THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. LUKE
Anglican Church of Canada
1382 Ontario Street
Burlington, ON
L7S 1G1
Burlington’s OldestChurch
Rector:Canon Stuart Pike
Parish Vicar: Canon Sharyn Hall
Phone: (905) 634-1826
Fax: (905) 634-6606
September, October
and November 2010
HARVEST SUNDAY
OCTOBER 3, 2010
NEEDED TO DECORATE THE CHURCH;
Donations of fruits (apples, pears), vegetables (squash, cabbage, pumpkins, etc.), corn stalks, Mountain Ash berries etc.
the Altar Guild decorate with
the donations received from parishioners
Please bring items to the church on
Saturday, October 2 starting at 8:30am
(NOTE: we are usually finished by 10:30am)
We cannot do it without your donations.
Perishable fruits & vegetables are taken to St. Matthew’s House
following the Harvest Sunday services. The remainder stays in the church for National Thanksgiving and then goes to the Partnership West Food Bank
Questions? – contact Chris Hughes (905-632-9535)
A Word from ourRector
Dear Parishioners and friends of St. Luke’s,
As I write this I am about to set off, with others of the congregation, on a tour to Europe including Budapest, Prague and Vienna and finishing with Oberammergau where we will see the Passion Play which happens only every 10th year. This is the year, and we are excited to make this pilgrimage. I hope that you will have had time for rest and refreshment during this summer season.
There is much going on at St. Luke’s this fall and I hope that you will take this opportunity to peruse these pages to learn about it. We have special traditional afternoon services which are happening each month, we have a book study starting in September and an Advent study starting in November.
The Youth and Family Ministry Committee is in the selection process for a Director of Youth and Family Ministry. This is an exciting new position which is designed to help us reach out better to young families, children and youth and to welcome them into our membership. We hope to have someone in this position in the fall.
As we are celebrating this new ministry we will also be celebrating Deacon Bill Gibb’s ministry which has spanned over two decades of ministry with the aged in nursing homes. Bill retired from this ministry in July and we will be celebrating his work after the 10 A.M. service on October 3rd. Please come out and show your appreciation for this faithful servant of St. Luke’s Church.
Please plan to come out to our welcome back service on September 12th. Also this year we are hosting a “Back to Church Sunday” on September 26th at 10 A.M. which will be your opportunity to personally invite someone to come back to Church who hasn’t been for a while. Please read more about this initiative in this issue.
I greatly look forward to seeing you again in September.
Your brother in Christ,
Rector
A NOTE FROM YOUR PARISH VICAR………..
In my first Thanksgiving sermon at St. Luke’s, I described my Grandmother Hamilton’s root cellar. My Grandmother lived in a house, which was built over a century ago, with a root cellar attached to the back of the house. The house was a two-storey frame structure, but the root cellar was made of thick stone blocks. It had a dirt floor and one small window for ventilation. A single light bulb hanging from the ceiling was the only light. As a child, I did not like to go into the root cellar because there were spiders and maybe snakes. It was always damp and dark and not inviting to me, but it was an ideal place to store all kinds of food from the harvest.
In the summer, the root cellar was always cool, and in the winter, the thick walls and dirt floor moderated the cold. Vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots and squash, could be kept all winter. Bushels of apples lasted well past the season. The walls were lined with wooden shelves and every year the stock was replenished with preserved peaches, chili sauce, strawberry jam and my favourite mincemeat.
As a child after WWII, I did not fully understand how blessed we were to have fresh food on hand, but I seemed to realize that the root cellar had more importance than its uninviting atmosphere suggested. Later I understood that for my Grandmother, who lived through both world wars and the Depression as a widow with five children, the root cellar was a place of thanks for God’s blessings and of hope for the future. If the root cellar were stocked well in the autumn, there would be food for the winter. If the root cellar housed meager supplies, there would be anxious days in the winter months.
The abundance of food available to us today would be unimaginable in my Grandmother’s day. Can we imagine the despair of some people in our communities today, who stare at grocery shelves full of food products and only have enough money to choose six or seven items? How would you choose? Can we imagine the anxiety and anger of people if the grocery shelves were empty? This is the reality for people in countries where the economy is shattered by natural disasters or financial ruin or political unrest. There are places in the world where people die of starvation every day. The threat of starvation breeds despair and can fester violence. Some people believe that the cause of the next international war will be the desperation for food.
