| This Week at St. Luke’s |
| Public Health Indicators: here Free COVID test from Durham County here. Click here and scroll down for Online Worship Bulletin. We ask that if someone attends a service and then tests positive for covid, that they please contact the Interim Rector or Sr. Warden for both pastoral care needs and also to inform others that may have come in close contact. Sunday, September 25 8 and 10:30am Holy Eucharist – masks strongly recommended, required while singing The Rev. James B. Craven, III, Preacher The Rev. Dr. Rhonda M. Lee, Presider 9:10 – 10 am Adult Learning – Kramer Room 11:30 am – Website Meeting – Johnson Hall Tuesday, September 27 11 am Holy Eucharist at Croasdaile Wednesday, September 28 8 am Morning Prayer on Zoom 8:45 am Staff Meeting on Zoom 11:30 am Prayer and Share on Zoom 7 pm Adult Choir Rehearsal – Nave Thursday, September 29 11 am Music Lessons – Nave Noon – LEAP Farewell to Leigh Bordley 7 pm Bible Study on Zoom Friday, September 30 1:00 pm Connections and Support Group by Zoom Saturday, October 1 7:30 am Food Distribution – El Buen Pastor 9 am Pumpkin unloading and set up 9 am Altar Guild – Nave |
| New This Week |
| Pledge letters and annual surveys have been mailed! Please prayerfully consider what gift of Time, Talent, and Treasure you will share with St. Luke’s. It’s Time to Order Belize Pecans St. Luke’s is once again selling delicious South Georgia pecans to raise money for Holy Cross Anglican School in Belize. We’re selling pecans in the same two varieties as in previous years: Plain and Dark Chocolate Covered, both for $11.50 for a one-pound bag. All pecans are fresh from this year’s crop. You may fill out an order form in the Sprague Room and leave it in the box, or order online at https://forms.gle/VTAZf9k4nrSZyAzDA . Instructions for paying for your pecans are included on the forms. The deadline for placing your order and making your payment to St. Luke’s is October 31. Pecans will arrive from Georgia in time for us to distribute them before Thanksgiving. Questions? Contact Bob Moore. Fall 2022 Adult Learning Offerings, Sunday mornings, 9:10-10:00, Kramer Room(opposite the narthex/vestibule as you enter the church from the north side visitor parking)Please note: on Sundays when no adult learning is offered, we will enjoy extended fellowship time. October: Diocesan Intern Kate Rademacher will lead a four-part series, “Finding Rest in a Weary World”· October 2: Addressing Burnout: A Growing Crisis· October 9: Seeking Sabbath in an Overscheduled World· October 23: What Does Mindfulness Mean to Christians?· October 30: Protecting the Right to Rest for All Thirty copies of Kate’s most recent book, Reclaiming Rest, are available free of charge in the Sprague Room (next to the Kramer Room), courtesy of the Adult Learning Budget. First come, first served. November: Rector Rhonda Lee will lead a discussion of the communion of saints.· November 6: What is the communion of saints?· November 13: How good does a saint have to be?· November 20: Making friends with the saints December: Diocesan Intern Kate Rademacher will lead a discussion of evangelism, adapted from the curriculum, Embracing Evangelism—The Episcopal Church.· December 4: Embracing Evangelism by Sharing Our Stories· December 11: Embracing Evangelism in the Age of Social Media Diocese of NC Video and Book Club The Diocese of North Carolina is offering a 10-part video and book study of Jemar Tisby’s second book How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey toward Racial Justice on Tuesdays 12:00 -1:00 PM on October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 15, 22, and January 17, 24, 31. During the weekly meeting via Zoom, participants will watch the video series together and engage in conversation. Through the ARC of Racial Justice model—Awareness, Relationships, and Commitment—Tisby provides a practical framework for pursuing racial justice with hands-on suggestions bolstered by real-world examples of change. This book study is for anyone who believes it is time to stop compromising with racism and courageously confront it! Register here: https://bit.ly/HowtoFight22 Confirmation/Reception/Reaffirmation/Inquirers’ Class Coming in October and November A Joint Venture Between St. Luke’s and St. Joseph’s If you’re new to St. Luke’s or the Episcopal Church and want to learn more; if it’s time for you to be confirmed, or to be received into the Episcopal Church if you’ve already been confirmed in another Christian tradition; if you’re feeling called to reaffirm your Christian faith: Please participate in an adult formation opportunity jointly offered by The Rev. Dr. Lauren F. Winner of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church and our own Rector Time Certain Rhonda M. Lee. We expect that the group will include members of both congregations. Dates: Tuesdays the 25th of October and the 8th, 15th, and 29th of November, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Location: St. Luke’s, Kramer Room (next to the narthex/vestibule as you enter from the north side visitor parking)The date of confirmation/reception/reaffirmation is still to be determined and will depend on the date of a bishop’s visit or a convocation-wide confirmation service. Need more information? Ask Rhonda. “Cast your vote, not on a partisan basis, not based on your