The Messenger Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church Volume 65, No. 10
October 2019
GSL's Annual Blessing of the Animals October 6 at 4 p.m. Details on page 5
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Worship & Fellowship
SUNDAY 8 a.m. Holy Eucharist 8:45 a.m. Community Breakfast 9:15 a.m. Christian Formation Classes 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist 11:45 a.m. Coffee Hour 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist Nursery available 7:30 a.m. 'til end of 10:30 service WEDNESDAY Noon in the Chapel 30-minute service without music
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Parish Office Hours
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Clergy on Call for Pastoral & Hospital Emergencies
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be closed on Fridays. On Fridays, dial the Clergy on Call for any facilities emergencies.
901-252-6334
Parish Clergy & Staff
www.gracestlukes.org/welcome/clergy-and-staff The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector The Rev. Amy M. George, Associate Rector The Rev. Meredith Jane Day, Curate Christi Authement, Athletics Director Sharon Campbell, Director of Children’s Formation Addison Combs, Youth Formation Associate Sandra Kendrick, Assistant Facilities Assistant Chapman Morrow, Stewardship Associate Lucy Owens, Communications Administrator Dr. Patrick A. Scott, Director of Music & Organist Debbie Smith, Assistant Organist-Choirmaster Linda Stine, Parish Administrator Darling “D” Thomas, Lead Facilities Assistant Amzie Williams, Director of Youth Formation
2019 Vestry & Treasurer
www.gracestlukes.org/vestry Grant Adams (Worship), Jimpsie Ayres (Congregational Development), Wight Boggs (Fellowship), Patrick Burnett (Jr. Warden & Youth Formation), Nina Callan (Pastoral Care), Jim Greer (Worship), Linda Khumalo (Worship), Stinson Liles (Outreach & Justice), Julia McDonald (Clerk & Children’s Formation), Murray McKay (Adult Formation), Kurt Patton (Sr. Warden & Athletics), Charlie Pazar (Outreach & Justice), Tom Stephenson (Stewardship), Bev Trojan (Treasurer), Simon Wadsworth (Stewardship), and Gavin Wigginson (Congregational Development)
Inside This Issue Altar Gifts.........................11 Athletics............................ 9 Blessing of the Animals....... 5 Book Group....................... 4 Calendar Highlights............12 Christian Formation............ 7 Confirmation Classes.......... 6 Diocesan Haiti Trip.............. 4 Emmanuel Harvest Time...... 4 Fall Potluck........................ 5 Food Pantry Sunday............ 8 Holiday Service Times........12 Holy Baptism....................11 Looking Towards Sunday....11
Message from the Rector..... 3 Night at the Levitt Shell....... 8 Privacy Policy....................12 Public Theology.................. 6 School News.....................10 Special Friends................... 5 Third Thursday................... 4 Trunk or Treat.................... 6 Wednesday Lunch............... 4 Whaling/Phishing Scams.....12 Vestry Nominations............. 4 Young Adults Potluck........... 5 Youth News....................... 6
On the cover: Annual Blessing of the Animals (More on page 5)
The Messenger deadline for November is October 15, 9 a.m. Please send your articles to Lucy at lowens@gracestlukes.org.
Look for GRACESTLUKES in cyberspace. facebook.com/gracestlukes twitter.com/gracestlukes instagram.com/gracestlukes
pinterest.com/gracestlukes flickr.com/gracestlukes youtube.com/gracestlukes
GSL eNews Missing your weekly eNews? Check your spam folders! We have switched to an email service, MailChimp, to send out our eblasts. If you are not getting eNews emails, they are most likely going to your spam or junk folder. Be sure to add gsl@gracestlukes.org to your address book. Need help getting them to NOT go in your spam folder? Contact Lucy Owens, 901-272-7425 or lucy@gracestlukes.org.
Support Groups at GSL
GRACESTLUKES Mobile App
AA meetings: Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m. Narcotics Anonymous: Sundays, 8 p.m. CoDA: Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: Thursdays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at noon For more info, contact Lucy in the office: lucy@gracestlukes.org or 901-272-7425.
GSL's mobile app is available for download in the Android and Apple Stores. The app is an effective way for the church to communicate with you and for you to stay connected with the church. The app is packed with resources such as Sunday's readings and the daily office, church events and news, the pastoral care request form, links to clergy and staff emails, photo capture tools, and more. Best of all, we can alert you to extra special happenings and cancellations via the app's push notifications system. You can download the app in the following ways: Search for GRACESTLUKES in the iTunes/Google Play stores. Follow this link: www.gracestlukes.org/app.
