark's is sponsoring a Centering Prayer Workshop on Saturday, March 5th, 8:30am to 3pm in the Parish Hall.  You are invited to come and experience this ancient way of prayer that can lead to God's gift of contemplation.  In an often troubling and unstable world, centering prayer can be a constant source of peace, strength, healing and inspiration.Call St. Mark's, 225-4203 to register email [email protected].

 

DOK Seeks a Special Biblical Quote

St. Luke's ladies, the Daughters of the King (DOK) are receiving suggestions for a biblical quote.  Barbara Rhodes has volunteered to calligraphy it above the sink mirror in the Narthex ladies restroom.  The quote will be seen by female members and visitors of our church for many years to come.  Your verse should be a short sentence or phrase, and can reflect our church's heritage, mission, liturgy, or greeting.  Search prayerfully for the verse that's special to you and send it via email to [email protected] or, in writing to Jan Hoskins 3619 Ridge Road, NLR AR 72116, or by hand following any 10:30 AM service.  The deadline is March 7, 2011.   The Daughters will select the quote with clergy approval, and you'll be notified of the decision.

 

Contemplative Prayer and Meditation will be offered during Lent at the Sunday School hour, 9:15-10:15 in the St. Luke's Library.  Judith Baum will serve as "starter."  Bring your coffee and an open heart.  All people who can be still and quiet and who are interested in this ancient form of prayer (which is quite relevant to today's busy and noisey world) are welcomed.

 

Time for J.O.Y. set for

April 29 - May 1, 2011 at Camp Mitchell

Registration is now available for Time for JOY 2011.  This retreat for young women provides rest, fellowship, and worship in a weekend designed around Jesus, Others, and You.  Each parish is encouraged to participate by sending a retreatant, providing gifts for retreatants, and/or offering prayers for the young women, staff, and volunteers.  

 

More information and the registration form can be found on the Time for JOY website, and thanks to all who have made this a thriving ministry for seven years, especially our Arkansas Episcopal Church Women. 

  

Disaster Relief Team forms Transportation Team

As you may know, the Episcopal Church in Arkansas has three arms of a disaster relief team -- teaching people about personal and congregational preparedness for disaster, training for emotional response for disaster, and helping with transportation of goods to a disaster.  The team's hope is to have a least one person in each congregation that spearheads each of these areas. There is currently a group headed by Kay Staggs from All Saints, Russellville who is available to come and present to any congregation about local preparedness.  Ginger Bailey from Christ Church, Little Rock, keeps us informed about  training for emotional response. Don Kaminar also from Christ Church, Little Rock is organizing the new transportation team. Joanna Seibert, Trinity Cathedral, Little Rock also is available to come and speak to congregations about the disaster response team in general. The team will have a booth at the diocesan convention in March.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the transportation team,
click here to download the form to mail to Don Kaminar.  For information on other aspects of the Disaster Relief team, contact Joanna Seibert at [email protected].

  

Cursillo Ultreya at Good Shepherd, Forrest City,
February 26th

Good Shepherd, Forrest City is hosting Ultreya for all Arkansas Cursillistas on February 26th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.  The day will be filled with music, worship, fellowship and prayer.  Lunch will be served.  Good Shepherd is located at 400 Hill Street in Forrest City.  For more information, contact Teresa Cantrell at
[email protected].

 

Society of St. Andrew and Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance form Gleaning Network

The Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance (the Alliance) have partnered to form a gleaning network within the state of Arkansas.  

 

Gleaning is the Biblical practice of hand-gathering crops left after harvest.  SoSA and Alliance volunteers glean fields and orchards donated by growers.  The produce is then given to local pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters that feed or distribute food to their neighbors in need. 

 

The Alliance members serve over 900 of these hunger relief organizations in every county of Arkansas, making this a natural partnership.  Wherever there is food to glean there is a distribution outlet. 

 

In order to build a successful network of growers and volunteers, SoSA and the Alliance are reaching out to other organizations to strengthen their efforts.  In an unprecedented collaboration the following groups have worked towards ending hunger in Arkansas through gleaning: Farm Bureau of Arkansas, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Services, Arkansas Dept. of Agriculture, Justice for Our Neighbors, the Office of Governor Mike Beebe, the Office of Senator Blanche Lincoln, the Office of Senator Mark Pryor, Arkansas Coalition for Excellence, United Methodist Conference, and Winrock International.

 

Since these groups first met on May 29, 2008 through November 2010, more than 1,000,000 pounds of fresh produce have been gathered.  Arkansans in need have had healthy, nutritious items such as fresh cabbage, squash, sweet potatoes, watermelon and tomatoes available to them. 

 

As wonderful a success story as this is, there is much more to be done.  There is much more available right here in Arkansas.  With rising gas and food prices and falling donations, Arkansas' food banks need this local source of food to help meet the rising need and you can be part of the solution.  The gleaning program costs $10,000 - $15,000 per year to operate.  Expenses include boxes, bins and bags to gather and store the produce; trucks and fuel are needed to get the food out of the field to a feeding agency.  There is never a charge to the feeding agency or the client.  In 2010, over 800,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious food moved through the gleaning network partnering with only 8 farmers.  Imagine what your gift can help us accomplish. 

 

For more information, contact Rhonda Sanders or Michelle Shope at 501.399.9999. 

 

Register Now for Cursillo #80, April 7-10, 2011

Register now for Cursillo #80, being held at Camp Mitchell April 7-10. Tom Wachtel serves as lay rector. Cursillo #80 is limited to 12 candidates, so get your registration in early.

 

Forms for candidates and sponsors are available on the Arkansas Episcopal Cursillo website. Forms and fees should be sent to: Episcopal Cursillo in Arkansas, Betty Seymour, registrar, 4804 Hampton Road, North Little Rock 72116 or email [email protected].  

 

DOK Prayer Cards

St. Luke's Daughters of the King realize so many are in need of daily prayer for healing, guidance, strength, comfort, or protection.  Please write any prayer requests you may have on prayer cards found in the pew racks.  Then drop the card in the white box on the shelf inside the church entrance.  All prayer requests are held in confidence and offered to our Lord for one month, or longer as the need exists.  Psalm 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION ON SUNDAYS
Episcopal Children's Curriculum.  The program consists of three areas, Shell, Cross and Chalice as the theme.  We will be using the "Chalice".  The classes are as follows:

3 and 4 year olds (Teachers Brouke Reynolds & a parent)

K through Grade 2  (Teachers: Becky Rice & Jenny Heard) 

Tweeners - (Teachers: Ginna Simmons & Ellen Moses)

Young Adults Forum - Ages 25+ (Teachers: Wanda & Gary Dunwoody) America's Four Gods:  What We Say About God  --  and What That Says About Us, By:  Paul Froese and Christopher Bader
 
        Adult Forum:  THE OLD TESTAMENT SERIES

NURSERY CARE IS PROVIDED FOR ALL ACTIVITIES ON SUNDAY MORNINGS.