Loaves and Fishes Sunday

August 3rd, the first Sunday in August, and our regularly appointed Sunday for food donations happens to fall on the day we will hear the story of Jesus and his miraculous feeding of the five thousand or Loaves and Fishes Sunday. In the reading of Matthew 14 verses 13-21, Jesus asks his disciples to give the crowd something to eat. They explain about the little they have and Jesus tells them to bring what they have to him. He blesses the 5 loaves and 2 fishes and feeds five thousand people.

I would like to make a special appeal that on this particular Sunday you would make a special effort to bring food before the altar and to help feed those who are less fortunate in our community.

Thank you.

Judy Crosby for the Outreach Committee

Mission Trip News

The volunteer Dream Guild of Adoption Dreams Come True adoption agency is proud to present The Dream Room located at 316 West Mulberry Street in Fort Collins.

Created and operated by the Dream Guild of Adoption Dreams Come True, The Dream Room is Larimer County’s newest resource for low-income families with children ages 0-2 years old. We offer at no charge a large selection of donated clothing, toys, baby gear, nursery room accessories, and diapers in a baby store setting. It is our vision to serve these families with dignity and respect and give them a real boutique-style shopping experience. It is so rewarding to watch the faces of our clients when they come in for the first time and see the way the Dream Room is set up for them.

In these tough economic times we recognize that many families with small children right here in own community are in need of help. And while we understand there are government resources available to help many of those families that qualify, there are many families who earn just enough to NOT qualify for assistance, but who still desperately need it. For some of these families the need is only short term, but for others it is on-going. We will not turn any family away from The Dream Room.

The stories of these families are all different yet share the common theme of struggling. There are the Dads, who are looking for work or working multiple part-time labor jobs while the Moms (many of them speaking little or no English) are caring for many children. There are extended families caring for each other’s children so members can take turns working. There are also single mothers struggling to hang on to their children, and teenage mothers who have just begun to realize the enormity of the decisions they have made.

The Dream Room has been open for just two months and we have served over 250 children. We continue to need donations of some of the larger items like cribs, strollers, high chairs and diapers. We’re happy to arrange a donation pick-up or donations can be dropped off at the Dream Room during our business hours. For donations, hours of operation or volunteering opportunities please call 970-232-6600

Update on Vestry

I hope the summer has brought a time of rejuvenation and fun for all! Here is what the vestry has been up to since our update in the May newsletter.

Leadership: The vestry, along with a diverse parish group, met and interviewed an associate rector candidate, Mike Demmon and his wife Libby. This was an opportunity for Fr. Harold to receive valuable input from members of the congregation on the appropriateness of Mike as a viable candidate. This decision is primarily in Fr. Harold’s hands but he appreciates and respects the views of the vestry and congregation to assist in his decision.

The vestry has taken an active role, in collaboration with the discernment committee and clergy, to educate and bring to fruition the new vision statement:

The vestry provided much support to the discernment committee in the Sunday morning orientations in April and May and will attend the leadership retreat on June 29th to further understand and actualize the statement in our congregational life.

Building: Have you noticed any knocking noises during service lately? Well, as far as we can tell, our friendly flicker has left the building! Jack Moore was instrumental in applying for a permit to handle our flicker problem. But since we’ve had the permit, the flicker is nowhere to be found. We hope he has gone onto greener pastures.

Please give Jack a special “thank you” when you see him. He continues to do a wonderful job in maintaining our building, with its many challenges.

Stewardship: One of the vestry’s calls is to lead the call for stewardship; your gifts of time, talent and treasure. This year, Jeff Fryer and Dru Johnson have agreed to be co-chairs and have gathered a committee to organize our fall campaign. Stewardship Sunday will be on September 28th.

We thank you for all your prayers for us as we work with Fr. Harold to discern God’s call as financial stewards of our building. As always, please feel free to contact any member with questions/comments. Anna Dickerson

Revised Common Lectionary

In July 2008 St. Luke’s will begin using the Revised Common Lectionary in response to the resolution of the General Convention 2006. A brief background and explanation is provided here. A more complete document is available at the St. Luke’s Central Table in the parish entryway. [General Convention 2006: The General Convention meeting in Columbus concurred this resolution: Resolved,That the 75th General Convention direct that the Revised Common Lectionary shall be the Lectionary of this Church, amending the Lectionary on pp. 889-921 of The Book of Common Prayer, effective the First Sunday of Advent, 2007; with the provision for continued use of the previous Lectionary for purposes of orderly transition, with the permission of the Ecclesiastical Authority, until the First Sunday of Advent 2010.]

