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Congregations for the Homeless Formation for Spiritual Companions Other News, Events & Ministries at St. Luke's
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"Golf is not a funeral, though both can be sad affairs" said Bernard Darwin. In the past I used to get angry on the golf course. Not for a long time… maybe 25 years ago, but not for a long time. I had one of those unfortunate moments where my anger embarrassed me and I chose to never get angry on the golf course again. To quote Mark Twain, I chose to never let golf “be a good walk wasted.”
What helped was my learning to put boundaries around areas of my life. So, golf was for relaxation and fellowship and a fun wager. Anger was for… well, according to the scriptures, it doesn’t serve God’s righteousness. I have found that when I take the required time for myself and for Brenda and for my own spiritual life it just all goes better. Keeping boundaries is often a hard thing to do, isn’t it? Anger is often the result of poor self care… that’s what I think, anyway. To anyone who asks I will tell them that to serve St. Luke’s is a privilege. There is a spirit of acceptance and encouragement, as well as a commitment to reach beyond ourselves that is life-giving. And I get to be your pastor, I am grateful. Among the reasons I give praise for this congregation is that you regularly encourage me to go take care of myself through a sabbatical. This summer will be such a moment. It is hard to believe that it was six years ago that you sent me to Rome to live in a Carmelite House and to travel Italy. This summer I am going to spend three weeks at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, N.Y. (For more information check out weeks 5, 6 and 7 at their website www.ciberg.org.) This will be my third sabbatical at St. Luke’s. We have had a relationship that has spanned almost 21 years. These times away happen in large part because of your commitment to St. Luke’s. Your willingness to support me in keeping these times for renewal and study has gifted me personally and professionally. These times serve an enormous function with regard to self care and renewed commitment to ministry. I will be absent from June 15-September 15. In my absence Pastor Paul Fauske has accepted an invitation to serve as interim. Recently, he and Christine have transferred to St. Luke’s. I am confident your love and appreciation of these two will be natural and heartfelt. He will serve you well. P.S. In my February Communicator I let it be known that your Board of Trustees was prepared to subscribe to two international registries. This action would happen at their regularly scheduled March meeting. The first was with Sojourners Magazine where St. Luke’s would be listed as a church committed to issues of faith and justice. The second was with Gaychurch where our congregation would be listed as welcoming of gays and lesbians. There are a number of churches in our area (including Lutheran) listed in both directories. If you have any questions of either organization I will have material at the March 2 Adult Forum. Our next selection is “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert — one woman’s search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia. Following a divorce and a crushing depression, Gilbert set out to examine three different aspects of her nature. We will meet on Saturday, March 29 at 4:00 p.m. This book has been #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and should lend itself to a spirited discussion. Copies are available in the narthex for $10.
Associate in Ministry - Roselyn Olson
Pete and Repeat were sitting on a fence---------------
When I was in elementary school, there was a riddle I liked to tell. It went like this: “Pete and Repeat were sitting on a fence. Pete fell off and who was left?” My friend would answer, “Repeat.” Then I would continue, “Pete and Repeat were sitting on a fence. Pete fell off and who was left.” “Repeat.” “Pete and Repeat” — I could go on and on with that little sentence. It didn’t take much to make me smile then — or now. Today, in the twilight years of my life, I’ve found more important things to repeat than that little sentence. By the time you read this a group will have almost completed the first session of “Formation for Spiritual Companions.” This group of men and women has gathered for a retreat followed by six weeks of learning, bonding, worshiping, listening and sharing. Their response has been positive. Here are some of the comments from participants midway through the program. “What I like is the fact that in the triads you can say anything you “I’m beginning to have withdrawal from this group. You have included me. “I thought I was a good listener before but I’ve learned a lot by reading the assignments.” “God has touched my heart in a new way through the worship times.” Like the “Pete and Repeat” riddle, we are going to repeat this course. You also participate in this program. On the Saturday after Easter (March 29th) we are having the opening retreat for the next session. See the article on the next page for more information. I hope to see you there.
