IN THIS ISSUE:
1 8 6 4 P O S T R O A D , D A R I E N , C T 0 6 8 2 0 | P : 2 0 3 . 6 5 5 . 1 4 5 6 | F : 2 0 3 . 6 5 5 . 7 7 1 6e - m a i l : i n f o @ s a i n t l u k e s d a r i e n . o r g | w w w . s a i n t l u k e s d a r i e n . o r g
November 2010 | TIDINGS SAINT LUKE’S PARISH 1
N o v e m ber 2 0 1 0
S A I N T L U K E ’ S P A R I S HTIDINGS
Stewardship 1
Newcomers 2
Discovery Hour 4
Music Ministry 5
outreach 6
Person - to -Person 7
Youth Ministry 8ParishSchool 9
Children’sMinistries 10
Someone asked me the other day to recall a moment when I felt gratitude, when I had been the recipient of some-one’s generosity. It took a moment to
focus beyond the actual presents tied with ribbon, or instances where some-one said, “Here. This is for you.” My mind settled on the many times I arrived, exhausted, hungry and short-tempered, at my in-laws with three young children. My mother-in-law would swoop in with hugs and quickly whisk the kids off to some surprise or treat in the kitchen. I got a moment of quiet and a chance to compose myself. Later, she would feed me and stimu-late me with some adult conversation. She would send me to bed early and
bravely offer to get up with the kids. The most amazing part was that she always encouraged me to relax, to take my time with an errand or to go for a run. There was no guilt trip for sleeping late or indulging in a movie. She renewed me.
The more subtle gift was that I didn’t have to ask. She gave it so freely, knowing just what I needed after raising five children of her own. Her generosity was almost embarrassing. I pride myself on being independent
and yet I was thor-oughly enjoying being taken care of. More incredible, she wanted nothing
in return. Just the promise of more visits.
It is incredible how her gift has grown in me. Having experienced that kind of relief, or grace, I strive to share it with others.
A Mother’s Dreamby Blair Martin, Stewardship Vestry Liaison
”“There was no guilt trip for sleeping late or indulging in a movie.
Looking for a simple way to give to Saint Luke’s? Just visit www.saintlukesdarien.org and click the “Giving” then “Making An Online Donation” tabs. The new Saint Luke’s web site is set up to take your one-time or recurring (weekly or monthly) gifts via Visa, Mastercard or Discover with just a few easy clicks. Give today – don’t delay!
Giving to Saint Luke’s Just Got Easier!
Clergy, staff and Saint Luke’s Parishioners prepare to serve food at a recent Thursday night Community Supper in the Parish Hall.
SAINT LUKE’S PARISH TIDINGS | November 20102
Jennifer and Jeffrey Schleppy, Lyla and Bree
Pat and Jeremy Cage, Bradley and Elena
We are pleased to welcome the following new members into the Saint Luke’s family:
Tom and Jessica Blouin, Caroline and Thomas
Frank Johnson
Jose and Sandra Alvarez, Daniela
Robin and John Nelson, Annika, Peter and Trevor
Mark and Amy DiBenedetto, Lance
Joanne and Kevin Frawley, Katelyn and Jonathan
Megan and Andrew Clark, Lillian and Evelyn
Ian and Sally Laird, William
Anne Thomas and Tony Larino, Isabel and Eva
Ginny Jamison, Harrison, Scott and Ryan
Walter
Kurt and Angie Polk, Griffith
November 2010 | TIDINGS SAINT LUKE’S PARISH 3
What’s new at Saint Luke’s? After more than 150 years, change has become inevi-
table to our way of life. Just think how much has changed so far this year. 33 new members joined Saint Luke’s in January; Paul and Andrew moved into new clergy housing on our campus in
April/May; Grace King joined us and moved into her new Saint Luke’s apartment in June; the Saint Luke’s website is up and running; the Haitian Action team was organized and is now in full swing; the Community Suppers are serving a wonderful meal to a very broad section of the community; and plans for construction are being finalized for the Youth and Community Center.
