Celebrate Spring 2016, Vol. 1 No. 1
A Magazine by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
Contents
Features 6
My Best Friends Honoring a lifetime of friendships.
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Ash Wednesday Reflections
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A Mission of Empowerment
Finding new meaning in Easter traditions.
A tale of community transformation in Rwanda and right in our own backyard.
Celebrations
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Why I’m a St. Luker Following the call to love, accept, and serve.
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Music Notes St. Luke’s choir is pitch perfect at Carnegie Hall.
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You Said It! Children, youth, and parents share stories of how St. Luke’s has impacted their lives.
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How do you "THRIVE"? On Wednesday nights, we don't just build disciples, we help them THRIVE.
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Serving in East Winter Garden A father/daughter duo serving together.
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Behind the Scenes Meet a servant leader who’s using his passion for a purpose at St. Luke’s.
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Building for Kingdom Builders St. Luke’s is growing! See the progress unfold.
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It's not St. Luke's without “U” They’re technically “retirees” but you won’t see these St. Lukers slowing down anytime soon.
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16 About the cover: Special thanks to volunteer photographer Todd Ristorcelli for capturing all of these unique individuals who put the “U” in St. Luke’s.
What’s up with Worship? See what’s next at St. Luke’s! Creative Design, Carrie Lepore Volunteer Editor, Sarah Ristorcelli Editor, Dawn Fleming
A Post from the Pastor Dear Friends, Welcome to the first edition of “Celebrate” a magazine by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. We are so excited to have this new opportunity to regularly share our celebrations of ministry, individual life transformations, and moments in which we have experienced a glimpse of God’s love and power among us. Within this first issue you will find not only personal stories to inspire you, but also opportunities for you to serve in the Central Florida community, ways to connect with your children or grandchildren, tips to financial wellbeing, and stories of community transformation in our backyard and around the world. In reading these stories, I was inspired by the ways each of St. Luke’s core values of acceptance, hospitality, community, discipleship, and service is being lived out in creative and moving ways. These moments of celebration remind us what the church is called to be in the world – a safe place of love and acceptance where each of us finds our call to make a difference in the world. St. Luke’s works diligently to facilitate innovative ministry moments, inspiring worship, and community and international missions that partner with people for long term transformation. With heads down, hearts engaged, and hands and feet at work, we often do not take the time to look up and celebrate how God has been accomplishing amazing things in our lives or through this church. Having a magazine produced by St. Luke’s provides a glimpse of ways in which God’s love and grace are actively at work within us and through us at St. Luke’s. It is also a chance to see the diversity of St. Luke’s. In 2011, St. Luke’s outlined a number of congregational goals including becoming a church that truly reflects Central Florida in race, life experience, culture, and economics. This year we will continue growing in diversity through our summer sermon series “Front Porch Parables,” our award-winning summer theater production, and new events for the whole community. Around the church we have a saying, “It’s Not St. Luke's Without U.” For our neighbors, we hope St. Luke’s celebrations reflect the breadth of God’s love, acceptance, and hospitality. Whether you’ve never experienced these values in a church, you’ve just moved to town and are looking for a place to call home, or you’ve been a part of a faith community for many years, we hope you’ll check out St. Luke’s or invite someone you know to worship. May the celebration of God’s love fill your heart. Grace and Peace,
Jenn. The Rev. Jennifer Stiles Williams, St. Luke’s Lead Pastor
Our Purpose: Building the Kingdom By Building Disciples
Our Vision: That the believers of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church will reach as many people as possible in Central Florida introducing them to eternal life in Jesus Christ. Together, we commit to worship, connect, and grow as disciples, to serve in building the Kingdom of God.
Our Core Values: At our center is the love of Jesus Christ. We value Christ-centered: Acceptance: We recognize that Christ’s love has no boundaries. Hospitality: We welcome all to share Christ’s love through help, hope, and healing. Community: We claim a sacred place where Christ’s love unites all to support and care for others while nurturing a personal relationship with God. Discipleship: We believe we are called to be living representatives of Jesus Christ and bring others to know God’s mercy, justice, grace, and love. Service: We respond to Christ’s love and God’s call, by sharing our time, talents, tithes, spiritual gifts, and resources. Contact us at social@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991. st.lukes.org | 1
Why I'm a St. Luker By Katie Brown, St. Luker since 2012 This Dr. Phillips resident is answering her call to give back through St. Luke's. Being part of a church family is a special thing. It brings fellowship, compassion, support, and the uplifting power of God’s faithful promise that where two or more are gathered in his name, he will be among them.
Learn more about St. Luke’s We open our doors to all so everyone can find a place to belong and always feel welcome. Are you interested in learning more about the St. Luke’s family? Check out St. Luke’s online at st.lukes. org where you will find an “I’m New!” section just for first time guests. You can see what to expect when you visit St. Luke’s and even plan your first trip to campus. Church services are just one of the many opportunities to connect with St. Luke’s. For information about sports, music, dance, theater, Bible study, or just social groups based on hobbies, lifestage, or neighborhood email connect@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991 ext. *262.
Connect with St. Luke's at stlukesorlando!
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These things are generally true of all church communities, but for me, being a St. Luker means even more. By definition, being a St. Luker means I am not only loved, but that I am called to love. It means that not only am I accepted by those within my church family, but that I am called to accept. It means I am not only served by my church, but that I am called to serve in return. Being a St. Luker means that I am not only significantly shaped by the community around me, but that I am part of the community that molds and shapes others too. In the past three years that my family and I have come to call St. Luke’s home, I have been continually blessed by those around me – be it ushering on Sunday morning, diving into God’s word in a Bible study, dropping my kids off at Sunday School, or even just sharing a donut in the company of a stranger. I am a St. Luker because God has brought me here to love, learn, and grow with this church family, and I am so very thankful that he has.
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Tips for Feeling at Home in a New Church By Bradley Roberts, St. Luke’s Executive Director of Worship
On a chilly Tuesday in February, I had the privilege of reflecting with St. Luker Lisa Morrison on how she became a part of the church community. Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself.