Shalom, During Holy Week (March 16 to 22) I make a special effort to bring Communion to every homebound person from St. Luke’s who wishes it. If you or a family member or friend desire to be included, please contact me by mid-March at (425) 822-7907 or roselynolson@slukes.org.
Formation for Spiritual Companions The first class is being held on Wednesday mornings and will be completed on March 5th. Those attending state their satisfaction with the program. A new class will be offered after Easter. The initial retreat will be on Saturday, March 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Six weekly classes will be offered at one of the following times: Choose which works for you, daytime or evening Child Care will be offered at the weekly meetings if requested at the time of registration. For more information pick up one of the brochures in the narthex or contact one of the coordinators. Nancy Quale 425 748-6559 nquale@comcast.net
Easter has come upon us at last. What does that mean to us right now? Is it justanother year of giving/receiving candy, Easter egg hunts, or going to church on Easter Sunday because it is tradition? Is that what it means to go to church anymore? It used to be we wanted to come to church for the experience of praising God with friends and family. Now it is just something that we do not think about and do because it is simply what is expected of us. Can you name the two most attended church services in a year? The answer, of course, is Christmas Eve and Easter. Most youth do not want to go to church on a regular basis and only go when their parents make them go. Most of them feel like they have better things to do than go to church. How can we change that mentality? There are different of ways to go about it. The best way is to be sure that you (the parent) include your faith life into your daily life while talking with your children. Some examples are: praying at meals and before bedtime, nightly devotions with the whole family, or simply telling them about your day and adding “God is great.” This is the time in their lives when they need to see what it truly means to be a Christian. They have grown up learning about Jesus and what He did for us, but now they start having their own faith, which includes questions and bigger expectations of God. We need to show them what faith truly means to us. If it is just going to church a couple times a year then that is your prerogative, but if you want to help your son or daughter have a good faith life then they need to see it from you. Don’t worry ... there are plenty of people here to help and I am one of them. There are many events coming up that you should be aware of so please see the calendar. Our major event this month is the Lock-in on March 7th. Take care and God bless!! Ben Richards, Director of Youth Ministry
Did you know Pastor Tom is going on sabbatical this summer? He will be gone from June 15 – September 15. Pastor Paul Fauske has agreed to be our Interim Pastor while Pastor Tom is on sabbatical. Pastor Paul and his wife Christine joined our congregation a few months ago and we (the Board of Trustees) thought how convenient that another pastor should join our congregation just before our pastor was going to be on sabbatical. I approached Pastor Paul a few weeks ago and asked him if he would consider being our contract pastor during Pastor Tom’s sabbatical, and he said he would! The board interviewed Paul and made him an offer that he accepted. Beginning June 15 Pastor Paul will be preaching, holding regular office hours, helping support Vacation Bible School, making hospital visits, and following up with visitors as needed. You will see him in the pulpit and presiding with Pastor Tom occasionally between now and when Pastor Tom leaves June 15. Pastor Paul has served as a pastor since 1972. He ministered at Holy Trinity Church on Mercer Island from 1989 to 2007. Paul and Christine have two grown sons. The Board of Trustees believes he is an excellent person to be our pastor while Pastor Tom is away. I’d like to ask everyone to make an extra effort to wear your name tags so Pastor Paul will get to know us by name. Anne Bly
If you feel like the Season of Lent snuck up on us early this year, you are right. Holy Week and Easter Sunday are right around the corner. The last time Easter Sunday was this early on the calendar was in 1913! We continue with our Mid-week Lenten worship services for the first two Wednesdays in March. The services begin at 7:00 p.m. with Pastor Tom’s series on the Shadows of the Cross, and conclude with word and prayer using the Compline Night Prayer setting found in our hymnals. Sunday morning worship services on March 9th will include the next Children’s Program directed by Steve Holmberg. Passion (Palm) Sunday, on March 16, marks the beginning of Holy Week. All attending this and the Three Days and Easter Sunday worship services will find them all to be a true blessing. Maundy Thursday March 20 at 7:00 p.m. Celebrate the Last Supper, foot washing, and stripping of the altar Good Friday March 21 at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Presentation of the Cross Easter Vigil March 22 at 6:00 p.m. Ugandan Orphans Choir Includes Catechumenate baptisms and Affirmations of Faith Easter Sunday March 23 at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. Brunch in between services