The autumn is a beautiful season in Canada and it is the season of the harvest. Regardless of our urban expansion and our technological infrastructure, we are still connected to the land. Sometimes I think it would be good to have a root cellar like my Grandmother’s, or even a small pantry for home-made pickles and preserves. As we stored our food for the winter, we would be reminded of God’s many blessings and take care for the well-being of those who live with the anxiety of no food for to-morrow. We might remember that sharing God’s love for all creation is our greatest hope for the future.
THE DEACON'S DIARY
I was in the garden the other day and as I looked around I saw a variety of colours, sizes, and shapes of plants that all seemed to blend together. The different shades of green, all the different textures, and the shadows from the dappled sun created a unique and wonderful picture where each element became part of the whole.
It made me think of St. Luke’s. Every individual who makes up our parish come in different shapes, sizes, colours and textures, but, just like in the garden, when we put them all together, we get a unique, vibrant and cohesive community: one parish and one community. Every one of us brings something to add to the wonderful picture that we call St. Luke’s. It is a tapestry woven with talent, gifts, initiatives and commitment that makes us stand out in our community. One only has to read the bulletin on any given Sunday to see how many activities, special events, speakers, study groups and meetings there are: a true testament to the level of involvement by our parishioners.
There are two Bible Study groups this year and each one has a different focus. On Monday evenings we meet off site, to read and discuss the Bible. We started reading Genesis last September and at the time of this writing we are into Numbers. It has been an insightful and interesting learning experience for all of us. We get a very clear picture of how events are related and the chronology of those events can be visualized. On Friday mornings we meet to discuss the lectionary lessons for the upcoming Sunday. A new component has recently been added and that is the connection between the readings and music. Sacred hymns are a source of prayer and the history behind these hymns is fascinating. If you would like further information or would like to join our study groups, please contact me.
Another new initiative is our involvement with the “Food for Life” program. More information appears elsewhere in this newsletter. A very special thank you to those who have committed their time on Tuesdays to be a part of this wonderful outreach ministry.
Our prayer shawl ministry is alive and well. We continue to receive requests for shawls and also referrals from parishioners. To date we have given out about 200 shawls. Each shawl is different in colour, texture or pattern but the common thread is that each one is made with love.
We continue to thank God for all the blessings that he has bestowed on St. Luke’s.
Rev. Deacon Sheila Plant
Parish Deacon
MUSIC DIRECTOR’S CORNER:
A JOURNEY OF FAITH IN MUSIC
In Sunday worship, we come together as a community to sit in God’s presence and express our prayer and praise in silence, in word, and in music.
As Music Director, I consider it a pleasure and a privilege to be able to contribute to our worship, both through planning and performance. I am sure that the members of our choir feel the same way.
The Senior Choir is an opportunity not only for bringing your voice in a new way to worship, but also is a wonderful time for making new friends, getting to know acquaintances just a little better, and to help add your thoughts on the myriad of musical selections that I offer to the choir for perusal, especially new pieces that we wish to buy to enrich our already diverse collection.
Join us and become an active member of St. Luke’s by contributing directly to enrich our worship and be a part of St. Luke’s respected and ever-broadening tradition of music.
Not to mention our fabulous parties.
Blessings,
Jennifer Goodine,
Music Director.
The Senior Choir rehearses in the church
on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to9.00 pm.
MOTHERS UNION INFORMATION EVENING
Wednesday September 22, 7.30 pm
In The Parlour
You are invited to an evening with the Chair of the Niagara Mother’s Union.
Come and enjoy desserts while you learn about the Mother’s Union and consider forming a branch at St. Luke’s again.
WARDENS’ REPORT Fall 2010
Even during the summer St Luke’s tends to be a busy place and your Executive has been meeting throughout the spring and summer to deal with the ongoing business in the life of St Luke’s. As usual, there are many who do many tasks to keep events, ministries and property ongoing and safe. We always appreciate all those who make the life of the executive that much easier.
The property looked lovely all summer with the gardens kept so beautifully. New protective windows were added to three of the stained glass windows in the church. Several trees have had to be removed. The windows of the hall have been washed. We had two successful weekends where we opened the doors to the public and we thank those who volunteered to church-mind and those who helped out with the parking that raised funds during the Sound of Music Festival and the Rib Fest. Sunday School continues during the summer months as does Lemonade on the lawn after each service. There is a new Communications committee that has formed to look at making sure that we are optimizing all our communications within the church and the community.
We have added detail in this report to a few of the items that Executive has looked after in the spring and summer.
SECURITY
After the office windows were vandalized in May, we realized we must come to terms with security issues (in the areas of both property and personal safety) as soon as possible. As we looked at this and prioritized what we should be doing, we had Rick Reycraft guide us through the options and we thank him for directing us to solutions.