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Stewardship: The Dance of Investing in Life at GSL October 6 to launch 2020 Stewardship Campaign The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector
During the January Annual Retreat of Grace-St. Luke’s Vestry at St. Columba Retreat Center, lively conversation, working sessions, and prayer began the process to adopt a parish vision at its February meeting. Our “vision” is to be a thriving community of hope, belonging, and healing through worship, parish life, and service, and who rejoices in the love of Jesus to transform the world. This collaborative work, which involved the other clergy and me, was essential to dream about and state how GSL might support the church’s “mission” to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. God has granted us the gift of life and the opportunity to focus increasingly more – beyond our imagination – on our mission and vision. My calling, just a little over a year ago, to serve as your Rector was more meaningful than you can imagine. I was drawn, after six years of service as the Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Center City Charlotte, North Carolina, to the countless aspects of life at Grace-St. Luke’s that were going well, and excited about even more that the parish has the capacity to become and do as a thriving resource-size parish in Midtown Memphis. Our strong foundation positions us to go even deeper into our faith, enhance internal ministries, and serve the wider community in new ways. As a faith community to which all sorts and conditions of persons might be drawn and experience us a leader in helping folks with finding hope, belonging, and healing, I am excited about and committed to helping us to realize our common vision. Through creativity and with gracious spirits of deep gratitude, joy, and excellence, in all that we do in ministry, we are bound to become an even better and growing community of God’s beloved.
On October 6, our 2020 Stewardship Campaign will launch to support our vision with a goal to receive a majority of pledges by All Saints’ Sunday, November 3. I believe that our vision will be realized through the three-fold investment of our collective time, talent, and money to support life at Grace-St. Luke’s. A little if not a lot of each, whatever is possible, goes a long way to sustain the whole. Our ministries of worship, music, formation, pastoral care, congregational development, fellowship, outreach and justice, stewardship, operations, and the care of our sacred buildings and grounds will flourish through whatever each parishioner might contribute toward the whole. When I was a little boy, my parents always talked about stewardship as a dance – the spirited dance of time, talent, and money, regardless of how much of each, designed to bring life to the Church. In the coming weeks, and especially in the new year, I will be working with the Vestry, the Clergy-Staff Team, and a host of lay leaders on sharing specific and general ways that might further encourage and inspire commitments to support life at GSL. Godspeed and blessings as we try, – The Reverend Ollie V. Rencher, Rector
Midweek Worship Opportunity
Wednesdays at Noon 30-minute Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church Vision Statement Our Vision is to be a thriving community of hope, belonging, and healing through worship, parish life, and service, and who rejoices in the love of Jesus to transform the world.
The Messenger | October 2019| 3
Grace-St. Luke’s Vestry Nominations for 2020 - 2022 Term Now Open
The GSL Vestry is the elected lay leadership team of fifteen (15) people who collaborate with the Wardens and the Rector to support the mission, administration, and ministries essential for operating as a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee. Nominations for five (5) open Vestry positions may be received through Sunday, October 6, and must be followed by a Nominee Information Form no later than noon on Friday, October 11. The Vestry election will take place at the Annual Meeting of the Parish on Sunday, November 24, at 9:30 a.m. in Trezevant Hall. The Nominee Recommendation and Nominee Information forms may be directed to the Vestry Nominating Committee online, via email to Nominating Committee Chair Kurt Patton (kurt_patton at yahoo.com), or via hand-delivery to the Parish Office. Forms are available online at (www.gracestlukes.org/news/ vestry20-22) or in the public spaces at Grace-St. Luke’s. Taking GSL Formation to the Community Offered 5:30-7 p.m. at Celtic Crossing All are invited to Public Theology, a GSL monthly formation offering at Celtic Crossing in the Cooper Young neighborhood. We'll see you Thursday, Oct. 3 for "Steps to Peace in a Violent World." The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector, will facilitate a conversation about the challenges of and proven steps to one’s peace in a full, complicated, and broken society.
The Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf October Third Thursday Guest Speaker Third Thursday will meet on Oct. 17. Please join us to welcome our bishop – The Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf. Bishop Roaf will share with us her impressions of the Diocese after 5 months in office as well as some of her hopes and dreams for the future. We will begin at 6 p.m. with some social time followed by dinner and Bishop Roaf ’s remarks. We will end at 8 p.m. The cost is $20 per person, and all members of the congregation, no matter your age, are welcome. Reservations may be made with Lucy Owens in the church office at 901-2526333 or online by following the link at www.gracestlukes.org/ events/third-thursday. Wednesday Lunch Fellowship The Wednesday Lunch Fellowship (formerly 39ers) is a daytime gathering for all adults. We meet monthly for a social time, a catered lunch, and program, all for only $6. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, Oct 23, beginning at noon for social time followed by lunch at 12:30. Speaker TBA. Please let Lucy Owens know if you are planning to attend, at lowens@ gracestlukes.org or 901-252-6333. You may also sign up and pay online at www.gracestlukes.org/events/wednesday-lunch. All are invited and bring a friend. 4 | www.gracestlukes.org
Daytime Book Group Our next discussion is Oct. 10 with Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. This is an open group—no invitation or requirements other than a love of reading. We meet in the Red Room from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring a sack lunch. The group is facilitated by Janie Morris (morrishome1 at bellsouth.net) and Carol Ann Mallory (cam2269 at aol.com). A list of books for upcoming months may be found at www. gracestlukes.org/events/daytime-book-group. Young Adults Potluck
Join the Young Adults of the parish for a potluck dinner at the home of the Rev. Ollie and Ellie Rencher on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 6-8 p.m. The Renchers have graciously offered to provide the main dish, but please bring a side or dessert to share. Please RSVP and comment with what you plan to bring at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/YAPotluck.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church presents HARVEST TIME at Emmanuel Friday, October 11, 6-9 p.m. Location: Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church Family, Friends, Food, Live Entertainment, and Silent Auction benefiting the ministires of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Tickets $50 adults, $25 teens Festive attire please. Contact: Dedra Bailey at 901-831-9891
Blessing of the Animals October 6 at 4:00 P.M. Bring your creatures, great and small, to Grace-St. Luke’s Church on Oct. 6 at 4 p.m. to celebrate the Feast of St. Francis at the Blessing of the Animals! Fur, feathers, and scales will fill the sanctuary for a brief service and individual blessings from our clergy. ALL are welcome!.
Special Friends is Sharing their Fruits of the Spirit this year, and YOU can help! Special Friends is a Christian fellowship program for adults with Special Needs, sponsored by the Diocese of West Tennessee, now in its fourth year under the leadership of Janie Morris and Justin Miller. Special Friends meets twice monthly at All Saints' Episcopal Church, but is supported by eight Episcopal churches, in addition to Grace-St. Luke's, and also Germantown Presbyterian, and one office group. These groups provide dinners, programs, and various other needs for Special Friends. If you would like to share your talent or time with our Special Friends either on a regular or occasional basis, contact Janie Morris at morrishome1 at bellsouth.net or 901-761-1020. We need musicians, singers, artists, food preparers and servers, and just good friends who will lend a hand or give a hug!
Fall Potluck Honoring GSL Newcomers Sunday, Oct. 20 following the 10:30 a.m. service in Trezevant Hall Join us to celebrate all of the newcomers we have welcomed to GSL recently! The Fellowship Committee will provide fried chicken and beverages. See below for what you can contribute to the meal. Please bring your dish ready to serve (we will have limited time and space to heat hot dishes so please bring warm) and label all serve-ware to ensure it's returned correctly. If your last name starts with: A-H Dessert I-P Salad (potato, pasta, green, fruit, etc.) Q-Z Side Dish Newcomers, this lunch is for you! Please be our guest. No need to bring a dish. We hope to see you all there!
