Author Archives: St. Luke's

A few notes of interest to the parish from St. Luke’s January Vestry meeting. . . 1. The Vestry approved the 2022 budget of $273,873, proposed by the Finance Committee. We are so thankful to that committee, the stewardship committee, rental contracts, and the generous pledgers of St. Luke’s. Because of a $50,000 carryover fromContinue reading “Warden’s Corner 1/27/2022”

Jesus asked the crowds, “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to yourspan of life?” Over the past few weeks, I’ve been unwittingly testing that question. And I canconfidently say: The answer is no. Upon my fifth refresh of the covid information page this morning, I realized thatmaybe, just maybe, I wasContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 1/20/2022”

The Vestry, Wardens, and I have decided that, in the interest of public health, St. Luke’s will move to online-only worship starting this Sunday. Since predicting the virus is a fool’s errand, we haven’t set a date to return to in-person worship. Instead, I’m watching the daily new case count for Olmsted County, tracked onContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 1/13/2022”

Today the church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany, when the Magi come worship Jesus the Lord. Today the nation marks the anniversary of last year’s attack on the capitol. It strikes me as an unsettling mash-up of commemorations, to say the least. And conflicted events like this are the perfect opportunity for prayer. IContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 1/6/2022”

A few notes of interest to the parish from St Luke’s (short) December Vestry meeting… The office is closed this week. It reopens on Monday, January 3. The Finance Committee proposed a 2022 budget which the Vestry discussed and will act on in January. The good news is that we are OK, as this year ends, andContinue reading “Warden’s Corner 12/30/2021”

When you get right down to it, it wouldn’t be hard to conclude that the hallmark ofthe Christmas season is negotiation. How many cookies to make? How much tospend on that gift? How much time with one side of the family before we have toleave to see the other? How many days can we stepContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 12/23/2021”

Retreating to the basement when big storms come through is just part of life in Minnesota. So when my phone blared “TORNADO WARNING! SEEK SHELTER IMMEDIATELY!” I knew just what to do. Grabbed the family, a backup source of light, and a bit of entertainment (weather radar on the laptop) and headed downstairs. Just likeContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 12/16/2021”

Last Sunday after coffee hour, before any snow arrived, we talked about how to celebrate Christmas at St. Luke’s. Folks are looking forward to celebrating, and hoping it’ll feel as much like normal as possible, despite the pandemic still affecting everything. Together, we sketched out a plan for our celebration. Here’s what we came upContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 12/9/2021”

“God is worshiped more by mercy than by any single act, for nothing is so appropriate as mercy in his regard, since mercy and truth go before him. We must offer him mercy for others rather than our judgment upon them.”from a sermon of Gregory of Nazianzus (c.329-390), Bishop of Constantinople While driving last week,Continue reading “Weekly Lifelines 12/2/2021”

A new season is nearly upon us! Like so many of you, I love advent. Our intentional journey toward Christmas is so much a part of me that I wonder how others do without it. From the blue vestments and hangings, to evergreens and advent wreaths, to the shift in our liturgy, it’s a wonderfulContinue reading “Weekly Lifeines 11/24/2021”