We are very excited to announce that the Easter Vigil Worship Service on Saturday, March 22 will incorporate music presented by the Ugandan Orphans Choir, under the ministry of Childcare Worldwide. The choir of ten children, aged 7-12, will sing, play their African drums and dance traditional dances in colorful costume while they share their personal stories of God’s intervening grace in their lives. We are told that their joy is infectious. Weaving their talent into the Easter Vigil service will bless us in many ways. Following the service a time of fellowship will give us and our community an opportunity to receive a widened appreciation for the needs of AIDS orphans in Uganda, as well as acknowledge God’s powerful hand at work there. Amy Corsini
The Treasurer's Report will return next month. In the meantime please remember - St. Luke’s ministry cannot move forward without your involvement by praying for and participating in the life of our church. God’s Blessings Carolyn Norton 
On February 5, St. Luke’s new Art Guild met to discuss what kinds of activities the committee would like to pursue. The group decided to first inventory the art that St. Luke’s presently owns and find the best places in the church to display this art. It was also decided to make our first project the new entryway to the church. We would like this area to be a peaceful and appealing place for members and visitors when they enter the church. Reaching out to the community will also be an important part of our mission. We discussed an art show; art classes; community outreach through programs like Art with Heart; and procuring new art. Our next meeting will be held on March 27 at 7:00 p.m. Please come and join us! We are all excited about the possibilities and would love to have more members. Hope to see you March 27!
The “new” Outreach Giving, previously known as Missions and Benevolence, had its first meeting on February 7. We would like to introduce ourselves to you. The members on the committee are Curt Orr, Joe Hart, Denise Bradford, and Leslie Schofield and Debra Caldwell, co-chairs. Carolyn Norton is the staff advisor.
Our first task was to develop a vision statement. The vision statement is:
Budget and missions were next on the agenda to be discussed. We will be researching the areas we are now supporting to see if they are still appropriate and if there are any additional missions we could serve in our giving. In other budget matters, we discussed how to divide up the funds when there is so much need. To assist us in deciding where the funds should be disbursed, a grant application process will be put in place. That process is now being developed. Work will begin on planning the next fiscal year’s budget of Outreach Giving. We are open to you, the congregation, for input as to where the giving should go. Please contact one of us.
Blessings,
The Parish Health Committee met recently to redefine their mission and to set goals for the ministry. The Mission of St. Luke’s Parish Health Ministry is “to promote health and wellness by providing resources, aid, education and advocacy to our congregation and the neighboring community.” The goals of the ministry are: · Identify the needs within the church in order to set priorities and plan appropriate programs and events. Many exciting ideas were generated at the meeting, such as providing information on long term care plans, sleep issues, living wills and advanced directives. A lunch and lecture series for seniors, health screenings, a resource library and health articles in the Communicator are also being considered as part of our long term goals. If you would like to be part of a dynamic new ministry with great outreach potential, or if you have or know of resources that would be helpful, please contact Debra Caldwell. The next meeting of this committee will be Tuesday, April 1st at 7:00 p.m. Healthy snacks will be available.
March 2 Pastor Tom Kidd March 9 Chaplain Vernon Hunt, Chaplain with Maritime Ministries, This year they are celebrating 120 years of Lutheran Chaplains on the waterfront. Come and hear about this ministry.
March 16 By popular demand, showing of St. Luke’s 50th Anniversary video March 23 Easter; brunch between services March 30 98th Birthday Party for Al Rongstad, our oldest member at St. Luke’s. Join us in Pierson Hall for cake and the opportunity to wish Al a very Happy Birthday.
