STLNJ - Newsletter

Resurrection Comes With Calling to Tell Others

by Bishop Don A. Wimberly

There are two elements common in all of the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. The first is that the resurrected Jesus is now present in an even more powerful way than during his life and ministry. The second is the presence of the commanding Word of the Lord -- the living Word.

This Easter we hear Luke’s version of the resurrection story (Chapter 24:1-12). For Luke the resurrection was THE transforming experience that illustrated Jesus’ prophetic power and gave birth to a community that would come to know the resurrected Christ.

The women come to the tomb to find Jesus’ body gone. They are reminded of Jesus’ own words that he would suffer, die and be raised on the third day. Within Luke’s Gospel this is not only a moment of fulfilling the scriptural story but also the culminating realization of the prophetic words of Jesus. The women at the well believe immediately and remember Jesus’ words. As if to show the importance of the resurrected Christ and Word of the Lord, Peter only wonders about his experience at the empty tomb. It is not until after his personal experience of the resurrection that Peter’s faith is truly confirmed.

The story of Jesus’ resurrection spreads in Luke’s account, as do the experiences of the resurrected Jesus, and the confirmations of the Word of God. Between the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts of the Apostles we have some six different resurrection accounts. There is the empty tomb story, the road to Emmaus, Christ’s appearance to all the disciples, two different ascension stories and a resurrection appearance to both Stephen and to Paul.

The New Testament scholar Luke Timothy Johnson reflected on our Easter Gospel and wrote that faith in Jesus as Lord was based on a continuing transformation experience of transcendent power in communities. For Luke the resurrection was a reoccurring event in the experience of Christians. This was true at the empty tomb as it was true for Paul on the road to Damascus--perhaps as true as it was for you and me at the hour we came to believe.

Luke’s Gospel account of the resurrected Jesus is a powerful reminder that this is the mission of the Church even today. Like the women at the tomb, experiencing the resurrected Jesus and remembering his prophetic words, we are to make him known. The Church, the Diocese of Texas and our local congregations are communities in which people may find and discover the resurrected Christ. We are transformed by the power of that experience and we are called to share it with others. This Easter, our call is as alive as it was for the women at the tomb on the very first Easter day.

We are not only welcomed to the empty tomb—the living presence of Jesus empowers us to seek others with whom we can share this Good News—He is Risen! Because he lives, we shall live also. The Lord is Risen indeed!

The Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly, Bishop of Texas

DIOCESAN VISIONING PROJECT

A new visioning project is underway in the Diocese of Texas. One of the objectives in this project is the development of a diocesan-wide “Vision Document.” This is one page document containing three components: Core Values, Mission Statement and a set of Vision Areas. Core Values say to all “this is who we are, this is what we are all about and this is why we do the things we do.” A Mission Statement answers the questions, “what is our purpose and why do we exist?” The Vision Areas are statements that paint a picture of a desired future that can be realized in 5 to 10 years.

A representative group of clergy and lay leaders met in March to discern the core values of the diocese. In April this same group will meet to develop an updated mission statement. In May, June and July, Vision Events will be held in four locations around the diocese to allow all interested clergy and lay leadership to participate in the process of casting a new vision for the diocese.

“It is critical that this process be from the ground up,” Bishop Don A. Wimberly said. “For our vision to be authentic, it must come from the hearts and minds of the Church’s engaged membership. I hope everyone who is interested will participate in one of these four events,” he added.

Once a new vision is discerned, work to develop a strategic plan in preparation for the election of a new bishop will begin. The work is being overseen by Reb Scarborough, a consultant who has helped more than 25 congregations in the diocese through local visioning processes. Updates of the progress will be available on the diocesan website at: www.epicenter.org.

We have started a new program on Wednesday night. It is The Edge of Adventure: Finding What's Real While Looking for God. It is not too late to participate! Meals are provided, and donations accepted. Dinner will begin at 6:15 p.m. followed by The Edge of Adventure, led by Alisa Carr. We will conclude with Evening Prayer at 7:30 p.m.

For more information call Alisa Carr (254-547-7733 or 254-371-4419) or Selma Steidley (933-9566 or 541-3648).

The ECW is hosting its annual Spring Tea on Saturday, May 5th at 3:00 p.m. The tea will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Parish Hall in Belton. Dress is formal for a high tea (church clothes, gloves and hat if you have them). All women in the parish are invited to attend.

Tyler Fletcher will lead a tour of the Czech and German Painted Churches of Central Texas on Thursday, May 10th.
Anyone is welcome to go on the tour. Please RSVP to Pam South at 624-9927 or 939-2084 (leave a message on the machine) or to Ann Booze at 774-7930. Those living in the Belton and Temple area should be at the St. Luke’s Church parking lot at 8:00 a.m., while those living in the Salado area should be at the parking lot of Fletcher’s Books and Antiques in Salado at 8:30 a.m.

2007 UNITED THANK OFFERING
SPRING INGATHERING
May 20th and May 28th

What is the United Thank Offering?

