St. Lukes Newsletter. To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known. Rector s page Parish Theme:

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1 St. Luke's Episcopal Church 700 Lincoln Ave (corner of 7th and Lincoln, Wamego s main street) stlwam@wamego.net P.O. Box 109 Wamego, KS To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known 2014 Parish Theme: Our Village within Vital practice merits a View for Vibrancy Our Vestry members are Malcolm Smith (Senior Warden), Crissie Bashom (Junior Warden), Susan Burgess(Treasurer), Cinnie Hill(Clerk), Susan Dillinger, Jay Hildreth, Doug Elcock St. Lukes Newsletter Rector s page August 2014 Bienvenido is Spanish for Welcome Our Savior: Jesus of Nazareth, was a male child born in a barn near Bethlehem in Judea, was an itinerant Galilean Jewish master craftsman, who welcomed the stranger, the poor, the lame, the sick and friendless to accompany him as he walked for days from village to village through the countryside. As the Christ, Messiah, One who is coming, Son of God, and Son of Man he is still incarnate in the spirit of liberation and peace. Jesus Christ is the living presence of spiritual freedom and peace. How do I know this to be an historical case? Why is it important to acknowledge his heavenly presence? Because, venido del cielo. Language games: The Spanish verb venir is conjugated into its past participle venido to mean come, arrived. So, come from is venido del. Now, the interesting or at least entertaining aspect of my answer to the above question is my answer to the follow up question, which is Donde esta? Where are you from? From where have you come? My answer to that question is cielo/heaven. How do I know JC is the living presence of spiritual freedom and peace, because he is the one come from heaven. After answering how, now comes the why question. For me, without unequivocally acknowledging that someone has come from heaven leaves all of us guessing as to what and who we are as human beings and persons, names and faces. Heaven become tangible to the point of matter, word made flesh, is crucial to any wisdom and prophetic tradition. There is no point, purpose, meaning to this life on this planet without heaven come. Without heaven, an eternal existential abyss of

2 Page 2 nothingness encroaches or prowls around my little finite and alienated separate-self sense. No heaven come, no freedom and no peace. Jesu Christo, venido del cielo. Jesus Christ, come from heaven. Action Item: First by memorial acclamation, then by spiritual proclamation, we as la ecclesia/the church are to be re-membering Christ s humanity come divinity by welcoming. Welcoming without anxiety and judgment, in other words unconditional acceptance with no strings attached. Consider taking up a contemplative prayer practice that will leave you free and content without want of any security, certainty, approval, control or even conversion/change, most especially a come to Jesus talk or moment. What if Jesus is always come from heaven for us, then we would never have to have a come to Jesus talk. Let go of coming to Jesus for solace only and not for renewal. Let go and let come, Jesu Christo, venido del cielo. Welcoming Prayer Practice: Alert and Relaxed/Focus and Sink Into the body sensation; do not resist or react, simply experience the sensation. In every experience, re-membering by remaining within the framework of the body sensation, gently say the word Welcome/Bienvenido interiorly, all the while embracing the Holy Spirit in and through the body sensation. Let go-let come, by continuing to rest in the body sensation, re-membering and repeating the letting go sentences to open to the healing action of the Holy Spirit within. I let go of my desire for security/survival Welcome/Bienvenido I let go of my desire for approval/affection Welcome/Bienvenido I let go of my desire for power/control Welcome/Bienvenido I let go of my desire to change (any situation, person, event, feeling, emotion) Welcome/ Bienvenido Fr. Matt Welcoming Sunday August 17th during the 9:30 am Worship, welcoming of new members to our parish family. Several new folks have transferred to us in the past few months and since we are not formally obligated to confirm or receive them into The Episcopal Church, I thought it would be good to at least acknowledge their presence, coming or arrival by having an occasion for them to be welcomed by the parish family after announcements and then invited to come to stand around Christ's altertable during the Eucharistic Prayer. Stay tuned, more to come as we plan for August 17th WELCOMING SUNDAY. Website: has been updated recently please go and visit the website. Like St. Luke's on Facebook Follow Fr. Matt on (It is also on the upper right corner of our Home page.)

