Evangelist
August 5, 2015
Become a friend of St. Luke's on Facebook (St. Luke's Episcopal Church North Little Rock) and follow us on our website at www.stlukeepiscopal.org.
  
Want to donate to St. Luke's, send a pledge, or Memorial gift? Do so Here


Carey's Conversations

"Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." 

Jeremiah 33.3

 

I was reminded this week of a time back when I was a child when I had gotten lost and separated from my parents in a shopping mall. The anxiety began to rise as I feared what would happen if I couldn't find them. Then a thought occurred to me, to go to a cashier and have them call my parent's names and have them come to the front. Lo and behold, it worked - I was so relieved when I realized that, I had not been forsaken by my parents, just momentarily separated.

 

The events of this hot summer have brought elation and celebration to some, and deflation, and disillusionment to others. Between murders in Charleston, the decision by the Supreme Court to legalize same sex marriage in all fifty states, and astounding visions of Pluto it has presented us with new dilemmas, but also with new opportunities. As one wise soul once said, "Disillusionment is the doorway to clarity."

CONTINUE READING HERE 

 
From the Organ Bench

In these final weeks of summer break, the St. Luke's choir and bell choir enjoy Wednesdays off until September's Rally Day celebration marks the start in the new year for all ministries and activities of the parish. Summer, without Wednesday rehearsals, means an earlier choir call for the 10:30am service with very familiar repertoire or literature easily read and prepared with limited time. This more casual, holiday schedule gives our dedicated singers a chance to travel, take time off on their own, and most importantly to refresh, recharge, and to renew.  The ease in scheduling is an invitation to you, who might be considering joining the choir, or you, who would like to experience what it is like to worship on Sunday as part of the choir.  Simply come to the choir room at 9:15am on Sunday morning. Meet the singers and sing with them. Of course, we do hope that you will find us so welcoming and that the one experience in choir was so overwhelmingly inspiring and enjoyable, that you would consider joining on a regular basis. But, if you're just curious about what we do, how we prepare, or if you'd just like to try it once, we welcome you just the same!  Join us! Debi Fricks, our hand bell director, has included some information in this Evangelist regarding the start-up of our bell choirs this year. Instead of doubling her words in my article, I kindly direct you to her description of our excellent bell program, and encourage you to consider joining! 
 
Outreach

On this past Tuesday, August 4th, an outreach "exploratory team" made up of Don Wood, Betty Seymour, Tommie Williams and Jeannie Fry met at St. Luke's to look for ways to deliver the sacks of bottled water and granola bars to persons of need, such as the homeless.  Sandwiches, fruit and twelve bags were dropped at the River City Homeless Day Resource Center in North Little Rock.  They were thrilled to receive them.  Next, more fresh fruit and the remainder of the sacks were delivered to Jericho Way at Nehemiah House (a Union Rescue Mission located in Little Rock).  Sister Mary Elizabeth of the Daughters of Charity advised us of a real need for additional resources and for volunteers.  More to come on this later...

 

Meet Trish and Don Wood, some of St. Luke's newest members.
 
We, Don and Trish, have been married 40 years, have three wonderful adult children, two sons-in-law, one soon-to-be daughter-in-law, four amazing grandsons, and seven lively granddogs.  We have been actively involved in Retrouvaille, a ministry for troubled marriages, for over twenty years and hope to continue for many more years.
 
A little over three years ago, Trish started "working" in the kitchen for Respite, and when Don retired at the end of 2014, he began volunteering at Respite also.  We both believe God was not only calling us to service in Respite but that He was leading us to our spiritual home at St. Luke's.  We were warmly welcomed when we first visited the parish and have been graciously received ever since.  Thank you all for helping us feel at home.
 
 

Blessing of the Backpacks

 

On August 16th, we will have our Blessing of the Backpacks at both services. Parents, please have your children bring their backpacks with them to the services to be blessed during the announcements.  

It's time to register for Family Camp at Camp Mitchell!

This year's theme is #Unplugged; The family that rest together, thrives together. Together, your family can move the mountain of busy-ness through celebrating your faith together!

Here are the details:
When: August 28-30
Who: Families of all shapes and sizes and ages are welcome! Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Godparents....  Its big fun for all ages, birth-100!
Cost: Ages 10-Adult - $125
Ages 6- 10 -$75
Ages Birth - 5 - $50
Where: Camp Mitchell
What: There will be activities for Youth, Children, and Adults, including hiking, swimming, crafts, music, farming, and rest!
This year's theme is all about finding ways to play and rest together. Come and discover your family's secret to celebrating the Sabbath in the midst of your busy lives!

