| This Week at St. Luke’s |
| Public Health Indicators: here Event risk assessment: here. Free COVID test from Durham County here. Click here and scroll down for Online Worship Bulletin Sunday 9:30 In-person Worship signup here The Rev. Dr. Rhonda M. Lee, Celebrant and Preacher 9:30 Godly Play – Johnson Hall 10:30 Youth Group Monday 6:30 Finance Cte Wednesday 11:30 Prayer and Share on Zoom 6 Bell Rehearsal 6:30 Vestry Meeting with Canon Massey 7:30 Choir Rehearsal Thursday 7 pm Bible Study on Zoom Friday 1:00 Connections and Support Group by Zoom Saturday 9 Vestry Retreat – Sprague Room 9:30 Girl Scouts – Johnson Hall |
| New This Week |
| New chair configuration at St. Luke’s! You will notice that almost all the chairs have been put back into the nave. You now have the option of sitting in a longer row, or in the section of socially distanced pods to the right of the altar. Please be mindful of your own comfort and that of others when choosing where to sit. If in doubt, please leave some distance. And welcome back! The clergy and vestry have resolved that, beginning Sunday, March 20th, masks will be optional in worship for fully vaccinated participants. Masks will continue to be required when singing at this time. We ask that anyone who is not vaccinated wear a mask at all times. In making this decision, we have taken into account the facts that Durham has lifted its mask mandate, and our bishops have left masking requirements up to local discernment (while strongly recommending masking for unvaccinated persons). One section of distanced, pod seating is available with no kneelers. Fully vaccinated persons may still choose to mask during worship, even when not singing. When considering whether or not to mask, please take into account your own risk factors and the possible vulnerability of your neighbors. And please be kind to each other always, as we move into a phase where some of us will be masked and some of us unmasked. Please remember: No gathering can be completely safe. Unvaccinated people remain more susceptible to contracting COVID-19, and to severe disease, hospitalization, and death. Singing and removal of masks can increase transmission. We will continue Sign-Up Genius registration, for now, to facilitate contact tracing if needed. We will continue to refrain from passing of the peace for now. We will continue to offer only the host at communion for now. The offering plate will remain at the entrance, not passed, for now. We will continue virtual worship offerings (as we started before Covid.) The diocesan convention on March 5th focused on the diocesan mission strategy. The priorities in this vision are racial reckoning, justice, and healing; congregational vitality; collaboration and new communities; formation; and creation care. For information about all these priorities and ways that our whole diocese and member congregations are engaging with them, visit https://www.episdionc.org/mission-strategy/ Calling All Surveys! As we strive to re-engage all the programs and missions of St. Luke’s, please return your green survey (included in your newsletter and available in the narthex) by mail or in-person offering plate. The first 25 will receive a Mary Berry Shortbread cookie courtesy of the Stewardship Team. Food Pantry restock – We are restocking the Food Pantry for the families and folks who need a little help with groceries and other items. To contribute, please bring non-perishable food items (including canned meats), personal hygiene items (shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer – travel size are easier to carry), paper bags with handles for sturdy pack & carry and drop them in the Narthex (entry foyer) near the office (playground side). Thank you. Questions? email Jan Freeman. |
| Announcements |
| Rector Search Information: The Vestry will be meeting with Diocesan Canon for Transitions, Catherine Massey, in mid-March and at that time will have a more accurate timeline for the Search process. The vestry will be selecting a Chair or Co-Chairs for the Search Committee, likely in April, and then forming a full committee. The search process will take about 12-18 months and if you feel you would like to be considered for the Search Committee, please reach out to any vestry member. (Vestry members: Lisa D’Amico, Sr. Warden, June Santa, Jr. Warden, Julia Hoyle, Treasurer, Ted Triebel, Beth Bonner, Mike Henry, Alan Schueler, Lera Williams, Bob King, Jeff Dawson, Barbara Longmire.) Scammers at work – several members have reported receiving an email from Rhonda asking for money/gift cards. Please note Rhonda will never directly contact a parishioner asking for contributions or gift cards. If you do receive an email requesting this, please mark it as spam and delete it. Rector’s Discretionary Fund. This fund has traditionally used by St. Luke’s Rectors to help local folks who reach out to us with basic needs in every day life. This includes homeless individuals who come to the church, families we know needing food and other essentials, and various other needs of those in poverty in our community. Most recently we’ve made use of modest Visa gift cards, allowing recipients to apply funds where they’re most needed to remain capable of “normal” living. The RDF (and Interim Rector) has the advantage of not only being “discretionary,” but also able to be used quickly in emergency situations, something that has benefited many individuals. The Fund has been replenished by “loose change” in Plate offerings and by individuals donating directly to the Fund by check, ACS, or other means. At this time the “pot” is low and any help would be much appreciated. “In the in-between times” Parish Lenten Quiet Day Saturday April 2nd, 1-4 p.m. Interim rector Rhonda Lee will lead a time of prayer and reflection in the nave on Saturday April 2nd from 1 to 4 p.m. Together, we will read and reflect on brief Scriptures on the theme of “In the in-between times.” The afternoon will include some group conversation as well as time for individual or small group prayer and discussion. Please register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4daeaa28a4fcc52-inperson .And please tell a friend! St. Luke’s has a *new* Instagram account If you followed St. Luke’s on Instagram when an account was set up years ago, we’re no longer able to use that account and have set up a new one. Whether you’re a new or old follower, please search @saintlukesdurham on Instagram and follow us. NAME TAGS! NAME TAGS! NAME TAGS! Do you have your St. Luke’s name tag? Do you know where it is? Do you need a new one? Now that we are coming back together more often, it is time to start wearing your name tag to church again. We have been apart due to Covid closures and weather issues for quite some time.—almost TWO YEARS! And while we are wearing masks, it is a challenge to recognize each other in order to facilitate greetings and re-establishing our worship community. Please wear your name tag to all church functions and services. If you need a new one, the Parish Office will make it for you. Name tag order blanks will be available to you from the usher or the church office. Just fill one out and turn it in. A new name tag will be made for you. Carol Kokesh, Newcomer Committee There are many offerings around the Diocese. To keep up with the latest news about these and other events in our diocese, sign up for Please Note, the diocesan weekly e-newsletter. The link is here: https://www.episdionc.org/please-note/Here you will find information about the following and much more: Lenten Offerings beginning March 9. Register for the seriesThe Color of Compromise Book and Video Study. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p86jrmh The Diocese of North Carolina is offering diocesan-wide adult confirmation preparation in Lent and Easter this year. For more information and to register: https://bit.ly/DioNC-ConfirmationClass2022 Annual Meeting rescheduled. St. Luke’s Annual meeting will be held in person on March 20th, immediately following the service. CONTACT UPDATESUp-to date contact information can be found online at ACS, or the ChurchLife App for your phone or tablet. Contact Kathy if you have any problems logging onto ACS. You can also ask Kathy to send you a paper directory if needed. |
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