A Leave-Taking Message from Amzie Williams

Dear Grace-St. Luke’s Families and Friends:

It is with a bittersweet heart that I share that my joyous time with you at the corner of Peabody and Belvedere will end on Wednesday, May 31, due to a new ministry opportunity. While I hope to have left your households with formational moments of faith, fun, and community, I have been shaped time and time again by the people of GSL. From shaving cream wars at Exodus, the year we had no pool or ropes course, New Orleans trips and driving a fifteen-passenger bus in the French Quarter, early morning Biscuits & Bible before the sun is up, to working with Constance Abbey and More Than A Meal, the memories made here are ones I will treasure and grow from for the rest of my days.

The transition from college to young adulthood is a strange one, and it is one where the set path starts to branch out and become less clear. GSL has helped me discern what paths might be the best for me. Though I am still on that journey, I feel well-equipped and confident to set out on the next leg of it because of the love and support of this community. As much as I have strived to help our youth and young adults grow and thrive, it is I that this position has blessed since May 2019.

My next step will be to serve as Minister to Youth at Church of the Holy Communion in Memphis beginning July 1. So this is not truly goodbye, just a see you around! While discerning either seminary or graduate school, I have felt called to start a new chapter, with new challenges and opportunities to carry the love and support of GSL with me as the wind beneath my wings. The Church was never nor will it be about walls or physical structures. It has always been about forces of love and grace that call us together each week. I will carry those things into the world and hope that I have left parts of myself in the tapestry of the Grace-St. Luke’s community as well.

Thank you for these past four years. I never could have known the impact you would have on me. I will be working with Father Jesse Abell and Father Ollie Rencher to ensure that this transition goes smoothly. I will be praying for the GSL community and ask your prayers for me. I know the next chapter for you will be a grand adventure and look forward to opportunities to bid farewell.

With love and extreme gratitude,

Amzie J. Williams

A Message from the Rector

In light of Amzie’s leave-taking announcement in early May, recruitment efforts by Associate Rector for Pastoral Care and Formation Father Jesse Abell, a small parents’ advisory committee, and I suggest that the next person will be hired to begin work in June. If you have any questions during this transition, please contact me.

Many thanks, Ollie+

The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher

901-252-6320 orencher@gracestlukes.org

News from GSL School

We enjoyed an extremely busy spring at GSL with some of our favorite community-building events, including the annual 8th Grade Italian Dinner and our Anchor Auction! Many thanks to everyone who participated in or attended these events—your support helped fund teacher wish lists, which benefit all students by providing enhancements for our classrooms and learning spaces. Students also stayed busy finalizing art projects, putting on a spring Middle School production and Lower School musical performances, hosting a Citizenship Breakfast, tackling exams, making memories on class trips, and enjoying fun-filled field days at the end of the year (in every division)!

We extend a huge thank you to the GSL clergy and staff for the important role they played in our two biggest springtime events in May: Honors Chapel and Eighth Grade Graduation. These academic ceremonies cap off the year for our outstanding students, and we are always grateful to be able to welcome our families attending these events to Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. What a beautiful space for students to reflect on their accomplishments and give thanks for the education received (and lifelong friendships forged) during their time at GSL School!

We continued to enroll new families for the coming year throughout the spring, and we cannot wait to welcome them to campus in August, along with our returning community. New families can expect to receive orientation information in early August.

At the time of this submission, there are still spaces open in Grades 1–7, so please continue to tell others about GSL. An educational experience grounded in the Episcopal tradition is impossible to beat! You may direct any inquiries to Head of School Andy Surber or Director of Enrollment Shelly McGuire at 901-278-0200. We will begin accepting applications for the 2024–25 school year on August 1. Thank you, as always, for helping share the word about our wonderful Episcopal school with your friends and family.

And a note to the parents of young children: SummerFest at GSL begins

June 5, and our awesome weekly day camps are open to all children ages 4-13, regardless of school affiliation. We have everything from Minecraft to sports, theater to robots, art to cooking, and so much more… plus a swimming pool on site to help our campers keep cool all summer long! (It’s located behind the Scout Lodge, adjacent to the Preschool outdoor classroom in Miss Lee’s backyard.) Scan the QR code to check out our offerings and register today! It’s all online at gslschool.org/ summerfest. We look forward to seeing you!

Calendar Events

June 5–August 4: SummerFest 2023 at GSL

Week of July 4: SummerFest and School Administrative

Offices Closed

August 14: First Day of School

Fourth Grade Teacher (and GSL Church Parishioner) Jane Williams retired in May after 23 years at GSL! She is pictured here with her final class of Williams’ Wizards. Front row: Finnegan C., Jake B., Jennings C., Jonathan V., Julia M.; Bench: Jonathan Y., Jane Williams, Dylan J.; Back row: Liam R., Jack M. Libby B., Farrah Lou H., Beck W., Ella Grace B., Isabella F., Marshall L., and Elizabeth R..

