ST. LUKE’S Episcopal Church

Denver, Colorado June 2016 Volume 23 Issue 6 The Lark

R ector’s Remarks

“I never read the Lark.” I hear this from time to time, and it gets a little discouraging. I also hear, “You have to tell people thirteen times before things start to sink in.” That is a little discouraging, too. Another thing I hear in the church (and beyond): “the thing most vital to the health of the organization is good communication.” When I taught high school speech a couple of years ago, we talked about the message in the originator’s mind being encoded, transmitted, received, and decoded in the receiver’s mind; then feedback was given to assure the message had been received as intended. All along the way are opportunities for the communication model to be disrupted or broken completely. What does this mean in the life of our parish? (…or family? Or nation? Or world?) In the life of the parish, first of all, it means that the leaders of the congregation have to do all in their

Phone Tree notifications. We have an email notification system in the parish, but only for those who allow their information to be used, and then confirm that choice explicitly. We have used www.lukeonline.org for years, with several updates and “do-overs” along the way. This parish website is a goldmine for communication, available at a click of the button. What I’m trying to say, in thirteen ways, is: we really are trying, folks! But second of all (go up six paragraphs to see the “first of all” item, if you need to), it means that those who receive the communications also need to try! Even thirteen times won’t be enough for the person who doesn’t care to receive a message from someone else. But you already made it to the end of this message, didn’t you! And you are still with me! For the one who cares, maybe once is enough! But we will still keep trying… +Fr. Doug

power to communicate often and well. Messages need to be frequent and clear. We have a number of ways we try to accomplish this. If you are still attending to this message, you are reading the Lark. That helps. Our parish newsletter is one of the basic methods of passing along information and a relative sense of urgency, as in, “Easter is the most important event in the life of the Christian community. Please join us in worship that day!” We use the Sunday Morning News as a sort of mini-newsletter, complete with a weekly cartoon. Some folks have said, “Drop the Sunday Morning News, but keep the cartoon, whatever you do!” I get that. In addition to the News, certain events of parish life are highlighted in the Sunday morning announcements. A death in the parish, for instance, might be mentioned verbally, but not get mentioned in print anywhere in the church. We have the Phone Tree for recorded announcements, but it cannot be used for any long-distance calls. People who are using a cell phone from an out-of-Denver area code cannot receive the

J une Events

Friday, June 10, Guys Night Out

Saturday, June 11, Hike and Picnic

I n this Issue… 2. Youth, Ordination at Cathedral 3. Transformations 4. Photo Directory 5. Hiking Opportunity/Men’s Night Out 6. DOK Invite, Picnics this Summer 7. Staff Information & Service Times

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In the Hebrew Scriptures, the Israelites are commanded to practice the discipline of Sabbath. This discipline extended beyond the individual to the community, and even to the Earth itself. Our spiritual ancestors were commanded to allow their land to lie fallow—to rest from the cycle of plowing, planting, and reaping—every 7th year. This command created a rhythm. Work for 6 years, rest for one year, work for 6 years, rest for one, etc. This is a practice that does not come naturally to us, but it turns out we are not alone. There is no strong evidence to suggest that the Israelites ever really practiced this pattern of letting the land lie fallow. There is no strong evidence to suggest they ever really engaged in the rhythm God was inviting them into. Our Youth Group is moving into a time when we are being invited to practice this rhythm of resting from the more intense pace that has defined the last several months of our time together. We have enjoyed an intentional merging of St. Luke’s Youth with the Youth of Joshua Station, we have been intentional to have meals together every Sunday, we have been intentional about spending a couple weeks out on the town learning about the intersection of History and Spirituality. Now it’s time for us to rest a bit and focus a bit more on the nurturing of our group.