A Lectionary is a table of readings from Scripture appointed to be read at public worship. The association of particular texts with specific days began in the 4th century.

The Revised Common Lectionary, like the current prayer-book lectionary, is a three-year cycle of Sunday eucharistic readings in which Matthew, Mark and Luke are read in successive years with some material from John read in each year.

The Revised Common Lectionary provides these new features:

• the option of semi-continuous reading of the great Old Testament narratives on the Sundays after Pentecost, to provide exciting new preaching opportunities, vacation Bible School ideas or informal summer story-telling for adults as well as children.
• the option of lections in thematic harmony with the Gospel of the day for the Sundays after Pentecost. This follows the pattern of the present lectionary in which the readings from the Old Testament and the New Testament are chosen in relation to the Gospel; a principle followed the rest of the Church Year as well.
• inclusion of women and their role in salvation history, offering texts about women never heard on Sunday before.

The Revised Common Lectionary preserves around 90% of the Gospel readings in the Lectionary of The Book of Common Prayer 1979. Why should the Episcopal Church adopt the Revised Common Lectionary?

• It is a truly ecumenical lectionary shared by most Protestant denominations and widely used throughout the Anglican Communion.
• It provides new opportunities for ecumenical Bible study and shared resources for teaching and preaching.
• It has improved the choice of appropriate texts for Sundays and Festivals.
• It incorporates most of the readings with which the church is familiar.
• Most new resources for preaching, teaching and the planning of worship are already being developed to support the Revised Common Lectionary.

Prepared by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, using materials provided by The Reverend Joseph Russell, former Chair of the Consultation on Common Texts

New Xerox Machine

Check out the new Xerox Machine…..

You’ll be seeing color copies for special occasions!

Program Advisory Council (P.A.C.)

Purpose: To facilitate the planning implementation and communication of St. Luke’s ministries, events and programs.

This newly formed group of twelve people will meet for two hours, three times a year once in November, February and May.

The P.A.C. will be comprised of leaders from several key ministry areas, old and new members and program staff. It will be advisory only and has no formal decision making authority. The focus is strictly programmatic including calendar, schedule and planning. It will view the entirety of our corporate life in terms of our new vision statement.

The group is: Rob Larson, Connie Vogel, Annette Overton, Betsy Springer, Rhonda Simmons, Ross Dickerson, Nancy Davis, Ashley Lang, Heather Edridge, Bill Moorcroft, Paisley Pettine

Spring Cleaning? Got Yarn?

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will make good use of your leftover yarn! It takes about 3 skeins to make a shawl, but smaller amounts are used to create accents and borders. Deposit your yarn in the basket on the front desk, or contact Betsy Springer at 495-9747.

An update on Sunday School

As I wander the halls during Christian Education time at St. Luke’s, I’m struck by the quietness interrupted by bursts of animated discussion and laughter which come from our classrooms. God is working to help our young people learn about Him and develop relationships with Him and each other.

We conclude our current year on May 11th. We will combine both our youth and adult programs in an inter-generational time to learn about Pentecost and celebrate our year together. Please join us in the Parish Hall for a time of celebration!

As we wind down our year, we do not rest! We look toward the future and start our planning for the fall. We know there are many of you who have a talent for helping others learn God. Like adults, children and youth need someone to help guide them.

Has God given you the gift of teaching?

As you continue to discern where God is leading you to share your gifts, we hope you will consider being a part of Sunday School. We are in need not only for teachers, but also helpers, coordinators, room decorators, monitors. How can you help support our young people?

Ronda Simmons has graciously agreed to prepare Sunday School for our coming year. Please contact her to offer your gifts at 493-0877.

Anna Dickerson

Welcome to St. Luke’s recent visitors

Phee Connaughton, Naomi & Robert Williams, Ed & Debbie Giese, Elissa & Fred Blesch,

Roberts Wilson and Frankie Winn, Shelley Neth, Steve & Peggy Simmons, Sarah Mayes

We welcome all guests and newcomers who have visited and hope that you will consider making St. Luke’s your church home.

Have you wondered how to get to know St. Luke’s folks better

Friends and Spirit is a perfect opportunity! Friends and Spirit was started several years ago to provide an opportunity for adults of all ages, newcomers and long-time parishioners alike, to come together once a month in a social setting. The group is hosted by different folks in the congregation each month. The purpose is to grow relationships within the congregation and gain a better sense of community.

