LUKE'S LOG for May, 2008 - (electronic version)
My dear friends,

Often, I am touched by the great contrasts in life.  In the same day I can be helping a family cope with a profound tragedy and then helping someone celebrate a great joy.  At a recent family event we celebrated with happiness and gratitude a long awaited marriage, even as the bride and groom faced possible unemployment, and as parents of both the new husband and wife are facing debilitating, life threatening illnesses.  At St. Luke’s too, some of us are doing very well indeed, and others are suffering.  What are we to make of it all?

I don’t think that is really the right question.  A better question is, “Where is God in it all?”  And the answer is, I believe, right there, in the midst of all of it.  St. Paul advises us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  (Romans 12:15)  We can do so because God is right there with us.  God knows our weakness and our strength, and His strength is sufficient for us.  God shares our joys and our sorrows.  And we can share one another’s. 

In a way it is easier to weep with those who weep, to feed the hungry, visit the sick and comfort the sad.  We at St. Luke’s are very good at helping one another, offering an ear, or a meal, or a ride to someone who needs it.  We give generously of ourselves.  It is sometimes a little harder to affirm and celebrate another person’s successes or blessings.  We have to contend with our temptation to envy another person’s talent or good fortune.  Yet I see our members again and again delighting to honor one another, especially as we honor and encourage our younger members. 

What we do for one another within the parish, we are called to do beyond it.  That is the whole meaning of the parable of the Good Samaritan; our neighbor is anyone who has need, anyone we can help, even if they are a stranger, even if in some ways we are enemies.  The other person’s need, and our ability to respond to that need, creates a situation that compels us, by the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, to respond.  Sometimes that response is at distance, as when we write a check to Episcopal Relief and Development or some other worthy agency.  Sometimes it is immediate, as when I ask a handy parishioner to take a stranger for a sandwich or to the bus station. 

Our new Stephen Ministers have had fifty hours of training in coming alongside those who are going through difficult times.  They will be a blessing in our midst, not only to those with whom they have formal relationships, but also to the whole parish.  They have heightened skills and a strong support system.  Yet, what they do as Stephen Ministers is what each of us is called to do for one another.  As God is present for us, so we can be present for one another.

REMEMBER TO REMEMBER
One Memorial Day, some children were asked what the holiday meant to them.  “That’s the day the swimming pool opens!” answered one eager boy.  What he didn’t realize or appreciate was that he can freely go to the pool because more than one million people have put their lives on the line to preserve America’s democracy.  Many of them have died so    political, social and economic freedom.  Memorial Day is our opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifices of many of America’s best citizens.  They made the supreme sacrifice on our behalf, so please remember to honor these heroes on May 26th.
(From www. Newsletter Newsletter.com)

ONTRACK
            As you know OnTrack at 806 NW 6th St. is opening a drug and alcohol residential program that will house 10 clients.  We have some of the basics (beds, a few chairs, dining room set, a couch, etc) but we are still in need of many items.   We would appreciate any help.  Please email debbieontrack@charterinternet.com or call OnTrack at 955-9227 and talk to Debbie or Kim if you can help.
            Here is our WISH LIST:
End tables/side tables; small dining room table, dining room chairs; Pots & pans (all sizes), electric skillet; bath & hand towels/ laundry baskets; wall pictures; medium to large throw rugs; assorted kitchen & bath rugs; lamps; curtains/rods/mini blinds; assorted board games, recreational items; bookshelves; indoor/outdoor furniture; plants; laundry soap; personal products for clients (deodorant, hygiene items, soap, shampoo); privacy screens/dividers; kitchen towels.  No clothing at this time, however we will need clothing when we have clients.

            Thank you for supporting us in making our community drug free.

FROM THE ALTAR GUILD
Thank you to all of you who have signed up for flowers and Sanctuary candles for 2007.  The new 2008 flower calendar is up on the door to the Parish Hall. If you would like to give flowers for an anniversary, birthday, thanksgiving, or other remembrances, please sign on the date you would like to give flowers.  The cost for is $35.00 and for candles is $5.00.   Please call the office at 476-2493 so that it may be noted in the Sunday Bulletin. 

FROM OUR PARISH NURSE
 
Frances Osborne

FRIENDSHIP – MAY 2008

            Friendships enrich your life and improve your health.  It’s the shoulder to lean on, the good advice, the unspoken comfort as well as the good times and the shared laughter.  Friendship offers all of these benefits and much more.  Friendships boost your self-esteem, provide companionship and even protect your health and well-being.
            Friendships are important for both men and women.  Take a minute to think about the friends in your life.  Do you have close friends?  Would you like to develop more friendships?  Good friends are good for your health.  The connections of friendship increase your sense of belonging, purpose and self-worth which promote positive mental health.  Friendship can help you wither the tough times of life such as death of a loved one or the loss of a job.  Friends can also share in your good times a new baby, a new job, a new house.
            At times we forget that just as we feel lonely and isolated there are people all around you that feel the same way.  All you have to do is reach out to them.  An invitation for a meal, a sympathetic ear, and a phone call is all that maybe needed to start a friendship that can enhance both your lives.  The investment in your friends will pay off in better health and a brighter outlook for years to come

FOR ADULTS:

WEDNESDAY MORNINGS
Deacon Joani’s Wednesday morning Bible study will meet on at 10:00am in the Guild Room. Joani and the group are working their way through the Bible.  All are welcome.