The very first United Thank offering was held in 1889 and is still a part of the ministry of the Episcopal Church. It provides a way for men, women and children to give daily thanks to God. This is a valuable tool for teaching children how to be thankful for blessings they may not even be aware of such as a new sibling, or good health or plentiful food when some parts of the world are starving. Remember when Mom used to tell us to eat all our food because children were starving in China? Someone used to say she was thankful for visits from grandchildren and thankful when they went home.

This came from the internet. “What we do in the United Thank Offering is first to offer our prayers of thanks to God. This is the major difference between us and other groups. The United Thank Offering is prayer oriented. Then we give tangible thanks for the blessing in the form of coins or bills. This is an offering, not a donation---An offering is not the same as a donation or a contribution. An offering is a thanksgiving to God-always. We do this every day- not just once in a while.”

Every cent of the collected UTO is used for grants. For more information, get on the internet. You’ll find a good deal of information about the history of the UTO and where the money goes. Now, take all the coins and bills out of the blue boxes, and bring them to church on May 20th or 28th. If you prefer to write a check please make it out to “United Thank Offering”.

The Discovery Class will continue meeting on Sundays at 5:00 p.m. at Fletcher’s Books & Antiques in Salado. The Discovery Class is a video series about the Episcopal Church and what we believe. All are welcome, whether you are not sure about the church, new to the church, a seasoned member of the church or just want to enjoy the fellowship of your church community. In keeping with the universal truth feed them and they will come, snacks and refreshments are provided!

ST LUKE’S ECW NEWS

The women of St. Luke’s met on April 12th. Hostesses were Sarah Spivey and Margaret Rybeck.

Plans for our Spring Tea on May 5th were finalized. We invite all women of St. Luke’s, St. Joseph’s and their guests to this event on May 5th at 3:00 p.m.

The Northwest Convocation will be having a gathering at Christ Church, Temple at 6:30 p.m. on May 1st. Books are the focus of the evening and donations to the Christ Church school are welcome.

A big thank you to members who contributed to the Easter goodies for the Whiterock Two dorm at Mexia State School. The men there were thrilled to be remembered and the chocolate rabbits and goodie bags made the day a celebration for them. Maggie Morrow and Anne Booze will provide fruit and treats for the Whiterock Two men this month.

Thanks to all in the congregation who contribute their old glasses to be recycled! Margaret Rybeck was able to deliver 10 more pair to our contact in the Lion’s Club.
The bazaar committee urges all St. Luke’s and St. Joseph’s members to be thinking about and working on their contributions to this October event. If you have a skill, craft or ability get it out and dust it off! Take the leap and make some special items. Showcase your art. Ask your relatives for contributions of their skills. We want to make this the best bazaar ever. ECW women worked on placemats for this year’s bazaar and next month will work on unique wrapping paper.

Our next meeting will be on May 10th at 12 noon in the parish hall. Lunch will be provided.

These are some things that the ECW could make good use of: Christmas wrapping paper, Christmas mugs in very good condition, 10 men’s ties, rolls of clear contact paper, gently used or new white tube socks, loads of Christmas and other greeting cards ASAP, boxes of any size with unattached lids. Bring any of these things to church, or call Pam South at 624-9927.

The monthly Healing Service and Holy Eucharist will be Monday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the Nave of Luke’s Church in Belton. The service is open to all, and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.

The service follows the Book of Common Prayer service of the Ministration of the Sick on page 453. Additionally, there is music, a contemplative prayer time, which includes centering prayer, a period of silence and intercessory prayers for healing with a prayer team and anointing for healing with a prayer team and anointing for healing with Holy Oil (Unction) by Fr. Wallace, if one so desires. The preparation of the elements and the celebration of and reception of Holy Eucharist then follows. This concludes the service.

The duties of Altar Guild members center around preparation of the altar for each church service. Presently there are twelve members. Each member has at least one partner. There are five teams. Therefore, each team comes on duty every fifth week. The duty begins on Saturday and ends on Friday. The team is responsible for the Sunday services and also any special services that are scheduled during that week.

Our members prepare the church for the services by vacuuming, polishing brass and silver or washing or ironing linens that are part of a communion service. Before each communion service, the wine and wafers are placed on the credence table. The appropriate hangings as well as Father Tom’s vestments are put into place. Hymn numbers are placed on the hymnal board. The flowers are given to parishioners celebrating birthdays & anniversaries, convalescing in hospital or in bereavement.

THE E-MEN

The E-MEN group extends an open invitation to all men of the parish to come and join us for breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. The group always has good food and the camaraderie cannot be matched.

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew continues to meet the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at St. Joseph’s (second Saturday) and at St. Luke’s (fourth Saturday) for prayer and study at 7:30 AM. Come join us for our meetings, have a cup of coffee and share our journey. We promise you will be surprised by what you hear.