We are saddened, though, by the loss of Lynda and Charlie Tyson. The good news is the love we have and
the joy we experienced in knowing both of them. We all wish them Godspeed. They will be missed.
Obviously, by dint of their unique contribution to so many aspects of our church life, things are different after Lynda and Charlie’s departure. At present, we are working diligently to discern how best to cover both the clergy and administrative tasks that were part of Lynda’s work. We want to evaluate our present needs and dis-cover the best, most effective staff configuration, both clergy and administrative. The Executive Committee is reviewing budgets, staffing and programs with a fresh eye, and looking to align them to the results of 2011 Stewardship. We want a plan that will set us on a course not just for the next few months but for years to come.
In order to meet our needs, we’ll need to meet our Annual Giving goal this year, so let’s pray and work together to help keep Saint Luke’s changing and grow-ing as God wills for us.
Saint Luke’s on the moveby Charlie England
Joint Saint Luke’s – Saint Paul’s Thanksgiving Service
Moves to Wednesday, November 24, at 7:00 p.m.
For six years, the two Episcopal churches in Darien have been coming together for a shared Thanksgiving Day service. But this year, we’re moving to Thanksgiving Eve.
We’ll gather on the evening before the big holiday, to give thanks and share the fellowship of community. St. Paul’s is hosting this year, so save the date . . . for Thanksgiving Eve, 7:00 p.m.
at St. Paul’s (471 Mansfield Ave.).
Please join us in preparing for the Advent season by making an Advent Wreath for your family or as a gift for someone you love.
Beautiful Advent choral music from our own Saint Luke’s choir will be playing to get us in the Advent spirit.
Cost: $20.00Includes Frame, Fresh Greens, Candles and Ribbon
Advent Wreath MakingSunday, November 28
Parish Hall - 9:00 a.m. to Noon
SAINT LUKE’S PARISH TIDINGS | November 20104
Discovery HourNovember 7 Ian Cron Saint Francis of Assisi: The Last Christian Eight hundred years ago, Saint Francis of Assisi began a revolutionary movement that rescued Christianity from certain collapse. Ian Morgan Cron, author of Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim’s Tale, will talk about how the message of this pre-modern prophet can restore the cred-ibility of the church in the post-modern world.
Ian Morgan Cron is an author and speaker. He serves part-time as adjunct clergy at Christ Church Green-wich where he curates the Conversations in Courage and Faith program. He resides in Franklin, Tennessee and Dorset, Vermont, with his wife and three chil-dren, and his Portuguese Water Dog, Hobbes.
November 14 Eric Metaxas Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
As Hitler and the Nazis seduced a nation and attempted to exterminate the Jews of Europe, a small number of dis-sidents and saboteurs worked to dismantle the Third Reich from the inside. One of these was Dietrich Bonhoef-fer, a pastor and author of such classics as The Cost of Discipleship is also known for his 1945
execution for his part in a plot to assassinate Hitler.
Eric Metaxas, New York Times best-selling author has written the first major biography on Bonhoeffer in 40 years. Metaxas’ mother lived through World War II in Germany, and his grandfather was killed in the war at age 32.
November 21 Jack CalhounIf church and state are separated, can we have a Godly Republic?: Should the govern-ment have any role in helping us discover, nurture and let fly our better angels?Jack Calhoun is the author of Hope Matters: The Untold Story of How Faith Works in America. An internationally renowned pub-lic speaker, Jack currently serves as Director of the California Cities Gang Prevention Network for the National League of Cities and Senior Consultant to the U.S. Depart-ment of Justice for its National Forum to Prevent Youth Violence. He was CEO of the National Crime Prevention Council for 20 years, and served as the Massachusetts Commissioner of the Department of Youth Service. President Jimmy Carter named him as Commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families.
