Unfortunately, when some of us hear about healing in the context of church, we think of "faith healing," often associated with the worst kind of fake spiritual snake oil salesmen, guys with big hair and shiny suits promising that (for a donation) they will guarantee a miracle just for you.

Healing, real faith healing, actually has a long and distinguished history in the church.  In the Bible Jesus and his disciples healed many people in body, mind and spirit and the letter of James tells us, "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up." (5:14-15)  Prayers for healing, like all prayer, are not a magical formula, but an act of trust and faith as we continually place ourselves and those we care about in the loving hands of God.

As a parish whose patron saint is Luke, the Blessed Physician, we have a strong connection with the ministry of healing.  We make no guarantees, but we can testify to the amazing ways that God has brought healing in a variety of ways to ourselves and those we know and love.  Sometimes the healing is physical and sometimes it is a healing of the heart, mind and soul as we experience a fresh experience of God's love and grace.  We sometimes resist these opportunities, thinking that we should "tough it out" or that such prayers are meant only for the gravely ill.  Yet it is my experience that life gives us enough worries, wounds and scars that we all can benefit from healing all the time.

The ministry of healing is exercised here in several ways.  First, we have a prayer circle.  If you or someone you know needs immediate prayers, contact Ann Lamp at 488-9039, Dorothy Anderson at 488-1934 or the office at 483-6405 and prayers will be offered right away.  You can also put someone on the Sunday prayer list for the prayers of the people.  Clergy regularly visit the sick at home and in the hospital and anoint them.

We also offer two regular opportunities for sacramental healing.  On the fourth Sunday of every month we have healing prayers right after the blessing at 8 am and during communion at 10 am.   We also have a weekly healing service on Thursdays at 12:05 pm.  It lasts a half hour and is followed by a simple lunch.  If you are downtown I strongly urge you to come to this service.  It provides a nice boost in the middle of the week and includes Holy Communion.  Nothing weird or scary happens, just a simple time of peace and fellowship.  I'd really like to see participation in this service grow.  Put it on your calendar or cell phone and try to make it at least once to try it out in the coming weeks.

                                                                 Faithfully,

                                                                 Fr. Eric

Classes for kids in pre-school through sixth grade will begin at 9 a.m. on Sept. 18, our "Kick Off Sunday."

The theme of the year for grades Pre-K through grade 4 will be "Great Beginnings." We'll return to the very beginning with the Creation Story found in Genesis ch. 1. Not as a science text but as a God text, we'll look at God's love for the world and his declaration that it's all good. (Now, how do we take better care of it?)

Another great beginning, we hope, for our older kids, entering grades 5 & 6, will be a new class dubbed "The Acting Apostles." Since this group of students has proven their interest in drama and music, they'll be preparing one-act shows to present at the 10 a.m. service every six weeks or so. We'll start upstairs in the Scripture Tent, but also have sessions for creating our costumes and props, rehearsing a song, etc.

Adults interested in helping with any of these classes are urged to get in touch with Mother Susan soon. The Rotation Workshops will only require two weeks per subject this time. The Acting Apostles will be a six-week stint, though you could help in a particular area for just a week or two.

This year is going to be soooo good! Why not invite a family to join you at church this fall? We've got the gifts to grow, so let's get started!

                                                                                Mother Susan