Altar Flowers, Eucharistic Supplies During Worship Thank you for your gifts!

Grace-St. Luke’s provides two meaningful ways to remember loved ones during worship services: altar flowers and Eucharistic supplies given in their memory or honor. Flowers are $215 per Sunday, which one or more persons may share in giving, and Eucharistic supplies (wafers, wine, candle oil) are $25 per week. To explore and make payments to reserve available dates, including dates that may hold significance and have been reserved by you in the past, contact Communications Associate Lucy Owens (901-252-6333, lowens@gracestlukes.org). Your request must be made no later than two weeks in advance of the desired Sunday; further in advance may show more available dates. Once the date is confirmed, please issue payment for the appropriate fee (listed above) either online or mail it to the parish office. Your donation must be received for the reservation to be considered complete, and for the acknowledgement to be printed in the Sunday leaflet.

Baptisms at Grace-St. Luke’s

The sacrament of Holy Baptism will be administered in public worship at Grace-St. Luke’s during 2023 on November 5 (All Saints’ Sunday). The 2024 dates are January 7 (Baptism of our Lord), March 30 (Easter Vigil), May 19 (Pentecost Day), and November 3 (All Saints’ Sunday). For more information and to schedule a baptism, contact Membership and Stewardship Associate Chapman Morrow (901-252-6328, cmorrow@gracestlukes.org).

Membership News

Birth

• Lucia Joy Braswell, daughter of Laurie & Peter Braswell, Feb. 21

• Martha Francis Thompson, daughter of Meg & Clay Thompson, Apr. 13

Holy Baptism

• James Hewitt Bowron, son of Caitlin & Will Bowron (Apr. 8)

• Suzette Pearl Gipson, daughter of Kristy & Stephen Gipson (Apr. 8)

• Meredith Grace McNamara, daughter of Marynelle Wilson & Doug McNamara (Apr. 8)

• Virginia Wright Prascher, daughter of Ann and Will Prascher (Mar. 25)

• Hall Aydin Sarinoglu, son of Selden & Erim Sarinoglu (Apr. 8)

• Erim Sarinoglu (Apr. 8)

• Martha Byrne Schieffler, daughter of Jordan & Jackson Schieffler (Apr. 8)

Holy Matrimony

• Martha Talbott McKinney and Scott Patrick Cunningham (Apr. 15)

• Jordan Grace Greer & Brady Christopher Walsh (Apr. 22)

Transfer In

• Anne Uhlhorn Broadfoot from St. John’s, Memphis

• Janelle, Anthony, Ali, Eli, & Sophia Calzia from St. Bartholomew’s, Nashville

Preparing for Sunday

Follow this link (gracestlukes.org/discover/this-sundays-texts) for access to Sunday lectionary readings online where you may reflect and pray with them at any time. You can view and print the current Sunday’s readings as well as last Sunday’s and next Sunday’s. Readings automatically update each Monday morning. Also offered are an overview, scripture backgrounds, a reflection, and prayer starters to enhance your worship experience.

• Oliver Cobb from St. Mary’s Cathedral, Memphis

• Hayley Hudson

• Angie King Keesee from Holy Communion, Memphis

• Ed Wiley

Transfer Out

• Duncan Adrian to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas

• Cathleen Nelson Davis to Christ Episcopal, Holly Springs, Mississippi

• Chris Cooley & Brendan Housler to All Saints Episcopal Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

• Susan & Eric Epperson to Church of the Holy Apostles, Collierville, Tennessee

• Phillip Hamilton & Dennis Dominioni to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Collierville, Tennessee

• Glenn Ann Martin to St. Stephen’s, Richmond, Virginia

• Linda Niell to Church of the Good Shepherd, Brentwood, Tennessee

• Philip Ramsey Rule to St. Paul Episcopal Church, Seymour, Tennessee Burials, Committals, and Deaths

• Elizabeth “Beppy” Campbell, Apr. 17 (died Mar. 30)

• Katherine “Katie” McKay Hutton, Mar. 30 (died Mar. 24)

Memorials and Honoraria

Honoraria

• In thanksgiving for the third wedding anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. Dylan Shockey by Julia & Paul Ogden

• In honor of Dr. Will & the Rev. Amanda McGriff by Kacey & Brian Davies

• In honor of Abby Huber by Johnnie & Rex Amonette

• In honor of Sidney Easley Hickey on Mother’s Day by Kacey & Brian Davies

Memorials

• Jelena Sansing by Candice & Marty Carr

• Anne Montedonico Beaty by Candice & Marty Carr

• Hammond Cole by Jane & Mackie Gober and Emily Woodside & Bill Falvey

• Jan Fulenwider by Patsy & Steven Purcell

• Debra Lynch by Ann & Dan Eason

• Wesley Emerson by Amy, Liam, & Juliana White

• Katie Hutton by Elizabeth Hutton and family

• Mary Ellen West by Marynelle Wilson & Doug McNamara and Warren Wilson

• Beppy Campbell by Robert Pearson Lewis and Lucy Owens

Worship & Formation

gracestlukes.org/worship | gracestlukes.org/discover

SUMMER SUNDAYS | gracestlukes.org/summer

Weekly

Nursery for infants through three-year-olds, 9 a.m.–11 a.m.