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
The Group will at the home of Al & Lucille Fitchell, 1258 Ironwood Circle, Grants Pass.  New comers are welcome.  Call Al or Lucille at 955-4623 if you have any questions or need directions to their home. 

I would like to conclude by mentioning some specific needs for care giving I now see at St. Luke’s, in the hope that some of you may have the means, and the calling, to fulfill them.  (1) We need a few more people to help with the Saturday afternoon meals at Riverside Park.  (2) We need a few more people who can offer some hours of support to the Marsh family in child care and/or household chores.  (3) We need a few people to restart the Jubilee Ministry Committee, which overlooks and encourages all of our outreach and justice ministries.  (4) We need one coach/advocate for a young woman with some disabilities who is seeking employment.  (5) We need lots of rummage and lots of help for the Rummage Sale to benefit the Gospel Rescue Mission on May 10.  (6) We need several more helpers for the African dinner on May 29, to celebrate and further our relationship with the Massae Girls Lutheran Secondary School in Monduli, Tanzania.  (A call to me or the office can offer more information on any of these.) 

Do you see yourself filling any of those needs?  Most of you are already busy with your own needs and those of others. Some of you need to be asking the parish for more help for your own situations.  Do not be afraid to ask.  But some of you can help with these and others needs at St. Luke’s.  As the Daughters of the King say, “I am but one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do.  What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.  Lord what will you have do? ”

And God will be with us.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

TRANSITION NEWS
Standing Committee has moved rapidly to establish the interim staff.  Bishop “Sandy” Hampton, retired Suffragan Bishop of Minnesota; the Very Rev. Lin Knight, retired Dean of St. Andrews Cathedral, Honolulu; and Arlene Ullman, retired executive secretary to Bishop Ladehoff, are all now in place and managing pastoral care, employment, ordination processes, and diocesan administration.

SPRING RUMMAGE SALE
     The spring rummage sale is Saturday, May 10th from 9am to 2pm.  We are setting up for the sale on Friday, May 9th from 12:00 noon to 3pm.  We can use lots of help on both days.  Please start looking for your donations of (clean and in good repair) household goods, linens, clothing children’s toys and lots more.
    You can start bringing things to St. Luke’s about May 1st.  Help us recycle unneeded things by making them available at a reasonable cost to others who need them.  The Vestry has designated the proceeds from the Rummage Sale to be donated to the Gospel Rescue Mission for their “Matching Fund Grant”.

Birthdays

OPERATION BOOTSTRAP AFRICA
 

11
UNITED THANK OFFERING

PRAYER
Gracious God, source of all creation, all love, all true joy: we pray, these outward signs of our profound and continuing thankfulness for all the life.  Keep each of us ever thankful for all the blessings of joy and challenge that come our way. Bless those who will benefit from these gifts through the outreach of the United Thank Offering.  This we ask through Him who is the greatest gift and blessing of all, Jesus Christ.

Remember that the United Thank Offering Ingathering will be Sunday, May 4th.  If you would like a blue UTO boxes they are available in the Narthex.  It’s a wonderful part of the Episcopal Church’s mission and should be a regular part of our giving.
            Thank you Patricia Hayes (UTO Chairperson 2008)

If you would like more information about UTO, call Pat Hayes at 474-4491 or the office at 476-2493.

MEN’S CURSILLO WEEKEND
The Men’s Cursillo Weekend for 2008 will be held at Grace Church, Astoria, from the evening of July 10 through July 13.   The theme of this Cursillo is “See everything has been made new.”     2 Corinthians 5:17.  Cursillo Weekends help prepare those who are called to Christian leadership through a structured discussion of the elements of apostolic mission, prayer, and worship. If you are interested in this “short course” in Christianity, inform a “Cursillista” who knows you. If you do not know a Cursillista, ask your clergy to help you find one. For questions contact one of the leaders of this weekend: the rector, Pete Hoffman of Grace Church at 503-861-3290 or cdrpete@charter.net <cdrpete@charter.net>, or the vice-rector, Martin Sherington of Good Shepherd, Vancouver, at 360-253-2213 or mdssls@yahoo.com <mdssls@yahoo.com>. Also check the website: http://oregoncursillo.org/Cursillo/index.html. A link to forms for the Cursillo are at the bottom of the webpage.

STEPHEN MINISTRY
            Now that our 50 hours of initial training has ended and we are caring for those who are going through a difficult time in their lives, our education doesn’t end.  We will meet twice a month for continuing education and supervision.  We thank the congregation for their prayers during the initial training and ask that you continue to pray for God’s blessings upon our ministry.
  If you are going through a difficult time in your life and need someone to walk beside you, please let Fr. Jim or Dan and Joan Collins know and they will be happy to talk with you.

