The Messenger St. luke’s episcopal church

Salisbury, nc / THE CHURCH THAT FEEDS PEOPLE

APRIL 2016

A REFLECTION ON FATHER ROBERT’S LENTEN DISCIPLINE

I n one of my Lenten sermons, I mentioned that my discipline for the recent season of Lent was to read a poem each day. Poetry had never spoken to me as a

genre, and I generally overlooked it. I regarded poetry as something perhaps like visiting an art museum – a nice thing to do once a year, but who really has time for it more often than that? However, I knew that I was missing something by not reading poetry alongside my regular reading of mostly non-fiction works of theology. So I resolved to read a poem every day of Lent. The poems came from a 2016 collection of poems called Felicity by Mary Oliver (and a few from Wendell Berry’s This Day, as Felicity wasn’t quite long enough to get me through Lent). This was, by far, the easiest to endure Lenten discipline that I’ve ever taken on. For one, Oliver’s collection of poems is a stunning work that speaks directly to the soul. The discipline though also forced me to slow down each day, even if for just a minute, and linger over the few dozen words on the page. Lent is all about going deeper; and reading these poems led me deeper into my faith and the power of words to point toward that which is beyond words. Reading a poem each morning began my day with beauty, which is a wonderful way to welcome each new day. Like a finely crafted beer, a masterfully painted painting, or a beautifully composed symphony, I am thankful that my Lenten discipline has led me to recognize the poets’ power to stir the soul with only a few simple tools. In particular, I’d like to share one poem, entitled “A House, or a Million Dollars,” with you: People do it, some out of desperation, others out of greed. They steal. The very powerful and clever might steal a whole house, or a million dollars. It’s been done. But what does it matter? Love is the one thing the heart craves and love is the one thing you can’t steal.

This poem reminds me that some things cannot be obtained by will or force but only as a gift. As we celebrate the Easter season this month, along with Earth Day, may we give thanks for the bounty of God’s love that we are given in the Creation and the Resurrection. And if you’re looking for a window into the beauty of the universe, I’d certainly recommend Felicity.

Peace, Fr. Robert Black +

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Kathy Dunn, Treasurer

February financials look great for two reasons: (1) The last Sunday of January was deposited in February and (2) The second one of our big contributors made their whole $20,000 pledge in February. Thus the total income for the month was $55,395 and the total expenses were $34,260, and the resulting net income was $21,135. I love months like this – they don’t come often! We still have one outstanding payment for the organ project. Unfortunately, we don’t know the amount that Bubba the electrician will be billing us; however, there is still over $14,000 in the restricted funds of the checking account, so we should be fine.

Easter Egg Hunt following 10:30

service Easter Sunday. Plastic eggs provided, you bring the goodies, put in basket in the nartex, Hope to recycle eggs for next year.

WHY GO TO CHURCH An Editorial Worth a Good Read Dear Parishioner. . . If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this! If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it. If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a

newspaper & complained that it made no sense to go to

church every Sunday.

“I've gone for 30 years now,' he wrote, 'and in that

time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the

life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I

think I'm wasting my time & the preachers and priests are

wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.'

This started a real controversy

in the 'Letters to the Editor' column.

Much to the delight of the editor, it

went on for weeks until someone

wrote the following clincher:

'I've been married for 30 years

now. In that time my wife has

cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot

recall the entire menu for a single one of those

meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave

me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not

given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.

“ Likewise, if I had not gone to church for

nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today! 'When you

are DOWN to nothing, God is UP to something! Faith sees

the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the

impossible!

Thank God for our physical & our spiritual

nourishment! IF YOU CANNOT SEE GOD IN ALL, YOU

CANNOT SEE GOD AT ALL!

ROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES NEEDS LIST CONTINUES TO GROW

______________________________________ VOLUNTEERS are needed to complete the renovation of the Crisis Assistance Building, especially to lay carpet tiles and finish some painting. Contact Emily Huffman at 704-637-6838 ext 112 or ehuffman@rowanhelping ministries.org

DOCK WORKERS to receive donations, weigh food and record donations. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Emily Huffman

Jeannie’s Kitchen to Prepare and Serve Breakfast; Sunday—Saturday. Perfect for groups of 4-6 people, 5:15 a.m.—7:45 a.m. Katie Murdock at 704-637-6838 ext 117 or email at Kmurdocksrowanhelping ministries.org

Food Pantry Hot & Cold Cereal, canned fruit // Food Pantry West // Jelly, Sugar Free Jelly, Sugar Free canned fruit, White Beans, Whole grain rice & Noodles, Blackeye Peas. Sugar Free cookies, Beets, Laundry Detergent, Bar Soap, Spices, and Butter for Jeanie’s Kitchen. Clothing Center // Volunteers to help switch from winter clothing to spring & summer clothing. Men’s steel-toe work shoes, sizes 10-15 Shelter Needs // Face Towels, Adult shower

TREASURER’S REPORT

The formal procession enters the church as the Palm Sunday service begins.

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St. Luke’s parishioners and members of the Parish Choir join in the responses for the Palm Sunday procession.

St. Luke’s campus grounds receive a

springtime sprucing up from

leadership and members wielding

rakes, shovels, and a fresh coating of

landscaping mulch. (Photos by Cathy

Green, Junior Warden)

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MEMORIALS & HONORARIA Given to the Glory of God—April 2016

Eucharistic Candles—In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Cormack, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Cormack, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin H. Taylor by Holly Cormack

Office Candles—Godparents of Holly Cormack, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Correll, Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. Cormack, and Maribelle Cormack

Sanctuary Lamp Candle—People who are kind by Reg Boland and In Memory of Lorraine Naylor Brownell and In Honor of Elizabeth Brownell Duncan and Heather Elizabeth Duncan

Altar Flowers April 3—In Memory of The Rev. I. Mayo Little Jr., Mr. and Mrs. J. Mayo Little, Sr., and Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Hill by Betty Little April 10—In Memory of Dr. Paul Green and Joan Green by their children Susan, Pete, Peggy, and Cathy

April 17—In Memory of Sally Graham Large, William C. Coughenour, Sr., Ruby Gray Coughenour, Louis Miller Boyd, Jr., Mary Gray, Postel M. Nicholes, Ann Coughenour Boyd, William C. Coughenour, Jr., Richard C. Coughenour, and Mary G. Coughenour April 24—In Memory of Forrest Mallory Davis, Jr., Helen Bevins Thompson, and Willard R. Thompson, Sr. by Dr. and Mrs. W. R. Thompson, Jr.

A sunset view from St. Luke’s campus.

A REMINDER—Our Episcopal Visit

Bishop Anne-Hodges Copple Will Visit Us October 9, 2016

PREPARING FOR OUR EPISCOPAL VISIT

Bishop Anne-Hodges Copple is scheduled to be with us on Sunday, October 9, 2016. It has been a while since we’ve had an episcopal visitation (we didn’t have one in 2015 because of the renovation project and Bishop Curry’s resignation in order to become the Presiding Bishop). It will be a grand celebration! Though October seems like a long time from now, we do need to begin preparations for Bishop Anne’s visit as it pertains to preparing candidates for Confirmation, Reaffirmation, or Reception. In our Anglican structure, bishops are shepherds of the flock, and so they are the ones who preside over the ceremonies in which people are brought into our flock. Bishops have the task of laying their hands on people and praying for the Spirit to continue its good work in them. The Bishop can do this in three contexts:

Confirmation: For those who have already been Baptized and wish to make a mature and further commitment to Christ and their Baptismal promises.

Reception: For those who have already been Confirmed in another faith tradition. The Episcopal Church recognizes and honors your Confirmation, and you will be welcomed by the Bishop as a member into this church.