FOOD COLLECTION
FOR HELPING HANDS FOOD PANTRY

St. Luke’s Church in Belton and St. Joseph’s Chapel in Salado have begun a rotational system of food collection for the Helping Hands Food Pantry. Everyone is being asked to bring the same specific item on a particular Sunday and the item changes each week on a six (6) week rotational basis.
The rotation will be as follows:

We are looking for people who can greet once or twice a month at either the 8:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. service. If this is something you want to do, please contact Richard Stillman at 760-0448.

"DAWGS"

The Hungry "Dawgs" meets at 6:30 p.m. each month. We have a few new places that we will be visiting during the next few months as well as some of our usual haunts. If you are looking for a Friday evening that is filled with food, laughter, a lot of hot air, and a fun time come and join us. To be notified of the next meeting via email contact Don Miller at don@texianinsurance.com and Don will add you to the email list. If you do not have access to email call Don at 939-7000, and tell me you want to be notified and he will make sure you will be contacted.

HUNGRY DAWGS will meet: May 11th, 6:30 p.m. at the Crossroads Cafe, downtown Schwertner

ST MONICA’S GUILD

All meetings (dinners) will be held at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month listed (unless otherwise notified).
May 3rd Taste of Thai - Temple

ST AUGUSTINE’S

St. Augies will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3rd at Corona’s, Temple.

All men are invited to join us.

MAY STAFF MEETING

Thursday, May 17th
7:30 A.M. BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED
8:00 A.M. Staff Meeting

Volunteer and Paid Staff are:
Richard Stillman T9E Cooper
George Richter John Booze Pam South
Breakfast this month is served by: Pam South

CURSILLO NEWS

To the Congregation at St. Luke’s, peace from our Lord Jesus Christ! This Lenten Season has certainly been exciting. At Tamara Clothier’s invitation, I have taken on the positive discipline of attending Gospel Conversations. The discussion about the Good News of Christ has been very lively. Additionally, the Wednesday night program has been informative and inspirational. In particular, I am referring to Bishop Dena Harrison’s words to us (on the 14th) about Mission, to share with others
"…the way and the truth and the life. (No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.")
John 14:5-7 (New International Version)
Would you like to be free to fully live? Cursillo, a Spanish word meaning "a short course", is intended to help YOU know God's love and grace, and to help YOU discover and live out YOUR life in Christ Jesus. There is a Cursillo bulletin board in the corridor outside of the Parish Hall. There you will find information about this movement within His church, and applications for the next 2 Cursillo weekends (June 14-77 and August 2-5). Jim and I, George and Corette Richter, and Franque O’Hara are Cursillistas. We would be happy to answer your questions, and help you determine if God has a Cursillo weekend planned for you.
You are invited to attend the next Ultreya! Which, will be held at Christ Church in Temple, April 15th, at 4 o’clock.
To find out what an Ultreya! is, just come and see!
Selma Steidley 254-933-9566 or 254-541-3648

VESTRY MEETING

The Vestry meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 10th at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

SENIOR WARDEN’S NOTES

He is risen! Let us spread the Good News!

Spreading it we are. Due to the fantastic efforts of Alisa Carr, Tamara Clothier and Selma Steidley, we have three wonderful, spiritual growth classes. On Sunday morning we study the Acts of the Apostles led by Tamara Clothier. This is a fresh approach to this Book of the New Testament. Also on Sunday evening is the Discovery Series which meets at 5:30 p.m. at Fletcher’s in Salado.

On Wednesday evenings at 6:15 p.m. you can join in the “Edge of Adventure: by Keith Miller and Bruce Larson. Alisa Carr and Selma Steidley lead this stimulating look at prayer and personal growth in our relationship with our God and each other.
Make an effort to come to one or all of these programs; you will be richly rewarded.

Peace, George

VESTRY ACTION FOR APRIL 2007

Our Vestry at its regular meeting for April took the action on the following items:

Authorized the repair of the roof leak and installation of turbine vents to relieve heat build-up in the attic.

Set voting to decide whether this parish should or should not join the American Anglican Council as required by the Resolution of the Annual Meeting. The Vestry voted to oppose the Resolution to join the AAC and to recommend to the Parish to vote NO on the ballot.

Financial Statement for March 2007

Information for the Pew Bulletin is due by Monday and items for the Evangelist are due by the 25th of each month.

Ultreya!
4 pm	May 6, 2007
Holy Spirit
1624 Wooded Acres Drive	Waco, Texas
254-772-1982
Followed by Pot Luck Fellowship
Selma Steidley	254-933-9566

Sunday, Apr 29	milk (canned or powdered)
Sunday, May 6	tuna (canned or foil pouch)
Sunday, May 13	beans (canned or dry pkg)
Sunday, May 20	corn (canned)
Sunday, May 27	other vegetables (canned)
Sunday, June 3	milk (canned or powdered)
Sunday, June 10	tuna (canned or foil pouch)
Sunday, June 17	beans (canned or dry pkg)
Sunday, June 24	corn (canned)