December 19, 2019

Calendar of Events Date Time Event/Activity Location POC Dec 21 11:00 am Celebration of New Ministry St. Luke’s Fr.RandyHaycockDec 22 9:15 am Holy Eucharist, Fourth Sunday of Advent St. Luke’s Fr.RandyHaycockDec 24 5:00 pm Christmas Eve St. Luke’s Fr.RandyHaycockDec 29 9:15 am Holy Eucharist St. Luke’s Fr.RandyHaycockJan 5 9:15 am Holy Eucharist St. Luke’s Fr.RandyHaycockJan 12 9:15 am Holy Eucharist St. Luke’s Fr.RandyHaycockJan 19 9:15 am Holy Eucharist St. Luke’s Fr.RandyHaycock

Vestry Meeting 2nd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM

“Bad Girls of the Bible” Every Thursday at 12:00 in the Parish Hall

Drop-In Hours (Please Note Change) Wednesday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Cuppa Joe’s Fridays, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, C’ville Coffee

Pot Luck – 1st Sunday each Month

St. Luke’s Prayer List Pat Hanly, Johonna, Jolene, Jim Brookeman, Scott Anderson, Gene and Charlotte Baker, Ken Crosby, Don Cook, and the Reeves Family, Jessica, JT, Tracy, Bruce, Ginny, Dana Henry, Eric, Matthew, Jessica, Vickie, Julia Perce, Susan, Caroline, Moss Crosby, Sidney, Susanne Taylor, Fr. Mark McIntosh

Readings for December 22: http://www.lectionarypage.net Isaiah 7:10-16 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25 Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

Ashby Kindler in the News Fr. Randy saw this and sent it on for the Song. A really great piece on Ashby’s life work as she prepares to retire at the end of this year.

https://www.nbc29.com/2019/12/18/long-time-educator-administrator-retiring-acps/ If for some reason you can’t get the link to work, go to Charlottesville NBC News. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Christmas Message 2019 In the first chapter of John’s Gospel, sometimes referred to as the prologue to the Gospel, sometimes spoken of as the whole Gospel in miniature the Gospel writer says this. As he reflects on the coming of God into the world in the person of Jesus. As he reflects on Christmas. He says, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it. I don’t think it’s an accident that long ago, followers of Jesus began to commemorate his coming into the world when the world seemed to be at its darkest. It’s probably not an accident that we observe Christmas soon after December 21, the winter solstice. The winter solstice being in the Northern Hemisphere the darkest time of the year. Undoubtedly, these ancient Christians who began to celebrate the coming of God into the world, they knew very well that this Jesus, his teachings, his message, his spirit, his example, his life points us to the way of life itself, a way of life, where we take care of each other. A way of life, where we care for God’s

S o n g o f S i m e o n

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Simeon P.O. Box 694

Charlottesville, VA 22902 www.stlukessimeon.org

We are a Spirit-fi"ed communi# of simple grace and acceptance…. Come As You Are!

world. A way of life, where we are in a loving relationship with our God, and with each other as children of the one God, who has created us all. They also knew John’s Gospel and John’s Christmas story. Now there are no angels in John’s Christmas story. There are no wise men coming from afar. There’s no baby lying in a manger. There’s no angel choir singing Gloria in excelsis Deo in the highest of the heavens. There are no shepherds tending their flocks by night. Matthew and Luke tell those stories. In John, it is the poetry of new possibility, born of the reality of God when God breaks into the world. It’s not an accident that long ago, followers of Jesus began to commemorate his birth, his coming into the world. When the world seemed darkest. When hope seemed to be dashed on the altar of reality. It is not an accident that we too, commemorate his coming, when things do not always look right in this world. But there is a God. And there is Jesus. And even in the darkest night. That light once shined and will shine still. His way of love is the way of life. It is the light of the world. And the light of that love shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not, cannot, and will not overcome it.

God love you. God bless you and may you have a Merry Christmas and may this world be blessed. Amen. The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church

In preparation for the Celebration of New Ministry for Randy, on Saturday, December 21, a reception will follow the ceremony in Berberich Hall. The suggested menu for the reception is very simple finger foods and your contribution will be welcome and appreciated. So far, we have folks providing ham rolls, and a cheese tray. We will not have a sign-up sheet for the finger foods – just ask that you keep it simple and bring only items that can be eaten without the use of utensils, like veggies and dip, deviled eggs, Christmas cookies, etc. Lemonade, tea and water will be available as beverages. You may bring the items to the Berberich Hall after 10:00 AM on December 21st. Any food remaining after the reception will be refrigerated and available the next day for coffee hour. Thanks, Joann Rawls.

2019 Pledges Dear Friends, as we approach the end of the year, we are working to balance the budget. The Vestry asks that if you made a pledge for 2019 and have not fulfilled that pledge, that you prayerfully consider doing so. As it stands, we are facing a 2019 budget shortfall. If you have any questions about what you’ve pledged and paid thus far, please contact Ashby Kindler at momashk2@aol.com or (434) 971-8652.

