and the truth shall set you free make your christmas flower - amazon s3s+voi… · my daughter and...

i n s i d e t h i s i s s u e

st. lukes episcopal church • 435 peachtree st. ne • atlanta, ga 30308 • 404.873.7600 • www.stlukesatlanta.org

A twice monthly newsletterDecember 1, 2015

Advent at St. Luke’s ....................... 2Announcements............................. 3Calendar ......................................... 4Birthdays ........................................ 5Parish News.................................... 6Children & Families....................... 7EYC ............................................... 7Christmas Worship Schedule ......... 8

AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:31-32

One of the highlights of my day is driving my kids to school in the morning. I treasure our morning time together because it is the time that we can talk about the day and act silly with each other before the work day begins.

On this particular day, I was caught off guard by a not-so-silly question from my daughter. She asked from the back seat of the car, “ Dad, are all homeless people black?” Caught off guard, and having very little time to give a decent explanation, I said, “Why do you ask? She said, “Because I don’t see any homeless people that are white.”

With almost no time left before I had to drop them off at school, I fumbled over my words and said, “No, I’ve seen all colors of homeless people.” Then she said, “is it because black people weren’t treated so nice a long time ago?” Now walking up to the door of the school, my response was, “Yes and I love you and have a great day.”

My then 6 year old had initiated a conversation about racial inequality and poverty. As I reflected on that conversation on my way to work, I realized that my hesitation and

fumbling over my words was a result of trying to hide the truth, or at least water it down. I thought to myself, I don’t want her to have to deal with this race “stuff” like her grandparents and parents. As I continued to think about it, I realized that I spend an enormous amount of energy trying to protect her from the effects of race.

As a minority, I have come to realize that this is my reality. Amongst each other we share our frustrations as it relates with the racial climate which often serves as therapy for the soul. In mixed company however, we pick and choose which offensive comments to address and which to “give a pass” for fear of being labelled angry or being misunderstood.

We teach our children that if someone does something to you to speak up and out so that they will know that they can’t treat you that way, while at the same time shrinking ourselves for the sake of getting along and ahead (which, I might add, is a heavy weight to carry).

This begs the question: In the year 2015, is it possible to be black and American. W.E.B. Du Bois, answering this very question says, “He (Negro) does not wish to Africanize

America, for America has too much to teach the world and Africa. He wouldn’t bleach his Negro blood in a flood of white Americanism, for he knows that Negro blood has a message for the world. He simply wishes to make it possible for a man to be both a Negro and Ameri-can…”

That is indeed the struggle! Can I, can my daughter, be unapologetically both. In our conversation, I feared that being an American black woman is too much for her to bear, so I wanted to protect her by watering down the truth with hopes that she would see herself as simply an American women (I am also aware of the weight that that carries.)

In this season of Advent, we are waiting with great anticipation for the birth of the one that is Truth. The one that went around spreading truth throughout the land. I have shared my Truth with you, but yours may be different. I ask, what is the truth that you are not telling or not yet living into, and how do you prepare for Truth’s birth in your life. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

My daughter and I had a great conversation that evening. I told her the Truth. I told her all about the history of race in America. She had tons of questions and I did my best to answer them. The most encouraging part is that following my Truth she gave me hers, when she said, “That’s ok dad, because I’m gonna make the world better.” Yes, you are Black America woman, yes you are!

Dennis+

Make Your

Christmas flower

dedications

deadline isMonday, December 7

There’s a form on page 6or you can go online and

download one.

Advent at St. Luke’s Staff InformationSt. Luke’s Episcopal Church

404.873.7600

RectorThe Rev. Dan Matthews, Jr.

