The VOICE of St. Luke's
JANUARY 23, 2011 Vol. XXIV; #20 |
| Annual Meeting Sneak Peek | | |
On Sunday, January 30 the parish will celebrate our 176th annual meeting (assuming that we never skipped any through the years). In addition to elections and the treasurer's report I will be reporting on the results of our latest Natural Church Development (NCD) Survey and the progress we have made since our last survey and strategic plan. In fact, since I came to St. Luke's in 2000 we have had four strategic plans, all of which have helped us refine and respond to our sense of God's call. Part of my report will be a summary of how each of those plans has helped us grow. We will also see a comparison of our NCD surveys of April 2007, November 2008 and December 2010 and what that shows us about how we are doing.
The NCD team has met and our sense is that through all of these plans and surveys we have been facing the same fundamental issue: no matter what grand plans we create, we need to meet each individual member of the church where they are. And, frankly, where most of us are right now is overwhelmed. We want to grow in faith, we want to be involved, but we face a seeming scarcity of time and energy.
I strongly encourage you to come to the annual meeting. The service is at 9 am followed by the meeting and elections. We will also be making presentations to outgoing vestry and committee chairs. A program for children will be offered in the undercroft. We will conclude with a delicious catered brunch, and while you eat I am counting on you to respond to several questions which will be at the tables. Your insights will be critically important as we decide how best to respond to this information.
The next step will be a half-day retreat on February 12 to put together these insights and make some concrete plans. We are not necessarily looking to add yet more responsibilities to already overburdened people. We are looking for solutions that will help us overcome these obstacles and continue to transform us into the people and parish God intends for us to be.
--Fr. Eric
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Church Calendar | |
3 Epiphany
8:00 am
9:00 am Church School & Adult Forum
10:00 am
Holy Eucharist -
Church
MON 01/24 Happy Birthday,
Fr. Eric!
TUES 01/25
9am - 12 noon Thrift Shop Receiving
7:00 pm
Kerygma Bible Study WED 01/26 7:30 am
Men's Bible Study
11:30 am
Wednesday Group 7:00 pm
YOUTH NIGHT -
parish house, 3rd Fl.
THURS 01/27 8:15 am
Women's Bible Study
9 - 11 am
4th Street Cafe
10 am - 2 pm
Thrift Shop OPEN
7:00 pm
Choir rehearsal
FRI 01/28
10 am - 2 pm
Thrift Shop OPEN
SAT 01/29 9:00 am Tai Chi w/Brian 5:00 pm Holy Eucharist- Chapel
SUN 01/30
4 Epiphany No Church School or
Adult Forum
9 am ONE service- Holy Eucharist- Church, followed by the annual meeting and brunch |
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Prayer List | |
Please remember in your prayers: Evelyn Bingham, Paul Harris, Jr. , Ellen Johnson, Bethine Grunewald, Richard Allberg, Michael Miley, Jay Ferrari, Tyler Bumsted, Daniel Recio, Vickie Carlson, Laura Wright, Jack Sleigh, Lee Prince, Patricia Nagle, Richard Meier, Lee Schroth, Christopher, Mark, and Laura |
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| CHURCH SCHOOL Thankful for Healing | | |
Church School welcomes the Panebiancos
John and Cindy Panebianco recently joined our esteemed cadre of Church School teachers, taking on "Bible Adventures" this round. Anyone familiar with Jamestown Public Schools is likely to recognize John's name from his many years of teaching and administrative work for the district. On January 30th, our week off from classes due to the Annual Meeting, the Panebiancos have a special treat for the kids! After the 9:00 service, when the grown-ups are participating in the meeting upstairs, kids are invited to come downstairs to meet Hunter, their dog, who is a trained visiting/companion Labrador. Hunter loves to hear Bible stories read to him, and to help young kids focus on the story. So be sure to come to church on the 30th!
Our story this month continues to be "Thankful to God... for Healing," as we creatively engage Acts 3:1-10, the healing of a lame man. This series goes through Feb. 6; then on Feb. 13 we'll meet Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - who were very thankful that God stays with us during times of trial!
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"Thankful for Healing" |
January 23 |
February 6 | |
Purple Group
Ages 3,4,5 |
Bread of Heaven |
Re-Creation | |
Red Group
Grades 1,2,3 |
Re-Creation |
Scripture Tent | |
Green Group
Grades 4,5,6 |
Scripture Tent |
Adventures |
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Adult Forum - 9 am Sundays, stage | |
"What is Chautauqua Institution?"