From the Diocese Medical Service Trip To Haiti; November 10-16, 2019 Dr. Susan Nelson, family physician, is leading a medical service team to work in Haiti Nov. 10-16 and looking for volunteers to join. We work at St Vincent's School for Handicapped Children in Port au Prince. We run a general pediatric clinic for the 250 students at the school, and a general adult medical clinic for the 60 + staff and teachers. West Tennessee Haiti Partnership has been going to the school twice a year since 2008, representing many different parishes in our Diocese and beyond, across North Carolina and Ohio, Connecticut and Louisiana. There are about 80 deaf students, 20-30 blind students, and many children with physical disabilities. Check out www.wtnhaitipartnership.org for stories and photos from previous trips. We need nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and medical providers. Students with any level of training are welcome. Anyone with sign language skills would be a huge asset. Non medical volunteers are also needed to help run the clinic, play with children, help them get to and from class, take them to the pharmacy, and the list goes on. Musicians are welcome! If you can sit with a kid in your lap and let them color, then you have a job at St. Vincent’s. Team members pay their own expenses, approximately $1200 which includes airfare, lodging, and meals for one week. You need a current passport and current vaccines against Hep A, B, tetanus, and typhoid (this last can be obtained 2 weeks before the trip).
Grace-St. Lukers pitch in at Special Friends Fellowship Club
Contact Susan Nelson directly at hohdoc at gmail.com if you are interested. The Messenger | October 2019| 5
EYC News and Events October Youth Formation Schedule Tues., Oct. 1 High School Prayer Breakfast @ Ugly Mug on Poplar 7-8 a.m.
TRUNK OR TREAT (October 30) with Idlewild Presbyterian GSL is delighted to partner with our church neighbors at Idlewild Presbyterian for this year’s annual Trunk or Treat. If you have a costumed kiddo in your life, we enthusiastically recommend this event! All are welcome to the festivities, held in the Idlewild Parking lot on Wednesday, October 30, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Get ready for food, games, music, adorable costumes, awesome trunks, and lots of treats at this evening of fall family fun. It just might become a favorite Halloween tradition!
WANT TO HELP? TRUNKS and CANDY ARE NEEDED! This event is open to the community and very well attended, so it uses a mind-bending amount of candy! If you’d like to donate candy for the refill station, we would appreciate it so much! Please bring all donations to the box marked “Trunk or Treat Donations” in Lucy Owens' office. When purchasing, please choose nut-free selections such as: Smarties Jolly Ranchers Starbursts Mike & Ike’s Tootsie Rolls Red Vines licorice Tootsie Pops Nerds Hershey’s plain chocolate bars Sour Patch Kids Hubba Bubba bubble gum York Peppermint Patties OR non-food items such as Halloween or Fall-themed pencils, erasers, stickers, and trinkets! If you’re looking for extra fun, please consider being a trunk! This entails decorating your vehicle’s cargo space, and handing out goodies to the trick or treaters as they pass by. Trunk decorations can be as simple or elaborate as you like, on any theme you choose. The sky’s the limit here — fall, pumpkins, Halloween, children’s books or movies, other holidays, super heroes, rainbows, balloons, and construction sites are just a few ideas to spark your creativity! Pinterest is a great source of inspiration as well. For more information about the event, donating, or being a trunk, please contact Sharon Campbell, Director of Children’s Formation at scampbell@gracestlukes.org.
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Wed., Oct. 2
Biscuits and Bible 6:45-7:45 a.m. @ Red Rm
Sun., Oct. 6
Rite 13 for 6th-8th grade @ Red Rm J2A for 9th-12th grade @ Rm 212 Confirmation Class ( 9th-12th) @ Peete Rm Jr. High EYC 4-5:30 p.m. Sr. High EYC 5-7 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 8 High School Prayer Breakfast @ Ugly Mug on Poplar 7-8 a.m. Wed., Oct. 9
Biscuits and Bible 6:45-7:45 a.m. @ Red Rm
Sun., Oct. 13 Rite 13 for 6th-8th grade @ Red Rm J2A for 9th-12th grade @ Rm 212 NO Confirmation Class or EYC due to Fall Break Tues., Oct. 15 High School Prayer Breakfast @ Ugly Mug on Poplar 7-8 a.m. Wed., Oct. 16 Biscuits and Bible 6:45-7:45 a.m. @ Red Rm Fri., Oct. 18-20 Sr. High DOY @ Camp Bratton Green Sun., Oct. 20
Rite 13 for 6th-8th grade @ Red Rm J2A for 9th-12th grade @ Rm 212 Confirmation Class ( 9th-12th) @ Peete Rm Jr. High EYC 4-5:30 p.m. Sr. High EYC 5-7 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 22 High School Prayer Breakfast @ Ugly Mug on Poplar 7-8 a.m. Wed., Oct. 23 Biscuits and Bible 6:45-7:45 a.m. @ Red Rm Sun., Oct. 27
Rite 13 for 6th-8th grade @ Red Rm J2A for 9th-12th grade @ Rm 212 Confirmation Class ( 9th-12th) @ Peete Rm Jr. High EYC 4-5:30 p.m. Sr. High EYC 5-7 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 22 High School Prayer Breakfast @ Ugly Mug on Poplar 7-8 a.m. Wed., Oct. 30 Biscuits and Bible 6:45-7:45 a.m. @ Red Rm Trunk or Treat 5-7:30 p.m. Please note that EYC is usually held in Red Rm, but we often explore Memphis too! Look out for emails from awilliams@gracestluke.org for location changes or special instructions.
