St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Conversations about Marriage and Marriage Equality

rectordoug — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:56:55 +0000

Over 20 years ago, I was visiting a young family with two children, a daughter and a son. They had visited our Faith Community and expressed interest in finding out about the Episcopal Church. The parents had been formed in the Christian Faith in the Methodist and Roman Catholic denominations and were looking for a Christian Community to call their own! As I was leaving, Kerry said she had to confess to make. Ever since they had been coming to St. Gregory’s, their daughter Emily would come home on Sunday afternoon and go upstairs to her bedroom and Play Church…giving communion to her stuffed animals and pets and her parents as well. Then she said something that has had a profound influence on my life ever since. “We’ve decided to become part of the Episcopal Church because it is a Faith Community that would welcome our daughter in ordained ministry if she felt so called!” WOW…that was a life changer for me!

As you can appreciate, becoming a denomination that welcomes women in ordained ministry took a long time and was not without controversy. Important decisions require respectful conversation and listening.

In May of 2011, the Minnesota House decided to place before the voters of our state a proposed Constitutional Amendment regarding marriage as the union between one man and one woman. This amendment will be included on each voter’s ballot this November.

At our Diocesan Convention in October of 2011, a resolution opposing the proposed Constitutional Amendment banning same sex marriage was adopted by the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. The text of the resolution reads,

“Resolved, the Episcopal Church in Minnesota opposes the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Minnesota banning same-sex marriage. Furthermore the Church will join other denominations and non-profit organizations in signing the “Resolution against the Constitutional Amendment to Ban Marriage for Same-Sex Couples” as prepared and presented by Minnesotans United for All Families:

We oppose the amendment to the Minnesota Constitution banning same-sex marriage. Minnesotans United for All Families may use my organization’s name in opposition to the constitutional amendment banning the legal recognition of same-sex couples.’

I believe it is important to provide an opportunity…a safe and respectful space… for people to engage in civil discourse about this issue. To this end, I am inviting you to consider participating in this four part discourse during Lent. Two opportunities each week will be made available, one on Sunday morning during our regular Sunday Forum time from 9 to 9:50 a.m. and another on Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. Over the four Sundays (4,11,18,25 March) or four Tuesdays (6,13,20,27 March) you will be invited to a process of active and respectful listening. It is my hope and expectation that you participate in the entire process if at all possible. The session topics and brief outline will be made available on the website by 2 March 2012. The Wardens and Vestry are supportive of this initiative which we discussed on Monday, 20 February 2012 at our monthly meeting.

In the bleak Midwinter…what can I give him…give my heart!

rectordoug — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:22:55 +0000

It’s is Wednesday, 18 January, the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter which begins the Annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity! In encourage you to give thanks for our sisters and brothers who are part of the Christian Faith and pray in thanksgiving for the relationship of Full Communion we share with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church.

For those of us in Minnesota, the days are getting less dark but tonight into tomorrow morning, we expect to have temperatures below zero…the first since the beginning of the year. In the bleakness of the winter, there are many reasons to hope. We have just concluded our celebration of the Christmas Season…the mysteries of Jesus’ birth…the visitation by the wise sages from afar who followed the star…to Jesus’ Baptism in the Jordan River by John…and the Spirit descending upon him and a voice from the heaven’s proclaiming him God’s Beloved…with whom God is well pleased! On the First Sunday after the Epiphany, we were given the gift of Liturgical Dance to the hymn “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day.” It enhanced our common worship and I hope we will have other opportunities for Liturgical Dance. You can click the button to view it.

We are called to manifest God’s Light…God’s Hope…God’s Love in the world. The people of St. Luke’s continue to be a light to the world. Each year, we are given the opportunity to reflect on our participation in God’s Mission and Ministry during the year just ended and to consider and identify the invitations for mission and ministry ahead of us in 2012. We have made adaptations to the way we meet so that everyone can participate in our Annual Meeting. Part 1 – Annual Report and Elections will take place on Sunday, 29 January beginning at 9 a.m. Part 2 will continue on Sunday, 5 February beginning at 9 a.m.

Please visit the website address pasted below for further information and material needed to be prepared for our Annual Meeting.

http://stlukesepiscopal.org/about/clergy-staff-and-vestry/

May you be blessed!

Douglas

Serving as Rector / Pastor

Advent Gathering…to remember and give thanks…

rectordoug — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:44:37 +0000

On Wednesday evening, 14 December, about 20 people gathered in the Chapel for a Memorial Service…an opportunity to remember several people who had been part of our Lay Eucharistic Visitation Ministry at St. Luke’s and had died recently. George Seeley and Jeanne Bean had been part of the visitation ministry of St. Luke’s for several years. The death of a parish member is a deep loss and this is especially true for those who visited George and Jeanne over the years. We remembered others in our Faith Community who had died during the past year…especially Douglas Pritchard and Delores Cockroft…and we remembered other persons as well…whom we brought with us in our hearts!

