November Anchor 2013 - stlukeseg.org Anchor 2013.pdf3 ANCHOR NOVEMBER 2013 ... budget which has been divided into five categories: outreach and advocacy, congregational development,

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church East Greenwich, Rhode Island

November 2013

Dear brothers and sisters, Last night I, along with Laura and Michael Sullivan and Jesse Dooley, attended a deanery meeting to discuss the upcoming Diocesan Convention. Now, not only do I expect this announcement to come as news to you but moreover, I wonder how many of you even know that we are a part of a "deanery" much less what actually goes on at the "Diocesan Convention." If you count yourself as a member of the uninformed, worry not-- you're in good company. Whether you are a "cradle Episcopalian" (i.e., born into this denomination) or brand new to this denomination, concepts such as a deanery and a diocese might be only vaguely familiar. And yet, I want to tell you, they represent one of the very things that I love most about the Episcopal Church. The word "deanery" refers to a group of parishes connected because of geographical proximity. Last night we were at Ascension Church, Wakefield, along with our closest neighbor from Wickford, but there also were parishes present from as far down the road as Westerly. I found it comforting to see signs and materials at Ascen-sion which also are present at St. Luke's and I found it stimulating to hear from one woman what they were doing in her church by way of outreach. We really can learn from one another. We also can collaborate with each other, a point that was made that night by Canon Grenz, the Bishop's assistant. Maybe there's an educational offering we could co-sponsor with other churches from our deanery? Maybe there's an outreach project we could attempt with the aide and support of a near-by parish? Maybe

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ANCHOR NOVEMBER 2013

there's a youth initiative we could undertake with the youth from neighboring communities? The beauty of being a part of a wider network of churches is that we can accomplish more in partnership with others than we ever could on our own. I think there's also beauty to be found that goes beyond what we can do, that speaks more to who we are. When the entire Dio-cese gathers for our annual convention, on display will be the diver-sity of our Episcopal family. Yes, in attendance will be a large num-ber of white, middle-class Rhode Islanders, as is often the stereotype for the Episcopal Church. But also filling the pews of St. Paul's, Pawtucket, will be Latinos and Latinas, African-Americans, indi-viduals of significant affluence and individuals struggling to make ends meet, straight couples, gay couples, traditionalists and progres-sives, Republicans and Democrats-- all of us worshipping out of the same prayer book and more importantly, worshipping the same God. The Diocesan Convention provides a clear and tangible snap shot of what it means to be part of an inclusive and welcoming Church, and I love that! Convention also offers the opportunity for the Diocese to do the "business" of the Church. We will approve the 2014 Diocesan budget which has been divided into five categories: outreach and advocacy, congregational development, support services, leadership and pastoral support, and Episcopal Charities. The budget, I think, does a wonderful job of showing that the focus of the Diocese is on mission. You'll also be happy to know that the rate of apportion-ment (which determines the amount of money each congregation gives to the Diocese) has held steady at 17%. Other items on the Convention agenda include electing members to serve on various Diocesan bodies such as the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, and Commission for Congregational Development, as well as voting on our deputies to the 2015 National Convention. While these elections will not be hotly contested, they do represent a wonderful way for Episcopalians from around the

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ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

state to participate in the life of the Diocese. In years past, several St. Luke's parishioners have served in a variety of capacities, includ-ing Fran Gammell-Roach, who has been a member of the Standing Committee, Jim Rezendes, who served on the Diocesan Finance Committee, Karen Whelan-Berry who worked on the Bishop's task force for Same-Sex Unions, and Keith Hudson, who remains a mem-ber of the Clergy Compensation Committee. If you are interested in serving, yourself, please let me know and I will share more with you. Finally, the Diocesan Convention is the place where a vari-ety of resolutions are brought to the floor. These resolutions can range from matters of Church governance to requests for Diocesan-wide study of some particular issue or concern. It was interesting that one of the first questions asked at the Deanery meeting was, "What will be the most contentious resolution brought to the floor?" I understand that past conventions have had their share of drama if not conflict. But this year looks to be drama-free-- a sign, I do be-lieve, of the healthy and happy climate of this Diocese. In fact, the only resolution up for consideration is one that would allow for ab-sentee balloting at the congregational annual meetings. So, if you are still reading this letter and find yourself won-dering, "What exactly does all this have to do with what Tim love's about the Episcopal Church?" I can understand your question. In some ways, these meetings and procedural conversations are a bit dry. But beyond the "dryness" of the Convention is this one great reality: we Episcopalians do not make church on our own; we are connected to other Episcopalians in the state (and actually, through-out the country as well as around the globe). We have near and dis-tant kindred spirits to partner with us, support us, pray for us, inform us, inspire us, and challenge us. And I think this makes us a richer Church for it.