Christian Formation Download the Fall 2019 Formation and Worship Offerings www.tinyurl.com/GSL2019FallFormation.
Sunday Mornings, beginning at 9:15 ADULTS (Parish Hall Forum) www.gracestlukes.org/adult-formation
Oct. 6 – The Spirituality of Giving: Time, Talent, and Treasure to the Glory of God with Stewardship Associate Chapman Morrow and Stewardship Team Leaders Oct. 13 – Conversation with the Clergy: Deconstructing the Nicene Creed Oct. 20 – BRIDGES Impact on Young People, Memphis, and the World with President Dana Wilson Oct. 27 – Reflecting on “An Unforeseen Life” with Author Mary Ann Connell and The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher
YOUTH
www.gracestlukes.org/youth-formation Rite 13 for Middle School 6th – 8th Grade Location: Red Room, Youth Space Leaders: Director of Youth Formation Amzie Williams and assisted by Youth Volunteer Parker Pippen. J2A for High School 9th – 12th Grade Location: Room 212 (adjacent McClure Hall) Taught by Youth Formation Associate Addison Combs and assisted by Youth Volunteer Jess Steenbergen
CHILDREN
www.gracestlukes.org/sunday-school Nursery for Infants through Kindergarteners Infant Room (Newborn–Walking) Toddler Room (Walking–Potty Training) Little Lambs Room (Potty Training–Atrium Ready) Location: Church Nursery with the Nursery Staff. Children may be picked up in the Nursery prior to Communion, or at the conclusion of the service. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium I: 3–6 yrs: Pre-K, JK and SK; Location: Atrium I, Green Rm Catechists: Sharon Campbell & Pete Shearon Atrium II: 6–9 yrs: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Grade; Location: Atrium II, Purple Rm Catechists: Sydney Prather & Eva Loftin Supporting Catechist: Teresa Betts Catechesis children are encouraged to stay in their atria during the 10:30 service. After the Peace, we will process as a group into the sanctuary, and children will join their families in the pew. Project Purpose 4th & 5th Grade Location: Yellow Rm; Leader: Julie O’Bryan Following the 10:30 service: Children’s Activity Table (All Ages) Donuts and kid-friendly fun during Coffee Hour after the 10:30 a.m. service. Location: Trezevant Hall. Staff: Julie O’Bryan & Sharon Campbell
Wednesday Evenings in October www.gracestlukes.org/midweek-evenings
October 9, 16, and 23 Inspired: A Skeptic’s Guide to Reading the Bible Facilitator: The Rev. Meredith Jane Day Location: Peete Room; Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m. Why don’t modern day Christians follow all of Paul’s advice in the New Testament? Why would God tell Abraham to kill his own son? Did Moses actually defy the laws of physics in the parting of the Red Sea? As author Rachel Held Evans writes, “If the Bible isn’t a science book or an instruction manual, then what is it?” If you’ve ever found yourself grappling with what exactly makes the Bible “inspired,” then this class might be for you. Through the lens of Evans’ book, this three-week course will discuss how to read the Bible in a new way: focusing on story, soliloquy, poetry, and drama and embracing the mystery of this fascinating yet confounding book. Doubters, questioners, and cynics welcome. (Class limited to 20 participants. Sign up by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/GSLInspired.)