On Monday, January 31, PBS will feature a documentary on Chautauqua Institution. In preparation for that (and as a little publicity for it!) the Forum has invited Sherra Babcock, Director of Education at Chautauqua, to come and talk with us on Sunday, January 23, about this gem we have up the lake. Most of us may think that we know all about the Institution, but there may be a lot more to learn - and we will also discuss "perceptions" of Chautauqua that our community may have.
No Forum on Sunday, January 30th. ONE worship service at 9 am followed by the Church's Annual Meeting!
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WEEKLY YOUTH NIGHT is Wednesday! | |
A group for teens grades 7-12; a place for teens to come and be themselves. If you are looking for a safe place to explore your faith, this is it; 7-9 pm in Parish house, 3rd floor. Volunteer support is needed to provide support to both the Youth Ministry staff and the kids. Snacks would also be good! Contact Miguel to offer yourself: stlukesyth@gmail.com |
WEDNESDAY GROUP- January 26th | |
The Wednesday Group is a special time for senior members of our parish to gather together for worship, lunch and a program in the undercroft at St. Luke's. Coffee is available from 11 am, the service is at 11:30 and the luncheon and program follow. This month Mother Susan will show slides of St. Luke's history that she and Pat Martonis put together for our 175th Anniversary in 2009. We are finished by 2 pm. For more information, call the church office, 483-6405, or Liz McIntyre, 664-2873. |
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Annual Church Meeting-Sun, Jan 30th | | |
Annual Church Meeting &
Election of Vestry Members
Sunday, Jan 30, 2011
Combined Worship Service at 9 am
Followed by a celebration brunch in the undercroft
Vestry Election Candidates
Warden: Donna Phillippi (for re-election)
Vestry: Paul Johnson, Clyde Card, Jennifer Pierce
Convention: Tom Rankin, Donna Phillippi, Catherine Way
To nominate yourself or someone else for any of these positions, contact Paula Pickett at 483-2609 or email papmsrd@aol.com. |
Eucharistic Visiting: A Ministry of Love | |
Worshipers at 10 a.m. will have noticed that every couple of weeks, we send forth ministers with a little kit containing consecrated Communion wafers and wine, to bring to our home-bound parishioners. Those who go out are called "Eucharistic Visitors" (EVs), and their ministry is dearly appreciated by those who receive it. St. Luke's has quite a few home-bound parishioners, who live in senior residences or on their own. At the present time we aren't reaching them as often as we'd like - about once a month is our goal.
On Sunday, Feb. 6, anyone who would like to explore this ministry, and experience the warm welcome that EVs receive from their "visitees," is invited to stay after the 10 am. service for a Eucharistic Visitors meeting. Current EVs have been invited already; and we're opening it to others who might feel called to know more. The best way to learn is to come along on a scheduled visit; and we can set that up on the 6th. If you can't make it to the meeting but would like information about this ministry, please talk to Mother Susan, Deacon Cathy, or one of our current EVs. |
Bishop J. Michael Garrison's Episcopacy celebrated | |
A Celebration honoring Bishop Michael Garrison's Episcopacy will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2011 beginning at 3 pm with Holy Eucharist at St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo. A dinner reception will follow with live entertainment and dancing at Salvatore's ItalianGardens on Transit Rd, Depew. Tickets are $40 per person, deadline purchase is Feb. 6th. If you are deciding to attend, please contact the church office for further details. (stlukes@netsync.net or 483-6405) |
Bishop's Consecration Service, April 30th | |
"Hard copies" of the Volunteer Sign-Up form are now available in the church, on the table near the font area. They're purple (of course), and list the many ways parishioners can help welcome our new Bishop, Dr. R. William Franklin, and his distinguished guests (including the Presiding Bishop) on April 30 in Buffalo. We especially need to know about choir members soon! Talk to Mother Susan for more information. |
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The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Garrison, Bishop of Western New York. The Rev. Eric M. Williams, Rector. The Rev. Susan Anslow Williams, Associate Rector. The Rev. Barbara Baxter, Priest Associate. The Rev. Deacon Cathleen Smith. Miguel Covarrubias, Youth Minister. Kim Johnstone Mann, Parish Secretary. Barbara Bumsted, Director of Adult Formation. Andrew Schmidt, Interim Director of Music. Paula Pickett and Donna Phillippi,
Wardens.
Office: 410 North Main St., Jamestown NY 14701
Phone (716) 483-6405 * Fax (716)483-6406
Learn more about us on our website: http://www.stlukesjamestown.org
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