Our response to this invitation comes with a couple of changes. Starting at the beginning of June, we are going to move our time from Sunday evenings to Sunday mornings in line with the later church service. This feels like it will be a bit easier for our parents, and maybe even increase the access to Youth Group for some of our youth who have struggled to come in the evenings. It also means that we won’t be doing meals anymore. We deeply appreciate the gift our community has provided in ensuring we have meals on Sunday nights! It has truly been a blessing! These changes certainly feel like a restful part of the rhythm of our year as a group. Though these changes are happening, our dedication to engaging in spirituality as a group, as well as growing in our relationships as a community is in no way diminished! As always, all Middle and High School students are welcome to join us for Youth Group at St. Luke’s on Sundays 10:15-11:30am. Peace. Ben Edwards bedwards1985@gmail.com

Y outh

J essie Cannady’s Ordination, June 18

You are invited to St. John’s Cathedral on Saturday, June 18, at 10:00 am for the ordination service in which Jessie Cannady will be ordained as a Deacon in the Church. Jessie has been working at St. Luke’s for the last several months in her practicum – the practical field experience in preparation

for ordination. In addition to worship services on Sunday, Jessie has also been active in mid-week services, and has preached at a Wednesday evening service. She has been part of Tuesday morning Bible Study and Wednesday evening study. She has also been a very active part of Monday’s staff meeting, offering her

contributions to the life of the parish. Jessie’s ordination as a Deacon is the fulfillment of a long process in her life, but is also the beginning of a new chapter for her. Please join us for this celebration!

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T rans ormations

Gordon C. Tucker Jr., Director of Christian Formation

Heeding the Siren call, I am headed back to Israel this summer to resume digging at the ancient site of Ashkelon on the Mediterranean coast. This will be my fifth year at the site, which has stratified archaeological deposits dating back nearly 8,000 years and includes evidence for just about every major culture that occupied the Southern Levant during those eight millennia – Neolithic, Canaanite, Philistine, Persian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Muslim, and Crusader. Because their grant funding will be ending, this is the last year that the archaeological team will work at Ashkelon. Next year, the team will move north to Tel Shimron, on the northern edge of the Jezreel Valley, just a few miles west of Nazareth in Galilee.

This is reportedly the largest unexcavated site in Israel and promises to yield an abundance of information about ancient cultures in this region. I will be staying five weeks at Ashkelon, leaving Denver on June 10 and returning on July 15. I will be there to close down the site, which should be exciting and memorable. I expect that I will return to work in Grid 51, where I excavated in 2012 (with Kathy), 2014, and 2015 (with Kathy) [insert photo of Grid 51]. The dig team will stay at the magnificent Leonardo Hotel in Ashkelon, which offers charming accommodations and an exceptional view of the Mediterranean Sea [insert photo of view from Leonardo Hotel]. As I have done in previous years, I will present this year’s findings and experiences at Ashkelon for an Adult Formation class in the fall. Shalom aleichem!

F

Grid 51at Ashkelon

View of the Mediterranean Sea from the Leonardo Hotel in Ashkelon

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N ew Photo Directory

N eed a Good Pre-School?

Are you looking for a PreK or Kindergarten Program? Paddington Station Preschool, located across the street from St. Luke’s, is still enrolling 4 and 5 year olds for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year! Paddington participates in the Denver Preschool Program (www.dpp.org), which provides preschool funding for all PreK students in the city and county of Denver. For more information about Paddington call 303-333-9154, visit www.paddingtonstation.org, or e-mail admission@paddingtonstation.org.

Make sure you plan to have your portraits taken for the new St. Luke’s photo directory! It has been a while since we had a photo directory done, and this is the year. Bettinger Photography has made it very easy to get your photos in. You have the opportunity to contact their studio directly, if you want to have your picture done in studio, or you may schedule a time when they will be at St. Luke’s. There are 2 ways to reach their studio: phone 303-733-6076, or online at www.bettingerphoto.com and click on ‘scheduler’ select St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and schedule a time convenient for you. Their studio is located at 2431 South University Boulevard in Denver and they have indoor and outdoor venues. There will also be sign up times available at church, and you may schedule your appointment times for August 25, 26 and 27 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday.) They will be set up in the parish hall and there are a range of times available for portraits being made. Any way you schedule, let’s make this directory as complete as possible so that we all have a good reference for knowing each other!