A. I heard about St. Luke’s in April of 2015. My school is a Title 1 school and was invited to the Math Bee (sponsored A: I came to Orlando in 2003 because I was sick of snow. I in part by St. Luke’s Educational IMPACT ministry). It lived in a small town in Ohio with no diversity at all, and I was incredibly well organized and very rewarding for knew I wanted something different for my kids (who were the children. St. Luke’s had always intrigued me after the 2nd and 5th graders at that time). In August of that year I was Math Bee (which, by the way, our students won). For hired as a teacher at Lakeville Elementary School in Apopka. children who wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance, I taught in many areas at the elementary school level, starting the Math Bee provided an opportunity for them to excel with special education. I taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd and feel empowered. Then I found out about auditions for grade, and 5th grade. I also held some leadership positions The Music Man, the church’s 2015 summer musical. My along the way. Now, I am a Curriculum Resource Teacher at husband, Jim, wanted to work with Steve MacKinnon, the my school, where I help our teachers with curriculum and show’s director, so we auditioned and became part of the special projects. cast. Then we met everyone involved in the show and fell in love with the people. We had been looking for a church for My entire family is into the performing arts. I used to say a while. Both of us had some “not so pleasant” experiences I was the executive producer of the family, making sure with other churches, and there was a span of time we did everyone in the family was involved in something and staying not go to church because we were disenchanted with some on top of practice, rehearsals and such. I (though my family of the experiences. will kill me for saying so) don’t feel I’m as talented as the rest of my family, but I enjoy performing as well. Q. You and Jim have gotten really involved in the church. Did you expect that to happen this quickly? Q. How did you hear about St. Luke’s and what moved you to A. I was raised as a Methodist, and that is what I’m used visit? to. Honestly, we used the musical as a gateway to open the discussion as a family about whether or not the church was the right fit for us.
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Q. Both you and your husband, Jim, eventually became members. Why was that important to you? And what was the membership process like for you? A. Both of us have always been members of a church and understand that if you are, you are expected to serve, grow and connect. The process of joining was supported by a Fast Track Retreat, which we attended in the fall of 2015. (Learn more at st.lukes.org/projectconnect) Everyone who ever joins should go to the retreat! We got to know people who were just getting to know the church and they had a lot of questions. The small group setting allowed us to intimately know more people and expand beyond the typical initial plug-in-group. It was a really cool three days with that group because we became very close very quickly.
Lisa Morrison with husband, Jim (center) at St. Luke's 2015 Fast Track Retreat.
Q. How has being a part of St. Luke’s impacted you? A. I feel like I am back on track. My entire adult life, I have always been involved in some kind of ministry: children, adult, etc. and because I am a leader, I was always put in charge of something. Getting back to church feels like home again and where I need to be. I have always felt close to God and always had a good spiritual life, but the fellowship part was missing for years. There was a big void. Q. How has St. Luke’s impacted your family? A. Each member of my family has been impacted in very different ways. Jim went to a Lutheran seminary, but he did not graduate with his Masters in Divinity. The seminary asked him to write a paper applauding someone who he felt was against Christianity. When he refused, he was not allowed to graduate. He even had a church job lined up. He was disenchanted with churches and the hypocrisy he saw. Sometimes, the churches we attended were not preaching sound biblical teachings and were twisting the message. He was very frustrated by this. When we came here, he grilled the pastors and found that they really are authentic believers who stand behind what they preach, and that for him was THE reason he wanted to stay. 4 | Spring 2016
My son Eric is 23. He was raised in the church. He’s always been a spiritual person. He believes in God, the Bible and loves to talk about his faith, but felt that when he came out to us as gay, he would never be able to go to a church again because people would never accept him. When he came to St. Luke’s, he discovered there are other people like him and everyone is open and accepting. He found a place where he can share his talents and be back in church again. It has been life-changing for him! My daughter Ari is 20. She is going through a growing pain, I like to say, where she is questioning everything which a lot of us do when we are young adults. She is a very smart young lady and has influences around her that say if you are a smart person you don’t believe in God, because faith is not scientific. Then on the other hand, she has her family who raised her in church. This past summer when she was allowed to help with the tech for The Music Man, she got to experience what a church family felt like. Almost every time I have seen or talked to her since then she asks if we have seen folks from the The Music Man. She went to the Stiles Williams house [Lead Pastor, Rev. Jennifer Stiles Williams] on New Years and had a great time with a bunch of St. Lukers. Jim Ohrberg, who took Ari under his wing over the summer during Music Man, was there as well. He taught her all this lighting stuff and really mentored her during the summer. So, she loves him and she got to reconnect with him and his family. We played several games and she won all of them. I told you she was smart! On the drive home, she kept saying, “I have never had so much fun and those people are so wonderful and they really care about us,” and she kept repeating it.
Top 5 Tips To Help You Feel At Home In A New Church 1. Get involved some how some way where your passion is with people who have similar interests 2. Ask a lot of questions about everything you want to know about 3. Join a small group 4. Go to the “Fast Track Retreat” = instant close friends 5. Volunteer to do something, anything because doing one small thing (I volunteered to usher) made me feel a part of the body of the church rather than an outside spectator
Music Notes Choir Performance at Carnegie Hall
St. Luke’s 2016 Summer Musical Auditions St. Luke’s announces this year’s summer production of the broadway musical Big River.
St. Luke's Sanctuary Choir at Carnegie Hall.
St. Luke's 2015 production of The Music Man.
A group of vocalists from the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir braved the frigid weather of New York City in February to have the unmatched privilege of singing in Carnegie Hall! The legendary hall provided an astonishingly beautiful backdrop for the singers. This group joined other invited choirs in a concert featuring the music of composer/arranger, Joseph Martin. The group of 19 intrepid St. Lukers joined with hundreds of other musicians from around the globe to present, Mozart Mealor Martin: Music of Joy and Sorrow.
Twain’s timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as the irrepressible Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Propelled by an award winning score from Roger Miller, the King of Country Music, this jaunty journey provides a brilliantly theatrical celebration of pure Americana. Big River garnered 7 Tony Awards in its original production.
The President’s Day concert was rich with inspirational patriotic music. The St. Luke’s choir spent time preparing for the performance prior to leaving Orlando but also rehearsed for two long days in the Big Apple before singing in front of an enthusiastic audience of more than 2000 people. Joseph Martin was by all accounts an excellent clinician and conductor and the choir was both challenged and inspired by his instruction. The trip wasn’t all work however; the group did take time to see a Broadway show and experience the sights of NYC all while making memories that will last a lifetime. By Amy Martin Cole, Choral Director of Traditional Music Want to share your musical gifts at St. Luke’s? Visit st.lukes.org/music.
Auditions May 1 and May 2: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Auditions by Appointment Only; All Roles are Non-Paid Please email theater@st.lukes.org to schedule an audition appointment with the subject line: "Audition". Performers of all ethnic and racial background are encouraged to attend. Seeking diverse ensemble of actors for multiple character roles, singers, dancers, and musicians. Specifically looking for guitar, banjo, and harmonica players. Music and Lyrics by Roger Miller | Book by William Hauptman | Adapted from the novel by Mark Twain | Directed by Steve MacKinnon | Produced by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
Visit st.lukes.org/bigriver for audition details.
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Morning Edition Grow Group Seated Left to Right: Carol Morris, Debbie Griffin, Debbi Gale, Gary-Jo Widdows, Amy Winslow Standing Left to Right: Marlene Gardner, Ruth McKeefery, Patti Atcheson, Gaye Lesh, Joline Krolicki
MY BEST FRIENDS By Dr. Ruth McKeefery, St. Luker since 1996
we don’t realize “ Sometimes when we start something what it will truly mean when it is finished.
