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VOICE of St Luke's
November 18, 2012
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Well, the house is packed up (finally!) and ready for the moving van. I have spent the past month making the round of "lasts." Now I come to my last VOICE article and what I really want to say is "Thank you." Thanks is of course far too small a word to express the depth of our love and appreciation for all of you.
St. Luke's is a wonderful parish--strong, stable, vibrant and fun--and Susan and I have been enormously privileged to share with you in leadership here over the past twelve and a half years. Your interim rector, Liz, and future rector will have the joy of discovering what a gem this place is.
I also want to express my personal and heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff. It has been a true joy to work with Cathy Smith, first in youth ministry and later as deacon. What a privilege and joy it has been to be part of her journey to ordination (and to share in that journey with Sandra and Virginia as well!). I hope you all know what a treasure you have in Kim, Barbara, Andy and Miguel also. They have truly made my ministry possible and have enriched the life of this parish in many ways, visible and invisible. Because they serve at the pleasure of the rector, lay staff are particularly vulnerable during transitions, and I hope you will find ways to encourage them in the coming year.
I am also so grateful to all the leaders and ministries of this church. It has been such a joy to work with all of you and to see the base of leadership here expand and grow. My particular thanks go to all those who have served during my time as vestry members, treasurers, clerks and wardens. St. Luke's has been and continues to be blessed by exemplary lay leadership which will serve you well in the years to come.
Susan and I will of course be praying for all of you during the transition and search process. Although it will be hard, it is important that we honor the process by truly disconnecting from St. Luke's. Part of the important work of the transition is to let go of past attachments, particularly to clergy, so that you can truly be ready to welcome the new rector without any extra baggage of comparison or expectations. We will therefore not be able to come back for baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc, nor will we interfere in any way with the ongoing life of St. Luke's.
I really believe that God has been directing this whole process and that God has wonderful things in store for my family and for St. Luke's family because we are all in fact part of God's family, united to Him and to one another by Baptism into the Body of Christ.
May God bless St. Luke's in the months and years to come, and each one of you with His great love and mercy.
--Fr. Eric
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WEEKLY
CALENDAR
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SATURDAY, Nov 17
10 am - 1 pm
Thrift Shop Open
5:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I - Chapel
SUNDAY, NOV 18
8 am HE, Rite II, Chapel
9 am Church School; Adult Forum; Rite 13; J2A
10 am HE, Rite II -Church
MON, NOV 19
7 pm Fictional Friends
TUES, NOV 20
Thrift Shop is Closed
this week
Wed, Nov 21
7:30 am Men's Bible Study
Thrift Shop Closed
No Youth Group
Thurs, Nov 22 Thanksgiving Day
Fri, Nov 23 Church/Office Closed
SAT, Nov 24 10 am - 2 pm Happening Reunion at St. Patrick's in Cheektowaga 5 pm Holy Communion, Rite I - Chapel
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Prayer List
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Please include in
your prayers:
Kathie Nicholson;
DeLoris Bunce;
Ron Stahley; JaniceMarie McDonald;
Cheryl Hill;
Carolyn Demarest;
Dianne Courtney-Freeman;
Joe DeAngelo;
David Carlson;
Linda Carlson;
Jack Sleigh;
Jean Andrews; Sydney Anderson; Beth Peterson;
Ellen Peterson;
Ron Hermance; Richard Meier; Mark; Charlotte; Kathleen; Laura;Sara; James
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ADULT FORMATION - 2012
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Sunday, November 18, will be an exciting day in the Adult Forum with the promise of very dynamic discussion. Dr. Danette Brickman, Chair of the Political Science Department at St. Bonaventure University will be here to discuss "The Separation of Church & State: What does the Constitution really say and what was inferred by our Founders?"
On Sunday, November 25, the Forum will watch and discuss Bishop Franklin's DVD about the Diocesan budget and the new "full share" plan. Fr. Eric reported about the discussion and passing of the new plan at Diocesan Convention in October. This may sound a bit "dry" but it will give us an opportunity for more detail and to see how it affects St. Luke's.
Join us for the Adult Forum on Sundays at 9:00 am, the stage area of the undercroft.
And the following Sunday, December 2, the Forum will begin an Advent series of reflection and discussion. The time leading up to Christmas is always chaotic, and the Forum is hoping to give folks a chance to "decompress".
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Have You Made Your Pledge Yet?
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The vestry will soon prepare our 2013 budget. This would be a great time to catch up on your 2012 pledge if you've gotten behind. And do send in your pledge card for next year if you haven't gotten around to it yet. Also remember that financial circumstances sometimes do change and your pledge can be adjusted at any time with a phone call to Catherine Way at the church office. We also offer safe and easy automatic pledge payments. To know more, call the office, 483-6405.
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Salvation Army Angel Tree
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St. Luke's will again this year support the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. The tags for the children will be available on the tree in the undercroft prior to Thanksgiving.
Items purchased need to be returned to St. Luke's by December 9th. The instructions regarding all of this will be posted on the tree! We have had great success meeting this need in the past and we hope to do the same this year. Thank you for your love and support of this project.
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Tis the Season! ... for a play
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Tis The Season! ... almost!
A Christmas play is planned for our Christmas Eve family service at 4 pm. This is an intergenerational production; all ages are welcome to participate. All who are interested please find Miguel on Sunday, Nov 25th following the 10 am service to meet and talk about this play.
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Three Marys Bible Study - Nov 26th
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The Three Marys Bible Study: Role Models for Women Who Seek the Love of Jesus
meets again on Monday, November 26th at 7pm on the stage area in the undercroft.
Even if you've not been able to attend previously, all women are welcome to join in this talk.
Call Kim at the church office 483-6405 to receive a copy of the materials for discussion.
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ADVENT WREATH CONSTRUCTION
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Youth Group, Rite 13, J2A are
invited to help construct the church Advent Wreath on Saturday, DEC 1st,
 in the church sanctuary.
We'll begin at 10 am and
conclude with lunch.
Join in some fun together!
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 An Advent Quiet Day | |
In preparation for Advent, St. Luke's is offering an Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, December 1. We all know how crazy life gets during the holidays, and this is an opportunity for you to gather your thoughts and to reflect on the "Reason for the Season" - and hopefully how to not let the stress and craziness deter from the beauty of this time of the year. The retreat will be held at St. Luke's and led by the Rev. Virginia Carr, rector at St. Peter's in Westfield, NY. Registration will begin at 9:30 with the program at 10 AM. Cost is $10, but do not let this keep anyone from participating. Contact Barbara Bumsted at the church office, 483-6405.
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The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, Bishop of Western New York.
The Rev. Eric M. Williams, Rector
The Rev. Deacon Cathleen Smith
Miguel Covarrubias, Youth Minister
Kim Johnstone Mann, Parish Administrator
Barbara Bumsted, Director of Adult Formation
Andrew Schmidt, Director of Music
Paul Johnson 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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