eNews for February 28, 2020

News for our Parish Community

eNews

February 28, 2020

“The Lenten Season Begins” A Message from The Rector So, we are now in Lent. The GSL parish community is called to do whatever it takes, maybe to make small adjustments in daily living, to journey even deeper into Christ in ways that will transform our lives. In his meditation book Show Me The Way, Henri Nouwen prays about Lent. Let us join in this prayer and be surprised. “It is a time to be with you in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death…Give me the strength and the courage to live this season faithfully, so that, when Easter comes, I will be able to taste with joy the new life which you have prepare for me. Amen.”

Inside this Issue (Download pdf here)

Take Note, This Week and Beyond, Children and Youth, This Sunday at GSL

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Inside this issue: Altar Gifts, Athletics, Book Group, Calendar Highlights, Christian Formation, Diocesan eCommunicator, Gift to Garden Guild, GSL Ministry Areas, Heart & Hands, Holy Baptism, Lenten Resources, Looking Towards Sunday, Lost and Found, Men's Morning

Fellowship, Message from the Rector, Message from Sr. Warden, Outreach Ministry, Privacy Policy, Realm Connect, School News, Social Justice Team, Third Thursday, Vision Statement, Wednesday Lunch, Youth News. Follow this link to the Messenger web page: www.gracestlukes.org/the-messenger. If you are NOT getting the paper copy of the Messenger and would like to have it mailed to you, contact Lucy Owens: 901-252-6333, lowens@gracestlukes.org.

This Week and Beyond

Parish Hall Forum & Preaching (Mar. 1) Reconciliation: Love As The Most Powerful Force Of Change In The World with The Rev. Becca Stevens – Join Nashville priest and entrepreneur, the Rev. Becca Stevens, for a time of conversation around the importance of reconciliation through the power of community. Twenty years ago, Becca founded Thistle Farms, an organization that provides sanctuary, healing, and employment for women survivors of prostitution, trafficking, and addiction. Come and hear about this thriving ministry of healing and hope and explore how love truly is the most powerful force for change in the world.

The Parish Hall Forum is Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in Trezevant Hall. The Rev. Stevens will also preach at the 8 & 10:30 a.m. servcies.

Class schedule, descriptions and more at www.gracestlukes.org/sunday-morning. PDF Version

March 4, 11, 18, 25 | Four-week Book Study and Conversation Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World (Henri J. M. Nouwen) Facilitators: Anne Ayres, The Rev. Ollie V. Rencher Time: 6–7:30 p.m. (fellowship/refreshments 6-6:15) Location: Peete Room Registration requested online (tinyurl.com/GSLLifeoftheBeloved) or call Receptionist & Ministry Associate, Abby Huber (901-252-6336).

Purchase book from local bookseller or online Class Description found here: www.gracestlukes.org/midweek-evenings/

Save the Dates Wednesday Lunch Fellowship: Mar. 25, 12:30 p.m. www.gracestlukes.org/events/wednesday-lunch Third Thursday Fellowship:Mar. 19, 6 p.m. www.gracestlukes.org/events/third-thursday GSL Daytime Book Group: Mar. 12, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. gracestlukes.org/events/daytime-book-group/

Lynching Sites Project with John Ashworth: Mar. 22, 9:15 a.m.

gracestlukes.org/sunday-morning/ Social Justice Team Meeting: Mar. 23, 6 p.m., gracestlukes.org/events/planningmeeting-for-new-social-justice-ministry-team// Building Compassion and Resilience with Susan Campbell: Mar. 29, 9:15 a.m., gracestlukes.org/sunday-morning/ Wholehearted Parenting with Susan Campbell: Mar. 29, noon-4 p.m.gracestlukes.org/events/wholehearted-parenting/

Weekly Fellowship Opportunties Men’s Thursday Morning Fellowship (7-7:45 a.m.): All are invited to the Men's Thursday Morning Fellowship, an evolving conversation about spiritual growth, faith and doubt, current events and concerns, intellectual stimulation, and thoughtful living in a fast world. This relaxed but lively fellowship gathers in the first floor Lounge. Breakfast snacks and coffee provided. To sign up or for more information, contact Doug (Doug.Duncan at wolfrivercap.com) or Ollie+ (orencher@gracestlukes.org).

The Heart & Hands Group meets weekly on Tuesday from 10-12:30 for fellowship, lunch, brief spiritual reflection by the clergy (11:30 a.m.), and to continue their handwork. They knit warm items for our MTAM guests, make pillowcase dresses for the girls in Haiti, and create patchwork palettes for the homeless. With happy hearts and busy hands, they support our pastoral and community needs. Join them in the H&H room, lower level across from the elevator. For more information contact Edith Heller (hrheller3 at comcast.net, 901-481-6124).

Take Note

A Message from the Senior Warden Dear Fellow Parishioners, This is a continuation of the Vestry’s plan to share some of the highlights associated with life at GSL, especially as so many rich and exciting things are taking place at every turn.

Many joined us for the February 18th requiem service for former organist-choirmaster, Wesley Emerson, to show appreciation for his faithful commitment to GSL. Wesley was truly inspirational and courageous despite his health challenges over the years. The well-attended Luna Nova concert on February 13, a series that he helped to pioneer, was dedicated in his memory.