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L: Carolyn Green Souder, R: Dr. Ruth McKeefery
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everal months ago I was feeling rather sorry for myself, which is a bit unusual as most of the time I’m a very positive, very cheerful person, and I do not remember ever before feeling sorry for myself. However, at that time a very dear friend of mine had died; a friend who I had known since the fourth grade. It caused me to reflect that I had lived in Ruth McKeefery seven states before moving to Florida. Each time I moved I left many acquaintances and very good friends behind. At first I thought I was justified in feeling sorry for myself. But after several days I said to myself, wait a minute, you have had so many good friends, you have been so blessed with so many good friends that you have absolutely no reason to feel sorry for yourself. So I decided that I would take the time to write down something about each one of my very good friends in each place I had lived in those different states. After writing several pages about eight or nine of my friends, I thought I had photographs that I could add for each of my friends, and I would put those pages and those photographs into a binder and put a title on the binder and call it “My Best Friends Through the Years.” As I wrote and as I reminisced I realized that there was a pattern in my life connected to my dear friends. They all came to me with faith in God and their desire to be like Christ, two attributes that we all shared. Some of them attended the same church I did and participated in many of the study groups or volunteer ministries I participated in. My best friend from Kansas went with me to Greece and we walked in the same places the Apostle Paul had walked. My best friend from Florida went with me to Egypt and Israel and we walked in many places Jesus had walked. There were so many friends who walked with me in so many different places and in different activities. Yes, they were my best friends but they were more than that, they were friends who gave me inspiration, they gave me guidance. These were friends who understood who I was and where I was coming from, and they knew what I needed and they were gracious enough and kind enough to be my best friends. I did not start out to write about my faith, but as I wrote I realized my friends and my faith were so intertwined that as I wrote about the one I was also writing about the other. In January of this year, the St. Luke’s congregation read the book Simplify by Bill Hybels about simplifying life. I found the book very interesting and very stimulating so that it caused me to also try to simplify my life. I started cleaning
out my closets and giving away what I didn’t use and what I didn’t need and thinking about what I needed to do for the rest of my life to make it more simplified and grounded in my love of God and Christ. I sat in church in my usual section of the Traditional Service and listened to Pastor Jad Denmark preach the next Sunday; I was surprised, when as I listened to him, he began to talk about the importance of relationships and how critical it was to have good friends, best friends. As it is with many things we do, I realized over the years I have intentionally worked to keep my friends; we write letters back and forth, I go to visit them where they live and several of them have come to visit where I was living at the time; we pick up the phone and talk to each other; and more and more we send emails and text messages to each other. I began my book thinking I would have eight or twelve good friends, best friends. But as I kept writing about my friends I added more. I realized how important my sisters and sister-in-law were in being good friends so I added them, and then I decided I had to add my parents, my husband, and my children because they are my best friends; and then I looked at all of the pastors of the various churches that I belong to and realized they are also my best friends and recently I’ve realized there are small groups I’ve been part of and I could not exclude those best friends. So in the end I realized I have many best friends; friends who have helped make me who I am today. So now I have finished my book of best friends. The words I have written here will go at the beginning of my book. Sometimes we don’t realize when we start something what it will truly mean when it is finished. I no longer feel sorry for myself; in fact I rejoice and thank God that I have so many friends. Now I know I will always carry with me my friends’ love, inspiration and guidance and always remember what my best friends have done for me.
Ruth McKeefery (middle row, far right) with 1999 Shepherd's Hope Health Center Office Volunteers
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TIME FOR TEA
By Liberty Goetsch, St. Luker since 2006 St. Luke’s United Methodist Women invite you to the annual Ladies’ Tea.
As the custom has evolved, teatime is an elegant afternoon spent with friends enjoying a light meal, and often includes savory, bite-size sandwiches, scones or biscuits, and sweets (along with a good pot of tea, of course!). On Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m. in the St. Luke’s Fellowship Hall, all women are invited to the annual Ladies’ Tea sponsored by St. Luke’s United Methodist Women. Invite your sister, mother, grandmother, daughter, friends, and neighbors to join you as you host a table or you can make new friends by allowing the organizers to place you at a table as a welcome guest. 8 | Spring 2016
Tickets are available Sunday, April 3, 10, and 17 on the St. Luke’s campus in the Building C Welcome Hall between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. or by calling 407.876.4991 ext. *223. Reservations can also be made at st.lukes.org/ tea. Tickets are $16.00 (non-refundable) and must be purchased with cash or check by Sunday, April 17. All proceeds go to support local missions and charities. The creme puff recipe on page 9 was a hit at the 2015 Ladies' Tea. These sweet treats add a light and airy sophistication to any gathering.
Sweeten your tea time with this recipe from last year's event! Fuji Cream Puffs
Lemon Mascarpone Cream
Makes 10 large cream puffs (or 20 medium, or 4 dozen mini cream puffs)
1 batch of mini cream puffs 1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) heavy whipping cream 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 8 ounces mascarpone 5 ounces lemon curd
1 cup water 1/2 cup butter (4 ounces) 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 large eggs 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. 3. Bring the water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the butter. When the butter has melted, add the flour mixture all at once and stir vigorously. Cook and stir until the mixture forms a ball that doesn’t separate. 4. Remove from the heat and cool slightly (about 1 minute). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each one until the dough is smooth. 5. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough about 2-inches apart onto a greased baking sheet. Or transfer the batter to a pastry bag with a round tip and pipe circles about 2-inches in diameter and about 1-inch apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake the puffs for about 30 minutes until they are golden brown and puffy. If the puffs are medium-size, bake for about 22 — 25 minutes, and if the puffs are mini-size, bake for about 17 — 20 minutes. Remove the cream puffs from the oven and cool on a cooling rack.
The United Methodist Women's Ladies' Tea
1. Make the cream puffs. 2. Make the cream filling: In a medium-size mixing bowl beat the cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Place the bowl in the refrigerator. 3. In a second medium-size mixing bowl stir together the mascarpone and lemon curd until they are well blended. 4. Remove the whipped cream from the refrigerator and gently fold it into the lemon curd mixture until it is smooth and incorporated. If you accidentally overwork the mixture it will look grainy or like it is separating. To fix the filling, just stir in about 1 tablespoon of cream with a rubber spatula, and stir just until the mixture has smoothed out again. Place the finished cream in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to chill slightly. 5. Fill the cream puffs: When you are ready to serve the cream puffs, transfer the filling to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch round tip. Insert the tip of the pastry bag into the base of each puff and fill.
Recipes can also be viewed online at lafujimama.com.
Liberty Goetsch's culinary creations are a highlight of the annual Ladies' Tea.
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Photo: Josh Huskin Photography
ASH WEDNESDAY REFLECTIONS By Katy Slack, St. Luker since 2006 How I discovered a new meaning in Easter with the St. Luke's community.