Beth Elliott, Rector’s Executive Assistant404.873.7610, e-mail: [email protected]

2015 Vestry

ClergyThe Rev. Elizabeth Shows CaffeyLiturgy and Senior Pastoral Care

404.873.7612, e-mail:[email protected]

The Rev. Heather ChaseChildren’s Christian Education/Formation

404.873.7622, e-mail: [email protected]

The Rev. Dennis Patterson, Jr.Christian Education & Parish Life


The Rev. David WagnerYouth and Young Adults


Program StaffMark Simmons, Director of Stewardship &

Membership404.873.7624, e-mail: [email protected]

Dr. Arlan J. Sunnarborg, Director of Music404.873.7620, e-mail: [email protected]

Charles Higgs, Music Associate404.873.7634 e-mail:[email protected]

Colleen Kingston, Assistant for Children’s Music404.735.1933, e-mail: [email protected]

Administrative Support StaffValerie Freer, Receptionist/Admin. Assistant


Michelle Jemmott, Manager of Office Admin.404.873.7616, e-mail: [email protected]

Jean Lamer, Accountant404.873.7617, e-mail: [email protected]

David Lowry, Parish Administrator404.873.7663, e-mail: [email protected]

Amanda Vaughn, Liturgy Assistant404-873-7614, e-mail: [email protected]

Hala Hess White, Director of Communications404.873.7630, e-mail: [email protected]

Facilities SupportBrian Hummel, Manager of Facilities Support

404.873.7647, Cell: 404.291.0059

Boyce Ansley - Sr. Warden

Mignon Crawford, Treasurer Cap Putt, Finance ChairRobert Long, IV, ChancellorDebbie BachmannArdith BarrowKenzie BigginsHal DanielElaine DeCostanzo

Kate KennedyPhil LamsonBecky MickBrian OpsahlGreg Vaughn

John Earles - Jr. Warden

2

Sunday, November 29 at 7 p.m.

Joseph Young, conductor

Amy Little, soprano

Ingrid Cole, contralto

Sam Hagan, tenor

Stephen McCluskey,

bass-baritone

Make a donation (in other words, “buy an ornament”) to one of the ministries supported by the tree and receive a lovely ornament explaining the donation to give to your friends or family. This year’s tree benefits: IHAD, TACC and Crossroads.

Sunday, December 6 at 5 p.m.

works by Todd, Carter,

Ord, Christiansen, Sirett

A d v e n t & C h r i s t m a s C h o r a l C o n c e r t

featuring

The Clark Atlanta UniversityPhilharmonic Society and University Choir

Tuesday, December 1 | 7 p.m.at St. Luke’s

3

ADVENT II: What does the incarnation teach us about God? When you look at creation through the lens of incarnation, you see how every cre-ated thing contains its own beauty, its own useful spot in an eco-system, its own purpose in the cosmic act of praise. Looking at creation this way makes it hard for me to see God as a far-off angry judge, but helps me see God’s intimate concern for all life.

ADVENT III: What does the incarnation teach us about humanity? If the incarnation is a lifting up of humanity closer to God, it might help us get rid of some bad old theology about despising the flesh and move closer to remembering our original blessing. If we are fearfully and wonderfully made, it is part of our task as creatures to embrace our creatureliness and celebrate human life as the vehicle God chose for communicating through--and to.

ADVENT IV: What does the life of Christ teach us about incarnation? A look at some of Jesus’ teachings through the lens of incarnation shows a pattern of care for the physical life—healing, feeding, touching—as a spiritual value, which could offer us a pattern for our way of living.

Welcome Receptionfor

The Rev. Lauren Holderour new Associate

for Pastoral Care & Outreach

Sunday, December 6following the 11:15 am

service in the Parish Hall.

Join us to meet Laurenand her husband Jason and

son Charlie.

Melissa Tidwell is the author of “Embodied Light: Advent Meditations on Incarnation.” In her first career, she was the editor of Alive Now magazine, and in her second career she is a recent graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur and a candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church USA.

This class will draw on the themes Melissa develops in “Embodied Light.” The book will also be available for purchase before and after class sessions. It is not necessary to have read the book in order to enjoy the class, but if you are looking for an Advent read, this one will make the class and your Advent devotions more complete.

Celebrating the Feast of the IncarnationMelissa Tidwell | December 6, 13, 20 at 10: 15 a.m.| Parish HallIncarnation is the doctrine that reveals Jesus Christ as fully human and fully divine. A deeper examination of this mystery suggests that incarnation is not a one-time revelation, but a continuing pattern of divine activity that we can trace in all creation and even in our own frail flesh. In this class, we will use a variety of sources from scripture and classical theology to poetry and sci-fi fantasy to consider what incarnation teaches about God, about human life, and about the fullness of life in and through Christ as we celebrate in Advent.

