The VOICE of St. Luke's
JANUARY 30, 2011 Vol. XXIV; #21 |
| A Barrier-Free Church | | |
As I mention at the annual meeting, our theme coming out of our last NCD survey is "overcoming obstacles." Some years ago, we looked at physical obstacles at St. Luke's. Our goal was to make St. Luke's barrier free. To that end we installed the elevator at the Southeast corner of the church and remade the whole Fourth Street doorway there to accommodate wheelchairs. I don't know if you have seen it, but there is even a button to open that door automatically so that someone could wheel up to the door and make it in and all the way up to church.
One problem we were not able to solve was making communion itself barrier free. More recently we asked a professor from the UB School of Architecture to help us look how we might redesign the choir area of the church. His ideas involved taking out several of the front pews and thrusting out a curved area further into the nave so that we would have room for an altar in the round with a ramp. This seemed too drastic (at least to me) and so we have not gone any further.
However, I watch each week as many of our fellow parishioners struggle to get up and down those stairs to get to communion. The ushers do a good job of assisting them, but it was pointed out to me that there are occasionally weeks when we don't have enough ushers to cover that spot. It would truly be horrible for someone to be injured from a fall.
Therefore, beginning at the annual meeting, I have decided that we will try a simple solution on a trial basis. There will be one communion station as usual at the high altar with a priest and Eucharistic Minister. But we will also have a communion station each week at the foot of the stairs in front of the pulpit, next to the healing station. I welcome your thoughts and suggestions as we try this step (or actually lack of step) in our effort to become more completely barrier free.
--Fr. Eric
|
|
|
Join our list
|
 |
|
hurch Calendar | |
9 am ONE service-
Holy Eucharist-
Church, followed by
the annual meeting
and brunch
2:00 pm
Service on the
Slopes
MON 01/31
7:00 pm
Altar Guild meeting
9 am - 12 noon Thrift Shop Receiving
WED 02/02 7:30 am
Men's Bible Study
7:00 pm
YOUTH NIGHT -
parish house, 3rd Fl.
THURS 02/03 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 02/04
10 am - 2 pm
Thrift Shop OPEN
SAT 02/05 9:00 am Tai Chi w/Brian 5:00 pm Holy Eucharist- Chapel
SUN 02/06
5 Epiphany
SOUPER BOWL
Sunday
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist -
Chapel
9:00 am
Church School and
Adult Forum
10 am
Holy Eucharist-
Church,
11:30 am
Youth Choir practice
2:00 pm Service on the Slopes
|
|
Prayer List | |
Please remember in your prayers:
Paul Harris;
Evelyn Bingham;
Bethine Grunewald;
Richard Allberg;
Jay Ferrari;
Tyler Bumsted;
Daniel Recio;
Laura Wright;
Jack Sleigh;
Lee Prince;
Patricia Nagle;
Richard Meier;
Leila Schroth;
Christopher; Mark; and
Laura |
|
|
| CHURCH SCHOOL Thankful for Healing | | |
On January 30th, our 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!
The ChurchSchool finishes its session on "Thankful to God for Healing" this next week (Feb. 6).
For the rest of Epiphany, we'll meet three faithful young men - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - who were thrown into the fiery furnace when they refused to worship an idol. Parents familiar with "Veggie Tales" may recognize them as "Rack, Shack and Benny," and yes we'll be viewing that movie as part of our course! New teachers and assistants are welcome to join in the fun, as we get "Thankful to God in Times of Trial." Contact Mother Susan to find out more. Thanks!
|
"Thankful for Healing" |
Jan 30th |
February 6 | |
Purple Group
Ages 3,4,5 |
No
Classes |
Re-Creation | |
Red Group
Grades 1,2,3 |
Meet
Hunter, with |
Scripture Tent | |
Green Group
Grades 4,5,6 |
the Panebiancos |
Adventures |
|
|
Adult Forum - 9 am Sundays, stage | |
No Forum on Sunday, January 30th. ONE worship service at 9 am followed by the Church's Annual Meeting!
Sunday, February 6, as a follow up to the presentation on Chautauqua Institution, the Adult Forum will take a look at Chautauqua's Department of Religion. Maureen Rovegno, Assistant Director of that department will be here to discuss their Interfaith Series (initiative) at Chautauqua. |
|
WEEKLY YOUTH NIGHT is Wednesdays! | |
Just a couple of announcements for youth:
Ø Don't forget weekly youth Group! Every Wednesday night from 7-9pm for grades 7-12.
Ø February 6th is Souper-bowl Sunday. Bring in donations for St. Susan's center, and maybe a can of soup to donate to them. The youth will be collecting the $$ donations in soup pots!
Ø February 6th Youth night cancelled due to Super Bowl parties!
Ø February 12th sledding to come! Stay tuned for more info!
Additional adult volunteers are 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 |
|
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, and Matt Smith
To nominate yourself or someone else for any of these positions, contact Paula Pickett at 483-2609 or email papmsrd@aol.com. |
Bishop's Consecration Choirs | |
The deadline is Feb. 1st to sign up as a choir member for the Bishop's Consecration, April 30. Music needs to be ordered in advance, so if you're interested in participating in the Adult Choir (age 16 & up); Youth Choir (3rd grade & up) or Handbell Choir (experience ringing): pick up a purple form in church, or go to the official website http://episcopalwny.org/the-consecration to download it. This will be a great experience! Speak to Mother Susan to know more! |
Eucharistic Visiting:
A Ministry of Love | |
As our worship services conclude each week, you may have noticed we occasionally 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. 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, 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. |
Safe Place Training - Feb 26th | |
The diocesan "Safe Place" classes will be offered on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Calvary Church in Williamsville; from
9 a.m. - 3 p.m. These sessions are required for most ministry licenses - particularly those that involve (a) working with kids; and (b) visiting people in their homes. The class is FREE and is sponsored by the BishopBrentSchool for Ministry, which requires at least 10 registrations.
Forms are available from Kim at the office; and questions can be asked of Kathy Williams at the DiocesanCenter:
881-0660 ext.12. Calvary Church is located at 20 Milton Street, near Main (Route 5) in Williamsville. It takes about 1-3/4 hours to get there from Jamestown. |
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) |
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