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his year I attended my tenth Ash Wednesday worship service at St. Luke’s. Having attended these services my whole life, the first nine Ash Wednesdays were what they had always been to me: a service of remembrance, humility, and the beginning of a Lenten journey. This year, however, things were different, and resonated with me in unexpected and profound ways. I’m not the only one in the world who had a very special relationship with my mother, although sometimes it feels like I am. I’m also not the only one in the world, or at this church for that matter, who lost their mother at a young age. Nonetheless, I can’t help but feel like we had a special bond shared by very few people. Growing up, there was no doubt in my mind how loved and adored I was by my mom. She used to say that having my sister and I was her greatest life accomplishment, and for a woman so highly educated and successful, that was a pretty meaningful statement. As the eldest child, I got to be the center of her world those first few years, keeping her company on the new adventure of motherhood after she left behind an incredibly promising career. Even after my sister came along, I continued to be the child pioneer - the first to head to school, the first to drive, the first to go to prom – and my mother fretted, fussed and encouraged me through each life event. She pushed me to figure out my goals and achieve all I wanted, much like her mother had pushed her, and I recognized very early on in life that we were a deeply entwined team. Whether through nature or nurture, I’ll never know, but I’m incredibly similar to my mother. In personality, taste and even physical attributes, I’ve always taken after her. I could always rely on her to answer my many chatty calls throughout the day, to sing along to the same songs on the radio, to guide me through my troubles, and to affirm my choices. That’s not to say we didn’t disagree – I was a teenager there for a while – but even in our times of conflict, I knew she understood me, because I was her, and she was me.
waiver, even when, after two years of treatments, God had no other choice than to heal her by bringing her out of her tired, sick body. I watched her ascend into heaven to be with him in November of 2014. My husband and I were married at St. Luke’s in March of 2015, guided by the light of Mom’s memorial candle on the altar. It was the culminating event of several months focused on family and healing, in which I grew closer to my father and sister and felt my mother’s presence as I always had. However, in the time that followed, I began to feel lost. Despite having been an adult for thirteen years, I realized how much my confidence depended on my mother’s daily affirmations. She was the person I looked up to the most, and hearing how pleased she was with me filled me with joy. She was my best friend, and a phenomenal person, and I loved that we were alike. She made me feel like my life was spectacular and unique. The loss of that affirmation left me feeling empty and ordinary. Eventually, I learned to cope with the fact that I’d never really have that feeling again. I could look at pictures to remind me how alike we were, but the constant bond of commonality, of shared understanding, died along with Mom. So, it was remarkably unexpected that while attending St. Luke’s Ash Wednesday service this year, I felt my mother’s presence fill my heart once more. You see, my mother’s spirit is in heaven, and all that remains of her on earth is an urn of ashes. As Pastor Jenn placed ashes on my forehead and said “from dust you have come and to dust you shall return,” I felt my spirit lift towards the cross and I realized that my mother and I were the same once more. This Lenten season, we must remember the incredible promise brought to us through Jesus Christ. Through his death and resurrection, we are bound to those whom we love forever, as they live on with him. This realization brings a new and incredible meaning for me this Easter. I am so grateful for it, and for the reminder of it through the faith of my church family at St. Luke’s.
When my mother was first diagnosed with colon cancer in the spring of 2011, we turned to our shared faith for strength. My parents raised us in the church, actively participating in volunteer causes and music ministries, which continued for my sister and I into adulthood. Because of this, I knew that even when I could not be with my mother, I could look into the faces of my community at St. Luke’s and know that four states away, my mother was surrounded by the same community of love at her church. We all prayed for God to heal her, and in 2011 he chose to do so by rendering her cancer-free. A year later, her cancer returned, and having metastasized inoperably, she was declared Stage IV. Still, her faith didn’t
Katy Slack (right) with mom, Paula Thomas
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HAVE A "DEE DAH DAY" By The Rev. Jennifer Stiles Williams, St. Luke's Lead Pastor In his book The Life You’ve Always Wanted, John Ortberg tells a story of his daughter Mallory. At the end of the day, she finished her bath and he was ready to get her dressed for bed. However, Mallory was too busy participating in what had come to be known as the “Dee Dah Day Dance.” You’ve seen it before, a toddler so excited and full of joy they run around in circles with shouts of exclamation. Ortberg writes that Mallory would run in circles, singing over and over, “Dee dah day, dee dah day” when she was “too happy to hold it in any longer, when words are inadequate to give voice to her euphoria, she has to dance and release her joy.” He continues to share that when he asked her to stop and get dressed she asked the simple question of a child, “Why?” To which he writes, “I had no answer. I had nowhere to go, nothing to do, no meeting to attend, no sermon to write. I was just so used to hurrying, so trapped in this rut of moving from one task to another, that here was life, here was joy, here was an invitation to the dance right in front of me – and I was missing it.” (Ortberg, 1998, p. 60) The practice of celebration is a spiritual discipline, but one we often miss. Many times our concentration on prayer, study, and fasting leads us to feel as if our spiritual awareness is more like the journey of Lent than the celebration of Easter. While we are called to spend time in reflection at the cross, we are also called to stand and move into dawn’s light of Easter. Practicing the art of celebration, living in gratitude, participating in Sabbath rest, and dancing for joy are inextricably connected to our relationship with a God of joy, beauty and endless imagination. It is a constant reminder of how loved we are and the gift of new life Easter brings to each of us as God’s precious children. The psalmist writes, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24) This reminds us to find things to celebrate in every day life. Celebrate that the sun rose again, by itself, without any work on our part. Celebrate the opportunities to laugh, dance, and even weep with friends, family and community. Celebrate diversity around us, seeing God in every aspect of creation and receiving it all as a gift. Try having your own “Dee Dah Day.” Make time to celebrate, rejoice, be glad, and why not even make up your own “Dee Dah Day Dance!” 12 | Spring 2016
YOU SAID IT! Children are learning new skills both in the classroom and on the field.
Not Just ABC’s and 123’s
Family and Recreation Ministries
St. Luke’s Child Development Center prepares young learners to think first with their hearts.
One family reflects on how children learn to work together and support one another through St. Luke’s Sports.
Photo: Kristina Jarquin
St. Luke’s Child Development Center has been preparing students for success since 1989. Charisma Marin had this to say about the center: “For eight years our family has been blessed with amazing teachers and staff at St. Luke’s Child Development Center (CDC). Each of our children started in the nursery as part of the Parent’s Day Out program and continued through VPK. We have always trusted St. Luke’s to enrich our children’s education with not only the ABC’s and 123’s, but also with our shared values. We want our children to love and care for others and to think first with their heart. St. Luke’s has done an amazing job preparing our eldest two children for elementary school. As our third son starts kindergarten we will miss the CDC; it has left a lasting impression on our hearts, for which we are forever grateful." - Charisma Marin, CDC parent since 2008 Visit st.lukes.org/cdc for details about programs for children ages 8 months through VPK.
