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Message from the Rector

Summer is here with its long, warm days and cooler, critter-enlivened night.  In my neighborhood I can hear some birds all night long punctuated often with the soulful song of one neighborhood cat or another.  Thankfully we are on the other side of the month-long celebration of nightly fireworks which accompanies the approach of Independence Day each year.  The irises in my garden have long since given way to several rounds of blooming roses.  The alstroemerias, while still blooming, have entered their summer slump.  It's hard to notice that, though, because the Asiatic lilies and the dahlias have weighted in with dazzling shapes, sizes and colors which only serve to heighten my sense of the diversity of creation and the and the immensity of the God who conceived it all.

 It is the season to enjoy the fullness and the ripeness of creation.  It is time to slow down a little, change our pace, stop to savor the good things in life that are all around us.  It is time to be with the people we most care about in a way that they can access who we are and give them a chance to unpack themselves.  It is time to give thanks to God for the wonderful world around us and relationships which help us appreciate it.

 When we come to worship it is time to come with a sense of joyful thanksgiving and lightness of playful delight it is summer.  It is God's gift of a season of play and rest and renewal.  Let's enjoy it in full measure this year.  God bless you all. 

 Mother Joan +

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Who’s Who @ St. Luke’s

By Ravena Huboi

June, 2007

 Here it is June and time for summer fun again.  This time of year two things are in the forefront of my mind, Graduation and Fourth of July.

 To Graduate - to pass from one stage of experience, proficiency, or prestige to a usually higher one. 

 Indeed, Graduation is an experience that looks in two directions -  recognition of past accomplishment and anticipation of  future experiences.

 Graduates from St. Luke’s this year are:

 · Jessica McGill and

· Connor Doherty, graduating from                             

      elementary school to middle school

· Our friend, Chris Casey,

      graduating from high school

· Heidi Connor, graduating from San Jose

      State University with a degree in

      microbiology

 Congratulations!

 Now time to talk about the fourth of July.  July 4^th fell on a Wednesday this year.  I hope all of you enjoyed the 4^th in your favorite tradition, fireworks, barbeque, or maybe hiding in your house watching the “Outer Limits” marathon (that is what I did last year due to Bronchitis).  On the 6^th, 7^th and 8^th of July the city of Hollister hosted the Biker Rally.  The City worked with volunteers for several months to set up a system where non-profit organizations could work jobs over the 3-day event. Each worker earned $10 per hour for funds that will go directly to their group.  I communicated with the city's volunteers and I hope you share my pride in their organized and thorough manner. Some of you from St. Luke's volunteered your time to work the rally of for the city, each of you received a phone call telling them where to check in 15 min. before their shift began and picked up your complimentary t-shirt.  Our congregation signed up for 12 hours each day with each volunteer working a four hour shift.

 It was an excellent opportunity to raise money for our church.   We worked 6th Street between San Benito and Monterey.  The job was to sell tickets for bike parking and was probably one of the best jobs we could hoped for.  I am thrilled by your commitment.  Not only that, but it turned out to be a fun experience.

We also were able to park bikes on the St. Luke's Church grounds on Friday and Saturday.  It all shows a strong commitment on your part about what St. Luke's means to you.

 I am happy to report that we made:

               $1181.00      Church

               $1400.00      City

               $2581.00      TOTAL

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Confirmation Classes

I am so excited I can hardly stand it!  Now that’s really something for a priest who has been in a community for 20 years.  We will be having Confirmation Classes this fall and our new Bishop who will by then be The  Rt. Rev. Mary Gray—Reeves will be with us on December 16 for Confirmation.  You may wonder who should attend these classes:

 Any adult or Middle School or older  youth who has not made a mature declaration of faith in the presence of a Bishop and a gathered Christian Community is invited to Confirmation. (Or perhaps younger children after consultation with the Rector.)

Any adult who has made a mature Christian commitment in the presence of a Christian Community, but has not done so in the Episcopal Church in the presence of an Episcopal Bishop.  We recognize your Christian Commitment, and so will not confirm you in your faith but rather, will Receive you into the Episcopal Church.

Any parent who wishes to accompany his or her child.

Any adult who has already been confirmed or received but is fuzzy about the church or who needs (or wants) an educational pick-me-up.

We will meet at St. Luke’s on Sundays from 11:30 AM to 1 PM between September 16, 2007 and November 4, 2007.  Please bring a brown bag lunch. 

These classes are important.  The commitment in important.  If you wish to be Confirmed or Received, it is very necessary to attend each class unless ill or seriously engaged.  A sign-up sheet is posted in the Parish House.

I am excited about speaking about faith with you;  I am excited about helping you to grow; I am excited about your helping me to grow in my faith and I am excited to be among the first of the congregations in our diocese to welcome our new Bishop: Mary Gray-Reeves.

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