The month of February was truly a heart-filled month because of our commitment to helping the homeless. We hosted on site from 25 to 30 men a night. There were many nights below freezing and we offered a warm, safe and caring place. Once a week a nurse practitioner came to check blood pressure and the general health of the men. We were assisted by two other churches helping with meals – Overlake Park Presbyterian and All Saints Episcopal. Much of the assistance was from many of you who came with energy and smiles to help serve the meal and visit with the men. Thanks to those of you who participated. A special thanks to those who came in the wee hours of the morning on the weekends to prepare the special warm breakfasts. Those were particularly appreciated. Further thanks go to some of you who donated underwear, sox and clothing which is sorely needed and made a big difference in their lives. This year we had to work around the near capacity use of the church building to make things work. Between Eastside Academy, AA, a plethora of meetings. and in one instance. the use of the narthex for primary voting, space was at a premium. On the positive side we really appreciated the new refrigerator and ovens which were put to good use. A special thanks to Anne Bly for working around us while working on the school meals and to the office staff for tolerating the inconsistencies that arose along the way. We have seen very positive changes in the CFH program. The emphasis is now on transitioning these men out of homelessness. Through an aggressive program of “life coaching” and the availability of subsidized housing many of the men are moving back into the mainstream. To date 18 CFH men are now in independent housing. But homelessness is not going away. If any of you wish to participate, please consider this ministry. As often happens, the blessings that we thought we were passing to others were given back to us as participants. Our warmest thanks to all who participated, It was two years ago, this time of year, when Tent City was located just outside the north end of the church. From the office we could watch their comings and goings, as the rains came and the March winds blew. Tent City is now located at Kirkland Congregational Church, 106 5th Ave in Kirkland. The word is they are running out of almost everything in the kitchen except tuna fish!
Every month Eastside Academy hosts informational luncheons that provide another way for guests to get to know our mission. Our guests meet staff, students and have a chance to ask questions about Eastside Academy programs. In essence, our luncheons are an opportunity to gain better insight into the Eastside Academy story. During our luncheons, students in our cooking class help prepare a meal and serve it to our guests. Our students do a great job with this! Each Eastside Academy Luncheon is held at St. Luke’s from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in attending, or have questions about our luncheons please contact Tony Martin, Donor and Mentor Coordinator: tonym@eastsideacademy.org or (425) 452-9920 ex. 6. We would love to hear from you! Come for lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays As published in the Sunday bulletin, Chef Anne Bly and Eastside Academy students cook and serve lunches at 11:50 a.m. each Tuesday and Thursday in Pierson Hall. Stop by if you’re in the area; if you are bringing guests, please let the office know so Anne will have a count. Here is the menu for March:
A Memorial Service for Arne Peterson Arne and Norma Peterson are charter members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, joining St. Luke’s along with children David, Christine and Dean on February 10, 1957. Erik was baptized on March 9, 1958. Arne passed away on February 20. His memorial service will be held at St. Luke’s on Saturday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m.
And the Easter Bunny needs ... Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, March 22 at 10:00 a.m. We need to have candy and stickers for the eggs turned in by March 12. Be sure to bring your kids and your kids’ friends to the egg hunt and to hear an Easter story from Pastor Tom. We are still receiving 20+ copies of The Lutheran Magazine at the church, located in the narthex. Please feel free to take one to read or keep. The extra copies were purchased to keep the price down for those who wanted it sent to their homes. Please make use of them.
Calling all teenage musicians! A Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival will be held June 22 to July 20 at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. Call Patsy Jackson at (425) 881-0451 for more information.
Dorothy Brewster, ever a teacher, showed us a pencil she found from her years in Pullman. It was handed out by an insurance agent, and read:
Sing While You Drive At 45 miles per hour, sing “Highways Are Happy Ways”
From Bishop Boerger We Speak A Word That Cannot Be Silenced Christ is risen!! He is risen, indeed. Alleluia. With this ancient affirmation of the church we proclaim our hope in the face of everything that would lead us to doubt. We follow a resurrected Jesus. That simple fact gives us a new vantage point for engaging the world. Much of today's news is motivated by the fear of death. Christ is risen! Luther's famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God “ proclaims that "take they then our house, goods, honor, child or spouse, though life be wrenched away, they cannot win the day. The kingdom's ours for-ever!" We can face the threats of the world with a different perspective. It is this central truth that empowers the ministry of the church. Jesus did command that we love one another, make disciples of all nations and that we forgive one another. These commands can be threats if we only see them coming from a good teacher. How will I ever know if I have loved enough or forgiven enough or been truly effective at making disciples? The commands of a good teacher are no help by themselves. When the teacher is my Savior and Lord, then the commands are not threats. They are rather ways to live out this resurrection promise in my life and with others in the community of the baptized. We have been forgiven, so we know the power of this action. We have been loved and we know the life-giving power this love gives to us. We are the disciples who can call others to follow through the cross to the empty tomb. As the church gathers to shout victory over death, we speak a word to the world that cannot be silenced. Christ is risen! Our ministry with the poor and oppressed is in the name of the victorious one. Christ is risen! All of my righteousness is as filthy rags compared to his righteousness freely given to us. Christ is risen! We have a reason for hope amid all the fears and terrors of this life. This is the reason and the power of our hope. Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed. Alleluia.