His book, debuted at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, and in New York at Fordham University’s Spring Headliner Forum, tells the faith story not often heard; a story of faith that reconciles, not divides, alleviates pain, not causes it, serves, not dominates. A frequent media guest, and author of numerous articles including editorials in the New York Times and Washington Post, he holds a BA from Brown University, a Master’s in Theology from the Episcopal Divinity School, a Masters in Public Administration with honors from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Heidelberg College.
November 28 No program.Come and make an Advent Wreath!
November 2010 | TIDINGS SAINT LUKE’S PARISH 5
Martha Kirk Bequest Benefits Friends of MusicBy Neal Campbell
A bequest in the amount of $10,000 from the estate of Martha Kirk, long time parish-
ioner and lover of Saint Luke’s music, has been given to the Friends of Music. In addition, at the request of Martha’s family, memorial gifts totaling approxi-mately $1,400 to the parish in memory of Martha have also been given to Friends of Music.
Friends of Music has also recently received another significant gift: when Lynda and Charlie Tyson left Saint Luke’s the parish presented them with a purse, the farewell gifts of a grateful parish as they entered a new phase of their life. The Tysons very graciously have donated this gift back to Saint Luke’s Friends of Music—truly a gift that keeps giving. Last year
the Friends of Music was formed by the Vestry of Saint Luke’s Parish as an ongoing campaign to raise funds for musical events not funded by the operating budget.
The first event sponsored by Friends of Music was the appearance of the Donald Vega Trio on Pentecost Sunday
to accompany the choir’s performance of Bob Chilcott’s Jazz Mass. Friends of Music also received several gifts specified to support the choir’s tour of England last July.
At the present time the fund balance approaches $20,000. A subcommittee of the Music and Worship Committee is being formed to formulate guidelines for appropriate ways to use the fund, raise additional funds, and publicize its mission within the parish and beyond.
Michael Alliston and Sarah Moden- AllistonBill and Margaret AndersonRichard BerryBill BogleAl and Karen BrigantiArt and Terrie BrownJim Cameron and Mimi GriffithNeal and Gwynn CampbellMerrill CollinsJoan CollinsDavid and Jane Crandall John and Susan Doelp
Craig and Linda FergusonEric and Anne FergusonSam FullerWilliam and Faith GrayRichard and Renee GregoryAnne HarrisPeter Dixon and Priscilla HarrisonBill and Judy HoldingArt and Nancy HooperChuck and Hilary JacksonFrank and Judy KempCraig and Jennifer KnebelJohn and Dudley Macfarlane
Steven and Allison MolkenthinJohn and Julie PotterBlake and Marjorie RobinsonJohn and Sally SchlachtenhaufenJohn ShuttsReid and Joan Smith-VanizFrank and Sally SproleMurry and Dawn StegelmannCharlie and Lynda TysonEric and Sharon WagonerPeter and Lisa WellsWilliam and Darunee Wilson
Friendsof
Music
Friendsof
Music
Friendsof
Music
Please consider supporting Saint Luke’s Friends of Music when making your financial and estate plans.
As of this issue of Tidings the following have contributed:
A Note About Remembrance Sunday…Remembrance Sunday is November 14 at the 10:00 a.m. service. The choir will sing the Requiem Mass by Gabriel Fauré and names of parishioners and friends who have died will be read during the service. If you have names to include,
please send them to Molly Johnson by Monday, November 8.
SAINT LUKE’S PARISH TIDINGS | November 20106
Outreach
September 24 has been pro-claimed by the
Mayor of Bridgeport as St. John’s Family Center Day!
Our Parish’s reach across the turnpike divide has been help-
ing ‘at risk’ families in Bridgeport every day. The Fam-ily Center located in this historic rectory, is working hard with support from our Outreach capital campaign funds to meet the increased demands on services that include: a food pantry and community closet program - just like our own Person - to - Person! In fact, Ceci Maher, Julie Pearson and Kelly Wheeler from Person to Person are mentoring the staff at the Family Center to help with this expanding program.
$155,000 is what Saint Luke’s has allocated to support St. John’s Family Center. It is about helping our part-ners in faith build capacity to serve the underserved.