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H ikers, Come Join Us!

Saturday June 11th 10 A.M.

Mount Falcon Park

(21004 Mt. Falcon Road)

Follow Hampden (US Hyw. 285) west to the Indian Hills turn-off (Parmalee Gulch Road). Follow 5 miles to Picutis

Road, then straight ahead to Mt. Falcon Road. There are picnic tables and restrooms. There are several trails to choose from. These

are easy trails to walk and you can see a great view of Denver from here. We will hike for a while, picnic for a while, and enjoy some Koinonia (fellowship). A great way to get to know each other.

M en’s Night Out

Friday June 10th 6:00 P.M.

The LeClaire Castle

(2545 Beeler Street)

Mike LeClaire has graciously opened his home for us

to converge. He is providing some hamburgers and adult beverages. The rest of us can bring a side dish, dessert, snack, whatever. If you have a favorite beverage you want, bring it along. If you would like to grill something other than a burger,

bring it, too. If you have a special little lady, get her something nice for letting you go out with the boys for an evening.

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A n Invitation from the Daughters of the King

Cathi Long Secretary, Daughters of the King Traditionally the St. Luke’s Blessed Mary Our Mother Chapter of the Daughters of the King break from our monthly meetings during the summer months to enjoy time with our families and much needed vacation time. This summer, we have decided to offer monthly discussion and study of the membership materials to help and encourage any and all women who worship at St. Luke’s decide if a call to the Daughters of the King organization might be something to consider.

materials are required, no study is required and there is no cost in our program. If you have ever considered this quiet, prayer based calling, we encourage you to come to our meetings this summer. Even if you can’t commit to the three month series we encourage you to come to any one or two gatherings as your life may allow. It is not necessary to let us know if you are coming; however, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our chapter’s President, Anne Janssen, at 720-581-6397 or at weopendoors@comcast.net.

These are friendly, prayer based gatherings where we consider the prayer needs of our congregation, family and friends and prayerfully share time in fellowship. The materials that we will be covering include who the Daughters of the King are as an organization, the history of the organization and its founders, the outreach and fellowship of the organization, and how we can implement the mission and practices of the organization to our congregation. We will be meeting the first Saturday of June, July and August from 10:00 until noon in the parish Library. No

S ummertime Picnics in Parks!

Patricia Colella Stewardship Committee Member Mass in the Grass will be a traveling show this year! With many date and location options we hope everyone will be able to attend a location near or in their neighborhood. This is a great opportunity to experience the richness of our St. Luke’s community

and August. Stay tuned for an insert in the Sunday bulletin in mid-June with the complete schedule. Can’t make the one in your neighborhood? No worries! You’re welcome to attend any one that suits your schedule!

outside the church walls and connect with other parishioners who live near you, all while enjoying worship, fellowship and your picnic supper together! The kids can play, families can eat and you can finally learn the name of that new face you’ve seen on Sundays! We are planning on 6 or 7 locations, on different weekday evenings and weekends during July

Do you have information to share with the Parish? Is there a special celebration coming up in your life? Get it into the office by the 15th of the month for inclusion in the Lark.

The Lark is Published Monthly

Our Mission “To restore all people to unity with God and each other in Jesus Christ.”

S t. Luke’s Staff:

The Rev. Dr. Douglas R. Dunn, Rector

The Rev. Sandy Blake, Assisting Priest

Thomas Strickland, Director of Music Ministries

Fabian Gilchrist, C.C.A., Parish Administrator

Suzanne Bady, Bulletin Coordinator

Bob Blatherwick, Director of Worship Ministries

Dr. Gordon Tucker, Jr., Director of Christian Formation

Ben Edwards, Youth Director

Laura Olivanti, Nursery Supervisor

Phone 303-355-2331 Fax 303-355-5388

S ervice Times:

Sunday 7:45 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist

9:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Coffee Time

10:15 Youth Group

Tuesday 9:30 a.m. Contemplative Prayer

10:00 a.m. Worship