biases, but vote your values. Vote the values of human dignity and equality. Vote the values of the rock on which this country was built. Vote.” -The Most Rev. Michael Curry Fall is voting season! Early voting begins October 20- Nonpartisan voter resources are available here. And here’s an appeal from The Rev. Sally Johnston and Ms. Aleta Payne of the Bishops’ Council of Advice on Public Policy: “We call on all churches to encourage members to get out to vote. This is not to say who to vote for, but to encourage informed, active, activated voters. You all are trusted narrators in time when there is such mistrust and doubt. The Episcopal Church does not take positions on any political candidates or parties, and clergy are not allowed to tell others how to vote.” Just vote! And encourage your friends and neighbors to vote, too. |
| Announcements |
| Rector to be in the office on Tuesdays. Starting the 13th of September, I will work in the church office on Tuesdays, approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feel free to stop by or make an appointment to see me. Before dropping by, you might want to call to make sure I haven’t stepped out for lunch, or stepped into another meeting. Exceptions to this “office day” will be announced ahead of time whenever possible. One exception is October 4th, when I’ll be out for continuing education. If Tuesdays don’t work for you, please call or email me to make an appointment for another day. I will look forward to seeing you! Rhonda Blessing of the Animals will be held on Saturday, October 8 from 3:30 – 5 pm on the lawn at St. Luke’s. All family pets are invited to receive a simple blessing. Water and treats will be available. Parking in the rear of the church. Please note for everyone’s safety, all pets must be restrained – on a leash or in an appropriate carrier. If this would be too stressful for you or your pet, you may bring a picture or a video instead. In case of rain, we will offer the blessings as a drive through. Vestry Nominations are coming up! The vestry at St. Luke’s has begun calling members asking them to consider putting their name in to run for vestry. The St. Luke’s parish members review bios (completed by nominees) which will help them decide how to vote. Our election will be November 13th after both services. Who vestry is and who is eligible: In the Episcopal Church the vestry is the legal representative of the parish regarding all matters pertaining to its corporate property. · According to St. Luke’s Bylaws all resident members of the parish who are: o sixteen years of age or older o enrolled as a member o confirmed communicants in good standing o former members of the Vestry who have been off vestry for at least 2 full years from their preceding term of service (full term of service is 3 years) shall be eligible for the vestry. Therefore, baptized and confirmed, received, or reaffirmed members who go to church fairly regularly (given Covid considerations) may be asked to serve on the vestry. Remember, all vestry meetings are open to anyone who would like to observe. What vestry is responsible for: · The fiduciary functions including annual budget, management of property and human resources · Stewardship and development of resources along with the rector · Reviewing the monthly reports from the rector, senior warden, junior warden, treasurer, and outstanding committees. Discusses as necessary · Addressing issues with the physical plant as necessary · Deciding Covid protocols as appropriate · Attending occasional retreats regarding our transition, mutual ministry, and budgeting Fun things about the vestry and why you would consider running: · Learn more about the business of the church · Get an understanding of the “behind the scenes” work required to open the doors on Sunday · Get to know other members of the church on a deeper level and make new friends · Discover how the rector time certain/future rector serves the congregation’s needs and represents the church outside of Sunday services · Understand how members of St. Luke’s serve the community and live the faith · Grow spiritually as a member of this team, entrusted to do the work of the church · Add your voice to the decision-making process · Know that you are in service to God and God’s people, sharing the blessed gifts God has given. Please let a vestry member know if you would be interested in running for vestry to do our very important work. Peace, Lisa D’Amico, Ted Triebel, Julia Hoyle; St. Luke’s 2022 Vestry Nomination Committee Celebrating Bishop Anne! A series of farewell celebrations have been planned in honor of Bishop Anne Hodges-Copple’s upcoming retirement. Hosted at four sites throughout the Diocese, each drop-in event will feature hors d’oeuvres, music and lots of local flavor. We hope you’ll join us to say goodbye to Bishop Anne and to thank her for all of her work on behalf of the Diocese! Dates and locations have been set, and registration links are becoming available. Please save the date and register! Sunday, Oct. 16, 2-4 p.m., at St. Michael’s, Raleigh Saturday, Oct. 29, 2-4 p.m., at Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount Sunday, Oct. 30, time TBD, at St. Andrew’s, Greensboro If you’d like to make a gift to Bishop Anne’s discretionary fund in honor of her retirement, you can do so here. St. Luke’s Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin sale October 1st-October 31st. Please consider helping with our Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin sale this year. We have many needs: Poles and lights set-up, pallet placement, wheelbarrows and wagons, many, many hands to unload the semi- truck, cashiers, sales and general “patch” help. Sign-up sheet available at St. Luke’s south door entry or here. Contact Beth Bonner for any questions. Preowned Christmas Decorations Sale, Saturday, November 5th, 8 am – 12 noon. Volunteers are needed to help set up Johnson Hall, help with pre-pricing items Wednesday through Friday, Nov 2-4. Cashiers and sales persons are needed for the sale Saturday, Nov 5. Check with Beth Bonner. After two years of waiting, the time is now to mark your calendars and clean out those closets for the Annual St. Luke’s Fall Fling! Returning this year will be biscuits and coffee all day, outside in the breezeway! Also, returning this year is the Friday Fling on Friday, October 14! New this year: gently used sportswear with your favorite (and least favorite) team names. Donations for the sale will be accepted beginning October 9 through October 14 before noon. Masks will be required inside Johnson Hall and food and beverages must be consumed outside. We hope to see you then! Any questions, contact Joan Hodges or Lisa D’Amico. Sports apparel for sale at the Fling (October 9-15)… Here’s a new addition to this year’s Fling. Do you have a well-loved UNC sweatshirt that you just don’t wear anymore, or maybe a Duke Blue Devils tee that doesn’t quite fit like it did a few pounds ago? Normally, clothing is not accepted for the sale. However, this time around we’re creating a special category for college and sports team logo clothing such as t-shirts, sweatshirts/ hoodies, caps, jackets, and related items. Good examples are items from area schools and teams such as Tarheels, Blue Devils, Eagles, Hurricanes, and of course the Durham Bulls(!), other professional teams such as the Carolina Panthers or Atlanta Braves, or even your far-off alma mater, no matter how big or small. We’d like to be able to offer really nice items for a good price, so please hold back anything that isn’t in great shape. Marlys Ray will be organizing these items, and would love to receive your donations in advance so they can be sorted and priced early. Join us online for Morning Prayer – Wednesdays at 8am – Join our diocesan intern, Kate Rademacher, for Morning Prayer on Zoom on Wednesday mornings at 8am. As part of her discernment to potential ordination, Kate is strongly encouraged to pray the Daily Office, and she is eager to do this in community with people at St. Luke’s who may want to participate. Whether you have a long-standing practice of praying the Daily Office or whether it’s brand new to you, everyone is welcome! Join us online using this Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3dsRusD . For questions, please contact Kate. |
| Full Article – August/September in Saint Phocas Garden at Saint Titus This month we harvested a fair number of peppers and tomatoes from the new bed. However productivity in the older beds has suffered. We believe there are a few different reasons for that. We had problems with our soaker hoses springing leaks. Tree roots have made their way into the beds and formed a thick mat underneath the whole surface of each bed. It was a long summer with more hot days than ever before. There is almost no evidence of birds or pollinators in Delaney Park. After pondering a bit, we’ve come up with the following ideas to help address our fertility issues. Install bird feeders and a bird bath to encourage more birds. Birds bring phosphorous, nitrogen and weed seeds that provide more green cover in the garden and more material for mulching. Install some pollinator plants to encourage more pollinators and other beneficial insects to find our garden. Continue improving our composting habits. Dig narrow trenches around all of the beds to help catch water run off and provide a little bit of a barrier against more tree roots. Break up the soil in the beds between plantings. Normally it is better to disturb soil as little as possible to encourage microbial life to flourish, but in our case we think it’s more important to discourage the tree roots from getting too comfortable. Continue planting cover crops. Improve our irrigation system so that there is better coverage over the entire bed. In addition to working on our plan to improve fertility in garden beds over the next few years, we also put together a budget proposal to present to Saint Luke’s as they continue to provide support. The Saint Phocas gardeners meet every Friday at 9 AM through 10/7. On 10/14 we will begin meeting at 4:00 PM again to take advantage of warmer afternoons. We welcome anyone who would like to participate. No prior experience or knowledge required. If you have any questions, or would like to be added to our email list for weekly updates, please email Mary Beth Berkley. Come and join us! |
| Please be advised that neither the clergy nor your vestry will ever ask for help, gift cards, etc. through emails or text messages. There have been more bogus texts being received. CONTACT UPDATES – Up-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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