There is no order of service for these kinds of gatherings…so we gathered…and as we gathered I invited each person to take a blue taper for each person they would like to remember. After a Centering Prayer and a Scripture Reading from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, people were invited to name the person they would like to remember, light the taper from the Easter Candle…and if they wished…to offer some words of reflections. One by one…names were spoken…blue tapers were lighted and then we prayed and listened and laughed and cried…as we remembered…mothers…fathers…sisters…brothers…sons…daughters…all…friends in Christ!

The tapers were bright and warm…as were those whom we remembered. A pastoral need was met last evening…and I am so grateful for the privilege to remember the gifts of those persons who have gone before us in faith!

We’ll gather like this again!

Advent blessings,

Douglas

Serving as Rector / Pastor

Christmas Letter 2011

rectordoug — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:22:11 +0000

Advent / Christmas, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May the grace and peace of God’s Word, made flesh in Jesus of Nazareth, be with you!

I am always amazed at how the season of Christmas, more than any other liturgical season in the Church year, has produced such memorable hymnody and carols, from the ancient and medieval texts to modern and contemporary texts. Each carol speaks of the mystery we celebrate. God loves the world so much and desires to redeem us that he sent his own Son, Jesus, born of our sister, Mary and parented as well by our brother, Joseph.

Each year, at this time, I try to focus my prayer and reflection on one carol or hymn. I’d like to share these words of the carol I’m centering on this Advent and Christmas. The words and melody were written by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne, in October of 1962, in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. I was amazed to discover this…and while it is not a TRADITIONAL carol or hymn, it holds our attention by its words and melody.

Said the night wind to the little lamb, do you see what I see?
Way up in the sky little lamb, do you see what I see?
A star, a star, dancing in the night
With a tail as big as a kite, with a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear?
Ringing thru the sky shepherd boy, do you hear what I hear?
A song, a song, high above the tree

With a voice as big as the sea, with a voice as big as the sea

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, do you know what I know?
In your palace warm mighty king, do you know what I know?
A child, a child, shivers in the cold
Let us bring him silver and gold, let us bring him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere, listen to what I say!
Pray for peace people everywhere, listen to what I say!
The child, the child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light,

He will bring us goodness and light

The text of this carol focuses our attention on the Christ Child and the desire and need we have for peace throughout the world! The words are also an affirmation of our ability to participate in peace making! The grace, wonder and humility of the Christmas Story are experienced most profoundly through the eyes of children. In the vulnerability and tenderness of a child, God came to dwell with us! I encourage you to choose a hymn to focus on during the Advent and Christmas season. Begin and end your day by praying it. I have found that it helps me to center in on some key images and ideas in preparing for Christmas.

Our Christmas Service schedule is:

Christmas Eve

4:30 p.m. Children’s Service Prelude Music

5 p.m. Children’s Service with Holy Eucharist

10 p.m. Service of Carols

10:30 p.m. Christmas Choral Eucharist

Christmas Day

9 a.m. Christmas Eucharist

If you would like to give a Christmas Flower offering in memory or thanksgiving, please place an envelope in the Offering Basin or mail it back to the Parish Office no later than 22 December.

Be assured of my continuing prayer and gratitude for the privilege of ministering among you. May Christ, our Christmas Rose, whose coming we await, find a place of welcome in you this Christmas!

Faithfully,

Doug

Waiting in Joyful Hope…

rectordoug — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:12:48 +0000

Waiting…90 % of life is about waiting it seems…

We wait for all kinds of things…test results, a phone call or text from a spouse or partner or child…acceptance letters…vacation…the return of a loved one deployed in service to our country…the death of a loved one in hospice care…the birth of a child.

You can add to the list can’t you? What are you most waiting for? Advent is a season that reminds us of our waiting and asks us to consider HOW we wait…anxiously…in fear or worry…or patiently…in hope and trust!

As people of Faith, we are encouraged to hold on to hope…even in the midst of things that challenge us…upset us…discourage us…confuse us…worry us. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God made known to us in Jesus…nothing…

Advent begins a NEW YEAR…a time to give thanks for what has been, amend what needs to be changed within us…so that we can spend this season renewing once again our hope and faith in God’s abiding presence.

So, this Advent…bring whatever burdens or worries you to worship…and offer it in prayer…and leave it here so that you may leave worship encouraged…renewed…and watchful for the signs of hope around you!

I’ve written an overview about our Worship during Advent at St. Luke’s which can be found by clicking on Concerning the Service Advent.