Here are highlights from July and August of the Cen-ter’s accomplishments so far:
† 3.418 meals provided as part of the emergency food distribution program.
† 164 students took ESOL classes from which 5 people attained their American citizenship.
† Case workers from the Center handled 125 case management assignments for problems like evic- tion, utility disconnection and medical concerns.
† Computer classes for 61 young children.
† More than 70 children took the daily bus to attend the Vacation Bible School at Saint Luke’s in Darien.
All the services are provided for free and the demand is there. Our ongoing support is essential and if you would like get involved, please contact Sara Brown [email protected].
Our Parish should be joyful for the many blessings of this ministry!
Forward in Faith: Your Outreach Dollars at WorkBy Sara Brown, Outreach Vestry Liaison
“Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’” (Matthew 25:44)
Haiti Action Team Journeys to HaitiBy Fred Elliott
As I write this, we have just had to postpone the trip our Haiti Action Team leadership had planned for October 27 to November 1. The team included
me, Rev. Paul Carling, Youth Director Grace King, and fellow parishioners Allison Molkenthin and Carol Pfeiffer, as well as Rev. Judith Alexis from Stamford’s L’Église de L’Épiphanie, our local Haitian Episcopal parish. As news of the cholera epidemic spread, we realized that prudence dictated we re-schedule the effort, even though it repre-sented the culmination of an intense discernment process through which we are seeking a long term partner parish. Our mission is to find a parish in Haiti that Saint Luke’s will partner with, to help in their rebuilding process as they recover from the devastating earthquake that over-whelmed that country in January of this year. We have
great hopes for our upcoming visit. St. Luke’s is hoping to establish a long-lasting, permanent partnership that our parish can support in a variety of ways.
After re-scheduling the trip, our team will be visiting parishes in Carrefour, Torbeck, Les Cayes and the Jac-mel-Bainet areas and possibly Leogane or other villages. We’ll be meeting with priests, lay leaders and parishio-ners, learning about each other and seeking answers to the many questions that we have. We will then plan a Dis-covery Hour presentation to report back to Saint Luke’s what we have found and to suggest ways that parishioners can help support our Haitian partner. Meanwhile, you will be hearing from us shortly about how we can respond to the cholera epidemic that threatens our brothers and sisters on this beleaguered island. Stay tuned!
November 2010 | TIDINGS SAINT LUKE’S PARISH 7
Person-to-Person and OPUS for Person-to-Person invite all to be part of “We Give Thanks,” a new and unique endeavor to celebrate the start of the holidays while raising funds to help low-income individuals in Fair-field County. Anyone is welcome to participate by hosting a dinner party for
their own friends and family at any time during the month of November.
Hosts simply let their guests know that they are partici-pating in “We Give Thanks” Month. In lieu of bringing food, wine or a hostess gift, guests are asked to consider making a financial donation, of any amount, to Person-to-Person at the end of the evening.
Donations may be made in the form of cash, check or credit card and 100% of all donations are tax deduct-ible. All funds raised as part of “We Give Thanks” will go directly to help low-income families and individuals from surrounding communities pay for rent, oil bills, and other basic essentials this coming winter.
“We Give Thanks” is supported by generous local busi-nesses Palmer’s Market and Leary’s Liquor Cabinet.
Event sponsor Palmer’s Market will be providing menu suggestions and floral services to hosts. For those inter-ested in hosting a dinner party, but who choose not to cook, Palmer’s will also provide catered dinner options to “We Give Thanks” hosts. As added incentive hosts will receive a special discount off their total Palmer’s bill for purchases made for their “We Give Thanks” dinner. In addition, Leary’s Liquor Cabinet will offer hosts help with wine pairing and other beverage-related sugges-tions to complement the occasion and meal.
Those who wish to host a dinner party or learn more should contact Liz Koons at [email protected] or (203) 940-0588 or Missy Radin at [email protected]. Upon signing up, each host will receive a packet of information that will include additional information about “We Give Thanks” to share with guests, proof of hosting a party in order to receive special dis-counts at Palmer’s Market and Leary’s and donor forms for guests to complete.
