January 26, 2017 Calendar of Events

Date Event/Activity Location POC 29 Jan 9:15 am Holy Eucharist St. Luke’s Rev. Ann 5 Feb 9:15 am Holy Eucharist St. Luke’s Rev. Ann 12 Feb 9:15 am Holy Eucharist St. Luke’s Rev. Ann

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

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

Bible Challenge Discussion Group Every Tuesday at 10:30 in the Parish Hall

Pot Luck – 1st Sunday each month

St.Luke’sPrayerListJessica WineKing, JD Gibbs, Kathleen Buckley, Gabrielle Paradise, Laura Stotz, Eric Powell, Flo Torrance, Stephen Quantock, Tracy, Arthur, Shannon Allen, Billy Shellito, Joan Cann, Edward Smith Tompkins, Bridget and Lucien Castera, Diane Mott Davidson, Charlie, John Sheedy, Debbie Best, Gretchen Moyer, John and Gloria Berberich, Alan Dillard, The Gonzales family (Ashley, Cody, Dylan and Rick), Betsy and Christopher, Kim Redman, .DarleneAldridge, Pat Hanly, Prayers for the soul of Kit Byrdy (childhood friend) Kay Karim (FCPL colleague and friend of Debbie King), Gerta Heidel. DearSt.Luke'sChurchFamily,This Saturday, Jan 28, St. Luke's will receive parish status at the 222nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. As you know, we have been working toward this step for the last three years, and it dovetails with the 125th anniversary of St. Luke's in 2017. The celebration of churches receiving parish status typically occurs toward the close of Convention on Saturday. We will receive parish status along with another church, St. Paul's, Nomini Grove. ALL ARE INVITED to join in the celebratory procession with our banner at Convention. It is an amazing gathering of Episcopalians from all over the Diocese - about 500 people will be present. Deacon Brian Hutcherson, lay delegate Lillian Salley and I will be there from Thursday evening through close of convention Saturday. Here is latest update from the Diocese re Saturday logistics.

Place: Hyatt Regency, Reston. Address: 1800 Presidents St, Reston, VA

We will gather at 11am on Saturday, meeting in room Fairfax B.

They plan to have the two congregations enter simultaneously from opposite back doors to the ballroom, and process to the stage at the same time - one will gather stage right and the other stage left. They will take photos at that time. Debbie King and Judy Crosby have offered to drive carpool. Please contact them directly if you would like to go. I am happy to pay or reimburse you for parking at the hotel. As an extra special addition to an already incredible day:

We have just learned that our own Lydia Kessler has been selected to receive a Harriet “Happy” Pullman Award at the 222nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. She was nominated by Jo-Anne Brust and the nomination was endorsed by Ann Willms. The Harriet “Happy” Pullman Award honors individuals who have demonstrated exemplary work in Christian social ministries or outreach programs. Nominees may be either paid staff members or volunteers who contribute at least 25 hours of time per month to an outreach ministry or ministries. Nominees must be members of one of the churches of the Diocese of Virginia.

Lydia is recognized for her work in founding the Luv Mitts Ministry which has touched hundreds of people with its expression of Christ's love and caring through her free offering of handmade soft, colorful mitts. Congratulations Lydia!

Jo-Anne Brust will be accepting the award on behalf of Lydia, sometime between 9:30 and 10:00 on Saturday morning at Convention. We will present it to Lydia at St. Luke's on Sunday morning Jan 29! I'd like to extend a special thanks to Tom Torrance, our new senior warden, who was instrumental in following the mission-to-parish process through to completion. Thanks to the past and present Vestry Committees, other Lay leaders, and former Vicars of St. Luke's that have served over the years, for their vision and leadership. Thanks to ALL OF YOU- the incredible congregation of St. Luke's, whose generosity, hospitality, caring and faithfulness are the hallmarks of this church.

Congratulations! Yours in Christ, Ann+

St.Luke’s,Simeon–FromChapeltoMissiontoParish This Saturday, January 28, 2017, St. Luke’s, Simeon will officially attain parish status at the 222nd Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia. This dovetails with the 125th Anniversary of the founding of St. Luke's, Simeon, which was founded in 1892. "What's the difference?" you might ask. Here a little history (partially from our website) might be helpful.

St. Luke's was one of six chapels established in the late nineteenth century by Christ Episcopal Church, Charlottesville, in the rural areas of

Albemarle County.