Reaffirmation: For those who are already Confirmed members of The Episcopal Church, but wish to reaffirm their membership in this church and desire to take part in the preparation process along with the other candidates.

In order to prepare for this event, we will have preparatory classes, both for youth (who are at least 14 years old) and adults. If you, or your child, is interested in signing up for these classes or would like to discuss further, please contact me at either 704-633-3221 or rblack@stlukessalisbury.net. The classes will be held separately for youth and adults and will cover Anglican theology, worship, structure, and history; the Bible; the Book of Common Prayer; and our Baptismal Covenant and vocation. If you are interested in learning (or relearning) more about The Episcopal Church and are not interested in Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation, you are still welcome to attend these classes. Please let me know of your interest so that we can begin planning and scheduling.

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EASTER SUNDAY...BUSY, BEAUTIFUL

6 The Messenger EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN It is time for the yearly pledge for our ECW. Pledges are based completely on what you choose to contribute to the work of the ECW. If you can make a pledge, please call Babe Nobles (704-633-2901) for a Pledge card. How is your pledge to the ECW spent? A recap of this year’s spending will give you an idea of the various projects that we support. The major portion of the budget

Supports two items: St. Luke’s Mothers Morning Out that was initiated by the ECW as a community outreach program and the salary of the person who cleans the church offices once a month as well as cleaning the bathrooms.

In addition to these items, we give support to the Lex Matthews Scholarship Fund that awards continuing education scholarship funds to St. Luke’s members; The Salisbury Church Women United, Thompson Child and Family Focus (a service of the Episcopal Church; the Diocesan Missionary Christmas Fund; and the diocesan ECW for their operating and program expenses.

In addition, we made contributions to the Penick Village Foundation in Southern Pines; Food for Thought; Family Crisis Center; Prevent Child Abuse Rowan; and a Christmas monetary gift to Marcus Corry, Rhonda Mobley, and Dawn Hamaty for their many services to the ECW and to St. Luke’s. The ECW also provides a meal or reception at the death of a St. Luke’s member. The Epiphany Offering that supports the diocesan missionaries and Miles of Pennies for the purchase of books for children are also programs of the ECW. The ECW also contributed our reserve fund of $16,500 to clean the church pews, pulpit and altar, and painting the interior of the church at the conclusion of the renovation project. As you can see, St. Luke’s ECW supports a wide range of activities within our parish as well as in the community and the diocese. We hope you will find it worthy of your consideration. -Babe Nobles, Treasurer

Kemp Grandson Honored by Navy For Outstanding Service in his Unit David Kemp, the grandson of Ann and George Kemp, has been honored for his high performance

with the Navy’s Atlantic Wing. Kemp was recently named Viper of the Month for his work with the Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency program. The Vipers are named for their high quality work loading weapons and munitions. A member of the Navy for six years, he is a career man, following in the footsteps of both his grand-fathers. AT2 Kemp is an avid sportsman and also uses his off-duty time to

pursue a degree in business at the University of Georgia.

Easter Sunday had great music, excited young people

The Messenger 7 MARK YOUR CALEnDAR . . . Weekdays—Morning Prayer, 8 a.m.; Evening Prayer, 5:30 p.m.

Wednesdays—Healing Service, 5:30 p.m.

Saturdays—Knitting Group, 1-4 p.m.

__ April 6, 13, 20, 27—Novice Choir, 5 p.m.

Healing Service, HE 1, 5:30 p.m.

Choristers Rehearsal, 5:45 p.m.

Parish Choir, 7:20—9 p.m.

___April 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30—Knitting Group, 1-4 p.m.,

St. Agnes Room

—-April 7—Building & Grounds Committee, 5:30 p.m.

Library

___April 10 & April 24—Youth Group, 5:30 p.m., PH

___April 12—Finance Committee, Noon , Library

—-April 14—-St. Luke’s Foundation Meeting, Library,

5:30 p.m.

