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CAREY'S CONVERSATIONS
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5.16
As I sat in the parking lot of a liquor store the other day I debated with myself, 'should I wear my clerical collar into the liquor store or should I take it off?' This was my dilemma. Maybe it was a hangover from my Baptist past (pun very much intended) or a fear that I might offend someone or somehow set a poor example. But then I stopped my inner monologue for a moment as a thought entered my mind - "You have nothing to be ashamed of, you aren't doing anything wrong!"
With those words ringing inside my head I decided to enter the liquor store with my clerical collar on and my head held high. I picked out a couple of brands of good British ale and walked up to the checkout counter. The clerk started smiling real big and shaking her head as she said, "Which denomination are you with?" and before I could get out the answer she asked expectantly "Episcopalian?" I was taken slightly aback as I replied softly, 'yes.'
She then introduced herself and told me that she was a lapsed Episcopalian from Helena. I introduced myself as the rector of St. Luke's NLR and she started asking me if I knew the last couple of priests that had been at St. John's Helena. I answered that I did know the former rector Dwayne Saba and the current rector, Travis Frank. She told me that she had not been attending anywhere and was looking for a church home. I told her where we are located and she said that she had driven right passed it several times. Of course I gave her a glowing report of the welcoming folks at St. Luke's and told her our service times. I do ask your prayers for "Elizabeth" that she might find her way to St. Luke's and 'back into the fold.'
We never know where we might have an opportunity to be a witness for Christ. I am so glad that I listened to the voice of the Spirit rather than the voices of religious fear and human ego that would have caused me to take off my collar. In such cases we should remember that it is the Lord who at the joyous occasion of a Jewish wedding turned the water into wine (not Welch's) that will be our guide.
Yours in Christ,
Carey+
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 DEACON'S BENCH |
Social Media and the web site for St. Luke's Last week I attended a workshop at a preaching conference in Kanuga in North Carolina on church web sites and social media, in particular Facebook. Both are ways for the St. Luke's family to stay connected and for newcomers to take a look at us. On Facebook we have been putting daily meditations, prayers for those who have birthdays, announcement of St. Luke's events, and particularly pictures from all our events. We give a huge thank you to Ed Seward and Paula Volpe who take pictures and send them to me to put on Facebook. Make sure you see the two albums of pictures from the Caribbean event last weekend. As we write, Caroline and I are working on getting more pictures on our web site page as well. "Like us" on our Facebook page, "St. Luke's Episcopal Church North Little Rock." Presently we have 119 people who "like us." Whenever a new person comes to St. Luke's, their most often answer to our question of how did you find out about us is, " we looked you up on the internet." One visitor said, " I was driving through Arkansas and saw that St. Luke's is the closest Episcopal church to the interstate." Here are a few statistics just to show how both of these ways of communication are being used. This past week we reached 613 people on Facebook, 67% female and 33% male. The largest group looking at our Facebook page consists of men and women between the ages of 45 and 54. The next largest group is people over 55. On our web site, http://www.stlukeepiscopal.org, last week we had 57 visits by 45 people. People spend an average of 3 minutes on the web site. 50% of the people looking at the web site last week were new to the site. The largest group looks at our front page, probably looking for times of services, etc. Then the next largest group looks at our email news on the web site, next our staff, clergy, and sermons. We are dependent on you to send us material you would like to have on the web page and on Facebook. Peyton won a race, and last week we put that on Facebook for all to know him a little better. This is one of the best ways we can stay connected, and visitors can get to know us before they visit. God calls us to community, and we best hear God in community. Help us stay connected to the vine and all the other branches so that we may bear fruit! Joanna
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 FROM THE ORGAN BENCH |
I am in Pennsylvania visiting my family this week, so I have left the music on Sunday in the hands of Richard Hixson. I wanted to tell you about a special musical event going on soon. On Thursday, May 17, to celebrate Ascension Thursday; our choir will be joining the choir of Christ Church in Little Rock to sing a Missa Brevis by Mozart. It is an early work of Mozart's but is very charming. In a few of the movements, you will hear snippets or ideas that made up his famous Requiem in later life.
I hope you can attend this Eucharist. It is at 7:00 pm and Christ Church is located at 509 Scott St. Please come and support your choir as they raise they voices in song to the glory of God.