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I love being in a Church with people who don't look just like me, who don't think just like me, and who don't live just like me. This reality expands my awareness; it challenges my empathy; it tests my compassion. This reality gives me a better and broader sense of what the "Kingdom of God" really looks like. If we were just a stand-alone church, left to our own inclinations and concerns, I think we would miss all of this. I'm not sure who first coined the phrase, "The whole is greater than sum of the parts." One site gives credit to Aristotle for first saying it. But to my way of thinking, there's real theology in such a statement-- and God must have known the truth in these words from the beginning of creation. My prayer is that we can be reminded of this notion by our Diocesan Convention and every time we gather with the deanery family. Please do keep the Diocese in your prayers as we meet on November 2. Peace,

TimTimTimTim

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Your Episcopal Charities Dollars at Work

Each agency applying for a grant is visited by an Episcopal Chari-

ties volunteer. One of the agencies is the Elizabeth Buffum

Chace Center (EBCC). The EBCC is one of only a few agencies

in the state that specialize in supporting the needs of the abused

and often frail elderly. The support is in the form of crisis inter-

vention, court advocacy, counseling, transportation, and support

groups. The staff and volunteers are extremely well trained and

very caring. They make a huge difference to the lives of abused

elderly.

Here are excerpts from one of their stories:

Mrs. A. is an 81 year old woman living in a rural area of RI. She

has survived many hardships in life. Although she has many

friends from her church group, she found herself becoming in-

creasingly lonely at home. When her 40 year old niece Ann of-

fered to move in with her, she agreed to the companionship im-

mediately. Shortly after moving in with her aunt, Ann was ar-

rested for drunk driving. When Mrs. A. confronted her about a

bottle of vodka hidden in a closet, Ann became angry and twisted

Mrs. A.’s arm behind her back. Mrs. A. told her doctor the story

and he reported this to the police. Ann was arrested for Elder Do-

mestic Violence and the court advocates for the EBCC assisted

Mrs. A. in court. They referred her to their Elder Services Pro-

gram, which provided home visits and case management services.

Mrs. A. attended the support group. A dedicated volunteer drives

her to the center for the group, and she has been able to remain in

her home safely.

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This is just one story of many people who are helped through grants made by Episcopal Charities. Please consider making a commitment to support the many agencies that provide services

to Rhode Islanders in need.

Episcopal Charities Update for St. Luke’s:

Our gifts and pledges are now totaling $39,686. Please help St. Luke’s meet the challenge goal of $44,000. It is our tradition to have generous hearts, appreciate how our dollars are working in the community, and to reach our challenge. We thank you with our whole hearts. We are so grateful for your support. Nancy Kaull (401-219-0744) and Lindsey Yates

(401-465-1544), parish co-chairs.

BLOOD DRIVE….

Senior Project Thank You and YOU CAN STILL HELP!!

"Thank you all for coming to support me in my Senior Project Blood Drive! So far, we have received almost 15 donations, but I want that number to keep growing! From now until February you can use the sponsor code 2270 to donate and that donation will be a part of my project goal. Again, I would like to thank everyone that came out and donated and those who wanted to donate but couldn't. If you were not able to donate but still want to, you have plenty of time!" Thanks, Grace Adam

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Join us at our next

CHRIST COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Monday, November 28th from 5—6:30 pm

St. Luke’s dining room

99 Peirce Street

All are invited to the Lord’s table

Good food, fellowship & conversation.

Free will offering appreciated.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Commitment Sunday

“I will, with God's Help"

November 24th at the 8 & 10 am services

This is the time of the year when we are to focus specifically on how we are stewards of our treasures and how we might commit

some of these treasures for use in God's Church. We have entitled the 2014 Commitment Campaign the

“I will, with God's Help" Campaign.

On this day, I invite all of you to bring your pledge cards to church

and, during the worship, place them in a basket. I look forward to

committing myself and my monies with you so that we can know

more fully the blessings of being God's children and the joys of do-

ing God's work.