BIBLE STUDY - DECEMBER 2

A weekly study of the Gospel of Luke will begin on Wednesday, December 2 at 11 a.m. Several of our clergy will lead the hour-long group on a rotating basis. If you would like to participate, please sign up online at the church website (StLukesAtlanta.org/bible-study). All are welcome!

GOOD OLD-FASHIONED BIBLE STUDY: THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE: THE GOSPEL OF JOHN continues on Sunday morn-ings during Advent. The Gospel of John offers spiritually attuned, stunningly beautiful insights into the nature of Jesus and the meaning of faith. We witness signs and wonders, view contrasts of darkness and light, blindness and sight, death and new life as John puts before us who Jesus is, where he has come from and where he is going. From start to finish John’s purpose is plain: “These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and believing ... have life in his name.” Jenny Stevens-Scott leads this class and it meets in the Parkins Room. All are welcome.

It’s not too late to receive this year’s reflections for Advent via email. If you would like to receive daily

email, sign up online: stlukesatlanta.org/ advent-reflections-by-email. You MUST sign up - even if you have received Advent or Lenten reflection previously.

DELIVERYSUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

Among our parish’s many traditions, this is a very special one, sponsored by the Daughters of the King. Follow-ing services this Sunday stop by the Glenn Gallery to select a beautiful Poinsettia to deliver to members who are homebound or reside in assisted living/nurse care homes. A special invitation goes out to folks with chil-dren – children can be spectacular am-bassadors of the church! The name and address of a parishioner to visit is provided.

5

From time to time, St. Luke’s publishes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and photos of church members in the church bulletin, newsletter, directory and other church communications. As a policy, we will not use names with photos of children.

If you do not want us to use your information in commu-nications, please email David Lowry, Parish Administrator at:

[email protected]

1 Ernest PlunkettLila Jane LongYum ArnoldSophie TaylorRebekah HatchChristina HayesAnne Chambers

2 Julia KyleChristina SandsJeff ReddingFinley Brannon

3 Bill BrooksBrooklyn HutchingsBronson Hutchings

4 Catie MatthewsChip HaskellSuzanne Mittenzwei

5 Beya ThompsonTed PoundLaFawn GilliamBrennen Dicker

6 Beattie WoodHaag JohnsonWalter JohnsonDaniel WakefieldMelanie KingstonDuncan McDonaldScott SeydelOliver Roos

7 Blakely RobertsMonica Patterson

8 Ellie PryorKyle Lockett

9 Brian KimseyJanci DemyunMarty Sauser

Barbara DarmonLinda GreenEsosa Osa-OgbeideAmanda MattisonLeslie MuscarellaJames Deal

10 Meg HarlanMel MeadowsLucy DoddVirginia HarrisAlice NolandBrenda SherrillJack Hammond

11 Andie ZimmerAngie AllenLibby WardSusan EvinsThomas WinnLalah FarshyGrady McGillLinda Carter

12 Betsy BartlettFrederick HolbeinShay NewtonThomas BenedictSarah NeelyKendric SmithKathie McClureRenee Wilson-Wicker

13 Andy TabbPaul WagnerSusan CouvillonMichael KenyonFinn GradyKevin Henderson

14 Brandon StrackKareem BurksCarol UdeSusan ScofieldBen TurnerEmily ZdanDavid Grist

15 George GriffinConstance HarrellSara MasseyNancy Adams

16 Kenny BuddCarmen PottingerJoy OverbayNoreen HorriganEsan EbnerAshley BerryAshley RushOwen Vaccaro

17 Gene TaylorPat BrumbaughJerod Culpepper

18 Dick HansenHank MaiellaroEmily EzellJoanne BarrettWilma HippsAlberta MayorgaNorris PostKarlon CunninghamGary Higgs

19 Eddy JohnsonGraham RussellJim ColeyNeil ShorthouseLaura RosenbergAmy DurrellAnders RussellHunter Brannon

20 Dan MatthewsDrew Graham

Lucy BrumbaughGerald BarrettAlex Bradley

21 Katie HealanMeg McCallumMichael Wier

22 Bill DavidsonLarry PlessGraham PhillipsMelissa CarelDeanna JonesEryn JohnsonMarc LeVanRenee LawtonCarly TuckerMary HintonGeorge Lockett