___April 17—Young Families Meeting, 5-7 p.m., PH

___April 19—Vestry Meeting, 6 p.m., Library

___April 24—TRAINING SESSION FOR ALL

ACOLYTES & VERGERS, after the

10:30 Service (see Announcements)

—Choral Evensong, 5:30 p.m.

—Don’t forget…April 8 & April 22...St. Luke’s Breakfast

Club at The Palms Café, 8 a.m. Sr. Coffee free!

thank YOU… from All of Us March Altar Guild Team—Kathy Dunn, Stephanie Potter, Mary Jane Roemer, Kit Davis, and Gene Krueger Children’s Chapel Leaders— Tory Curran, Trevor Eppehimer, Lisa and Joe Trainer, and Michelle and Brian Whitson To ALL OF YOU who have been faithfully bringing your pennies and other coins for MILES OF PENNIES. The ECW appreciates your help and the recipients do also! During the busy spring days ahead, please remember to continue to deposit your donations in the containers in the NARTHEX and in the PARISH HALL. The need goes on the on! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Anne Crawford

CONGRATULATIONS To Anne & George Kemp on their 55th wedding Anniversary and to Victor and Jaqueline Shive on the birth of Ava Rose Shive, and to her grandparents Starr Shive and Penny Roemer. To Caroline Forbis who pitched a no-hitter for the Salisbury High School Softball team, beating Lexington High School 17-0. She struck out 14 batters and hit two doubles. Caroline is Co-Captain of the team. To Ella Trainor who made the 6th Grade second trimester Honor Roll at Sacred Heart School To Marcus Corry who is a member of the baseball team; and to Nellie Brown and Ellen Simons who are members

of the soccer team and to Abigail Lund who is a member of the track team.

RECTOR’S MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT This month, I’d like to pay special thanks to Barbara and David Setzer for their work in bringing The Messenger newsletter to you all each month. If you’ve attended many different churches, you know that The Messenger is one of the finer newsletters that you’ll encounter. Barbara and David faithfully and lovingly put many, many hours each month into collecting articles and editing them into a newsletter. The Messenger connects parishioners of St. Luke’s far and wide. People who come to St. Luke’s weekly and those who come only on occasion; those who live in Salisbury, and those who have moved away up still read the newsletter are all kept up to date because of the Setzers’ work on this publication. So please join me in thanking Barbara and David for their ministry of communication through The Messenger.

CALLING ALL ACOLYTES & VERGERS! After the 10:30 service on Sunday, April 24, we will have a WORSHIP TRAINING SESSION FOR THE ACOLYTES AND VERGERS. It is important that ALL acolytes try to attend this session. Now that we have a deacon and are back in the church and have had a chance to figure out the new flow of the liturgy, it is a great time to come together to celebrate the ministries of acolytes and vergers and to review the duties within the liturgy. We’ll meet Right after the 10:30 service on APRIL 24. We will provide pizza and will then start training for our acolytes and vergers. Please let Father Robert know and plan to join us for this meeting!