TimTimTimTim

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THE PORTLAND VISIT

Each fall the Canterbury Choir makes a retreat to help pre-pare and revitalize for the busy season ahead. Last year it was a day spent at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in beautiful Tiverton, RI and the year before it was an overnight trip to Ground Zero and singing in St. Paul’s Chapel, the base site for so much of the recovery activities following the attack on the twin towers. Each retreat offers different aspects for reflection. This year we made a pilgrimage to Portland, Maine to sing under the direction of Albert Melton, Music Director, with the Cathedral Choir of St. Luke. Our trip north began at various times on Friday, October 4th because of chorister work sched-ules. As usual the Friday traffic around the Boston area was abominable, but all 14 choristers arrived safely at accommoda-tions in Old Orchard Beach. It was peak season in the city of Portland and expensive so it was strongly recommended that we stay at the Ocean Waves Resort on the beach for incredibly rea-sonable rates. It worked well for our group with only a 20 minute drive into Portland. Saturday began with a 2 hour rehearsal with the combined choirs followed by a tour and talk about the Cathedral by the Very Rev. Benjamin Shambaugh, Dean. Then it was lunch and entertain-ment by our 3 Amigos. The afternoon was free time for the St. Luke Choristers to explore the cobbled streets and waterfront of a very interesting small city well known for its many fine cultural activities. At the end of the day I visited with some very tired choristers, but heard wonderful reviews for the day.

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Sunday our rehearsal call was for 8:45 p.m. for an hour in the chancel rehearsing carefully every aspect of the liturgy and mu-sic. The nave of the Cathedral holds 600 people and the acoustics are excellent. The back of the nave opens into a large chapel that holds another 100 or so people and gives quite a spectacular view down the aisle from the main chancel. It was the Sunday for the Blessing of the Animals, which began on the front lawn of the Cathedral about 9:40 am with an interesting group of about 70 people gathered with a variety of pets. Precisely at 9:50 a.m. eve-ryone paraded into church with pets to hear the Prelude. Occa-sionally the pets offered a little percussion to the service, but gen-erally were well behaved. The liturgy and music were beautifully coordinated to the theme of the day. It was a unique opportunity for me as an organ-ist/director to sing with the combined choir under the direction of a fine musician in a different space. There is a beautifully carved reredos about the high altar and as we turned to recite the Creed I was struck by all the history and traditions of our faith as repre-sented in this magnificent piece that dominated the entire chancel area. After the service we gathered with the congregation and choir at the Coffee Hour to share our thoughts and experiences about our Maine retreat. There was a consensus of opinion among the Rhode Island Choristers that this had been a delightful visit, which deepened our appreciation for the warm hospitality and gracious spirit that had been shown to us as a guest singing choir. An Interesting aside! Unexpectedly an additional male chorister joined our choir in Portland. Dr. Scott Hanson and his family all sang in the St. Luke’s choirs about 10 years ago before moving to Tallahassee, FL. Now Scott is back in New England and on the medical staff of the VA Hospital in Lewiston, ME and waiting for his family to join him. He called to ask if he could join us at the Cathedral and sing with the choir. It was a joyful reunion filled with shared memories and stories. Music is a tie that binds all of us in a powerful shared ministry.

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CELEBRATING ALL SAINT’S DAY

Evensong

Sunday, November 3, 2013 4 p.m.

Evensong is sung evening prayers and has been a tradition of the Anglican Church since the mid 1700s. The prayers and music that support that liturgy are beautifully expressed by the choirs. It is the perfect way to end a Sunday and be refreshed for the week to come. The service is less than an hour and offers time for quietness and meditation. Please join us for this special ser-vice and remember beloved family and friends as you hear the prayers that have been sung for over 300 years.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Sunday, December 15th at 4 p.m.

All the Choirs will participate in this joyful concert: An-gels, St. Cecilia, Canterbury and Jubilate Ringers. Already the com-munity is asking when is the concert? We have established a great Christmas tradition with all the choirs, of every age, singing carols from around the world. The Jubilate Ringers are known through out the community for their concerts and ringing skills. Put the date on your calendar, bring a friend and join us for an exciting Christmas Festival.

TUTORING SERVICE

Nancy Borden, who is a member of the Canterbury Choir and also assists with the Angel Choir, is a professional teacher and offers the following service:

LEARNING LINK- a tutoring experience for the individ-ual child which bridges home and school learning. Grades K-3. Contact: Nancy Borden 821-9967

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November News for Church

School & J2A

November 3rd All Saints Day

9am One Service Classes for Preschool, Kindergarten,

Grades 1 & 2 ONLY at 9:00

November 7th J2A Litany of Dedication Dinner

For grades 9 & 10

6:00 – 8:00 in the church auditorium

November 10th Intergeneration Sunday

No Classes today for church school and J2A groups

Outreach Project for all ages in the auditorium from 9:00 – 9:45

November 17th Church School and J2A classes

November 24th Church School and J2A classes

December 1

No Church School Classes Today

Advent Wreath Making for Families in the Auditorium

after both services.