The executive agreed that these items are top priority to meet insurance standards for our property and to adequately provide safety for our parishioners and the general public especially after dark. The following decisions were made:
1) The offices within the Parish Hall are now alarmed. A code is needed to enter the offices (not the building) and an alarm will sound if the offices are entered when the rooms are armed.
2) A new door chime has been installed at the entrance door so office staff will be aware whenever anyone enters or leaves the building.
3) The alarm system in the church has been fixed so that it can also be monitored correctly.
4) Window security grates have been installed on the Church basement windows.
5) Lighting is to be improved on the grounds of both the Church and Parish Hall.
6) A closed circuit TV system with five analog cameras and a digital recorder has been installed to monitor the property and signs will be added to “maximize the deterrent potential”.
.. Wardens – continued …
YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY
The parish has supported this important idea that a person dedicated to youth and family ministry is needed in our church. We have raised the amount we need to hire the right person and we will continue to raise the amount needed for the first full year of salary. Several applications have been received and reviewed by the Committee and a short list of candidateswill be interviewed in August.
DOORS OPEN 2010 in June
This turned out to be a wonderful event that saw 540 people coming through our doors over two days. Our visitors got a tour of the church and of the graveyard, an opportunity to visit the archives and library, have tea and goodies and take away information about service times, programs, music concerts and hall rental. There were some who were at Sunday services as a result of the Doors Open event.
There were about 45 volunteers in totalwho were church tour guides, graveyard tour guides, archives/library minders, and provided baking. Also participating were members of Group A, who served tea and goodies in the hall. All parishioners involved were perfect ambassadors who were keen to share their historical knowledge and their caring friendship to all who entered our doors.
NEW PIANO
You will notice the new baby grand piano in the church! It was a gift donated to the church and we are delighted to have it as part of our sanctuary. There was some restoration that had to take place and we had to remove some pews in order for it to fit, but it is a wonderful addition to the music and worship of St Luke’s. It has a temporary cover on it until we are able to purchase a proper piano cover that protects it from dust and moisture, etc.
We hope you have all had a great summer and that you are coming into September refreshed and renewed. Looking forward to seeing you all again.
The Wardens,
Terry Raybould, Janice Skafel, Al Race, Louise Neville
BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY
September 26, 2010
“BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY” is a church-wide initiative aimed at encouraging people to return to church or “give us a try”. The initiative is being strongly promoted within our diocese and each church has been asked to participate. Here at St. Luke’s we are developing a list of parishioners that we have not seen in a while and plan on extending a personal invitation to each of them to join us that Sunday (and hopefully many Sundays after that!). We hope that we can count on each of you to help us to make this a very successful Sunday.
We will be sharing more details during a service in late August/early September
“The Speakers Lunch”
The aim of the Speakers Lunch group (formerly the Men’s Group) is to foster awareness among parishioners of happenings & endeavours in the wider community that maybeworthy of interest & support.
The group meets at 11:30 am on the second Thursday of each month for social time, followed by a “Bring Your Own Lunch” & a talk by the speaker of the month.
All are welcome: please call Bill Milne at 905-632-0930 for more information about the group.
Here is the line up for the fall programme
Thursday September 9th “The Heiliger Haulers” will share their thoughts & experiences about the visit to Oberammergau.
Thursday October 14th Roger Hill president of the Hamilton Centre of the Royal AstronomicalSociety of Canada will talk about “The Heavens Above”
Thursday November 11th “Lest we Forget” a visit to the Remembrance Day Service at the cenotaph, followed by a hot lunch in the hall & a sharing of wartime memories
ADVENT STUDY PROGRAM
“I SHALL NOT HATE”
This year our Advent Study Program will focus on the area of the Middle East called the land of the Holy One.
We will begin with information about the geography of the land as it was in the ancient world and as it is today.
Then we will discuss the book, “I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey”
by Dr. Izzeldin Abulaish.
You may have seen Dr. Abulaish on television shortly after three of his daughters were killed in his home by an Israeli bombshell. He is determined to seek peace despite the hardship and sorrows of his life.
Join us for soup lunch after services on Sundays beginning November 14th, for an inspirational study of hope.
Watch for more information in the Sunday bulletin.
.
BOOK STUDY
CHRISTIANITY FOR THE REST OF US
By Diana Butler Bas.
. This study will be facilitated by Stuart Pike. The study will be six Thursday mornings from 9.30 am to 11 am, September 23rd to October 28th. Check it out at amazon.caThis is a good book which looks at how the neighbourhood church can make a difference today. Please let the office know by the end of August that you’re coming and if you would like us to order a book for you.