The hosts open their homes at 6:30 pm and it is potluck. Hosts volunteer and then are announced in the monthly newsletter and weekly bulletin. Please RSVP to the host.

Childcare is provided by St. Luke’s. Call the nursery to confirm your child(ren)’s attendance.

The coordinator is Anna Dickerson. Please contact her with any questions or to volunteer to host. 207-1254 or anna.dickerson@comcast.net

Our next Friends and Spirit is:

Heather and Neil Edridge

May 9, 2008, 6:30 pm

3251 Kingsfisher Court

RSVP: 206-0819

Volunteer Week is April 27th—May 3rd

What would St. Luke’s do without all the volunteers that help to make things happen...choir, bells, Christian Formation, worship, outreach….and on and on!

Easter Eve Worship

Again this year we will offer a powerful worship opportunity on Saturday night, Easter Eve. This worship at 7:00 pm includes the ceremonial lighting of the new fire (candle light in darken church), the great vigil which is chanted and scriptural readings, a baptism and the first Festive Eucharist of Easter. Following the liturgy, we will enjoy a special reception with festive breads, desserts, and beverages.

Discernment Committee Update

Since December when the Discernment Committee members were named we have been meeting regularly. Our first meeting was intended to spend time prayfully getting acquainted with each other and creating a level of comfort among ourselves. Subsequent meetings have moved into brainstorming about the directions that God may be calling St. Luke’s. With each meeting the effort has become a little more focused, but the process is still in the infancy stages. Areas that are being discussed include; communications, facilitating relationships within the church, deepening spirituality and reaching out into the greater community. Each meeting has a facilitator and the discussion points are than summarized and e-mailed to the members for further thought and prayer between meetings. On March 1 discernment committee members will attend the Vestry Retreat. We are looking forward to the ideas that this may generate to discuss at our next meeting on March 9. We appreciate those who have been directing prayer toward the discernment effort and ask that all in the congregation pray for God to guide us in our efforts. Members of the committee are: Marc Genty, Anna Dickerson, Margaret Bohn, Sasha Richardson, Jeff Fryer, Father Harold Warren, Hill Grimmett, Rick Overton & Connie Vogel.

Vestry Update

Senior Warden Anna Dickerson

Junior Warden Jack Moore

Clerk Sue Houseal

Treasurer Tom Dandy

Susanne Fairman, Tom Lynch, Chris Moorcroft, Ken Parker, Dru Johnson, Jeff Piddington

St. Luke’s Vestry welcomes the 3 newly elected members and are preparing for our retreat on March 1st. Our finances look solid and we greatly appreciate your generosity and faithfulness. We are busy at work developing training and procedures for church security (Medical emergencies, natural disasters, violent intruder). Also, we are implementing a number of recycling programs and other “green” policies for St. Luke’s. Related, we have approved a bike rack to be located south of the parish hall. Lastly, we continue to pray and discuss long range planning and vision and mission for St. Luke’s.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Egg Hunt for Kids

We need donations of wrapped Easter Candy for the Easter Egg Hunt. If you can donate wrapped candy, please place in the Easter Basket on the desk outside the Parish Office.

Now Registering for Preschool!

St. Luke’s Preschool is now registering children for 2008-2009 school year. Classes are offered for children 3-5 years of age. Please call the preschool at

493-7515 for more

information.

Outreach Committee Feature

This is to be a monthly feature highlighting community volunteer work of St. Luke’s parishioners. If you would like to write a feature on your volunteer activity, contact a outreach committee member or Connie Vogel @ 443-8839. This month’s feature is written by Connie about the Rocky Mountain Alzheimer’s Association.

The Rocky Mountain Alzheimer’s Association is one of many local organizations under the umbrella of the National Alzheimer’s Association. The purpose of the organization at the local level is to provide support services and educational offerings to individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. My work is as a volunteer with the Speaker’s Bureau. I do educational workshops for caregivers and the general public on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association. I also Captain a team in the annual Memory Walk that is held each September. The Memory Walk raises funds to continue the work of the local organization and is a fun way to help. If you are also interested in volunteering there are many ways to help or if you would like more information about the services offered by the Alzheimer’s Association, please feel free to ask me.