God Bless! Michael ---------- + ----------
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PRAYER LIST
Carolyn Ford, Jim Howell, Katherine Herring, Rhonda Herring, Annette Gerace, Cory Moses, Laura Dues, Pete Caro, Lawson Anderson, Anne Gontermann, Tim Woods, Mike Roh, Vince Roh, Bobbi West, Jamie Poole, Kate Toepfer, Valerie Baker, Nicholas, Martha Stroope, Mary Jo Ring, Kathy Rose, Thalia, Parker, Kathy, Lisa Williams, George Cline, Jim Ellwanger, Hannah Brown, the Acord Family, the Gontermann Family, Bill Spradlin, Mary Paal, Forest Pollard, Ricky Parks, Shirley Miles, the Clawson Family, Stephan Mays, Clarence Davis, the Virgil Wiedner Family, Jayson Phillips, David Porterfield, the Gentry Family, Connie and Kevin Delsinger, Kay M., Bob, the Langlais Family, Kevin Quinn, Ron Meeks and Family, Joseph and Marion Murphy, Laura Cook and the Pastor Miles Cook Family.
Special Concerns: All of the men and women of our Armed Forces, especially Jake, Justin, Bret, Joshua, Mark, Tim, Matt, Doug and Lance.
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CHURCHMEN'S BREAKFAST
Dear ChurchMen,
The friendly cooks for the ChurchMen's breakfast want to invite you to the monthly ChurchMen's breakfast this coming Sat., May 12, @ Wilder Hall @ 9AM. Bring a friend or neighbor, share a ride with a shut-in or even a child/grandchild that you might have with you that morning. We look forward to seeing you then.
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE SPEAKERS NEEDED FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY
On Pentecost Sunday, May 27, we are looking for people to read the Gospel simultaneously in different languages. French and German are covered, but if you are interested and able to read in a foreign language that day, please contact the Church Office
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OFFICE VOLUNTEERING
Thank you to Shirley Miles who is now volunteering in the office on Thursday afternoons. We will have openings on Monday morning, Wednesday afternoon, Thursday morning, and Friday morning and afternoon.
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A MESSAGE TO ALL PARENTS FROM
ST. LUKE'S ECW
One reason ECW works so hard throughout the year is to have the opportunity to assist parents with the cost of sending St. Luke's children to Camp Mitchell for summer camp. If you are planning to have your child/children attend, please go to www.campmitchell.org and click on form download on top left of the homepage for an information sheet and the registration form.
For each child in your household attending, you must complete the registration form and mail it with a $100 non-refundable deposit to the contact shown on the application. Please make your reservations as soon as possible so we can see
how many children from St. Luke's have registered.
ECW will then make the decision as to how much we can pay toward registration costs. We want
to pay at least half of the fee but cannot commit to that amount until we see how many are going.
If you have any questions, please call Wanda Dunwoody at 412.3998.
INFORMATION ON SUMMER CAMP AND THE SCHEDULE: This year, Primary campers and Sr. High campers will have TWO camping opportunities from which to choose. Traditionally, each of these groups (our smallest in the last few years) have had one chance each summer to have a camp experience. Each session of Primary/Sr. High will have 50 spaces each. Each will have their own session staff. Each will have their own cabins. Meals, worship, and one evening activity will be the only shared activity times. If you have questions, please call Camp registrar Lou Stinnett at 501-372-2168 or email her at cmregistrar@gmail.com.
Schedule June 3-8 Primary/Sr. High I June 10-15 Middler I June 17-22 Jr. High I July 8 - 13 Primary/Sr. High II July 15 - 20 Middler II July 22-27 Jr. High II Primary - completed 1st-3rd grades as of June 2012 Middler - completed 3rd-5th grades Jr. High - completed 6th-9th grades Sr. High - completed 9th-12th grades | |
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YOUTH SUNDAY MAY 20
Save the date for St. Luke's Youth Sunday to be held on May 20. This Sunday will be honoring our graduates and our youth who will be doing much of the service. The youth will be serving as ushers, Lectors, and acolytes at the 10:30 service.
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BROTHERHOOD OF ST.ANDREW
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew will meet at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 16TH ,in the Library Room. We will continue a study of the book: Jesus Was An Episcopalian (& You Can Be One Too!) Please join us. For more information contact:
Dickey Mayland, 835-6411, ddmayland@sbcglobal.net
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH - May 2012
St. Francis House
St. Luke's is lending a hand to St. Francis House with the following projects:
- We need people who can join the "K-Team". We have signed up with Kroger to pick up bread and other food donations and deliver them to St. Francis House at 2701 S. Elm Street. (These are manageable size loads that will fit in your car.) When Kroger has food they can donate, they will call St. Luke's to arrange for a pickup. If you would like to help, please call Jeannie Fry, our "Kroger Team Koordinator" at 501-941-0430, or Carmen 501-993-1883, or sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.