3 Page 3 Jens Alexander Balderson born to Jamie and Scott Balderson on June 4, 2014 had their son baptized at St. Luke's during a Wednesday evening fellowship gathering they have been attending for 3 years. The couple helped co-lead the formation of the children's garden ministry 3 years ago and have found Wednesday to be their families best night for church. Sebastian (10), Owen (7), and Prescott (6) were excellent young acolyte servers during the Holy Baptism and Eucharist in the children's garden on July 16. Fr. Matt Cobb 785/ Our thought cannot grasp the One as long as any other image remains active in the soul To this end, you must set free your soul from all outward things and turn wholly within yourself, with no more leaning to what lies outside, and lay your mind bare of ideal forms, as before of the objects of sense, and forget even yourself, and so come within sight of that One. ~ Plotinus, Enneads (250 A.C.E.) Garden Ministry Notes: Potlucks continue, serving an average of 20 weekly. All are welcome! Last Wednesday, on a beautiful cool evening, we had a garden baptism of Jens Alexander Balderson with a wonderful reception following. As the weather warms and the rain is becoming less frequent, Wednesday night group welcomes any watering and weeding! No need to ask permission - if you see a need, jump right in and THANK YOU!! The beautiful garden is everyone's to share! Community Health Ministry: Annual dinner theatre on August 15- Its Hoo Haw again. and supports Community Health Ministry s many programs to help our clients. Dinner tickets are $ and theatre are $ Bible Study: All are welcome to join to our bible study as we begin with Genesis on Tuesdays from 10 to 11. Our group is varied with members from other churches joining in. All are welcome and bring a friend. We finished reading the entire bible this month. This group began in 2000 and five members of the original are group still involved.

4 Page 4 Prayers: We pray for those who are ill or are caregivers: David, Doreen, Cinnie, Kathryn, Kim Young, Susan; Angie, Barb, Belinda, Bob, Charlotte, Donita, Jeff, Karen, Kerry, Kristin, Maggie and parents, Mary Anna and family, Mickey, Mickey and Lisa, Roger, Steve, Will. We pray for those who are in bereavement: the family of John B and Gloria, Jeremy, & Erin plus their families in the deaths of a son and a granddaughter. We pray for those who are in the military: Ben, Ian, Mike, and Scott Prayer List: Beginning in September we will refresh the prayer list. Be sure to alert Cinnie of any prayer concerns. Vestry At the June meeting, Larry Hannan presented an online stewardship program that is free for a year to the Diocese. The Vestry requested more information in relation to small church participation as it appears the program was developed for large congregations. The financial report is showing the typical summer with less income. The utilities were higher than normal during the winter months and have returned to their normal pattern. The basement bathroom is to be completed by August for The Outlet afterschool group. The furnaces/air conditioners have aged to the point of needing to be replaced. Bids are being secured. In the near future the Vestry will be developing a capital improvement campaign as there are several other issues. It was recommended that we obtain a garbage disposal for the kitchen. No action taken. The vestry voted to purchase two sidewalk signs that do not need to be stuck into the ground. Council of Churches: St Luke s is in charge of the annual Walk for Warmth that is scheduled for September 28. A Committee is forming. If this speaks to your heart, please volunteer to help. Talk to Ed or Joyce. There will be things to do for all who are willing. Outreach: Our next TTEM Breakfast will be on Thursday, August 21st. Please join in the fellowship for breakfast. If you are able, help cook, serve, and/or clean-up at the breakfast. The free will donations help purchase the food. September is Meals on Wheels month. There are three routes each week day except Labor Day. Watch for the calendar and sign up to help with this service. Meals are delivered at 11 so be at the Senior Center by 10:55 to pick up the meals. It usually only takes ½ hour. Our parish has entered into a collaborative ministry with a new youth program in Wamego called the OUTLET (Opportunity Uniting Teen Leaders to Effect Tomorrow). It is an after school program for year olds that have minimal social interactions. The program will be in the basement of Guild Hall from August 2014 to July For more information, see the website: The Wamego community is building a Habitat House at 708 Pine Street. Each Church is asked to be involved through donation and or work hours. Much of the construction will be done by a high school class. Community members are asked to help on Saturdays. The building is to begin in September. More information will follow.