Registration for St. Luke's boys and girls soccer league (VPK-grade 7) opens Friday, July 1. Danielle Cox shares about her experience as a first-time soccer mom: “Family and recreation ministries has been a tremendous blessing to our family. Colin (8), Brady (4), and Reese (4) have each participated in soccer. This was their first season. They all fell in love and can’t wait for the new season to start this fall. The kids look forward to seeing friends from school/church and spending time with them outside of everyday learning. The sports programs at St. Luke’s are encouraging and uplifting. It’s not always about winning, but learning to work together and supporting each other so everyone can thrive in God’s image." -Danielle Cox, St. Luker since 2014 For more information on St. Luke’s Sports and exercise programs for children, youth, and adults visit st.lukes.org/sports. st.lukes.org | 13
HOW DO YOU "THRIVE"? Whether you are 10, 20, or 80 years old you can “THRIVE” on Wednesday Nights.
Youth “Echo the Story” in This Small Group Study
Inside “THRIVE” A Weekly Family Fun Night
High school student Samantha Ayers engages her artistic abilities to depict stories in the Bible.
On Wednesday nights, we don't just build disciples, we help them THRIVE!
On Wednesday nights, high school students gather for worship, small groups, and discussion time. High school student, Samantha Ayers, chose to be a part of the “Echo the Story” class, that explored the Bible using videos and an interactive workbook. She had this to say when asked about her experience: Drawing by Samantha Ayers from the Echo the Story class.
"We were encouraged to sketch or journal about a different Bible story each week based on scripture we had read or questions provided for reflection. This gave me a whole new way to look at stories in the Bible and helped me grow in my understanding of the history of God’s chosen people while providing me with an outlet to be creative at the same time. One of the repeating themes of the Bible that I realized while going through the Echo series is that God will always be there for his people, no matter how many times we fail him. The integration of drawing and writing into the study of the Bible helped me pick up on details that I would never have noticed before, helping me relate them to my own life as well." - Samantha Ayers, St. Luker since 2012 Students in grades 6-12 can connect at St. Luke's by visiting st.lukes.org/youth. 14 | Spring 2016
Elementary THRIVE student with Fred Stokes, Super Bowl Champion who helped cater the 2015 THRIVE kickoff dinner.
Every Wednesday, St. Luke’s offers after school programs followed by a delicious dinner prepared by local restaurants. For a nominal fee, kids, youth, and adults can enjoy a great-tasting meal together before dispersing for age-appropriate evening programs like Bible study, choir rehearsal, children’s ministry programs, and youth group. This weekly family fun night is called THRIVE. Here's what one elementary student had to say about participating:
"THRIVE is profoundly spiritual and inspiring. At THRIVE, we play, learn, make art, and socialize. Attending the Wednesday night programs has changed me and my sister’s life a lot through our relationship with Jesus. I have made friends with kids from my elementary school and other schools. First we meet and play in the gym where Ms. Janet decides on a game after free play. After that, we head to Building A to learn about the Bible and pray. We stay there and meet with other leaders to create art, eat a healthy snack, and participate in spiritual and fun activities. Hope to see you there!" - St. Luker since 2006 Interested in participating in THRIVE next Wednesday? Visit st.lukes.org/thrive for details.
Register now for St. Luke’s summer camps!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR ST. LUKE’S SUMMER CAMPS! Vacation Bible School VBS Block Party! Where the Party Starts with God’s Love (Preschool-Rising 6th grade) June 20-24 God’s Big Backyard (Preschool) July 11-15 Neighborhood Camps (Kindergarten-Rising 6th grade) July 25-29 & August 1-5 Visit st.lukes.org/camps or call 407.876.4991 ext. *238 for information and to register.
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FAMILIES SERVE TOGETHER IN EAST WINTER GARDEN By John and Emily Logan, St. Lukers since 2002 Insights from a Father-Daughter Duo Serving Their Community Families get pulled in lots of different directions these days and often parents go one way and children the other. St. Luke’s United Methodist Church often fields questions regarding places for families to serve together. One such opportunity is through the Circles® program in East Winter Garden. Circles, a national model for ending poverty one family at a time, began meeting in Orange County in 2014 and has grown to include over 70 people sharing and 16 | Spring 2016
growing together. Circle Allies (volunteers willing to offer friendship and support) and Circle Leaders (families with a plan to move out of poverty) bring their children and youth with them to weekly gatherings. When St. Luke’s first proposed launching a Circles site one volunteer team seized the opportunity to serve as a family. John and Emily Logan are a dad and daughter duo representing their family by serving with this transformative ministry.
“Circles was a great opportunity for Emily and me to serve together. I wanted to contribute to the East Winter Garden transformation (A St. Luke’s initiative to focus resources and support in a strategic location to maximize results) and this was a way I could participate every week.”
Behind the Scenes by Vince Lepore, Manager of Technical Services
“I originally went to fulfill a school need for service hours. But I continue to go because I enjoy it and it’s our bonding time. I get to hang out with dad (without mom and my brother).” “One of the unrealized benefits for me was the time I got to spend with Emily each week traveling back and forth from Winter Garden. We leave shortly after she gets home from school and she is full of stories about friends, teachers, and school activities normally reserved for sharing with my wife. It’s nice to have time for just the two of us. There are not a lot of things teen girls and dads have in common. She was also learning to drive when we first started, so it was an uninterrupted 40-minute practice time for her. I hope she has learned tolerance and appreciation for people in different situations. And I hope she has learned gratitude for her own circumstances.” “Circles has made it easier to relate to different types of people. It has made code switching1 more comfortable.” “We have gained new perspectives on the power of relationships. I am amazed each week to see how the Circle Leaders can leverage relationships in place of resources.” Alternating between language varieties depending on the context of a conversation. 1
For more information about Circles® Orange County or other opportunities to serve, visit st.lukes.org/circles or call 407.876.4991 ext. *285.
Wes Weathers, A St. Luke’s Servant Leader The Weathers family began attending St. Luke’s almost five years ago on the recommendation of a neighbor and friend. Wes grew up Methodist and longed to find a church after moving to Orlando. The Methodist church he grew up in was very small, so at first, the family was hesitant about joining St. Luke’s. However, Wes quickly found ways to get plugged in and share his passions through serving. His first volunteering opportunity came through Habitat for Humanity, and shortly thereafter he added ushering in Traditional Worship to his list of volunteer activities. After attending Contemporary Worship for some time, Wes also began volunteering as a guitar player in the praise band as well as on the technical crew, setting up and tearing down the Contemporary Worship stage each week. Wes became a valuable asset to the team, and recently joined the St. Luke’s staff part-time working on the technical arts team. For help finding ways to connect your passion with a place to serve email serve@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991 ext. *239.