23 Steve CallaghanMarshall WellbornLane DuncanAlice WoodRyan PflegerLevitt MosleyMolly SmalleyCharles Schrope

24 Haddie HughesWilliam JacksonLaura McDuffie Paul

25 Michael Kingsbury

26 Page GriffinCatherine MoodyJan WoodClayton Mattison

December Birthdays

William LindseyGary PeeplesGerald Reed

27 Leah FranklinRenee HuskeyTrey ShippLucy NunnMarshall MoultonLorraine Miller

28 Spencer IzlarThomas BenedictMichener Anthony

29 Anna HillWayne JamesFrances PierceJennifer HaslamKatherine HesterHunter PeatmanJames Stice

30 Bill NicholsonJake CobbCatherine TurnerRichard LeeLarry PuckettAdelaide HansonLee BeatyStuart BrackenCara Hutchison

31 Cathy HowlandMalik GrohseHarold BarrettAnna GillonDaniel PedersenJim PettitMillie Byrd Roberts

We celebrate the lives that make up the

community of St. Luke’s Church.

DeathsJane Seddon Willsonmother of Bill Willson

Trudi Gardnermother of Ayres Gardner

Thomas Clarkefather of Becky Morrison

Julian Fridayfather of Beattie Friday

Mit Fitzsimons son of Perk Lawrence

6

Deadline for dedications to be included in the Christmas Eve service bulletins is

Monday, December 7. Payment must accompany dedications.

CHRISTMAS FLOWER DEDICATIONS

In support of the Flower Guild Ministry and the Celebration of Christmas at St. Luke’s:

□ I/We send the enclosed contribution in memory of ($20 per person, please):

□ I/We send the enclosed contribution in thanksgiving for ($20 per person or family unit, please):

Your name(s) as you wish to be listed in the Christmas Eve worship bulletins, along with a contact number or e-mail address:

Please make checks payable to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and note “Christmas Flowers” on the memo line.

Mail to 435 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, 30308, or place in the Christmas Flower box located at the Reception Desk at St. Luke’s.

Parish News & AnnouncementsFaith and Film gathers on Friday, December 11 at 7 p.m. This month we’re screening Joyeuz Noel. Faith and Film is a monthly opportunity for St. Luke’s adults to share a mov-ie, snacks, fellowship, and a lively discussion of issues of faith raised by the film. Those who attend bring a snack to share and a beverage. All St. Luke’s adults are welcome. For location, contact Robert Sherrill ([email protected] | 470-355-1243).

Women’s Cancer Support GroupMeets Thursday, Dec. 3 at noon in the Library. This group is for women who are in treatment for cancer or

are post treatment. The spiritual aspect of illness and healing is part of our discussions. Call Meg (404-876-6266, ext. 2003) with any questions or if you would like to attend.

Grief Support Group Meets Thursday, December 10 at noon in the Library. Call Meg (404-876-6266, ext. 2003) with any questions or if you would like to attend.

Live and Learn Lunch at TACC | Tues-day,December 15 | 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. This month Hope Harvey will look at “The Spectrum of Hoarding: What is it about the need to hold on to things?” RSVPs suggested, walk-ins welcome.

RSVP: 404-867-6266, extension 1 | [email protected]. All are welcome. Suggested donation is $10. More information at trainin-gandcounselingcenter.org.

If you have not already turned in your pledge for our an-nual stew-

ardship campaign for mission and ministry in 2016, please do so today. Commitment forms are in the pew racks and around the church. You can also make your pledge online at StLukesAtlanta.org.