RACISM – THEN AND NOW On the 4th of April this year, it is the 40th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s assassination. The commemoration of this day triggers three poignant memories for me: As a teenager in Norway, I was in the home of a beloved aunt. She had grown up in the USA, of Norwegian ancestry. She confused me when she talked about black people. The words she used to describe our fellow human beings back in the States were derogatory. This was not like my aunt! She never spoke harshly about anyone. But here she was, stating negative attributes as though they were facts. Although born in America, I had left as a baby and had never come up against racism. Now, of course, with its own growing, multi-ethnic population, Scandinavia has been confronting new and important challenges. Many years later, I was a pastor’s wife on the East Coast. One day, in April of 1968, I was taking part in a “Ladies’ Guild” meeting in a private home. The women decided to put on the TV to see the funeral procession for Dr. King. As we watched that sorrowing, slow-moving mass of people follow the simple coffin on the donkey-drawn wagon, those friendly church women sat and ridiculed the scene. To my shame, I said nothing. In my defense, it took me totally by surprise. I have, however, to this day, sadly regretted that I did nothing about their comments. It would be comfortable to think that times have changed so much that racism has now died a welcome death. . . . On March 24 of 2004, Pastor Jason M. Martin, Sr. and his family discovered a KKK-symbol burning cross in front of their home in the Marysville area. It was extinguished by firefighters. Four days later, a rally and support worship service took place at his church, Jesus is Lord Life Tabernacle (which has as its motto, “Embracing the Community with the Love of Jesus”). Roald and I had the privilege of taking part there. By that Sunday, two young men had been apprehended and were in jail. In his sermon, the black pastor stressed loving our enemies. In fact, he told his multi-ethnic congregation and all the visitors who had come to show their support, “Let’s visit those two in jail – join me anyone! Let’s give our enemies flowers!” He added that forgiveness and love is the way to go. And, as Dr. King himself said, “We must keep moving.” Submitted by Ruth Kverndal
Maritime Ministry Annual Banquet – Saturday, February 23 Several of us from St. Luke’s attended last year and learned more about Maritime Ministry. Please join us this year at
March 2008 Comfort Ye My People Yeh, they could use it! The people of God are in exile and Isaiah is called upon to offer a message of encouragement and hope. “Your time of service is ended and you have already received double for all your sins! The God who makes the grass whither is ready to reveal the Glory side of things!” Looks like God has been in charge all along! So don’t we all feel better? Well, maybe not a lot of warm and fuzzy comfort, but at least some perspective! Apparently it isn’t all about me personally after all. There is a larger picture here. Are innocent people killed and enslaved? Sure they are. Do we work for justice and mercy? Sure we do. Do they come instantly as a result of our efforts? Well…. Not often. What kind of comfort is this? It is the comfort of time and scale. An episode in history might be over. Perhaps as a result of our efforts and God’s help, a new day is dawning. Did the Civil Rights Movement come soon enough to prevent slavery, or with Reconstruction? It did not come soon enough for the many black soldiers who fought valiantly for their country during WW II. But it did come. Is its work finished? Well, ask the people of New Orleans! They might have some opinions. There is movement. Slow, often too slow, but there is movement. So be comforted, people of God. Oppression and injustice are evil to be sure. But we do have a world history of making gains, small that they are. God who makes the grass whither is ready to reveal the Glory side of things. Can’t you feel it? |
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