ST. LUKE’S PRAYER LIST Please include those on our Prayer List in your daily

prayers and thanksgivings. If there are changes that need to be

made, please call the church office. Remember, sometimes even

our clergy don’t know if you or a loved one is in the hospital

out of town. Dr. Albert Aymer, Patsy Beard, Katherine Carr,

Caroline DeLay, Andrew Doyle, Jon Gibson, Walter Hall,

Betty Hedrick, Jimmy Kesler, Bill Kluttz, James Novak,

Barbara Riley, Alan Scott, Meghan Thompson, Seth Tinsley,

Ann Tronsor, Barbara Upright, and Jeanne York -Maybe you

would like to send a card to the following who are in nursing

homes or home- bound: Betty Jean zumBrunnen, Carolina

House of Cary, Apt. #229, 111 McArthur Drive, Cary, NC

27513

Pray for all who serve in the military, especially Jonathan Auten, Christian Beck, Bruce Brandl, Clark Cave, Elliott Cave, Oliver Clayton, David Cline, David Hamaty, Connor Holcomb, Mark Holcomb, James Hunter, David Kemp, Bill Kluttz, Jason Koontz, Tom Larson, Timothy Lewis, Dick McGuire, Matt Russ, Ian Schulte, Alexander Smith, Dirk Steenwyk, and Ben Wilson Remember the Vestry and Staff in your prayers: Robert Black, our Priest; Bonnie Duckworth, Deacon; Rhonda Mobley, Parish Administrator; Dr. Mark Ardrey-Graves, Organist and Choir Master, Marcus Corry, Sexton; and Staff Volunteers Kathy Dunn, Treasurer; Dawn Hamaty, Office Assistant, Chip Short, Chancellor; and Ann Dunn, Vestry Secretary. Our Vestry — Reg Boland (Sr. Warden); Cathy Green, (Jr. Warden); Jason Chan, Davis Cooke, Brenda Forbis, Diane Hundley, Andrew Lund, Penny Roemer, Karen Setliff, Greg Shields, Bethany Sinnott, and Vicky Slusser Prayer for the Parish: God, loving and ever present; transform us

to live your word more profoundly and to share your gifts with others. Reconcile us so our enemies become our friends. Nurture our relationships, enliven our parish, and unite our families. Fill us with joy to celebrate the fullness of life. Empower us to be a community of love, growing always in your likeness. And when we leave your church, remind us that we are Christ to the world. Amen.

Yamo . . . Youth and Military Outreach

If you have a child in college or in the military who has been a member of St. Luke’s and you have not been contacted about the Graduate Program, please contract Brenda Forbis at 704–633-6034 with his/her name, address, date of birth, email, phone number, and list of favorite snacks. This program that will allow these young people to remember they are still loved and cared for by their St. Luke’s Family.

REMEMBER…MORNING PRAYER Monday-Friday 8 a.m. and EVENING PRAYER Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 5:30 pm Leaders are: Reg Boland, Kit Davis, Melissa Eller, Lillian

Gasciogne, Will Jordan, Ed Joyner, Dick Martin, Eve Phillips, Lee Piper, and Gary Thornburg—Morning and Evening Prayer services are held in the Chapel. And, as always, a HEALING and a EUCHARIST SERVICE is held every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Leaders are: Davis Cooke, Ann Dunn, and Sarah Kellogg. EVENSONG, a sung version of Evening Prayer, is held the last Sunday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the church.

Shopping List for Rowan Helping Ministries SOUP: chicken noodle, tomato, vegetable beef, etc. CANNED MEAT: chicken, tuna, salmon, roast beef, Spam, Treet, corned beef, Vienna sausages, chili, ham CANNED FRUIT or FRUIT CUPS: peaches, mixed fruit, pears, pineapple, tropical fruit, fruit cocktail CANNED VEGETABLES: peas, all kinds of beans, carrots, mixed vegetables, greens CEREAL: corn flakes, rice krispies, shredded wheat, cap’n crunch, raisin bran, etc. STARCHES: ramen noodles, mac & cheese, boxed potatoes, pasta, rice. ALSO NEED: Coffee Creamer Please share with your friends and help fill the pantry shelves! DON’T FORGET OUR “LITTLE RED WAGON!” ROWAN HELPING MINISTRIES has had an increase in clients who need food and more volunteers and have asked all Salisbury congregations to help. The two areas of greatest need are in Jeannie’s Kitchen (cooking & serving the noon meal) and the Food Pantry (packaging groceries for those in need). For more information, please contact Shakita Ellis @ 704-637-6838, ext. 117 for more information.

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Office: 704-633-3221 EMERGENCY ONLY: 1-980-643-8527 (Rector) www.stlukessalisbury.net Office Hours: 9-4 Monday-Friday

St. luke’s episcopal church 131 West Council Street, Salisbury, NC 28144 Wireless Internet: Name: St. Luke’s—Guest Wireless Password: internet123!

Let’s Fill it Up!

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