St. Luke's Volunteer Sign Up Sheet (click the link below) https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/149-sfdyi1IN40B77kEozF9uVCvndfsHL6qFMV8XFnok/edit?ts=5671b371#gid=0

Remember…if all else fails, call or write Bob Lamb at 703-407-2365 or bob.j.lamb@gmail.com

Minutes for St. Luke’s, Simeon Vestry Meeting Minutes for St. Luke’s, Simeon Vestry Meeting December 10, 2019 at 6:00 pm, Berberich Hall

Present: The Rev. Randy Haycock, Joe Gieck, Joanne Rawls, Ron Ignotz, Rick Febey, Tom Parker, Lou Lamb and Ashby Kindler, Treasurer Absent: Debbie King Opening Prayer- Randy Devotional- Lou shared portions of an Advent reading from Karl Rahner, “The Divine Dawning” Approval November, 2019 minutes (sent online separately)- Tom moved to accept, Joe second and APPROVED Financial Reports – Ashby Kindler

• Ashby discussed moving the C’ville Area Community Fund which she is coordinating with Joe for after the first of the year.

• Ahead on loose plate offering, behind on pledges. Discussion followed on the deficit with pledges. Randy asked if the $96,000 was actually pledged and Ashby said she will check to see if that was what was budgeted or pledged.

• Discussed the $500 budgeted for Diocesan Convention and it may be too low • Tom moved & Rick seconded to APPROVE the financial report

Old Business

• Celebration of New Ministry – o Joann Rawls discussed food She said she’ll create a list and it will be published in the Song.

Chicken fingers (Babs), ham rolls (Lou), cheese tray (Joann) & others will sign up for a veggie, fruit tray & Christmas cookies

o Randy will do the service bulletin o Cass Bailey will be in charge and Fr Minich will be the guest preacher

• Annual Parish Meeting date: Jan 19, 2020 • New Vestry members

o Ron, Debbie & Judy are going off § Lynne Sprouse & John Down have been nominated, Tom Goss is ineligible (not confirmed,

but in the process) § Vestry members will look for one more nominee § Randy discussed about keeping better records and he has a new Parish Record which we’ll

start keeping up. He’s still looking at various parish computer programs. • Vestry retreat: a good way to look in a deep way at some of the issues. Date TBD. • 2020 Budget

o Discussed the shortfall (~ $40,000) from the projected budget and o Tom said until all the pledges come in, it’s hard to figure the budget. Randy asked if someone

would be willing to make an announcement in church and Ashby volunteered. Also, ask Bob to put in the Song that we are looking at a shortfall in our budget due to lack of pledges.

o Joe said we could take 10% from some of our investments/funds to make up for a possible shortfall o Further discussion about the proposed budget will occur at the Jan 2020 vestry meeting, when we

have more definitive numbers.

• Bab’s salary & sick leave: Randy said Babs will not be having any further surgery. o RE: salary, the diocese sends out a recommended COLA & discussion ensued about increasing

Bab’s salary based on cost of living increases. Randy will look into this. • Diocesan Convention report – Tom discussed voting for people for diocesan positions. The presentations

were quite good, especially by the bishop about the positive things that go on in the church. Randy said they attended the “trustees of the funds” where there have been some serious problems, but now moving in a good direction

• Veterans Ministry - Randy said he got an email from a Gloria at Yogaville about giving classes for Veterans, maybe at the lake, or at the Catholic Church or Effort Baptist Church. Randy will explore.

New Business

• Grants/Gifting Committee –Joe listed the $7,196 designated for local organizations like AIM, Alliance of Interfaith Ministries, or the Senior Center Scholarship which is for a matching program. Ron moved & Tom seconded & the giving list was APPROVED. The giving list will be posted in the Song. In addition, the vestry minutes will be put in the Song. Ashby also said the rep from Yellow Door Ministry will come Dec 22nd to thank the church for our donation.

• Advertising – Rick said this is complicated. There are many different forms, but radio is one avenue. The rep said if you are going to have a radio advertising campaign, you need to stick with it for 3 months and then evaluate. She discussed running 67 commercials over the weekend, but the price is steep. Rick will contact the Daily Progress about costs for an ad and look at other ways to promote the church.

o Joe mentioned the website may need updating (like getting Randy’s sermons on it) o Randy discussed doing something with Jefferson Vineyards like the blessing of the vines and a

tasting. o Ashby suggested putting up the sign for the Christmas Eve service

• Evangelism Committee – Randy, said new member, Frances, is interested in outreach like bake sales, etc. Ideas included something at the new Senior Center, or at the lake.

Rector Report –

• Randy has been having good conversations with folks. Senior Warden Report- Joe Gieck,

• Needs a teller for January. Rick said he will do it, and Tom can do a Sunday late in the month. • Further discussion followed regarding the transfer of our funds. Also the process of donating stocks and

asked if we will get a document out to the congregation. Randy will bring samples to Jan vestry meeting. Randy also discussed having a session on estate & funeral planning.

• Also discussed that Ron stepped up to help with parking at Mother Gloria’s funeral and that we need a standing committee of folks for that, along with greeters.

• Discussed hosting weddings and not being the “cute wedding chapel.” Randy said he wants to have 4 weeks of counseling before marrying a couple.

Junior Warden Report- Ron Ignotz • Tiger Fuel filled the tank and received the bill. • The former Salt (across the street) will be opened soon by Ashley Seig (runs Tavern & Grocery in C’ville)

and will start out with coffee/pastries in the morning & sandwiches at lunch. May add a dinner option. Ron discussed our parking agreement.

Devotional for next meeting-Tom Parker Compline Adjourn : 7:50 pm Next meeting – January 14, 2020 6:00 pm