This year's camp is being led by Jerusalem Greer (St. Peter's Conway,) Jeannie McCabe, (St. Johns, Ft. Smith,) and Catherine Brooks (St. Mark's, Little Rock.)

To register email [email protected] or fill out the attached form! 
Free Bell Concert

There is a FREE concert Friday August 7 at 7 pm at Lakewood United Methodist Church. The Artists are P L Grove and Joel Gingrich. They will be playing bell duets.

Ms. Grove is our Clinician for the Summer Seminar of the Arkansas Handbell Musicians. The seminar will be Aug 8 at Lakewood UMC. Ms Grove is the first person to obtain a degree in handbells.

Please plan on attending this outstanding free concert.

Have a blessed day!  Debi
STOCK THE PANTRY SUNDAY

Stock the Pantry will continue to be the SECOND SUNDAY of the month this year.  Please leave any non-perishable food items you wish to donate in the BROWN box in the narthex with the "FOOD PANTRY" sign on the outside of it, beginning this Sunday, August 9th .  Donations placed in this box will be taken to the Park Hill Christian Church Food Pantry, next door to St. Luke's. 
Bell Tree

I am preparing for the fall season. I will offer the number of choirs that there are members for. Please let me know if you can play this year and I will decide how many choirs to offer. I am hoping to have 11 ringers for Chancel Ringers, 4 or more for Cadet Ringers, 1 or more for Little Lamb Ringers and 3/4 for Joyful Noise. Instead of the small advanced group, Jason and I are working to host an advanced Community Bell choir.

You can play in more than one choir. Just let me know which ones you are interested in.

Please notify me whether or not you want to play this year. I hope all of you can return. I am honored to have all of you play.

I look forward to hearing from each of you.
[email protected]
501-920-5706

Debi Fricks 
Deacon's Bench

Formation for St. Luke 2015-2016

RALLY DAY September 13, Classes start September 20

Rally Day is just a month away. We have amazing team working for special plans for this day to honor starting back our formation classes. I wanted to give you a sneak preview of what we have planned for Adult formation.

The summer class on Bible Women started by ECW has been so successful with great discussion and a crowd each Sunday that we will continue this study for adults both men and women in the adult classroom.

 

Adult Formation: Bible Women

 

We will continue our study of Women of the Bible that we began this summer, studying what women first said in the Bible, their historical background, and the significance of their words starting with the Genesis stories. You will be surprised who speaks the most. We are using the book, Bible Women, written by an Episcopal priest, Lindsay Freeman. Step into God's sacred circle of grandmothers, warriors, and prophets, and you will not come out the same. For questions email Chris Schaefer [email protected]  or Joanna Seibert [email protected]. Men as well as women of the church are welcome.

 

Young Adult Formation: For young adults we will start of with a class by Melissa Bacon on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, what our children our learning. This is an amazing presentation not just for parents but anyone interested in a different way of Sunday School for children (and for adults. As you know we can learn from our children.)

What Our Children are Learning in Sunday School Catechesis of Good Shepherd. Melissa Bacon 4 weeks (out 9/27) September 20 to October 11

 

Join Melissa Bacon as she explores the work of the children provided in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd atria here at St. Luke's. She will share lessons from each level and leave plenty of time for you to use the materials yourself. Your goal will be to abide in a place of wonder, letting the Holy Spirit guide the way.
CONTINUE READING HERE

THANKS to ST. LUKE'S FROM MID-SOUTHERN WATERCOLORISTS!  

 

You may have noticed the parish hall and parish grounds are alive with artists one Saturday a month! The Mid-Southern Watercolorists is holding its monthly mini-workshops in the parish hall, and St. Luke's setting is also providing many plein air painting opportunities, as well. MSW is a 501c3 charitable organization, founded in 1970, to elevate the stature of watercolor and educate the public to the significance of watercolor as an important creative permanent painting medium. MSW holds workshops, exhibits and mini-workshops, like the ones at St. Luke's, to further the interests of painters. Meetings are held monthly, on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m., in the Lecture Hall of the Arkansas Arts Center (excluding some winter and summer months). Several parishioners are members of MSW, but more about MSW can be found on its website www.midsouthernwatercolorists.com or on the MSW Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MidSouthernWatercolorists . MSW wishes to thank the Vestry and the parish for sharing its wonderful facilities!