Who? Families and seniors in our community who might otherwise go without this Holiday Season.
What? Fill boxes with food and love for Christmas Day! Or support Person-to-Per-son’s Scholarship or Emergency Assistance Fund.
When? Pick up a Dove in the Narthex on any of these Sundays: November 21, 28, December 5, and 12. Then, on Saturday, December 18, Saturday, drop off your gift-wrapped box.
Where? Drop off your gift-wrapped box of food at Saint Luke’s in the Terrace Room.
Why? It begins with you. This is a wonder-ful opportunity to help your children under-stand the joy of giving during the Christmas season. Through this program, participants respond to the needs of families and seniors in our community who might otherwise go with-out this Holiday Season. Bring joy into anoth-er home this Season.
Person-to-Person and OPUS Invite All to Participate in“We Give Thanks” This NovemberHost Dinner Parties with Your Friends and Family to
Help Raise Funds for and Awareness of Person-to-Person.
Person - To - Person
You are invited to celebrate 42 Years of Doves!
For more information, please contactSara Brown [email protected], Joan Kanlian [email protected], or
Cathy Bowman [email protected]
SAINT LUKE’S PARISH TIDINGS | November 20108
Youth Ministries
Last Columbus Day, a group of Saint Luke’s youth traveled to
New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood to volun-teer at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen. Located at 28th and 9th Ave., Holy Apostles Epis-copal Church is home to the largest soup kitchen in New
York City, and the second largest in the nation. They serve an average of 1,200 meals every Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., which is about 6,000 meals a week. They have never once closed their doors since they opened in 1982.
It is such an incredible experience to volunteer at Holy Apostles, where the meals are served in the actual sanc-tuary. If you find yourself serving food or drinks, you’ll be amazed that you don’t even have a chance to lift your head because the stream of people moves so fast. If you’re on the floor, you might have a chance to speak with the guests, many of whom have been coming to Holy Apos-tles for years, and learn that they are not just hungry for food. Or you may get to help out behind the scenes, and work with Holy Apostles dedicated staff and hear about how they came to Holy Apostles.
We all had an incredible experience and everyone got a different taste of what volunteering at Holy Apostles can look like. For me, it certainly brings a whole meaning to the words, “the gifts of God for the people of God”.
Experiencing “The gifts of God for the people of God”By Grace King
Parents of children in Middler or Senior Youth Groups
please join us for wine and appetizers Friday, November 265:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
at the home of Janet and Donald King5 Little Brook Road North
Casual attirePlease RSVP by November 24
Need help raking your lawn?
Let the Youth Group Help!Contact Grace King at 203 655-1456 or [email protected]
if you’re interested.
Please join Saint Luke’s Youth for their annual Brunch & Fundraiser
Sunday , November 21Following the 10:00 a.m. Youth Sunday Service
Parish HallBrunch Goodies
Live & Silent AuctionThe Giving Tree
Proceeds Benefit Youth Ministries
November 2010 | TIDINGS SAINT LUKE’S PARISH 9
I’ve always known my children were receiving an outstanding education at Saint Luke’s Parish School. Our incredible teachers and staff are constantly
working to make it a nurturing and safe environment for these youngest of students. However, lately I have even more reasons to be thankful that my children are learning every day in this community.