December Schedule

Christmas Tree/Wreaths Delivery and Pick-Up: Saturday, Dec. 5, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.: This will be the big weekend for our fundraiser! Our Christmas greenery will be delivered to St. Luke’s on Satur-day morning, Dec. 5, so we’ll be looking for youth to help during the following shifts:

•8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: unloading delivery truck and preparing delivery orders to go out Saturday afternoon

•12:00 -4 p.m.: delivering trees and wreaths to home-delivery orders

Sunday, Dec. 6, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.: We’ll have the trees and wreaths available for parishioners to pick up on this date, and we’ll also be looking for youth to help during this time as well.

Sunday, Dec. 6: Advent Lessons and Carols: Join us Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. in the church for our Lessons and Carols service! Stick around for the Sunday 2.0 Dinner in the Hamilton room as well.

Thursday, Dec. 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: High Class Dinner at home of Phoebe Ann Mason

Sunday, Dec. 13: Toy Tag at Target: Our Advent tradition lives on as we’ll get toys to donate to the Emmaus House Toy Drive, and we’ll also have some fun and friendly competition in the process. We’ll meet at the Lindbergh Plaza Target (2539 Piedmont Road in the lower level parking deck) at 5:30 p.m., after which we’ll go to The Rev. Dan Matthews’ home to wrap presents and have food. Pick-Up time will be 8:00 p.m. Please bring $10/person as well as a snack to share – males bring something sweet, females bring something salty.

Mark Your Calendars: DYC Retreat at Camp Mikell, Jan. 8-10, 2016: After the holidays are done, join us for this year’s DYC (Diocesan Youth Commission) Retreat from the evening of Jan. 8 through lunch on Sunday, Jan. 10. Pick up a flyer at church for more details, information, and instructions on how to register.

Children’s Ministries

7

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 13-17, 2016

CONTACTTHE REV. HEATHER CHASE

TO VOLUNTEER

[email protected]

St. Nicholas Visits St. Luke’sSunday, December 6

5 p.m. | Hamilton Room

Join us to hear the story of St. Nick and enjoy crafts

and fun afterward.Don’t forget to take off your shoes!

Thanks from the Special Events Team to all the ministries that helped make the Advent Festival so special:

Act IIIBridge Builders

EfM evening groupMen’s Breakfast

Evangelism Committee

We’d love your group to join us next year to make it an even more

intergenerational event!

“Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, St. Luke’s welcomes you.”

Pastoral Crisis or Concerns?Call Beth Elliott at 404-873-7610, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., weekdays: X To connect with our Pastoral Care staff for such things as illness, hospitalization, miscarriage, divorce, unemployment;X To add a name to our parish prayer list or;X To have someone placed on the St. Luke’s Intercessory Prayer list to be prayed for daily.

After-hours & on weekends, call the church at 404-873-7600 to get the name and number of the priest on call.

May God bless you and comfort you in your difficult times as well as your joyful ones.

X

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit 486 Atlanta, GA435 Peachtree St. NE

Atlanta, GA 30308-3228

To Submit Articles

E-mail Hala Hess White [email protected]

or call 404-873-7630 to submit articles.

Deadline for the Dec. 15 & Jan. 1

combined issue is: Wednesday, Dec. 2

by noon.

8

CATHEDRAL BOOK STOREBOOK DRIVE

Purchase a children’s book at the Book Store to be donated to Our House, a childcare and support center for families that are homeless.

The goal is to collect 150 books to be delivered for Christmas gifts for the children served at Our House.

Books are available for purchase at the Cathedral Book Store during regular business hours.

C H R I S T M A S E V EWO R S H I P S C H E D U L E

11 a.m.A Celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Holy Eucharist with Organ & Hymns for travelers and others for whom a midday service is more convenient

4 p.m.Special prelude begins at 3:30 p.m.

Children’s Christmas Pageant with Eucharist

8 and 11 p.m.Special prelude beginning half hour before each service

A Celebration of the Nativity ofOur Lord Jesus Christ

Festival Eucharist with St. Luke’s Choirs, Brass & Organ

(Incense will be used at 11:00 pm)

Christmas Day 10 a.m.

Holy Eucharist

and the truth shall set you free make your christmas flower - amazon s3s+voi… · my daughter and...

Documents