Together In Ministry Everyday: Tradition! Opportunities will continue through CONFIRMATION Sunday, May 17. Watch for information in the May Communion Monthly.
The ways we relate to God and to each other—our traditions—are at the root of what we do in church and in the world. Our United Methodist heritage means that what we do in worship, in fellowship, and in service is distinctly different from our Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or Hindu friends, neighbors, and co-workers. But we share a lot more in common than you might think. In April and May, St. Luke’s Together In Ministry Everyday (T.I.M.E.) focus is “Tradition!” You’ll find a number of opportunities to explore our faith practices as well as those of other major spiritual traditions. Some important opportunities in April include:
• Traditional Passover Seder Meal, April 9—Take part in the Jewish ritual feast where family and friends come together for reflection, praise, and thanksgiving. • St. Luke’s New Member class, April 18—If you’ve been thinking about joining the church, seize this opportunity to learn more about our United Methodist heritage and practices. • Buddhist Prayer Mandala, April 26-30—Buddhist monks will visit and create a prayer mandala at St. Luke’s so we can experience firsthand the peace and spirituality of this unique art form.
APRIL 2009
MONTHLY
COMMUNION Buddhist Monks Create Healing Sand Mandala Five Buddhist monks from India will be introduced on Sunday, April 26, during the 11AM service and welcomed to St. Luke’s as they begin their week with us. At 12:30PM they will begin their Opening Ceremony and spend the day drawing a healing sand mandala on a platform in the Sanctuary. The rest of the week, leading up to the closing ceremony on Thursday at 3PM, April 30, will be spent creating an impermanent sacred work by placing individual colored grains of sand onto the design. The sand mandala will be destroyed on Thursday and the sands scattered into Williams Creek. You may participate in all these activities. There is no charge but donations are appreciated. Please remain quiet while in the Sanctuary watching and praying with the monks. HOURS: MW—9AM-4:30PM, T—9AM-7:30PM, Th—9AM-3PM.
Tibetan Cultural Celebration Our visiting Buddhist monks will honor us with a performance to celebrate our week together and help us better understand their culture. Expect costumes, dancing and singing and the blowing of huge horns. Children are certainly welcome. Friday, May 1, 7-8:30PM in Fellowship Hall. Donations will be appreciated to help provide for the monks at their monastery in India. TOP: Sand mandala representing compassion BOTTOM: Monks performing ritual