Last week, I was sitting at the playground with another Saint Luke’s Parish School mother having lunch and discussing what we each had in store for the rest of the day. As we compared our hectic after-noons, I decided she had quite a bit more planned for the follow-ing five hours. Anyone out there who has children in preschool and elementary school knows that much of the time is spent shuttling kids from playdates to sports practices, music les-sons and the like. As our con-versation began to wind down, I checked my email and discovered that an SOS had gone out. The Saint Luke’s Parish School’s SOS plan is put into effect when one of our families reaches out for assistance in a time of need. It often involves prepar-ing meals or providing transportation to ease whatever burden this family may be experiencing. I mentioned it to the mother sitting with me – that incredibly busy mother -- who replied, “Forward me that email. I’d be happy to help out.” By the end of the day, the Parent Teacher Committee had organized meals and rides for this family for the next two weeks. As I reflected on that
conversation and the SLPS response, I began to realize how fortunate I am to be a part of this amazing com-munity. It is comforting to know that should a time ever arise when I may need help, I can count on this com-munity to carry me through. But most importantly, I am so happy that my children’s earliest memories will be of a place that taught them – and me – such important les-sons on how to help our neighbors.
While the Parish School is helping friends during tough times, we are also finding more humorous ways of build-ing community. Many have seen the pink flamingos popping up all over Darien. As a new fundraiser, SLPS families can pay to send these flocks to their friends to celebrate happy news. The flock-ing committee then arrives late at night to “flock” their yard. The “victim” can then pay to have the flamingos moved to another loca-tion, keeping the fun going. The
best part of this clever fundraising campaign is that all proceeds will go directly to Saint Luke’s Commu-nity Suppers!
During this time when we give thanks for so many of life’s blessings, I would just like to say thank you to my SLPS community. Thank you for teaching my children. Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for helping one another. Thank you for helping the greater community. And thank you for having a sense of community and a sense of humor no matter how busy you all are.
Giving Thanks to My CommunityBy Nancy Stevens, Parish School Vestry Liaison
S T KI NA L U SEP A R I S H S C H O O L 1864 Post Road -Darien, CT 06820
Phone (203) 655-4067 Email: [email protected]
Parish School Letterhead August 24, 2008
Devlin, Michael & KatrienaCarter, Ryan, Tobin, Miles8 Appletree LaneDarien, CT 06820
Edwards, Kristin (Kristin’s name was spelled incor-rectly)
Kepner, Tyler & JenLily, Michael, Caroline, Rory215 Rivergate DriveWilton, CT [email protected]
MacLean, Malcolm & Mimi – [email protected]
2010-2011 DIRECTORY Corrections & Additions
Need help raking your lawn?
Let the Youth Group Help!Contact Grace King at 203 655-1456 or [email protected]
if you’re interested.
SAINT LUKE’S PARISH TIDINGS | November 201010
Children’s Ministries
The Children’s Ministries program is hosting an enchanting evening with Christmas Crafts, Home-made goodies, Silent Auction Items and
a Cherub Wish Tree for all members of the parish. The money raised will help us provide an enriching Vaca-tion Bible School for all the children from Saint Luke’s and our partner churches and will support our special programs and children’s outreach.
If you have silent auction items that you would like to donate, we would greatly appreciate your support. If you have crafts or jewelry to sell, please consider setting up a table at our fundraiser and donating a percentage of the proceeds to the Gathering of Cherubs. If you would like to work on the Gather-ing of Cherubs committee, we welcome all volun-teers!
Please contact Karen Dodge (203-656-0094, [email protected]) or Mary Beirne Rewcastle (203-202-9457, [email protected]).
Thank you for your support!
SAVE THE DATE!A Gathering of Cherubs
November 13, 2010 at 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Advent is around the corner and it is time to think of some of your favorite Pre-Christmas traditions here at Saint Luke’s. Please remember that there
is no church school Thanksgiving weekend Sunday, November 28 due to the Darien Public School Break. There is, however, the Annual Advent Wreath Making Event in Parish Hall 8:45- 9:45 a.m. and following the 10:00 a.m. service.
Save the Date! Carols around the Organ followed by a family friendly dinner with a special guest will be held Tuesday, December 14. Carols will be in the Main church at 5:00 PM with dinner to follow in the Parish Hall.
Christmas Pageant NewsThe annual Children’s Christmas Pageant is scheduled for Sunday, December 19 at 11:45 a.m. and it is time to sign up! There is a role for every child, guest and mem-ber of the Saint Luke’s Family. Sign up sheets are on the bulletin board in the Cloister hallway of the Educa-tion Building.