Follow this link for more: www.gracestlukes.org/news/a-message-from-the-senior-wardenmarch2020.

Lenten Observances in Liturgy and More During the season of Lent, it is our custom to minimize ornamentation and even cover (“veil”) some religious symbols throughout our sacred space, simply to heighten our senses and build within us a longing for Easter. The visual and other liturgical changes are not meant to be

there forever. We actually live in a “veiled” world, in exile from our true home. It is by selfexamination, repentance, and dying-to-self that the veil is lifted, and we are finally able to see the beauty of everything in our lives. The unveiling at Easter is a great reminder of our own life on earth. Between these outward changes, weekly worship on Sunday morning or evening, a shift in music and more for worship, employing Lenten resources (“Signs of Life” or Episcopal Relief and Development Meditation), and attending weekly formation classes or groups, we are bound to journey even deeper into Christ in ways that will transform our lives.

Lenten Resources (available for pickup in public spaces) Signs of Life Reader: This reader serves as an introduction to Signs of Life, inviting individuals or groups to explore Light, Water, Food, Shelter, and Community through homilies, meditations, and reflection questions. It is our hope that this reader will be a resource for your spiritual life and prepare you for participation in Signs of Life. For more info, visit www.signsoflife.org.

2020 Lenten Meditations from Episcopal Relief and Development: This booklet invites daily reflection on the spiritual, physical and emotional lives of children—and our role in nurturing their growth. Produced by Episcopal Relief & Development in partnership with authors of Grow Christians. For more info, visit www.episcopalrelief.org/church-inaction/church-campaigns/lent.

Calvary Lenten Preaching and Waffle Shop: Pick up a copy of the preaching schedule at the hallway information center and available online at www.calvarymemphis.org/learn/lentenpreaching-series.

Important Altar Flowers and Eucharistic Supplies Notice Grace-St. Luke’s provides two meaningful ways to remember loved ones during worship services: altar flowers and Eucharistic supplies given in their memory or honor. Flowers are $215 per Sunday, which one or more persons may share in giving, and Eucharistic supplies (wafers, wine, candle oil) are $25 per week.

To explore and make payments to reserve available dates, including dates that may hold significance and have been reserved by you in the past, contact Parish Administrator Linda Stine (901-252-6324, lstine@gracestlukes.org). Your request must be made no later than two weeks in advance of the desired Sunday; further in advance may show more available dates.

Once the date is confirmed, please issue payment for the appropriate fee (listed above) either online or mail it to the parish office. Your donation must be received for the reservation to be considered complete, and for the acknowledgement to be printed in the Sunday leaflet.

GSL Ministry Areas

Offering Something For Everyone. In addition to worship, the Vestry and the Clergy-Staff Team invite all able-bodied individuals to identify at least one way to get involved in the sustainability of Grace-St. Luke’s, and have released “Parish Life Ministry Areas” online (www.gracestlukes.org/news/parishlifeministryareas) and for pickup in the public spaces. For more about ways to invest in life at GSL, contact Stewardship Associate Chapman Morrow (901-252-6328, cmorrow@gracestlukes.org).

Children & Youth

Children & Youth Classes Sunday morning classes begin at 9:15 a.m. Your March Messenger has all the details. See below for the Sunday schedule.

Youth Formation Rite 13 and J2A, Mar. 1, 9:15 a.m.

Jr. High EYC Mar. 1, 4 p.m.

Sr. High EYC Mar. 1, 5 p.m.

High School Prayer Breakfast: Mar. 3, 7-8 a.m., at Ugly Mug on Poplar Middle School Biscuits and Bible: Mar. 4, 6:45-7:45 a.m., in the Red Room

Visit www.gracestlukes.org/youth-formation/ for more information or contact Director of Youth Formation Amzie Williams at awilliams@gracestlukes.org or 901-252-6326.

This Sunday at GSL

Join us for worship, formation, & fellowship on Mar. 1 8 a.m. – Holy Eucharist 8:45 a.m. – Delicious home-cooked breakfast.

9:15 a.m. – Adults: Parish Hall Forum (details above) 9:15 a.m. – Christian Formation classes for children Nursery

Infant Room (Newborn–Walking) Toddler Room (Walking–Potty Training) Little Lambs Room (Potty Training–Atrium Ready) Location: Church Nursery with the Nursery Staff Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Atrium I 3–6 year olds: Pre–K, JK, SK Location: Atrium I (Green Room) Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Atrium II 6–9 year olds: 1st, 2nd, 3rd Grade

Location: Atrium II (Purple Room) Project Purpose 4th–5th Grade Location: Yellow Room 9:15 a.m. – Christian Formation classes for youth Rite 13 6th–8th Grade Location: Red Room J2A

9th–12th Grade Location: Red Room 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist Following the 10:30 service – Coffee Hour Nursery – The nursery is available from 7:30 a.m. through the end of the 10:30 service 5:30 p.m. – Holy Eucharist Episcopal Youth Community (details above).

Christian Formation at GSL

Children: www.gracestlukes.org/sunday-school

Youth: www.gracestlukes.org/youth-formation

Adults: www.gracestlukes.org/sunday-morning/

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Our Vision is to be a thriving community of hope, belonging, and healing through worship, parish life, and service, and who rejoices in the love of Jesus to transform the world.

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