Henry L. Lyman and Caroline Williams owned the chapel site and, on November 27, 1891, sold 1.125 acres to Henry L. Lyman, Henry C. Marchant, and George Oliver (Trustees of Colle Mission and Christ Church) for one dollar and the stipulation that "said tract of land shall be held and used for the purpose of erecting thereon a church or chapel building for the worship of God after the manner of the Protestant Episcopal faith and to use the residue of the land as a church lot and burying ground." The Colle Mission Chapel was built in 1892, named in reference to the Colle estate, located the east of the chapel. The earliest reference to St Luke's Chapel is found in the Vestry Minutes of Christ Church in 1894. County records still refer to it as Colle Mission. Thus, St. Luke's was founded as a chapel, relying on support from its founding church. This continued until 2008 when the tie with Christ Church was dissolved and St. Luke's became a mission church of the Diocese of Virginia. We are currently a diocesan mission church. Our Catechism teaches that "the mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." In that sense ALL churches are about mission. But the term "mission church" is primarily used for churches that rely on financial assistance (whether from the Diocese or their founding church) to survive. St. Luke's has been financially self-sufficient and has, in fact, given substantially TO the Diocese of Virginia for support of the work of the greater Episcopal Church. Thanks to the dedicated lay and clergy leadership over the years, St. Luke’s has continued in its worship of God and service to the community. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to people like Lynne and Buddy Sprouse, The Rev. Gloria Berberich (“Mother Gloria”), John Berberich, and The Rev. Rod Caulkins (“Father Rod”) who provided the inspiring leadership and persevering spirit that kept St. Luke’s not only surviving but thriving. Supporting the more visible leadership that includes greeters, readers and acolytes, St. Luke’s has always benefited from the ongoing work of “behind the scenes” volunteers who prepare bulletins, set up the altar, clean the buildings, care for the grounds, purchase supplies, bring refreshments, and more. All is done in the spirit of serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Historically, mission churches had to prove that they could support compensation of a full-time priest as well as be financially self-sufficient in order to apply for parish status. But in 2014, the guidelines for the process eliminated the requirement for a full-time priest. Since our church’s vicar is compensated on a part time basis, this opened the way for St. Luke's to consider becoming a parish. Our new senior warden, Tom Torrance, was instrumental in following the long process through to completion. Again, what difference does it make? For one, parishes have the autonomy to call clergy themselves, rather than through the Bishop of the Diocese. Just as important, becoming a parish is cause for celebration because it indicates the health and strength of the church. When mission churches become parishes, the members are invited to Annual Convention and are presented before the whole assembly where they are met with cheers, applause, and shouts of joy. St. Luke's continues to grow today, not only in worship attendance, but in participation in ministry, in fellowship, and in mission. We now enjoy the inspiring presence of Deacon Brian Hutcherson. Newcomers and long-time members mix and mingle at coffee hour. New faces are welcomed and special stories are shared.

As we enter our 125th anniversary year, we can give thanks that the Body of Christ is alive and well in Simeon. There is indeed a “sweet, sweet Spirit in this place!” With God’s help, we will continue following our Lord with confidence and joy into the future, seeking and serving Christ in all persons, as our Baptismal Covenant calls us to do. ALL ARE INVITED to join in the celebration this Saturday Jan 28 in Reston. Please see separate entry in the Song of Simeon for further details. Yours in Christ, Ann+

AJourneyofFaithHappy New Year to you! I had an opportunity to travel to Msalato Theological College last summer where I was warmly received by Hilda Kabia. Hilda is the first Tanzanian woman to be the dean of a theological college in Tanzania. She will be in the US next month and has arranged to come to Richmond for a couple of days during her visit. On Wednesday, February 22, she will preach at the 12 noon service at St. Philip's and then give a presentation about her ministry in Tanzania at 1 pm. I have attached a flyer about this event. I am inviting you to attend if you are available and to forward this information via your ECW distribution list. Hilda is an amazing woman and I would love it if she could meet as many people as possible when she's in town. Thanks, Phoebe The Very Rev. Phoebe A. Roaf Rector, St. Philip's Episcopal Church

St. Luke's Volunteer Sign Up Sheet (click me)

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

A Journey of Faith: Reflections by the Rev. Canon Hilda Kabia

Dean, Msalato Theological College in Dodoma, Tanzania

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 12:00 pm - Service with Holy Communion

1:00 pm - Presentation

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church 2900 Hanes Avenue

Richmond, VA 23222 www.stphilipsrva.org

Dean Kabia will be the preacher at the Noon service, then share reflections about her ministry in Tanzania. In 2015, she became the first Tanzanian woman Principal of Msalato Theological College in the Diocese of Central Tanganyika. Dean Kabia’s

priorities include preparing lay and ordained church leaders; women’s issues; community enrichment; and Christian-Muslim dialogue.