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THE WAY UP By Roslyn Burttram, St. Luker since 1999 How serving with Jobs Partnership of Florida provides a local opportunity to transform lives. Last fall, after reading in the St. Luke’s Ministry Guide about Jobs Partnership’s need for coaches, I was curious and decided to attend the training one Saturday. I left that day excited about the mission of this proven training course that assists motivated adults who are underemployed (or unemployed) in utilizing their God-given strengths for success in work and life. I liked that afterward, graduates might be matched with Central Florida employers who are seeking quality employees. Here was a way I could participate in a successful program that embodied the spirit of St. Luke’s local mission to assist others seeking to move toward economic and family stability. Over the course of 12 weeks, I got to mentor three amazing women who were dedicated to improving
themselves on many levels. We discussed their unique interests and personalities, strategies for financial management, and job aspirations before building resumes and practicing interview skills. I particularly enjoyed the weekly guest presenters – pastors and other community leaders – who also motivated me in my own work. After the course, one of the ladies I worked with was accepted to the University of Florida and is now a Public Relations major. She felt that the LifeWorks training program through Jobs Partnership gave her a more positive outlook on life and the desire to make the most of every opportunity. Another one of the ladies began working as a substitute teacher. The regular teachers always ask for her now because she manages their classes
so well. Her take-away from the LifeWorks training was to go after what she really wanted. She also stepped out as an author and speaker encouraging and motivating others like herself. The third woman in our group expressed that pursuing Career OnRamp Training (a program offered by Jobs Partnership) might help her find a career in healthcare. The course culminated with a church celebration where the students were recognized individually. It was undoubtedly the most inspiring graduation I’ve ever attended. The stories of perseverance and dedication to personal empowerment made me feel especially blessed to have participated in such a life changing program.
Interested in learning more about becoming a Jobs Partnership coach or group volunteer? Email serve@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991 ext. *285. 18 | Spring 2016
CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE It's not just a buzz word, but a self-awareness tool for serving with others. We all like to think our world is diverse, and that we easily connect with people who are different from us. But most of us are surrounded by people who are strikingly similar in their faith, race, and other categories. These peers influence the filter through which we see others and impact how we answer the call to be in ministry with all people. In his book, Serving with Eyes Wide Open, seminary professor Dr. David A. Livermore, shares that, "Much of the way we interact cross-culturally continues to be filled with an 'our way is best' mentality." He notes that it is important to "Open our eyes to existing blind spots" to change the way we serve with others. Boost your cultural intelligence by following the directions and filling in the chart below to reveal cultural similarities and differences in your sphere of influence. Pick five people you are close to—family, friends, co-workers—people you know well and who know you well. Fill in the chart by adding an S in areas where they are the same as you, and a D for those who are different. Race/ Ethnicity
Names
Age (+/- 5yrs)
Gender
Relationship Status
Social Class
Religion
Next, following the same method, choose another five people you have regular contact with but would not necessarily consider a close friend—co-workers, doctors, teachers. Pick two more categories of your own for the last two columns—sexual orientation, disability, or work status.
Names
Race/ Ethnicity
Age (+/- 5yrs)
Gender
Relationship Status
Social Class
Religion
Be prepared to be surprised. Appearance does not let you know all the ways we are similar or different from one another. You can’t know all the ways you are similar or different when you first meet someone else. Revisit this exercise in 6-12 months and see if the makeup of your social network has changed. For additional training on cultural intelligence visit st.lukes.org/serve. st.lukes.org | 19
FINDING FINANCIAL PEACE By Marcus Scott, St. Lukers since 2013 Marcus Scott describes the benefits of participating in the St. Luke’s Financial Peace University course. A year and a half ago, Amanda and I attended a Financial Peace University (FPU) course at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. We came into the class with different financial views and experiences and left with a clear plan for our financial future.
Amanda and Marcus Scott
Financial Peace University can help attendees: 1. Work towards $1,000 starter emergency fund building to 3-6 months in emergency savings 2. Plan to pay off debts smallest to largest 3. Plan for retirement and college tuition 4. Schedule payments for early mortgage payoff 5. Increase ability to give
Would you like to sign up for the next Financial Peace University course? Email adults@st.lukes.org or call 407.876.4991 ext. *297 to express interest.
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In the past each of us had financial goals and were saving and spending wisely. After taking FPU we now work much better as a team, with much less duplication of efforts and much more complimentary actions. We have found the written budget holds both of us accountable and avoids a lot of miscommunication because it is right there in black and white each month. We both have a voice in where every dollar goes. We can always adjust the plan during the month as things come up, but it still needs to add up to zero at the end, where every dollar has a name. Month after month, it gets much easier because there are fewer and fewer “surprises” each month--things that you forget you spend money on. The emotional energy gained from accomplishing our goals together has been priceless. If you’re looking for a plan to get you and your family to a state of financial stability and success, Financial Peace University is the perfect opportunity. In this nine-week class developed by nationally acclaimed author Dave Ramsey, you’ll work through seven baby steps using DVDs, instructor-led small group discussions, homework, and reading. The key to Dave’s plan is the monthly written budget, where you purposefully plan out where every dollar goes, before the month begins. Amanda and I have seen our communication increase about our finances. We now determine together how to spend our money, virtually eliminating financial disagreements throughout the month. We have experienced first-hand the emotional energy and momentum that results from focusing on written goals. We liked the class so much we returned a year later as instructors. We look forward to helping many more people find financial peace.
BUILDING FOR KINGDOM BUILDERS By Ken Simback, St. Luker since 1999 St. Luke’s Building Committee Chairperson St. Luke's prepares to break ground on a new worship venue/performing arts center and educational complex. It began over 35 years ago. Just months after its charter, St. Luke’s appointed a building committee to plan a new home for its fast growing congregation. On November 1, 1981, founding pastor, The Rev. Dr. Jim Harnish, delivered the first sermon in that new home, the church's original Sanctuary and current Fellowship Hall. In just a few weeks we will break ground on Founder’s Hall/ Barnes Learning Center, the next step in St. Luke’s phased facilities optimization plan. This new worship venue and educational complex is scheduled to open in early 2017. Look for walls and a roof to appear by mid-summer. Paint, windows and landscaping will show up in the fall. And work on the interior portions of the building will take the remainder of 2016. Dedication is expected early next year. In the meantime, Fellowship Hall will receive extensive renovation. New spaces will be added, interiors remodeled and electrical and HVAC systems improved to refresh St. Luke’s original sanctuary for use as the new youth center. For the safety of our youngest learners and for
peace of mind for parents, a security lobby will be added to Building “A.” Traffic flow in and out of Building “B” will also be adjusted to add additional security for the Child Development Center. In keeping with St. Luke’s commitment to green spaces on campus, the breezeway will also receive a makeover with new landscaping and furniture. Look for work to begin by July and continue over the summer. The plan is to rededicate Fellowship Hall as the new St. Luke’s Youth Ministry Center on the 35th anniversary of that first worship service. In his last sermon in Fellowship Hall, The Rev. Dr. Jim Harnish wrote, “This is a very good house, and we have put it to very good use, which simply proves that a place becomes a sacred place not because of how it is built, but because of how it is used, because of what happens to the people who meet there.” We look forward to adding to “that very good house” over the coming year.
