Author Archives: St. Luke's

Escaping Sin through Grace I’m sharing something I wrote a few years back. I stumbled across it recently and was struck by its slightly uncomfortable use of disease transmission as metaphor.But more than that, I was caught by the helpful alternative to a common model of sin and salvation. I hope you enjoy it. WhileContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 4/15/2021”

Easter thanks, COVID stinks Thank you to everyone who participated in worship this Sunday, either on Zoom or in person. It was wonderful to see all of you and a real delight to share physical communion, in all its wafer-y crunchiness, with you. Sharing Easter communion with you felt like a tiny foretaste of theContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 4/8/2021”

Holy Week & Easter Worship Changes In consultation with the wardens, I’ve made some last-minute changes to our HolyWeek plans. First, we’re canceling tonight’s outdoor worship service. When I planned it, the temperature was forecast to be in the mid-fifties. Now that it’s barely going to hit forty, this plan doesn’t sound like a lotContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 4/1/2021”

It’s confession time. Deep breath; here we go. I totally failed at sticking to my Lenten discipline. When Lent began, I had every intention of participating in the Big Lenten Prayer Tent. It was only five minutes of special prayer time—how hard could that be? Judging by the first week or so, not hard atContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 3/25/2021”

Notes from the March Vestry meeting A few notes from the March St Luke’s Vestry meeting, of interest to the parish. . . 1. Our Finances are in good shape. St Luke’s passed its audit, as required by canon. This week St Luke’s will be in discussion with the Diocese about downsizing our assessment. 2.Continue reading “Warden’s Corner”

Last week, I invited you to fill out a survey to help the vestry discern how St. Luke’s will reopen for in-person worship. I’ve received 29responses so far and the results are interesting. (Note: The responses are a mix of individuals and households.) Most interesting, by far, is the wide range of readiness for indoorContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 3/11/2021”

As positive test rates for covid continue to decline in Olmsted county, the vestry is discerning how best to reopen for indoor, in-person worship. To help us figure that out, I’ve created a survey for you to fill out.   The vestry is putting the final touches on a detailed reopening plan that deals with howContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 3/4/2021”

This year, I’m following Bishop Craig’s lead for Lent by participating in The Big Lenten Prayer Tent. If you haven’t checked it out, the bishop is asking every Episcopalian in Minnesota to spend five minutes in prayer each day asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  Each week one of ECMN’s members will introduce a newContinue reading “Weekly Lifelines 2/25/2021”

Lent kicked off yesterday with our observance of Ash Wednesday. It was wonderful to connect with all the folks that dropped by yesterday for ashes and to worship with the group in the evening.  Lent focuses on penitence as preparation for the salvation given at Easter. To help frame that work, I’ve invited the Rev.Continue reading “Weekly Lifelines 2/18/2021”