5 Page 5 Treasurer s Report: The following summary reflects the results of the operating fund, income and expense for the month of June 2014, with a budget comparison. (The Year-to-date includes the beginning balance on January 1st) Current month Year-to-date Budget Income $ 4, $ 45, $ 62, Expense $ 4, $ 33, $ 61, Difference $ $ 11, $ Discretionary Fund Sundays in July: Rector s is the first Sunday, August 3. Any loose money in the offertory goes to support this fund on that Sunday, please help with the funds. Thank you. AUGUST SCHEDULE: August 4-8 th : 9:00 11:30 am Vacation Bible School with Wild Animals being the theme. Sunday, August 3: - 5 pm Ultreya at St. John s in Abilene Sunday, August 10: 8:15 am Vestry meeting Sunday, August 17 th : 9:30 am Welcoming Sunday Thursday, August 21: 7:30-9 am: TTEM Community Breakfast Come and help and/or eat. Sunday, August 24 th : Last day to volunteer for Meals on Wheels in September Upcoming Events: September is Meals on Wheels. Walk for Warmth Council of Churches lunch. St. Luke s Weekly Schedule: Father Matt Office Hours are by appointment. He is usually at church on Wednesday afternoons & at noon on Monday and Fridays Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Rite II Holy Eucharist Mondays: 6:30 a.m. Friendly Cooker Back Room - Spiritual Development Book Group Noon: Centering Prayer Tuesdays: 9 am 10am; 1st & 3rd Sign Language; 2nd and 4th Quilting 10 a.m a.m. Bible Study 8 p.m. 9:30 p.m. AA Wednesdays: 6-7:30 p.m. Potluck Supper and Ministry Thursdays: 7:30 p.m. Cursillo Reunion Group Fridays: Noon: Centering Prayer Episcopats Shorthand: The Church Colors Our church delights in beauty. God is a God of beauty; consequently we feel that the most beautiful things should be given to Him. This is one reason why we have altar ornaments, beautiful furniture, and liturgical colors. The significance of each color has determined the season and the special days for which it is used. White signifies joy; consequently it is used for festival seasons and days, such as Christmas, Easter, and Trinity Sunday. It is also just for joyful occasions such as confirmation, ordinations, and marriages. Another meaning of white is purity, and it is used on days which commemorate sainted ones in whose lives purity was outstanding Blessed Virgin Mary, All Saints, etc. Red signifies fire and blood. It is used in Whitsuntide to remind us of the fire of the Holy Spirit, and is also used for martyrs days to remind us of their blood shed in defense of the Christian faith. Violet is the color of penitence and sorrow. It is used during Advent, Pre-Lent, and for times of special prayer and fasting such as Rogation and Ember days. Green, the color of springtime, signifies hope and immortality. It is used for all of Trinity except Trinity Sunday and for all of Epiphany except the first Sunday after Epiphany. Black is the color of mourning and is used for Good Friday. It is also used for funerals. Guild: Thank you to everyone who helped with the Council of Churches salad luncheon on the 16 th. Sunday School: In August, our Sunday School teachers will be Joyce and Jenny.

6 To Know Christ and Make Christ Known St. Luke's Episcopal Church 700 Lincoln Ave (corner of 7th and Lincoln, Wamego s main street) stlwam@wamego.net org The goals are MDG s at www. e4gr.org 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. 2. Achieve universal primary education. 3. Promote gender equality and empower women. 4. Reduce child mortality. 5. Improve maternal health Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. 7. Ensure environmental stability. 8. Develop a global partnership for development. August Duties August 3 August 10 August 17 August 24 August 31 Altar Guild Ellie Baker, Martha Miller Laura Hannan, Myrline Winkler Susan Burgess, Pat Frey Cinnie Hill, Joyce Elcock Ellie Baker, Martha Miller Lay Reader Judy Hildreth Ebba Robb Malcolm Smith Cliff Robb Doug Elcock Chalice Bearer Greeter/ Usher Myrline Winkler Larry Hannan Malcolm Smith Ebba Robb John Desper Martha Miller Doug Elcock Larry Hannan Erica Cobb Judy Hildreth Coffee Host Elcocks Pat Frey Hannans Winklers Martha Miller