Koinonia Groups…

and what does that funny Greek word mean anyway? The Koinonia groups are small groups meeting in homes on a weekly or biweekly basis for a time of fellowship, sharing, and study. For those of you who attended the Kent Groff workshop in early February, his concept of “little churches” is an example of a group represented by the Koinonia groups. By committing to be a part of one of our groups you find an area of acceptance, support, learning, and accountability. You do not have to have a Ph.D. in Christianity to be a part of a Koinonia group. In fact, we find that we are all travelers on our common journey learning from all of our fellow travelers. We would welcome you into one of the two groups existing now, or we would welcome the opportunity to help you get a group started and we would support you as you do. Please feel free to talk with Ken or Karen Deines, kkdeines@comcast.net, 377-3266.

Koinonia - Christian fellowship or communion with God or with fellow Christians; said in particular of the early Christian community.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

is off to a good start…..if you would like to join or want more information, contact Betsy Springer at 495-9747.

Have you wondered how to get to know St. Luke’s folks better

Friends and Spirit is a perfect opportunity! Friends and Spirit was started several years ago to provide an opportunity for adults of all ages, newcomers and long-time parishioners alike, to come together once a month in a social setting. The group is hosted by different folks in the congregation each month. The purpose is to grow relationships within the congregation and gain a better sense of community.

The hosts open their homes at 6:30 pm and it is potluck. Hosts volunteer and then are announced in the monthly newsletter and weekly bulletin. Please RSVP to the host.

Childcare is provided by St. Luke’s. Call the nursery to confirm your child(ren)’s attendance.

The coordinator is Anna Dickerson. Please contact her with any questions or to volunteer to host. 207-1254 or anna.dickerson@comcast.net

Our next Friends and Spirit is:

Don & Susan Wiseman

March 28th, 2008, 6:30 pm

1504 Arroyo Drive

RSVP: 674-3375

Quest Retreat Weekend for Youth April 11-13

Sign up by March 21!

Life as Pilgrimage

Seventh to Twelfth Grade Youth

At Frontier Ranch in Buena Vista

Mother Susan will be calling youth and families to ask you about signing up for this special weekend. It is a great time away, a time to meet other youth from around the diocese, and an opportunity for a spiritual journey together.

THANKS!

A BIG thank you to some regular office volunteers who make life a lot easier each week. Eleanour Stevens, Shirley Smith, Harry Meyer, Betty Bailer and Jeni Forbes. You sure make our work easier!

Church Directory

If you are a new member of St. Luke’s or missed having your picture taken for the last picture directory…..now is your chance. Our resident photographer Lawrence Culbertson will set up shop in the Parish hall each Sunday during the month of April from 9:15—10:15am and again 11:30-12.

Welcome to our newly Incorporated Members

Bellows, Jerry and Janice

Billica, Mary

Bryan, George and Nancy

Cathgart, David, Gina, Gillian and Allison

Everett, John and Barbara

Genty, Mark, Heidi, Susanna, Hope and Gabriel

Goldman, Fran

Halley, Ken and Trudy

Hauk, Susan

Keyser, David, Holli and Amelie

Lang, Tim, Ashley, Aurora and Owen

Lauro, Yvonne

Mazurana, Michael and Amber

McNeil, Mike and Marilyn

Myhren, Gregor

Moorcroft, Andrew and Jodi

Pease, Richard, Hilary, Connor, Rebecca and Brendon

Peterson, Jan

Smith, Ann

Their information has been added to the new directory which is available on St. Luke’s Central.

And welcome those who have visited St. Luke’s recently…..

Bill Mygdal, Becky Sheller, Nadine Hisam, Michael & Karen Daine, Josh and Kelly Shepherd,

Connie Ferguson and Ron Giles, Betsy Connor

Junior/Senior High Sunday School Class Donates Blankets

Thank you to our Junior/Senior High Sunday school class. They made 15 fleece fringe-and-tie blankets to be donated to the HOPE project in Longmont. The blankets were given to persons and families unable to find shelter on cold nights. On nights when the temperature is not below 20 degrees, even with a stiff wind, the homeless shelters are not open. Deacon Marc, who works with the HOPE program in Longmont, said that he was able to personally give some of the blankets away…some to a family with children, and one to a person living in a camper shell on the ground. Thank you again to our youth. You gave the blessing of warmth to people who needed it.

New on the Diocesan Website……

12-month Calendar of Diocesan Events

http://www.calendarwiz.com/colodio

Vestry Nominees

Expectations and Role of St. Luke’s Vestry…...It is time to recruit nominees to our Vestry.