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ST. LUKE’S GIVING TREE 2013

Again this year St Luke’s will continue the tradition of a Giving Tree project beginning the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Parish-ioners will have the opportunity to provide holiday gifts for some of our neighbors in need. We will also help Heather Mac-Donald in her teaching ministry in the Dominican Republic and

the Heifer Project International.

You can help in three ways:

1) buy a requested gift

2) give a gift certificate through the church

3) make a check donation to St. Luke’s with Giving Tree designated on the notation line

Details will be forthcoming in the December Anchor. Tags will be on Christmas trees in the Atrium and on the bulletin board at the end of the hall after Thanksgiving. We appreciate every-

one’s help and generosity.

Peggy Rubel (884-6594) and Kathy Denny-Brown (885-1392)

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PROPERTY COMMITTEE

The November property breakfast will be on the 3rd Thursday, November 21st and in December the breakfast will be on the 2nd Thursday, December 12th at 8 am in the Dining Room. We invite both women and men to join us for food, fellowship and fun working on various projects to help keep the church in good or-

der.

Sandy and Peggy Rubel (884-6594)

Tablecloths missing

We are missing several of our red/white/

green checkered tablecloths. If you are

in possession of any of them, please re-

turn them to the office. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC MEMORIALS

Remembering beloved family and friends with a Music Memo-rial helps us provide additional instruments and musicians for all the Christmas services that the budget is not able to cover. St. Luke’s is known for lovely Christmas music and special choirs that bring all the carols and songs for us to enjoy. Help

us keep these traditions alive.

Please make checks payable to: St. Luke’s Church with Music Memori-als in the memo field. Send or bring to the office by December 20. St. Luke’s Church, 99 Peirce Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818

In honor of _____

Given by ____________________________________

Amount of memorial: __________

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CHRISTMAS POINSETTIA

FLOWER MEMORIALS

to be placed at the altar in

memory of loved ones

Given by: ___________________________________

Address: __________________________________ Phone: ____________________________________

Please print names to be remembered: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

Names MUST be turned in to the office on or

before December 20 to be included in Christmas Service leaflets.

Please make checks payable to St. Luke's Church & indicate "Christmas Flowers" on the memo line. Suggested donation is $10 per name.

Drop checks & form off at church or mail to St. Luke's, 99 Peirce Street, East Greenwich 02818

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ALTAR FLOWERS

Since the article in the September Anchor about altar flowers, there has been an increased interest and participation in altar flower memorials. Let’s keep the momentum going as altar flower memorials are a great tradition here at St. Luke’s. Acknowledgement of gifts are listed on our weekly bulletin. What a beautiful way to brighten our sanctuary as we come to worship and share our dedications with our church family.

Just email [email protected], call the office at 401-884-4116 or enclose the form below in the mail with your

check for the flowers ($45 is requested).

Let us know the date you would like your loved one of special occasion remembered and how you would like their name to

appear in the bulletin and prayer list. Thank you.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NAME

In Celebration of

In Memory of

Amount Enclosed

Sunday you would like your celebration

or loved one remembered (date)

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Jesus wasn’t known to us walking on the road

A poem written by Jesse Dooley, a St. Luke’s parishioner

Jesus wasn’t known to us walking on the road. Somberly toward Emmaus, from Jerusalem as we strode. Cleopas and I were talking, we we discussing it among us, how some women went to the tomb, and how it absolutely stunned us. You see he was a prophet, mighty in deed and word. We asked the stranger who came near if he really hadn’t heard. How the tomb, they said it was empty. The vision of angels said he was alive. Then the stranger chimed in, and asked why we were so surprised. “Oh how foolish you are, and how so slow of heart to believe all that the prophets declared.” Oh, I remember how intently that stranger at us stared! “Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Cleopas and I often talk about how at that time we still didn’t get or understand the stranger’s story! He interpreted all the Scriptures, from Moses through the prophets. He didn’t leave anything out; he covered all those topics. The sun was going down, it had been a long day. He went to walk on, We begged him to stay. He obliged and that evening as we reclined at the table, he took the bread, he blessed the bread,

I swear this is no fable!!!

(continued on page 18)

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After he broke it,

Our eyes were opened.

We recognized who he was from our communion,

not from the words that he had spoken.

If we didn’t believe when Jesus told us so,

What makes us think we can

With idle words quoting Scripture verses

bring the message of Jesus to another man?

He didn’t reveal himself to our burning hearts by proving all the facts.

He showed he was the Son of God

by being around the common table where we sat.

Sure those holy writings point to him,

but make no mistake,

Jesus exists quite apart from them,

known more clearly in the Lord’s Supper that we partake.

You could touch his nail-pierced hands and wounded side

yet still disbelieve.

But eat some broiled fish with your fellow man

and his presence you’ll both perceive.