9–9:30 a.m. Community Breakfast by the Crossmen

10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Sermon and Choir, Livestreamed includes Children’s Chapel and return to families at the Peace followed

4–4:50 p.m. More Than A Meal Outreach, Trezevant Hall

Monthly

5 p.m. June 4, July 9, August 6 Holy Communion with Guest Musicians

5:45 p.m. Supper. Sign up here: tinyurl.com/GSLSummerSuppers

Parish Office Hours

Summer Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Friday: During the summer, the Clergy-Staff Team work remotely.

Office Hours beginning August 8: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. 901-272-7425 | 901-252-6334 Pastoral Emergencies

Parish Clergy & Staff www.gracestlukes.org/welcome/clergy-and-staff

The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher, Rector

The Rev. Laura F. Gettys, Associate Rector

The Rev. Dr. Jesse W. Abell, Associate Rector

The Rev. Anne S. Carrière, Priest Associate

The Rev. Jessica T. Abell, Deacon

Christi Authement, Recreation and Wellness Director

John Barnum, Director of Finance and Operations

Anthony Calzia, Director of Children and Family Ministries

Patricia Gray, Lead Volunteer Receptionist

Abby Huber, Congregational Life Associate and Assistant to the Rector

Chapman Morrow, Membership and Stewardship Associate

Lucy Owens, Communications Associate

Dr. Patrick A. Scott, Director of Music and Organist

Debbie Smith, Assistant Organist-Choirmaster

Chris Swenson, Facilities Manager

Darling “D” Thomas, Lead Facilities Assistant

2023 Vestry

www.gracestlukes.org/vestry

2023: George Johnson (Senior Warden), Andy Nix, Johnny Norris (Junior Warden), Paula Sappington, Taylor Taylor

2024: Bill Abernathy, Karen Clark, Beth Perkins, Hallie Peyton (Clerk), Rudy Williams

2025: Jennifer Gibbs, Ruthie Lentz, Price Peacock, Matt Sights, Hal Wright

Treasurer: Phil Ashford; Parish Chancellor: Steven King.

Pastoral Care

Sharing and Responding to Concerns. To alert the clergy of a pastoral matter concerning yourself or a member, including any medical procedures, contact the clergy confidentially via 901-2526330 or pastoralcare@gracestlukes.org. For hospitalizations or emergencies concerning a member, contact the 24/7 Clergy-on-Call phone line at 901-252-6334. This is the best way to communicate pastoral needs and ensure a prompt response from a member of the clergy or pastoral care team. Lay Pastoral Care Coordinators: Natalie Davis and Beth Perkins.

On the Cover Summer Sunday Schedule

Look for GRACESTLUKES in Cyberspace.

Church website: gracestlukes.org

Facebook: --- facebook.com/gracestlukes

Twitter: ----- twitter.com/gracestlukes

Instagram: --- instagram.com/gracestlukes

Vimeo: ----- vimeo.com/gracestlukes

Pinterest: ---- pinterest.com/gracestlukes

Flickr: - - - - - - flickr.com/gracestlukes

YouTube: --- youtube.com/gracestlukes

Realm Connect for GSL

Realm is a GREAT WAY to connect to other parishioners. Rather than print members’ emails and phone numbers in our publications on the internet, we encourage connecting through Realm. Realm is the church’s ministry platform through which you can update your own profile, keep in touch with others, learn about upcoming events, stay involved in groups, and more. For questions or more information, visit gracestlukes.org/realm or reach out to Abby Huber (ahuber@gracestlukes.org, 901-252-6336) or Lucy Owens (lowens@ gracestlukes.org, 901-252-6333).

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, 901-252-6333 or lowens@gracestlukes.org.

Privacy Policy & Photo Opt-Out Form

Grace-St. Luke’s privacy policy and photo opt-out form may be found on the GSL website at www.gracestlukes.org/privacy-policy.

Support Groups at GSL

AA meetings: Tuesdays, 6:30 p.m.

Narcotics Anonymous: Sundays, 7 p.m.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous: Saturdays at noon

Contact: Lucy Owens lowens@gracestlukes.org or 901-252-6333