Welcome to fall and to the beginning of the academic year. There is nothing more exciting than that beginning of a new academic year-new pencils, new backpacks and new possibilities. The Back to School season is the true stat of the New Year-as we collectively recommit ourselves to growth and to learning new proficiencies.  We, at St. Luke's, pray that this will be a holy and blessed season. Over the course of the next two Sundays we will offer special prayers over our primary and elementary-aged children as we bless backpacks on the 7th and for our teenagers as we bless their Journey Toward Adulthood on the 14th. Please know that you are much in our prayers and our thoughts.

 

 

MEET Kristen Sowa

Kristen Sowa is our youth ministry intern. She graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelors in Psychology: Human Services with minors in sociology and ministry. She has worked in various residential treatment facilities and also other youth groups. She is an extrovert who loves new people, and she grew up in Jamestown.

 

 

 

Kick Off Sunday - September 14th

With Kick Off Sunday, Church is back in the full swing of another programmatic year. The choir is back. Our 9:00 a.m. Formation Hour returns with the Adult Forum, the J2A youth classes and the first rotation of Church School. New this year is the hot breakfast served from 8:30 to 9:05 a.m. to connect parishioners from the 8am & the 10am services, to fuel our bodies and minds for the formation hour, and to make it easier for your family to get to church on a Sunday morning. There will be a nominal charge for this breakfast simply to cover the costs of its preparation. Then we'll have a hot dog roast on the 14th following the 10 am service to celebrate the kick off to the year

 

 

SLY Kick Off Events

As the year begins, St. Luke's Youth has two exciting kick off events planned.  On Sunday the 14th, SLY starts the year with a BBQ and fun yard games at Deacon Cathy Smith's residence 5901 Stow Rd in Ashville, NY 14710, at 4pm.   

Then on Sunday the 21st, the youth will meet at St. Luke's at 2:45 p.m. to travel to Peek 'n Peak to get to know one another and to challenge themselves on the Ropes Course (the subsidized cost of the event $25 and there are some additional scholarships available).   

Please contact the Rev. Luke Fodor (luke.fodor@stlukesjamestown.org) to indicate your participation in one or both events.  

 

 

Bricks of Faith

Our faith is something that develops as we grow, incrementally-a block at a time.  To assist the faith formation of our children, and children from the community,  we are creating an after school LEGO club where children, primarily K to 5th grade, are invited to come play,  listen to Bible stories retold with Legos and have a snack. This fun after-school program begins Tuesday, September 9th and will meet every Tuesday from 4-5:30pm throughout the academic year.  Please contact The Rev. Luke Fodor (716.483.6405 or luke.fodor@stlukesjamestown.org) with questions, to volunteer and to express interest in the class.

  

 

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (410 N. Main)

Tuesdays from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm

 

 

Adult Forum  --  "In Search of Wholeness and Health"

The Adult Forum will have its official start on Sunday, September 14 at 9:00 am on the stage area of the undercroft. The Forum Planning Committee has decided on the above title as an overarching theme for the year. There are four aspects to consider in working toward wholeness and being "healthy". Those aspects are financial, vocation, health (medically), and spiritually. Through a number of short series throughout the program year we will examine each of these aspects. The first segment will focus on the financial part of our lives. How do we attain financial peace? How can that help us become whole (and healthy)? On the 14th, Sam Armstrong will join us to tell us about his experience with a program that has been offered at several churches in our diocese, "Financial Peace University".   Please join us as we journey together in search (and hopefully finding!) wholeness and health.

 

 

 

St. Luke's Winged Ox Players present Harper Lee's

To Kill a Mockingbird,by Christopher Sergel,  

at the Willow Bay Crown Theatre, 3rd Street, Jamestown, NY,  

Friday & Saturday, September 12 & 13

 Proceeds of this show will be donated to the Prendergast, Falconer, Fluvanna and Bemus Point Libraries.

 

 

 

 

Acolytes Wanted!

An Acolyte is someone who assists the clergy at our worship services. This assistance is revealed by lighting the candles, carrying the crosses and torches, preparing the wine and water for communion, and most importantly ... setting an example for the congregation.  

Historically, the Acolyte ministry has been viewed as a ministry for the youthful, but during recent years adults have also participated. We are currently looking for new acolytes at the start of this new academic year and we invite ALL -- children (4th grade or 10 years old), youth and adults to join us.  

St. Luke's currently has three services --that provides for plenty of participation and practice.

As we rebuild the Acolyte ministry ALL interested children, youth and adults contact Ted Kapuscinski (3557rt62@gmail.com or 716-267-2745) or call the church office - 483-6405.  

We will offer several special trainings this fall.

 

 

 

 

Blessing of the Bells

With the passing of the one year anniversary lightning strike, the bell tower restoration project is nearly complete. Now it is time to plan the PARTY!  So please plan to join us for the celebration on September 28th at 4pm for a festive evensong service with special music, blessing of the bells and a reception following.  Please RSVP to the parish office - 483-6405 or stluke@netsync.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stewardship Message - Winston Churchill defined stewardship this way: "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." Sounds a lot like what Jesus teaches us, over and over: giving to others is the secret of living well. Please give thanks for St. Luke's, what it means to your family and what it means to the community, as you consider a financial gift.