That night Cleopas and I learned it’s not as important what facts are in

our heads:

Jesus was known to us not in Holy Scripture first

but in the breaking of the bread.

It was then that we realized our Lord’s resurrected and no longer dead.

Peace, Jesse

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East Greenwich Interfaith Food Cupboard

Each new month brings 8-10 or more new clients to the East Greenwich Food Cupboard. The need for supplementing the food supply for many in our Town is real and it is growing. Last year we spent twice what we spent three years ago to buy food for the Cupboard from the RI Food Bank and from local stores. Our goal is to keep the shelves fully stocked with nutritious food that our clients need. With your help we can succeed.

There are always certain staples that we can use to keep our shelves stocked. So this month think protein like canned tuna, canned chicken, canned hams, beef stew, hash or items like ce-real, jelly, Progresso soups, etc.

Did you know you can buy a small box of Stop and Shop brand cereal for only $1.00?

As always, thanks for all the support you give the EG Interfaith Food Cupboard.

Chris and Steve Bartlett

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James Eldredge, St. Luke's and East Greenwich

Perhaps some of you attending St. Luke's are familiar with the name "Eldredge". There has been a continuous line of Eldredges here since its founding in the 1800's. Henry and Priscilla El-dredge, now deceased, were the most recent members of this il-lustrious family to worship here. Many current parishioners knew them well. Henry and Priscilla spearheaded and oversaw the Columbarium project located at the rear of the Church facing into the historic cemetery where several members of the Eldredge family were laid to rest. Dr. Charles Eldredge was the first family member to come to East Greenwich in 1810 and in 1833 helped to found St. Luke's. His son, James Henry Eldredge was also a physician and as a plaque in his memory states, "He was a faithful servant of St. Luke's for 50 years. A beautiful credence table in our Sanctuary memorial-izes him. Eldredge School was named for him and the "Wayside Cross" at the entrance to Glenwood Cemetery at the corner of Middle Road and Cedar Avenue honors his dedicated care of East Greenwich residents for so many years. Eldredge School was also named for him. My path crossed with a direct descendant of James Eldredge at the Church we attend in the winter in Venice, FL. Judith Eldredge Wuerdemann grew up in Connecticut but used to visit her grand-parents at their home at the corner of Divison and Peirce Streets where Dr. Eldredge's office once was. She mentioned that she was in possession of an oil portrait of James Eldredge and wanted to find a home for it in East Greenwich. To make a long story short, it is now hanging in the East Greenwich library on the first floor. If you happen to be in the library, you might want to seek out the good man who was an important part of St. Luke's and East Greenwich's history. Cynthia Newton

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The Mission of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

East Greenwich, RI:

To worship and serve God as we reflect and pass on the Light of Christ

Rector: The Rev. Timothy T. Rich ([email protected])

Assistant to the Rector: The Rev. Noel Bailey ([email protected])

Deacons Emeriti: The Rev. Hedwig B. Neale ([email protected])

The Rev. Edwin F. Hallenbeck ([email protected])

Christian Ed Director: Susan MacDonald ([email protected])

Music Director: Priscilla A. Rigg ([email protected])

Parish Admin: Barbara DeFusco ([email protected])

Nursery Coordinator: Karen Simas Bookkeeper: Lisa Paolino ([email protected]) Sextons: Wesley Forsythe ([email protected])

Assistant Sexton: David Rodriguez Anchor : Barbara DeFusco ([email protected])

WORSHIP SERVICES

Sundays: 8 am and 10 am Holy Eucharist Sunday School: 9 am Gr. 3-12; 10 am preschool-Gr 2

Monday -Thursday 9:10 am Morning Prayer in the Chapel Tuesdays 10 am Centering Prayer

Tuesdays 12 noon Holy Eucharist & Healing

OFFICE HOURS

The church is open for prayer and meditation during our regular office hours.

Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 2 pm (September—June)

VESTRY

Senior Warden: Arlene Serdakowski Junior Warden: Neal McNamara

Treasurer: Greg de Groot Clerk: Julie Gemma David Sampson, Linda Potter, David Trimmer, Pam Dresselhouse, Tom Sprague, Geo Borgia, Scott Woodward, Lindsey Yates, Paul Brookes

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The ANCHOR

St. L

uke’s Ep

iscopal C

hurch

99 Peirce Street

East Greenwich, RI 0

2818

401-88

4-41

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www.stlukeseg.org

Documents

November Anchor 2013 - stlukeseg.org Anchor 2013.pdf3 ANCHOR NOVEMBER 2013 ... budget which has been divided into five categories: outreach and advocacy, congregational development,