Adult Inquirers and Confirmation Classes (www.gracestlukes.org/inquirers-classes) Sundays, October 6 – November 24 (lunch provided) Location: McClure Hall; Time: 12 – 1:15 p.m. Becoming Episcopalian: What does it mean to live as a Christian in the Episcopal tradition in today’s world? Why is the Eucharist so crucial to our faith? Why do Episcopalians have such peculiar terminology (e. g. narthex, curate, vestry, etc.)? These and many other questions will be addressed and discussed during our annual Inquirers series entitled, “Becoming Episcopalian.” This class is for both members and nonmembers who wish to learn more about, have a refresher, or reaffirm their faith as Episcopalians; who are not confirmed Episcopalians; or who wish to be received into the Episcopal Church from another Christian tradition. At the end of the class, those who wish to be confirmed, reaffirmed, or received will be invited to take part in the Confirmation Service during Bishop Roaf ’s visit to GSL on January 12, 2020. (Sign up by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/ GSLAdultConf2019.)
Youth Confirmation
(www.gracestlukes.org/inquirers-classes) Sundays, October 6 – November 17 (excluding October 13) Time: 9 – 10:10 a.m.; Location: Peete Room Using the Episcopal curriculum entitled, “My Faith, My Life,” high school students will have the opportunity to talk candidly about God, the Episcopal Church, and personal faith in a friendly and inviting atmosphere, facilitated by adult lay leaders and clergy. At the end of the course, youth will be invited to participate in the Confirmation Service during Bishop Roaf ’s visit to GSL on January 12, 2020. All youth grades 9-12 are invited to take part. (Sign up by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/GSLYouthConf2019.)
The Messenger | October 2019| 7
Outreach Ministry Food Pantry Facts by Juan Fuentes We are grateful for the generosity and many gifts of GSL parishioners and friends. We have served many families in June and July. We were closed for three weeks in August to give the Food Pantry a much needed facelift after forty-four years of serving individuals and families in need. Thank you to the Parish for allocating the funds, to the Building and Grounds Committee for arranging for contractors to do the work, which included ceiling panels, painting, new floors and LED lighting. It’s a new place with a fresh look! Thanks also to all the volunteers who helped get the pantry packed and emptied for the work to be done, and who helped with the restocking after the work was finished. We are blessed with many dedicated people who help with the many tasks of keeping the Food Pantry running smoothly. We are appreciative of the GSL fifth graders for helping, once again, in the Food Pantry. They will help every Monday and Tuesday from September 16 to November 10. We are grateful to Ms. Rebecca Gilbertson, fifth grade English teacher, for organizing these projects for the students to help us. We are grateful to all the people who bring us food, baby food, toiletries, and hygiene products. THANK YOU for your thoughtfulness! I am not going to do stats for this report because of time, as we have been very busy reordering and getting our extra stocking space replenished. Mark your calendars! Food Pantry Sunday is December 29, the last Sunday of December. We ask you to bring tuna, peanut butter, dried milk, toiletries, hygiene products, and toilette paper. Volunteers are always needed! To volunteer, call Juan Fuentes at 901-849-7033 or email juanjf7777 at aol.com. “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” Mathew 25:35
GSL Night at the Levitt Shell Adults, children, and youth had a great time at GSL Night at the Levitt Shell. More photos may be found at https://tinyurl.com/ LevittShell.
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Church Athletics GSL Church Youth Basketball WHAT TO EXPECT-TOP 10 CHECK LIST 1) TEAM ASSIGNMENTS are made according to an individual’s school grade/birthday and ability, with an effort to make teams as even as possible. Please contact the Athletic Director Christi Authement if you have not heard from a coach by Nov. 2. 2) By tradition, recreational league coaches are VOLUNTEER PARENT COACHES. If needed, we equip coaches with knowledge and assistance in order to provide quality coaching. 3) PRACTICES may begin Nov. 1. Practices are held in the GSL Saints or Central Christian Church Gym. Coaches generally have 1-2 weekly pre-season practices. 4) COACHES EXPECTATIONS may vary depending on the coach. As part of the commitment to play basketball, coaches expect practices and games to be a priority. Playing for a team is not only an individual commitment, but also a team commitment.Coaches will also be held to the standard of 50 % or meaningful playing time. 5) The SEASON BEGINS on Dec. 7. Games are on Saturday mornings and afternoons and are played at the GSL Gym, and at opponents's gyms. 6) TEAM PHOTOS are in the GSL Saints Gym (times TBA). Pictures are distributed by the coaches at the end of the season. 7) BASKETBALL UNIFORMS are provided by GSL Church (jersey and shorts). The uniforms are distributed and collected by the coaches. 8) GSL RECYCLES UNIFORMS each year to keep the replacement costs low and for environmental purposes. 9) TROPHIES are provided by GSL Church and coaches distribute trophies at the end of the season. 10) Many teams have an END OF THE YEAR PARTY, which is organized by the parents. This is a great opportunity for coaches to hand out pictures, trophies, and collect uniforms.