The rehearsal schedule is designed to allow even our youngest stars to participate with a minimum of rehearsal. As is the tradition at Saint Luke’s children may decide to join the procession as shepherds, lambs and angels right up to the opening procession Sunday, December 19. Costumes will be available in the Narthex prior to the pageant for our guests.
Scripts will be given out to those with speaking or leader roles on Sunday, November 21 in Education Building Room 206 following the 10:00 a.m. service. The first rehearsal is Sunday, December 5 immediately following the 10:00 a.m. service. The second rehearsal with music is Sunday, December 12 immediately follow-ing the 10:00 a.m. service, and costumes will be handed out following this rehearsal. Adults are needed to help supervise on November 21, December 5, 12, and 19 during Church School and at the pageant itself. Oppor-tunities to sign up for these roles will be on the bulletin board as well.
By Sarah Moden-Alliston
November 2010 | TIDINGS SAINT LUKE’S PARISH 11
As Saint Luke’s continues its mission to build an accepting and transform-
ing community, it is important that we continue the long tradition of dedicated service through lay leadership that has always been a hallmark of Saint Luke’s parishio-ners. As we seek nominations for
next year’s Vestry, it is an opportunity for service to our mission and truly serving alongside our neighbors.When I was asked to become Junior Warden, I was aware of the incredible service of so many members of our Par-ish. As I reached out to former Senior Wardens to learn of their time of service, and discover more about the Par-ish, I was constantly amazed by the incredible gift of tal-ent that we have in lay leadership at Saint Luke’s. As the year has progressed, it has also been a great pleasure to get to know others in service on the Vestry, learn of their faith journeys, share our dreams for the Parish, and meet their families. It has been a gift, and the relationships I have formed on the Vestry and in the Parish leadership community have only enriched my own journey of faith.
So, I encourage others to think about service to the Parish through the Vestry. The Vestry serves as both board of directors and administrative body of the Parish.
Vestry members serve a critical liaison role to important ministries of the Church, from Outreach to Worship to Newcomers. Each Vestry member leads a committee of dedicated Parishioners in their area of focus, and partici-pates in monthly Vestry meetings to discuss the overall goals and objectives of the Parish. Vestry members serve three-year terms, elected by the Parish at the Annual Meeting. In addition, the Executive Committee of the Vestry is comprised of the Senior Warden, Junior War-den, Treasurer and Clerk, who work with the Rector to handle all matters relating to the governance of the Par-ish, with the approval of the Vestry.
There are currently openings beginning in February 2011 to join the Vestry in service of the following Minis-tries: Adult Spiritual Education,Communications, Parish Life, Junior Warden and two Delegates to Convention and two alternate Delegates to Convention. We encour-age those in the Parish who have an interest in service, or know of a Parishioner they would like to nominate in service, to please contact the Executive Committee or the Rector and let us know your thoughts, or of your inter-est in service. With an exciting year ahead of continued growth and progress on our campus, the opportunity will provide any Parishioner with a chance to serve Saint Luke’s in a deep and meaningful way, and help you to build a new community of faith among fellow leaders of the Parish.
Vestry Nominations Sought for 2011By Stephan Kanlian, Junior Warden
Christmas 2010- Flowers and Music
Saint Luke’s has a tradition of beautiful services celebrating the Nativity of Christ. The spectacular music and the magnificent flowers and other altar adornments are gifts from the parishioners of Saint Luke’s to one another in Christ’s name.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the Christ child's birth through these gifts. The suggested contribution is $50 per listing; multiple listings are welcome.
Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord; that hath made heaven and earth of nought, and with his blood our life hath bought. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
In Memory of In Thanksgiving for Given by
Deadline is Friday, December 17 These Christmas donations will appear only in the worship leaflets, not in Tidings.
If you are unable to attend a Christmas service, check here___ to have a copy of the Christmas worship leaflet sent to you.