St. Luke’s Proposed Campus Optimization Timeline 2016
2017
Spring
Summer
Fall
Groundbreaking Event
Exterior walls of Founder’s Hall, work begins in Fellowship Hall
Youth Center Dedication
Winter
Spring
Dedication of Founder’s Hall and Barnes Learning Center
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Mission of Empowerment by Sarah Ristorcelli, St. Luker since 2013 Empowerment can be relational and transformative for us all, especially when we involve people in bettering their own circumstances by giving them the tools they need. Walking alongside someone as they take control of their life preserves their dignity and allows the person to focus on their destiny. When this works well, it opens up opportunities for people to recognize their own God-given gifts and skills as well as those of others. Community Transformation
Zimbabwe Orphans Endeavor
“You often see missions programs both domestically and abroad that provide for the needs of impoverished people, but there’s no real economic development taking place. When the funding program ends, the people who relied on it slip right back into the same situation they were in before,” explains Lynette Fields, Executive Director of Missions at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. “By dealing with the full scope of issues that end poverty, like affordable housing, affordable childcare, family stabilization, transportation, education and career development, we’re committed to real change that’s sustainable.”
A similar model is playing out in Rwanda, where Zimbabwe Orphans Endeavor (ZOE) trains teenaged orphans who are the heads of their households to be entrepreneurs with businesses that support their many younger siblings. ZOE was founded in 2004 as a mission of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church by Rev. Greg Jenks after a 15-year old teen in his church announced to her parents that she felt called to minister to HIV/AIDS orphans in Africa. ZOE began as a relief organization but evolved as an empowerment program, spreading to Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi, Liberia, India and Guatemala.
In East Winter Garden, St. Lukers partner with leaders of groups called “Circles” to end poverty one family and one neighborhood at a time. The Circles® Campaign, which is part of a nationwide movement, is founded on the principle that by removing obstacles related to poverty, local residents can create a thriving community together. Families that graduate from the 18-month program have gained economic stability and are equipped with tools that they need for ending the cycle of poverty that in some cases has plagued their families. “Because we’re walking alongside these families in friendship and emphasizing their assets—their talents and abilities—rather than focusing on what they lack, the program is infused with dignity,” says Fields.
St. Luke’s has supported ZOE through a designated Mission Capital Endowment fund for several years. The church has provided grants for three orphan-headed households to build their own homes and most recently contributed a matching grant for a truck to assist with transportation needs. St. Luker Ann Eppinger and her husband Scott Davidson heard Epiphanie Mujawimana, a Rwandan teacher who developed ZOE’s empowerment model, speak in Orlando six years ago. Moved by the organization’s love for children and their unique approach, Davidson visited Rwanda to see their work first-hand, sponsored ZOE’s program, and eventually joined their Board of Directors. Last summer, Ann shared the current Working Group model with St. Luke’s Lead Pastor, The Rev. Jennifer Stiles Williams, and the St. Luke’s st.lukes.org | 23
missions staff, understanding the amazing connection between the model and the ministry work the church is doing in East Winter Garden. It was easy to see the similarities of the two ministries and a Core Team quickly formed following an exploratory mission assessment process.
Rwanda’s Orphans The 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which the politically powerful Hutu majority killed 500,000 to one million Tutsis in a 100-day period, left many thousands of children without parents. The economic devastation and vulnerability to disease that followed has led to continuous waves of orphans in the two decades since the genocide. Teenaged children have been left to care for two to as many as six younger siblings. Rwanda’s teen orphans that are invited into ZOE’s program have been trapped in a cycle of poverty. They “work for food” each day, and any day of work missed due to illness, lack of opportunity or a family circumstance is a day without food for them and their younger siblings. They also “work for shelter” by dedicating two days a week working for their landlords. Those are two days they can’t work for food, so hunger and hopelessness abounds. ZOE’s empowerment program gives them hope and a path out of their poverty. ZOE surrounds them with a comprehensive program to allow them to bring themselves out of their desperate situations. ZOE organizes teens into “working groups” that are 60 to 100 strong, or even larger. The children learn basic self-care, business principles and practical skills in a 3-year program facilitated by a social worker and further supported by a community leader who helps ZOE locate the orphans and serve as liaisons to work these children back into the fabric of communities that tend to ostracize them. St. Luke’s dedicated a portion of the church’s Christmas Eve offering to a ZOE working group in the southern region of Rwanda. Soon after, the ZOE Core Team, led by Eppinger, approached the Missions Council about sending a group of St. Lukers to Rwanda to see first-hand how God is working through ZOE. On February 3rd of this year, Eppinger, John Stiles Williams and Lead Pastor Jennifer Stiles Williams departed for Rwanda for a five-day experience.
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Working Groups The next day, the St. Luke’s team, joined by teams from Aldersgate UMC and Duck UMC, visited active working groups and discovered flourishing teams of children that were earning incomes to provide food and shelter for themselves, their sisters, and brothers. Eppinger explains that the working groups are engaged with income-generating projects as well as individual small businesses. “The group projects are vital in making these orphans a very large family, all working together. They realize quickly that there were many other orphans who were as abused, hungry and isolated as they had been. As their project makes money, the group begins to bring other orphans into the working group, and hires local people when possible to help the community rise up. It is a beautiful thing to see the orphans forgive those who had previously shunned and abused them, by hiring them.” The St. Luke’s team met three young ladies in a rural area who had bought a television and rented a storefront where they set up what they called a "theater." Locals could come and watch television for a fee, charge their cell phones and enjoy refreshments from the cantina. Because the girls had their own cell phone, they also offered mobile banking services to their patrons. “Another group of teen girls had a farmer’s market-style stall where they sold vegetables that they grew, and because they had a cell phone, their customers could call and place orders and get food deliveries,” says John Stiles Williams. Orphans in Rwanda are stigmatized and viewed as lowerclass citizens. A group of teens who farmed bananas initially struggled to make a profit because customers devalued their produce. Upon realizing that banana juice was more valuable on both a retail and wholesale level, they began a juice production process using braided reeds to press and squeeze the bananas. This transformed their business. “We were so impressed with the children working in the groups,” recalls John Stiles Williams. “There were so many innovative business models in place, and these businesses were completely run by the kids.” When working groups get funded, a journey of hope and healing begins almost immediately for the children in that working group. “These children feel loved by those who believe in them,” says Eppinger.
RWANDA
Pastor Jenn blogged during the St. Luke’s trip to Rwanda. Read her posts by visiting st.lukes.org/journey-with-jenn/
Learn about ZOE by visiting zoehelps.org.