 


  Feast with Friends

Feast with Friends is going to start in September. There will be sign up forms starting August 9th. Be thinking about if you want to host, which is the determining factor as to how many months we can enjoy this fellowship opportunity. If we have enough hosts we will have dinners in August, September and October. November, December and January are skipped because those are very busy months. February, March, April and May will be the Spring round. This is a great way to get to know each other and make more memories.

Education for Ministry 

 

St. Luke's Education for Ministry Program starts its second year in September. We have 9 returning pilgrims and have openings for 3 additional students. If you want more information you can visit the web site http://www.sewanee.edu/EFM or contact Deacon Joanna. EFM is a 4 year theology education program of the School of Theology from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.

St. Luke's is Going Green

By Brandie L. Mikesell

 

St. Luke's has decided to become more environmentally responsible. Recently, Dr. Joanna Seibert introduced me to an organization called GreenFaith whose mission is to "educate and mobilize people of diverse religious backgrounds for environmental leadership" and asked me if I would be interesting in undertaking such a mission.

But I should start with introducing myself - My name is Brandie Mikesell. I am still relatively new to St. Luke's and the Episcopal Faith and attend the 8:00 am service. I currently work as the Director of Clinical Administration for UAMS and am working to complete a DrPH in Public Health. I am married and have one daughter.

While I may be new to St. Luke's, I am not new to the idea of a need to protect our Earth that we have been so blessed with. Every day I see something that is amazing and awe inspiring in nature. I am very active in the outdoors - running, biking, hiking, etc. and get lots of opportunity to see the wonders around me, but unfortunately I also see the damage and destruction we do.

I am blessed to get an opportunity to combine my faith and my love of nature to provide ways we can all make a difference and become better stewards of this Earth. I will be sharing daily tips on Facebook and our webpage for ways we can all make a difference through small everyday changes in our lives without sacrificing the comforts we have come to enjoy. If you are interested in taking a more active role than just reading and following the tips, I encourage you to join St. Luke's Green Team. This will be a new team that will lead St. Luke's in their mission to become more environmentally aware and friendly as well as helping to receive GreenFaith Certification.

Psalm 96:11-12 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

 

 
Acolyte Training

 

On Saturday August 29th, we will hold an Acolyte training for all St. Luke's acolytes in the sanctuary at 10:30 am. Please plan to be there!

Festival of the Senses

 

The St. Luke's Festival of the Senses, our parish's arts series, is gearing up for new year packed with exciting concerts and arts events. The year kicks off Monday, August 31st with Kiril And Friends, a chamber music program featuring violinist Kiril Laskarov, pianist Tatiana Roitman, and friends. Keep abreast of the FOS schedule and arts happenings at St. Luke's by "liking" St. Luke's Festival of the Senses on Facebook. If you would like to participate in FOS by becoming a contributor or to volunteer at events, please contact Jason Pennington, St. Luke's Organist/Choirmaster. The Festival of the Senses is an important supporter of the arts in Central Arkansas and is a major outreach ministry of our Music Department and parish.

Prayer List

Anne Gontermann, Allen Baxter II, Jeff Spradlin, Hudson Woods, Paula, Helen Snipan, Caleb Jablonowski, Angela Corlett, Kate Toepher, Ryan Dillon Parker, Bill Moses, Gene DeLisa, Larry Maze, Nina Goins, Edward Anderson, Cheryl Hall, Paula Kalina, Bryant Family, Ann, Cherie, Zill Coleman, Sydnie Reedy, Jake Harrell, Aaron Dutton, Bradley Stinnett, Charles Ray Kennedy, Barbara Coker, Chris Morehart, Lexi Probst, Kay Reiter, Leslie Westbrook, Louise Ahrens, Megan Elizabeth Hall, Carole Grant, Debi and Phil Palladan, Susan Haner, Betty Miller, Linda Hawkins, Chris Mikesell, Louis Jenkins, Carle Carrell, Row McLaughlin, Ty, Kyley, Myla Hood, Jean Belknap, Sarah Martin, Anthony Riggins, Pam Cox, Corey McBain, Tim Woods, Cash Clancy, Mary Rose, Gloria Holst, Pam Cox, Tammy Martin, Iris Davis, Mailyn

 

Special Concerns: For all the men and women of our Armed Forces, especially Justin, Joshua, Bret, Tim, Matt, Doug, Brian Mahoney, Brian Mennes, Frank Tate, Alex Schimelpfening, David Liem, Justin, John Landis, Lucas Kunce