Bleachers & Caboose Decication The new bleachers at GSL’s Snowden Field were dedicated by the Rev. Amy George at halftime of the Thursday, September 5, 7/8 football game (which our #GSLSaints won, by the way). Thanks to booster club president and GSL parent Brooke Shannon, and made possible with a donation by Martin Shannon [GSL ‘95]—a member of the school's last graduating 9th grade class and father to two current #Lukers—and family. The bleachers would not have been a reality without the efforts of GSL School's athletics director Rick Kohlhof, assistant athletic director Emily Merrell, facilities director Darin Isom, and @williamsequipmentsupply. During the ceremony, a part of the beloved caboose that previously resided at Snowden Field was dedicated in honor of GSL parishioner and retired GSL teacher Sherry Prewitt, whose father Wayne A. Allen donated the caboose to the school in 1987.
The Rev. Amy George and Sherry Prewitt
Junior and Senior Kindergarten Intramural Basketball League will begin Dec. 7 for six consecutive Saturdays from 8-9:15 a.m. in the Saints Gym. We will need parent assistants to help! 1st-4th Grades Mandatory Basketball Evaluation: October 26 & 27 Look at our GSL athletics website (under youth and sports) for current information! www.gracestlukes.org/youth-sports/ Questions? Contact Athletic Director, Christi Authement, at 901-825-7353 or email cauthement@gracestlukes.org.
Christi Authement, GSL Church athletic director, Rick Kohlhoff, GSL School athletic director and Emily Merrell, GSL School assistant athletic director attend dedication ceremony
The Messenger | October 2019| 9
Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School News
Author and Community Lay Minister Kathy Izard Visits GSL On September 12, the Church and School joined forces to welcome author and community lay minister Kathy Izard to GSL for All-School Chapel and a reading of her children’s book, A Good Night for Mr. Coleman. At chapel with Lukers in grades 1-8, Izard delivered a message on how a little bit of change can do a whole lot of good. Before chapel, Lower School parents got to meet with Izard over coffee at the Anchor Center Library, and were invited to attend chapel as well. Following the service, Lower Schoolers and parents stayed in the church for a presentation about and reading of the book. Students sure had some great questions about Mr. Coleman, and were eager to talk with Izard about him and her book! A Good Night for Mr. Coleman is based on the true story of Eugene Coleman, who was homeless for over twenty years, and a young girl determined to help him. Izard was so inspired by Coleman, whom she met at The Urban Ministry Center in Charlotte, that she wrote the book to encourage children of all ages to dream big and do good. Class of 2019 Yearbook Signing September 12th was truly a busy day at GSL since it was also Homecoming, where we invite back the most recent graduating class to campus for our annual yearbook signing event. Members of the Class of 2019 were happy to receive their yearbooks and reconnect with our current Middle School Lukers!
Open House Events: November 9, 2019 GSL is looking forward to hosting two Open House events on the morning of November 9. The Preschool Open House begins at 9 a.m. at the Anchor Center Library, while the Senior Kindergarten “Soar into SK” event begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Lower School. Please tell your family, friends, and neighbors, as it is a wonderful opportunity to tour the school and learn more about all we have to offer!
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Altar Gifts Offered In Honor of Oct. 6 Betty V. Wright
Altar Gifts Offered In Loving Memory of Oct. 6 Walter P. Armstrong, Mary Frances Statham, Edward A. Wright, Francis Paul Gassner, and Ensley Shelby Oxley Oct. 13 Martha Wharton Jones, Meriwhether Wesley Alvis, Jean Stewart Alvis, Dr. Charles L. Clarke, Jane Alvis Clarke, Charles Alvis Clarke, and William M. Wilkerson Oct. 20 Susan Burson Taylor, Robert Parrish Taylor Jr., Jay Turnipseed, Anne Mangum Smith, John Paul Jones, Sr., Lee Massey Clarkson, and Jean Tuttle Oct. 27 William K. Pearson, Robert Cole Hatzenbuehler, Robbie Hatzenbuehler, Betty C. McCarson, Will Hayden Medling, and Geraldine Hess Medling
Looking Towards Sunday Revised Common Lectionary Track 2 Year C Oct. 6 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4 Psalm 37:1-10 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10 Oct. 13 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c Psalm 111 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19 Oct. 20 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 32:22-31 Psalm 121 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 Oct. 27 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Sirach 35:12-17 or Jeremiah 14:7-10,19-22 Psalm 84:1-6 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18 Luke 18:9-14 www.gracestlukes.org/discover/this-sundays-texts
Liturgical Ministers Schedule The liturgical ministers schedule for the month may be found at: www.gracestlukes.org/weeklyteams. It includes acolytes, LEMs, lectors, vergers, bread bakers, altar guild, Crossmen breakfast cooks, and clergy for Sunday mornings and special services.