Advent blessings,

Douglas

Serving as Rector / Pastor

“On behalf of a grateful nation”…he said…Veteran’s Day 11 November 2011

rectordoug — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:02:09 +0000

As we neared the gravesite, I was amazed to see four uniformed personnel representing various branches of the military standing at attention. In addition to these individuals, there was a detail of veterans…all men…standing near a distant tree, three had rifles and one had a bugle and the other seemed to be in charge. I was asked by my family to officiate at the graveside service for my mom. Her coffin had been draped with an American Flag once we left the church and began our drive to the cemetery.

Her grandchildren were the Pall Bearers. We processed to the gravesite and the Uniformed Personnel saluted as we made our way. They stood at attention throughout the burial service. Once it concluded, the Officer in charge stepped forward and began the Military Service afforded every veteran. My mom was in the Navy during World War II and served as a Bookkeeper at a Military Facility in Cleveland, Ohio. Her first husband, Edmund Coto, was in the Army and was killed in December, 1944 in the Battle of the Bulge. She lived with this loss the rest of her life. Every Memorial Day, every Veterans Day, my mom would remind us of the gallant sacrifice made by those who served. My mom was proud to have served in the Navy especially at a time of great peril in our nation’s history.

During the Military Service, I watched and listened. Of the four personnel, two were women. They folded the flag and handed it to the Officer who presented it to our family. “On behalf of a grateful nation”…he said.

Tomorrow, 11 November 2011, is Veterans Day. In truth, as Christians, we must continue to work for a world where there is no longer violence and aggression but peace…made possible in working for justice WHILE we live in the face of continuing aggression and violence. This is a tension we must embrace and acknowledge. But, we are also called as citizens to honor and be grateful for the sacrifice of those who offered themselves in Military Service. I am going to remember my mom and her first husband Ed…and all veterans who have died with this prayer at 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Have mercy, Lord, have mercy, on our honored dead whom we remember this day. We praise you for their lives, for the gift of their courage and service, for their companionship in the company of other Military Personnel, and for their unique presence in the world. We mourn their passing. We salute their sacrifice. We pray for those who grieve for them. Strong Savior, raise them up in strength, in wholeness and beauty, to share with you the eternal life that you have promised to all who put their trust in you. In your holy Name we pray. Amen.

From Enriching Our Worship 3, page 75 amended.

Will you join me in this prayer at 11 a.m. CST on Friday?

Every blessing,

Douglas

Serving as Rector / Pastor

50 years as Faithful Stewards Engaging God’s Mission

rectordoug — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:56:30 +0000

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

50 years as Faithful Stewards Engaging God’s Mission…that is what we celebrated on Sunday, 6 November 2011! Our bishop, Brian Prior, presided and preached at both Worship Services…encouraged us to continue to engage God’s Mission outside our doors and thanked our founders, 19 of whom were present, for their courage and imagination and generosity!

We had the privilege of baptizing Keegan Schutz at the 2^nd Service and the first person baptized in 1961, Scott Heins, presented Keegan’s parents with a Baptismal Candle! For those interested in numbers, since 1961, we have baptized 548 persons, confirmed 656 persons, and buried 181 persons. During that same period, 200 couples have been married at St. Luke’s!

Our community continues to grow and change and adapt to the invitations to engage God’s Mission…in service, in proclamation, in witnessing, in our intentional relationships with others.

I want to thank all those involved in our worship last Sunday, the members of the Altar Guild under the direction of Laurie Bale, the members of the Chancel Choir and Han Bell Choir under the direction of Rosalie Alcoser, our liturgical ministers under the direction of Charlotte Clugston and Trish Braga, our Trumpet Players, Ellis Workman and Graham Sparks.

I also want to thank all those involved in preparing for, serving and cleaning up the wonderful and delicious Brunch after both services. Judy So and Julie Phyliky planned the event and they were supported by so many others. The decorations and table settings were beautiful. The food was delicious and we have Daube’s to thank for the delicious food!

The Wardens, Vestry and I decided to combine our Annual Stewardship Process known as Consecration Sunday with our Jubilee Year Celebration and while it was a challenge, I believe we met the challenge. As of Tuesday, 8 November, we have received 91 pledges totaling $ 266,516 in support of our Mission and Ministry for 2012! I remain humbled by your generosity. Thank you for your witness and support!

Every blessing,

Douglas

Serving as Rector / Pastor

JUBILEE…50 Years…Faithful Stewards Engaging God’s Mission

rectordoug — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:26:25 +0000

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As People of Faith, we worship, we proclaim, we teach, we serve, we care, we witness!