- For almost 25 years, St. Francis House has worked with the VA to help homeless veterans in a Re-Entry Program. There they receive counseling, meals, laundry services and transitional housing. More than 50 veterans are involved in St. Francis House's Elm Street location, and St. Luke's will be hosting a dinner for them on Thursday, June 7. Everyone is welcome to come out and meet them; please let us know you are coming so we can plan for food. If you would like to help serve or donate food, please contact Dan Dennis, 501-834-6590, or Carmen at 993-1883.
- Volunteers are needed to answer the phone at St. Francis House on Tuesday and Friday, from 9am - 12 pm, and from 12-3pm (one person each shift). Call Carmen at 993-1883 or use the sign up sheet in the Narthex.
Habitat for Humanity
A new Habitat for Humanity project is in the works for Pulaski County. St Luke's has been invited to join with St. Mark's, St. Margaret's and Christ Church in building that home. We would like to know anyone who is interested in this project as soon as possible, even though the building will not start until late summer.
Habitat for Humanity helps low income families get into a home of their own by providing financing and labor for the building of the house. The new homeowner family is carefully selected and must help with the construction. It is a wonderful and rewarding project to be involved in. No construction experience is required, although you may learn some useful skills by the end of the project. Volunteers may also help with office work, provide food for the work day crews, donate items to Habitat's ReStore, or "Sponsor a Stud" - make a donation for a stud that will be used in the construction of the house.
Sign-up sheets will be available in the Narthex or you can contact Carmen Quinn, 501-993-1883 / ccquinn23@yahoo.com.
Respite Care Help
The Respite Care program, an important outreach program which serves several area churches, takes place in our Parish hall on Thursdays. They are always looking for volunteers to help with clients, from 9am to 2pm. In addition, volunteers are needed to help with cooking and bringing food for 24 people approximately once every 5 weeks; and a dishwasher is needed from 11am to 1pm (this position includes lifting racks out of the dishwasher.) If you are interested and can work on Thursdays, please call Lalia at 912-9615 (cell), 851-4946 (home) or 501-376-1519.
Stock the Pantry Sunday: Please bring your non-perishable food donations on May 20.
Bus Tokens: St. Luke's also furnishes bus tokens to those who come to St. Luke's for food and money so they can go to St. Francis House. 50 Tokens cost $67.50. You can donate money for the tokens or bring the tokens to St .Luke's.
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VOLUNTEERS FOR CHILDREN'S CHAPEL AND COFFEE HOUR
Children's Chapel Volunteers
May 13th Paula Volpe May 20th Jennifer Green May 27th Ginna Simmons
Coffee Hour Volunteers
May 13th
8:00am: Ann Bowman
10:30am: Shannon Stone and Vera Chenault
May 20th
8:00am: Jerry and Pat Martinka
10:30am: Jerry and Mary Ann Hodge
May 27th
8:00am: Tommie Williams and Jeannie Fry
10:30am: Jerry and Chris Shaefer
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SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATIC BILL PAY
If you are interested in contributing your tithing automatically through your bank account, please contact Caroline Brown in the Parish Office: 501.753.4281 or office@stlukeepiscopal.org. The process is just like paying your bills online. It's an easy way to make your yearly pledges to the church without the hassle and expense of checks.
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ALTAR FLOWERS
If you are interested in sponsoring Altar Flowers, please note that there is a sign up in the Narthex next to the men's bathroom. Simply sign up on the sheet and contact Caroline in the Parish Office to let her know how you would like the sponsoring worded for the bulletins that Sunday. Please note that we need a week's notice for Altar Flowers.
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DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
Our mission is to "extend Christ's Kingdom through Prayer, Service, and Evangelism". The mission is ever present in the hearts and minds of the Daughters at St. Luke's. Saying daily prayers, fulfilling service needs, and living out our Lord's commands are part of each day. Let us know about you, your family, or your friend's special needs by filling out a prayer card in the church pew rack, calling the church office for hospital/ other visitation needs, or simply speaking to any Daughter in confidence. What we ought to do, by the grace of God, we will do.