Membership News Transfers in • Mary Harpole from St. James, Union City, TN Transfers out • Debbie and Larry Whitlock to St. Paul’s, Brentwood, TN Births • August Ann Knoll, daughter of Catherine and Ryan Knoll, born August 21, 2019 • Crosby Prue Peacock, daughter of Price and Dan Peacock, born August 27, 2019 Faithful Departed • Maurice Francis Tyler Jr. died September 12, 2019
Memorials & Honoraria Memorials • Janet Norris from Jennifer, David and Madeline Grace Norris • Ed Wills from Nancy and Rodgers Menzies • Shepherd Tate from Frank Langford, Nancy and Rodgers Menzies • Ron Ireland from Frank Langford, Minje and Randy Ramey, Nancy and Rodgers Menzies • Barry Niell from Frank Langford, Nancy and Rodgers Menzies • Lawrence Keesee from Angela Keesee, Betty Kay, Bob and Tommie Moore Honoraria • Wesley Emerson from Frank Langford • To the Food Pantry In honor of Gayle Evans from Nanette Illich
Holy Baptism Schedule Baptisms at GSL—Future Date for 2019: The sacrament of Holy Baptism is administered at various times throughout each year: four occasions on the church year calendar according to The Book of Common Prayer (The Baptism of our Lord, The Great Vigil of Easter, The Day of Pentecost, All Saints’ Sunday) plus one or two additional dates. The remaining 2019 date is November 3, All Saints' Sunday. To schedule a baptism, contact Chapman Morrow (901-252-6328, cmorrow@gracestlukes.org). The Messenger | October 2019| 11
Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church 1720 Peabody Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38104-6124 901-272-7425, 901-272-9833 (fax) gsl@gracestlukes.org, www.gracestlukes.org
The Messenger of Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church (USPS 778-900)-published monthly by Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1720 Peabody Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38104. Periodicals postage paid at Memphis, TN. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 1720 Peabody Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104, (901) 272-7425, email gsl@gracestlukes.org. Lucy Owens, Editor.
Grace-St. Luke's Church benefits from financial gifts to support our life and ministries: visit www.gracestlukes.org/onlinegiving.
POSTMASTER: Please do not hold. Dated Material.
Calendar Highlights
Changes in Thanksgiving & Christmas Service Times Thanksgiving Day, November 28 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist Christmas Eve, December 24 4 p.m. Children’s Christmas Pageant with Holy Eucharist 7 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Prelude 6:45 p.m.) 10:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II Christmas Day, December 25 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist *Nursery available Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve at 4 & 7 p.m. Privacy Policy & Photo Opt-Out Form Check out Grace-St. Luke's privacy policy and photo opt-out form which may be found on the GSL website at www.gracestlukes.org/privacy-policy. Whaling (Phishing) Scams Continue to be vigilant in checking out emails and/or text that appear to come from the the GSL clergy-staff team. We always use our gracestlukes.org emails. And, we would never text asking for a general statement asking for help. For more information, visit www.gracestlukes.org/news/phishing.
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Oct. 3 Public Theology Oct. 6 Blessing of the Animals Oct. 6 Confirmation Classes Begin 8 Finance Committee Meeting 9 Inspired Formation Begins 10 Daytime Book Group 10 Outreach Meeting 10-11 Church Office Closed 14 Church Office Closed 13 Patrick's First Sunday @ GSL 15 Messenger Deadline 15 Vestry Meeting 17 Third Thursday Fellowship 20 Fall Potluck 20 Young Adult Potluck @ Renchers 23 Wednesday Lunch Fellowship 30 Trunk or Treat
Calendar Online
Master Calendar: www.gracestlukes.org/events