The new Stephen Ministers who were commissioned on Sunday, April 20th are: Caroline Pitts, Carmella Menke, Joe Hungate, Pamela Boston, Lynn Hughes and Don Kane & Bev Kane.  We thank God for their gifts of caring and listening.  Please keep these people in your prayers as they carry the love of Christ to their care receivers.

TRACTS IN OUR NATHEX
Eleven Senseless Statements about Death:
 and Better Ways to Deal with It.
            Challenging, comforting and wholly Christian, Fr. Meyer’s “Eleven Senseless Statements” is helpful for all of us facing death – our own, or that of a loved one, or anyone’s in general.  These misconceptions range from “only old people die” to “medicine can cure everything” to “death is evil”.  He even manages some quiet humor in all this.  Of particular value is the second part of the pamphlet, where he presents some ideas about death that are solid and hope-filled; ideas that Christians can use in our everyday lives.

Meeting the Risen Christ
Bishop Shaw points out that Paul, like all of us, never knew Jesus of Nazareth.  He knew “only” the risen Jesus Christ.  While he met Him on the road to Damascus, that meeting was not the entirety of where and how Paul got to know Jesus.  Paul goes to know Him through Timothy and Aquilla, through brothers and sisters in the church everywhere he went.  Bishop Shaw demonstrates that every day, every week, listening to God’s word and doing His work, with your brothers and sisters is the way to build up the body of Christ, and thus to experience the risen Christ every day.

Transcending Rage: A Spiritual Approach to Anger.
Powerfully useful for all of us who feel anger, whether in ourselves or from others, whether chronically or only from time to time.  Professor Hinson starts with his own anger, moves to Jesus’ injunction against anger, then to the utility of the anger found in the Psalms.  Finally he comes to the ultimate tool for coping with anger (our own or others): prayer.  Read this in you have ever wondered what to do with your own anger, or if you want to know more about how to love those who make you angry.

            Stop by the Narthex as you enter or leave the Church and check out the new items in the Tract Rack.  You’ll also see other leaflets about church history, personal spirituality, and practical aspects of living the Christian faith.  Some will answer questions about the Episcopal Church, some will address Christian marriage and parenting and others are suitable for giving to someone in the hospital or may be going through difficult times.  Help yourself.  Suggested prices are marked on each and you may leave your contribution in the labeled basket.
            You will find the newest copy of “Glimpses of Christian History” as well as new Forward Day by Day for May/June/July.

MUSIC NOTES

   
Choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 5:30pm.  We hope to be able to do some a cappella pieces, as well as things incorporating other instruments, such as handbells, drums, strings, the Praise Band, flutes, guitars, etc.  Please come and join us.
 

Praise and Worship Musicians
If you are interested in participating, please contact Pat Mahoney at 660-4513 for practice times.
 

The Handbell Choir is taking a break for now.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
Daughters of the King meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:00pm.  All women of the church are welcome.  Please check the calendar in the Log or call the church office at 476-2493.

ST. LUKE’S SCHOLARSHIP
St. Luke’s offers a scholarship each year to parishioners who are pursuing education beyond high school.  As an attempt to encourage people to receive training at the college level or at a trade or technical school, scholarships are given.  Awards may be renewed for a total of 3 years.  Parishioners who wish to apply must contact Lynn Hughes for an application.  All applications must be submitted no later than May 15th.  Eligibility requirements include being a St. Luke’s communicant on a regular basis.

PENTECOST
The Church season of Pentecost begins on Sunday, May 11th.  Be sure to wear RED or flame colors on that day.

DIVORCED, SEPARATED OR WIDOWED?
            If you, a friend or loved one are going through one of these difficult times of transition, there is a support group that meets regularly in Grants Pass that can give you the tools to help you survive and even flourish again.  Often people in these situations are unsure of their feelings or what to do next; these tools will help you rebuild your life and enjoy healthier, happier relationships.  Anonymity is a fundamental concept of this program.  The non-denominational group meets Monday night from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at St. Anne’s in the Parish Hall, 1131 NE 10th St.  There is no charge to attend.  For more information, call Susan Lee Hall or Les Hall at 955-1710 or David B. at 474-7574.

CHURCH GROWTH AND STEWARDSHIP SEMINARS
            St. Mark’s Church in Medford will sponsor two seminars, one on church growth, and the second on stewardship, on May 31st and June 1st.  Reverend Canon Steve Wendfeldt from the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego will conduct both seminars.  The cost for one or both seminars is $15.00.  Saturday’s seminar is from 9am to 12 noon and 1pm to 4pm with a lunch provided and Sunday’s seminar is at 1pm.  For more information call (541)941-1971, (541)773-3111, or stmarks@stmarks-medford.org.
            The Saturday morning seminar focuses on becoming a welcoming church to newcomers.  The afternoon session focuses on transforming parish vision and habits, so that newcomers are incorporated into the “whole” life of the parish.  Lunch will be provided.
            On Sunday afternoon Canon Wendfeldt’s seminar focuses on stewardship, how we nurture generosity, year-round, and move from scarcity to abundance.  He said, “Stewardship should lead us to a place where we hear God’s kingdom call to live out of the abundance that God provides, rather than the scarcity which the world provides.”

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

“We live the Faith,
share the Life,
and find strength in the Worship”