Any communicant of St. Luke’s in good standing, and 18 years of age or older, may be nominated or may nominate another member. A communicant in good standing is one who for the previous year has been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and has been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God. The hope would be that all nominees would believe they are called by God to this ministry. Further, that they have been entrusted with gifts of leadership and administration. They should be experienced in the matters of finances, budgets and be prepared to attend the Diocesan Stewardship Conference and be a leader in our Stewardship program.

Welcome Committee……

Sunday, January 13th we will offer a newcomer social in the library at 9:30am. Father Harold and the Newcomer Committee will host this informal, get acquainted session.

Sunday, January 20th The Discovery Class will be led by Father Harold. He will offer an overview of the Episcopal Church and respond to any questions people may have about the church. 9:30am in the library.

St. Luke’s to begin Prayer Shawl Ministry

Care and the love of knitting (and crochet) have been combined into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace. Many blessings are knitted into every shawl. The knitter begins each shawl with prayers for the recipient. Intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. When the shawl is completed it is offered a final ritual before being sent along its way. As this gift has been sent along, some recipients have continued the kindness by making one themselves and passing it onto someone in need. If you are interested in taking part in this new ministry and would like more information, contact Betsy Springer at 495-9747 or Espringer@aol.com.

Welcome the Newcomer as God Welcomes You!

Please welcome our recent visitors to St. Luke’s:

• Bob & Jeanne Woods
• Bette Eskelson
• Sheila Henderson
• Ken & Carol Fritzler

On January 13th at 9:30am in the library, we are having a special coffee for our recent newcomers to meet each other and become better acquainted. Please welcome any newcomer and visitor that you see!

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard in preparing the church for our Christmas Celebration. Total Attendance for Christmas 2007 was 626.

A big Thank You from the flower committee to everyone who so generously contributed to the Christmas Decoration Fund this year and to all who helped with decorating and un-decorating the church!

Preschool Registration

St. Luke’s Preschool is now registering children for 2008-2009 school year. Classes are offered for children 3-5 years of age. Please call the preschool at 493-7515 for more information.

The mission trip to Windsor was an amazing experience that resembledthe 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't pay to repair the damages. It was wonderful getting to justdown and talk with people, because the truth is, that's whatpeople need most; someone to talk to. I would strongly encourageto take a Saturday and trek to Windsor to help make ain peoples' lives because there is still lots of work tobe done. I am so thankful that God gave me the opportunity to assistin Windsor. -Kelli Lynch

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!

A Lectionary is a table of readings from Scripture appointed to be read at public worship. The association of particular texts with specific days began in the 4th century.

The Revised Common Lectionary, like the current prayer-book lectionary, is a three-year cycle of Sunday eucharistic readings in which Matthew, Mark and Luke are read in successive years with some material from John read in each year.

The Revised Common Lectionary provides these new features:

the option of semi-continuous reading of the great Old Testament narratives on the Sundays after Pentecost, to provide exciting new preaching opportunities, vacation Bible School ideas or informal summer story-telling for adults as well as children.

the option of lections in thematic harmony with the Gospel of the day for the Sundays after Pentecost. This follows the pattern of the present lectionary in which the readings from the Old Testament and the New Testament are chosen in relation to the Gospel; a principle followed the rest of the Church Year as well.

inclusion of women and their role in salvation history, offering texts about women never heard on Sunday before.

The Revised Common Lectionary preserves around 90% of the Gospel readings in the Lectionary of The Book of Common Prayer 1979.

Why should the Episcopal Church adopt the Revised Common Lectionary?

It is a truly ecumenical lectionary shared by most Protestant denominations and widely used throughout the Anglican Communion.

It provides new opportunities for ecumenical Bible study and shared resources for teaching and preaching.

It has improved the choice of appropriate texts for Sundays and Festivals.

It incorporates most of the readings with which the church is familiar.

Most new resources for preaching, teaching and the planning of worship are already being developed to support the Revised Common Lectionary.

--Prepared by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, using materials provided by The Reverend Joseph Russell, former Chair of the Consultation on Common Texts

The mission trip to Windsor was an amazing experience that resembledthe 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't pay to repair the damages. It was wonderful getting to justdown and talk with people, because the truth is, that's whatpeople need most; someone to talk to. I would strongly encourageto take a Saturday and trek to Windsor to help make ain peoples' lives because there is still lots of work tobe done. I am so thankful that God gave me the opportunity to assistin Windsor. -Kelli Lynch

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!

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!