Get involved with Community Transformation in East Winter Garden by visiting st.lukes.org/community.
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IT'S NOT ST. LUKE'S WITHOUT “U” Advice for retirees ready to get back to “work”
My mission passion has been to help the people of Jamaica. Sharing my professional skills with Jamaica by designing and helping to build schools started 18 years before I retired. My passion for Jamaica continued after retiring until now, the last 10 years St. Luke’s has focused on medical and dental needs in the island nation. I have this mission passion because in the scriptures Jesus asked us to love and care for others...very simple! My Jamaica ministry began in 1980 when I met a Jamaican pastor/principal of a vocational high school located in the mountains outside of Kingston. He wanted to stay in Jamaica to help his people...but he needed help from outside of Jamaica to accomplish his goals of providing education for children who might otherwise be discarded. I wanted to help him. Consequently hundreds of people have gone to Jamaica on mission trips sponsored by St. Luke’s and other churches in the US to help our Jamaican brothers and sisters. My advice to retirees: “Follow and pursue your passions! Let the Holy Spirit guide you.” Steve Holloway Architect, retired in 2001 St. Luker since 2001
I have been interested in crafts, sewing, and knitting since I was a teenager. As a mother and full-time nurse I had little time to pursue these things, so I kept collecting articles and books to use after I retired. When I retired as Nurse Manager of Orthopedics in 1995 my husband, Cliff, and I moved to North Carolina. We joined Long’s Chapel UMC where I sang in the choir and participated in their knitting ministry. After Cliff ’s heart attack we returned to Florida, and St. Luke’s became a large part of my life. After Cliff passed away I took advantage of the many activities St. Luke’s offered. There was a group who made crafts on Monday nights and Tuesday mornings. Carol Kelley started “Hearts to Hands” and I had my second opportunity to join a group of stitchers from its beginning. When Carol was ready to step down I was asked to facilitate. A few years ago I began to teach anyone who wanted to learn how to knit and crochet. Through my many activities I have met a cross-section of members of St. Luke’s and am greeted and hugged anywhere I go on campus. My advice to retirees: “There will be someone to share your talents with who has the same interest as you. You will gain more friends and add to your family.” Bernie Lamoreaux Nurse, retired in 1995 St. Luker since 2003
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ST. LUKE’S LAKE BAPTISM DAY Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. For more information and to R.S.V.P. visit st.lukes.org/baptism, email connect@st.lukes.org, or call 407.876.4991 ext. *262. Baptism marks the commencement of a new identity in Christ. As a symbol of God’s grace Baptism at St. Luke’s is open to all children, youth, and adults. United Methodists embrace this practice as a lifelong promise between individuals and God to confess Christ as our Savior, trust in his grace, serve him as Lord in the church, and carry out his mission against evil, injustice, and oppression.
Individuals who have previously been baptized are encouraged to participate in this powerful experience to reaffirm their baptism. Those seeking to be baptized for the first time can look forward to this beautiful celebration of new life by water and the Holy Spirit.
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By Lynette Fields and Bradley Roberts, St. Luke's Executive Directors Learn why St. Luke’s United Methodist Church took its name from Luke of the gospels. So, what’s in a name? This is the question that the congregation of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church will tackle throughout April and May. A new series of Sunday morning sermons will explore the gospel of Luke for which the church is named. Lead Pastor, The Rev. Jennifer Stiles Williams, met with St. Luke’s founding pastor, The Rev. Dr. Jim Harnish, to discover why this name was chosen for the church. Many of the reasons he provided, still to this day, hold true for the church’s vision, values, and dreams for the congregation and community. • Written for Outsiders The Gospel according to St. Luke was written for people considered to be outsiders, and outcasts, people who were otherwise forgotten, the widows and the orphans. It shows a Jesus who walks with, eats, touches, and heals those whom society views as the least and the last and continually restores the dignity of the poor and marginalized by lifting them up as the blessed, for to such belongs the Kingdom of God. This is what St Luke’s was named for over 30 years ago. • Fulfillment of the Promise This gospel offers a unique picture of Jesus. The message Jesus was bringing into the world became the very DNA of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. The Jesus who is portrayed in this gospel is the promised fulfillment of the long-awaited Messiah. However, we find in this gospel that the religious establishment and the people of 28 | Spring 2016
Israel truly got more (or in some minds less) than they ever expected! This carpenter who walked amongst them from a tiny village in Nazareth surely couldn’t be the king or overthrowing political leader who unshackled the chains of the Roman government. This man who welcomed Gentiles, prostitutes, and tax collectors to the dinner table surely couldn’t be the fulfillment of prophecy, could he? This 30-something and his band of fishermen and “regular folk” were surely not the revolution people were longing to have. Or were they? The good news that the church will explore during this spring sermon series is that Jesus embodied all of these things in matters of the heart, for the building of God’s kingdom here on earth. No matter who we are or where we have come from; what our past has been or what choices we have made, the gospel of Luke empowers us all. And just as important, this radical Jesus calls us as his children and his church to be the voice of radical love and acceptance to the rest of the world – that we may be the hands, feet, faces, and voice of Jesus to all! St. Luke’s is a church that constantly looks into the world and asks the questions: “Who is not here yet?” and “Who needs to see, hear, and experience Christ walking among them?” and “How can we be that light in the darkness?” Consider joining St. Luke’s worshippers on this exciting new journey to discover Luke’s many answers to this question we ask as we grow closer in our faith walk: “What’s in a name?”
Music, food, line dancing, photo booth, and games! 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road Orlando, Florida 32819 407.876.4991 www.st.lukes.org
4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Rd. Orlando, FL 32819
Worship
Upcoming Events
Summer Camps
st.lukes.org/schedule
st.lukes.org/events
st.lukes.org/camps
Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Rummage Sale Saturday, April 2
Vacation Bible School (Kindergarten-Rising 6th Grade) June 20-24
Contemporary Worship in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday, April 3 Special Combined Worship in the Sanctuary 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. Sunday, May 15 Celebrate Groundbreaking in the Sanctuary 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. and in the Coleman Memorial Gymnasium 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday, June 5 Graduation Sunday (Graduates recognized in worship)
St. Luke’s Booth at Dr. Phillips Relay for Life Saturday, April 8 Annual Ladies' Tea Saturday, April 23 St. Luke’s Day at The Garden Theater Singing in the Rain Saturday, May 14 Lake Baptism Day Sunday, May 22 Free Hoedown & BBQ Saturday, June 12 St. Luke’s Summer Musical Big River August 12-14 and 18-21
God’s Big Backyard (Preschool) July 11-15 Neighborhood Camps (Kindergarten-Rising grade 6) July 25-29 & August 1-5
Contact Us For more information about St. Luke's visit st.lukes.org, email social@st.lukes.org, or call 407.876.4991 ext. *302.
Have a St. Luke's story you would like to share? Email us at social@st.lukes.org.