2011 is our JUBILEE YEAR! Fifty years ago, after a year of construction, the first Worship Service was held on the last Sunday in October, 1961 at the newest MISSION CHURCH in the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota! On this anniversary, we have cause to celebrate! On Sunday, 6 November, we will celebrate our anniversary. With the support of the Wardens and Vestry, we have decided to make this 50^th Anniversary our Stewardship Celebration as well. Bishop Brian Prior will be with us to celebrate this important day. I have invited our former rectors and their spouses to join us and I invite you to invite any former members of St. Luke’s to join us as well! I am convinced by your example that we continue to become more and more, FAITHFUL STEWARDS ENGAGING GOD’S MISSION!

Now…a bit about our approach to Stewardship!

Parishes that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such parishes see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.

Our Parish’s Finance Committee with the endorsement of the Vestry, selected the New Consecration Sunday Program as a way to teach biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving as part of our stewardship education.

New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical principal of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating you like members of a social club who should pay dues, we believe each of you are followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages you toward proportional and sacrificial giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give for the sake of supporting God’s Mission in the world?”

During both morning services on Consecration Sunday, 6 November, we are asking each of you to make your financial commitment to our parish’s participation in God’s mission in this community and around the world.

Each of you who complete an Estimate of Giving Card will be encouraged to do so voluntarily during one of the morning services on Consecration Sunday. After each service, there is a Catered Brunch to which everyone is invited, even those who maybe visiting that Sunday.

We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During both services, Bishop Brian will preach, concluding with an invitation to each of us to make our personal commitment as a confidential act of worship.

The Wardens and Vestry unanimously endorse this process and are committed to participating in this process as well. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and invite everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship and brunch.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in our Consecration Sunday on 6 November 2011.

Every blessing,

Douglas

Congregational Growth includes numbers and much more…

rectordoug — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:33:26 +0000

As part of my presentation regarding Evangelism and Incorporation for the Wardens and Vestry, I thought it would be helpful to list the number of new persons who have come to be part of St. Luke’s since early 2010. What a blessing and source of hope for us. I rarely do this publically but thought it would be good to list the new members of St. Luke’s:

Jean Currie; Tom Penney and Linda Marshall and their daughter, Shannon; Sarah and Jeff Martinak and their son, Evan; Nora Dooley and Joon Uhm, and their daughter, Sarah; Kim and Mike Harris and their sons, Nathan and Evan; Jessemy Neiger and Robert Jungman; Julia and John Briese; Laura and Lee Kraemer; Maggie and Randy Goss and their children, Grayson and Emma; Monika Kujawa; Jennifer and Derek Schutz and their children, Anessa and Keegan; Amy and Cory Nelson and their children, Grace and Bryce; Erica and Jude Yahn and their children, Ayden and Taryn; Barbara Claire and Kurtis Pitcher; Alexis Sarros; Aba and Eric Ofori-Atta and their children, Alexandra, Justin, Jiles and Alison; Barbara Campbell; Irene Dewalt and Anne Kelly!

I shared this news with the Vestry at our meeting last week and all we could do was give thanks. By God’s grace, we have been chosen by these individuals to be a community they want to be part of…they have chosen us!

These 50 people come with various religious experiences from other Episcopal Communities and Lutheran and Methodist and Roman Catholic and Presbyterian Communities. They come with gifts…for service, for singing, for bell ringing, for leadership, for visitation…all of these gifts and others…to be used for mission and ministry!

Our community has been richly blest and I hope you take the opportunity to meet some of these new people among us! I know that many of you already have.

Earlier this year, we incorporated a Service of Welcoming for New Members into our Sunday Worship. I hope to plan a similar service on a few Sundays to welcome these new persons into our Life in Christ…at St. Luke’s!

I look forward to seeing you next Sunday!

Your comments and THANKSGIVING are most welcomed!

Every blessing,

Doug

Remembering September 11th…As a Community of Faith

rectordoug — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:41:00 +0000

Next Sunday, 11 September 2011, we will remember the events seared into our corporate memory as citizens and residents of the United States and as citizens of the world. At St. Luke’s, we will remember those who died 10 years ago at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon and in the rural woods of Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We will remember those who continue to mourn and whose lives were forever changed because of the events of September the 11^th 2001.

I would like to invite you to participate in worship next weekend at St. Luke’s. I would also like to invite you into a conversation next Sunday…during the regular Sunday Forum time between the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Services. I believe this is an important time for conversation for all of us including our Middle School and High School students! There will be nursery care available during Sunday Forum and during the 10 a.m. Service. I would like to continue the conversation after the 10 a.m. Service in the Fellowship Hall.

Our nation, the world…our relationships to one another have been changed because of the events of September the 11^th. Would you join me in this important conversation during the Sunday Forum time or after the 10 a.m. Service?

Come with your insights, your reflections, your concerns, your hopes…

I look forward to seeing you next Sunday!

Your comments and especially your participation in one of our conversations next Sundayare most welcomed!

Every blessing,

Doug