Rector's Ramblings

Dear Friends:

After months of prayer, conversation and study, I am pleased to announce that the Rev. Mike Demmon will begin his ordained ministry as our new associate rector on August 10, 2008. As you know the vestry and I have considered a number of different staffing options. (Youth director, Christian education director, associate rector). We concluded that the associate rector model best serves our needs. We explored, in a cursory way, a number of candidates until Bishop O’Neill introduced us to Mike, a diocesan seminarian, who graduated in May. He is 26 years of age, he has been married to his wife Libby for nine months. Both have experience and passion for youth, young adult and family ministry. They are a delightful, genuine Christian couple. One other important point about Mike is that he is a 1st lieutenant Army Chaplain. After some time in parish ministry, he will be a full time active Chaplain in the US Army. His Army commitment will require that he be away from St. Luke’s for several weeks each summer for Army training.

It is also important for you to know that the addition of an associate rector in no way affects the status of our Deacon Marc Genty. With Bishop O’Neill’s authorization, Marc will remain our Deacon as long as I am the rector.

With that background, I am very pleased to announce that Mike has accepted my call to be our associate rector. Enclosed in this newsletter is Mike’s resume and additional information about his ministry among us. I ask each of you to join me in welcoming mike and Libby to St. Luke’s.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Dr. Harold R. Warren

Rector

From Juarez to Windsor…..2008 Youth Mission Trip

Six youth and two adults from St. Luke’s were all set to go on the 2nd collaborative trip to Juarez, Mexico when unrest and violence in the region created enough concern to cancel the trip. Rather than cancel the trip altogether, the leaders prayerfully put the matter in God’s hands. His answer was an invitation from Trinity Lutheran Church in Greeley to help with the needs of people affected by the tornado that his Windsor and Platteville. Thus the mission trip to Juarez became a Mission Trip to Help with Tornado clean-up in Windsor and Platteville. As one of the adults who went on the trip I want to tell you what wonderful ambassadors for St. Luke’s the youth were. Here is a sampling of what they did.

Lisa Parker on the second say of the trip saw a garage door half submerged in Windsor Lake. She rallied some of the other girls who managed to get it out of the lake up the bank and on the road of cul-de-sac so it could be disposed of by the city. Not only did she help clean up something unsightly but she made about eight girls feel very empowered.

Kelli Lynch was on a team that helped to build a lean-to for cows to replace the one destroyed in the tornado. The lean-to was not in the middle of a nice green field or on some leveled gravel area. It was in the middle of a manure pile. Kelli bravely endured and did her part to build an amazing replacement.

When Fox 31 News came to do a TV news story on the youth mission trip, Chris Willard was their chosen spokesperson. He did an amazing job of expressing the feeling of the whole group.

Hope Genty (mostly because of her parents concerns) was a bit apprehensive when invited to use a power drill to help build a new gate for an elderly woman who could not get insurance for her house. Hope gave it a try however and found she really enjoyed using the drill and was helpful in completing the gate.

With around 75 workers logging hours over seven days, our group earned somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000 to $30,000 for the city of Windsor through a government matching program.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our mission trip through donated items and snacks. The items were given to the distribution center that directly helped victims of the tornado. The many snacks helped make up our lunches that we took to the work sight each day. The meal cooked by St. Luke’s and brought to Trinity Lutheran on Wednesday was greeted with enthusiasm by the hungry members of the mission trip. It is rumored that it was the favorite mela brought to us that week. You’re youth are amazing and your support was so warmly given and greatly appreciated.

From new Associate Rector, Rev. Mike Demmon

I was born June 5th, 1983 in Norfolk, VA. Experiencing only one move as a Navy brat, I spend most of my time growing up in the Puget Sound, (Seattle, WA) area. I was blessed to marry the former Elizabeth Hoskinson on August 23rd, 2007 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Centennial, CO. Libby joined me as a full-time student while at Trinity Seminary and is looking forward to seeking employment and investing in community life wherever God calls her. Her family resides in South Metro Denver. I have family in Boulder and Bremerton, WA. My sponsoring parish is St. Aidan’s Boulder. I am a First Lieutenant in the US Army and currently serving in the Inactive Ready Reserve as part of the Chaplain Candidate program.

When not studying, I am sharing a coffee or a beer with a friend, catching up with friends via Facebook or coveting books in Barnes and Noble or songs on iTunes. I listen to Irsh and Celtic Music. Enjoy spending time with my wife, hiking, snowshoeing, running, especially trail-running, and cheering on the Broncos, Buffs, Avs, Rockies and Mariners.

Youth Mission Trip: Kelli Lynch

The mission trip to Windsor was an amazing experience that resembled the usual trip to Juarez more than would be expected. Just like, there were people that desperately needed help. In some, people had no house to live in, or their insurance to pay for repairing damage. It was wonderful getting to just down and talk with people, because the truth is, that's what people need most; someone to talk to. I would strongly encourage you to take a Saturday and trek to Windsor to help make a difference in peoples' lives because there is still lots of work to be done. I am so thankful that God gave me the opportunity to assist in Windsor.

Kelli Lynch

Youth Mission Trip: Lisa Parker

It is said that when God closes a door he opens a window, a statement that is undeniably proven by the youth mission trip this spring. Although we were all disappointed by the cancellation to Juarez, the opportunity to help families here at home was clearly a call from God. We may not have been building an entire house, working in 110 degree heat, eating Mexican food, or speaking Spanish, but the experience was in many ways similar to Juarez. By the end of the week everyone was exhausted, proud, grateful, and sad to be leaving, proof that God’s work can be done anywhere, anytime, and in any situation. I’m grateful for the experience and all the angels that helped us to make a difference! Thanks for your support St. Luke’s!

Lisa Parker