"Carry each others burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2
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ADULT AND YOUNG ADULT FORMATION
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During the Easter Season, the two adult classes will join together and meet in the adult classroom at 9:15 to study each week one of the Bible readings that will be read on Sunday. The Sunday lectionary readings are the same Biblical texts used in a three-year cycle by the Episcopal, Catholic, many Presbyterian, Methodist, and Lutheran churches all over the world. The material used for the classes is from Feasting on the Word, a lectionary study guide that Carey and I have been using for several years. In the class we will meet together for a deeper exploration of the biblical text from either the Old Testament, Epistle or Gospel using the filter of our life experiences and transitions. For all of us this will make the readings we hear on Sunday more meaningful on Sunday and throughout the week. Carey and I will both be participating in the class as well. We welcome new members to the group.
Joanna
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION
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Classes are Sunday mornings at 9:15 am.
2012-2013 Christian Education Classes
3 year olds: Brouke Reynolds, Guide
Paula Benson, Assistant
Catechesis I: Beth Maze, Guide
(4-6 year olds) Paula Volpe, Guide
Martha Cross, Assistant
Catechesis II: Ginna Simmons, Guide
(7-9 year olds) Ellen Moses, Assistant
Catechesis III: Kimber Barber-Fendley, Guide
(10-12 year olds) Laura Woford, Assistant
Teenager: Wanda Dunwoody, Co-teacher
(13-18 year olds) Suzzette Patterson, Co-teacher
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Nursery Care is provided for all activities on Sunday mornings.
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ST. MARGARET'S MEN'S GROUP
PIG ROAST
Come join us for lots of good food, music and fellowship at the 2nd Annual St. Margaret's Men's Group Pig Roast Saturday, May 19 at 6:00.
Cost is only $20 per person (children under 12 eat free) and all profits from this event go to our annual fundraising programs for Camp Mitchell, Robert R. Brown Camps at Camp Mitchell and our Christmas Angel Tree support.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://stmargaretsmenpigroast.eventbrite.com and more information is available at www.stmargaretschurch.org. ---------- + ----------
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WOMEN'S INSTITUTE I am excited about the number of registrations we have already received for next month's Women's Institute. If you haven't already, it is definitely time to send your registration in for Women's Institute. The dates are June 1 - 3, 2012, at Camp Mitchell. Arkansas ECW President Susan Carter and your ECW board have planned an excellent program for this year's Institute. Please go to www.arkansasecw.org to download your registration form. Mailing instructions are on the brochure. Our workshops are scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Your choices are: - Yard Flowers in Sacred Places, presented by Pam Smith. Back by popular demand, Pam will present a seminar on how to make altar flower arrangements out of common flowers and greenery found in your yard.
- Communications, presented by Sandy Smith. Do you know how you communicate? This module from the Women of Vision seminar will help you to identify your communication style and give you pointers on how to communicate with someone whose style is different from yours.
- Where We Have Been! Where We Are! Where We Are Going! A history of Arkansas ECW will be presented by Anne Fulk.
- Take A Hike, led by The Reverend Marti Dalby. A walking tour of Camp Mitchell's trails.
- Take A Dip, Dana Downes. Dana will meet you at the swimming pool for just pure fun and enjoyment.
- Take A Nap, led by . . . . .well, I believe you get the idea on this one.
All of the above options are open to you and a sign-up sheet will be at registration. Susan and the ECW board are so excited about this particular Institute. I believe one reason is because of our featured speakers' ties to Arkansas. The Reverend Renee Miller has served parishes in Marianna and also for a short time in Helena. She will be traveling from Monterey, California to present "Hangin' Out with God." Rev. Joyce Dalton, St. Stephen's in Jacksonville, will be our speaker on Quiet Day and her topic is "Remembering Who We Are." Two outstanding women you will not want to miss! Although tradition is very important at Women's Institute, we will have one change this year. Bring your chairs AND FLASHLIGHTS but not for the campfire, bring them for the pool. That's right, Hawaiian night with karaoke. A nice alternative to a campfire in one hundred degree weather. If you have any questions, please call me at 501.412.3998. If not, please print and complete the brochure and mail to me today. Women's Institute Brochure Susan and the ECW board are looking forward to laughing, playing, reflecting and praying with you "on the mountain" the first weekend in June. Blessings, Wanda Dunwoody
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