Flowers Music
Flowers Music
Flowers Music
Flowers Music
Flowers Music
Christmas 2010- Flowers and Music
Saint Luke’s has a tradition of beautiful services celebrating the Nativity of Christ. The spectacular music and the magnificent flowers and other altar adornments are gifts from the parishioners of Saint Luke’s to one another in Christ’s name.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the Christ child's birth through these gifts. The suggested contribution is $50 per listing; multiple listings are welcome.
Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord; that hath made heaven and earth of nought, and with his blood our life hath bought. Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, born is the King of Israel.
In Memory of In Thanksgiving for Given by
Deadline is Friday, December 17 These Christmas donations will appear only in the worship leaflets, not in Tidings.
If you are unable to attend a Christmas service, check here___ to have a copy of the Christmas worship leaflet sent to you.
Flowers Music
Flowers Music
Flowers Music
Flowers Music
Flowers Music
SAINT LUKE’S PARISH TIDINGS | November 201012
“There are two kinds of people in the world,” said Robert Benchley, “those
who divide the world into two kinds of people and those who don’t.” I take my stand with the former, because I’ve always believed that the world falls roughly in two camps. The givers and the takers.We all know the givers. They’re the ones who keep surprising us with simple generosity. It’s not that they give us loads of gifts and presents, they just give us time. They give us compassion, understanding. The givers don’t ask if they can help, they just show up. And as quickly they disappear, before we can say thank you.
And we all know the tak-ers. A woman once said to me, “Before I got married my mother told me, ‘You’re a giver, and he’s a taker.’ I should have listened,” she said. “He doesn’t mean to be selfish, he just can’t think of someone else’s needs.” In a competitive and combative world, it’s easy to be a taker. We’re condi-tioned to grab and hold on.
I know givers and takers so well because there’s one of each in me. I can bump along happily giving, until I fall into the scarcity trap. Suddenly there’s not enough time to stop and listen to a friend, there’s not enough love to give away, there’s not enough money to share. Then the taker in me comes out. Only love and trust can restore the giver.
Churches are always home to givers and takers. Some people give so that
the blessings of the faith commu-nity can flow not just to them, but to others—many beyond the walls of the church whom they’ve never met. Some people take what’s offered, when it’s convenient, and give noth-ing, or give only a small amount to
cover what they’ve “used.” Those two souls—the giver and the taker—struggle for supremacy in every one of us who call this church our home.
Not long before she died, the American humorist, Erma Bombeck, wrote a column entitled, “What’s Saved is Often Lost.”
I don’t save anything. My pockets are empty at the end of a week. So is my gas tank. So is my file of ideas. I trot out the best I’ve got, and come the next week, I bar-gain, whimper, make promises, cower and throw myself on the mercy of the Almighty for just three more columns in exchange for cleaning my oven . . . .
Throughout the years I’ve seen a fair number of my family who have died leaving candles that have never been lit, appliances that never got out of the box. It gets to be a habit.
I have learned that silver tarnish-es when it isn’t used, perfume turns to alcohol, candles melt in the attic over the summer, and ideas that are saved for a dry week often become dated.
I always had a dream that when I am asked to give an account-ing of my life to a higher court, it will be like this: ‘So, empty your pockets. What is left of your life? Any dreams that were unfulfilled? Any unused talent that we gave you when you were born that you still have left? Any unsaid com-pliments or bits of love that you haven’t spread around?’
And I will answer, ‘I’ve nothing to return. I spent everything you gave me. I’m naked as the day I was born.’
Those are the words of a big-time giver. Is it just me, or does every-body want to be more like that today?
The Back Page
by The Rev. David R. Anderson
S a i n t L u ke ’s Pa r i s h1 8 6 4 Po s t Ro a dD a r i e n , C T 0 6 8 2 0w w w. s a i n t l u ke s d a r i e n . o r g
Non-Profit Org..U.S. Postage
PAIDDarien, CT
Permit No. 81
”“We’re conditioned tograb and hold on.
The Givers and the Takers
