Vigil to Remember - Amazon S32018/Shepherd...Vigil to Remember Victims of Gun Violence in Georgia...

Vigil to

Remember

Victims of Gun Violence in Georgia

Friday, June 1Noon - 2 pm | Liberty Plaza

i n s i d e t h i s i s s u e

st. lukes episcopal church • 435 peachtree st. ne • atlanta, ga 30308 • 404.873.7600 • www.stlukesatlanta.org

A twice monthly newsletterJune 1, 2018

Parish News .................................. 2IHAD Wrap Up ............................. 3Calendar ......................................... 4Birthdays ........................................ 5Sojourners ...................................... 6Messy Games Photos ..................... 7Children and Youth ....................... 8

Messy Games is one of my family’s favorite traditions here at St. Luke’s. It is a free pass. It is sanctified time to play with complete abandon. No one is going to tell you to be careful, to stay within the bounds, or to keep your clothes clean. It is the chance to fully embody from head to toe – fun, silly, crazy, soul-restorative play. The massive grins, the gleeful laughs, the playful gallops that come from the kids at Messy Games, and the mirroring smiles on the adults’ faces, speak to the spiritually nourishing dynamic of play.

When was the last time you played? Adults need recess too. Some-thing happens as we grow into adulthood and take on the responsibil-

ity for ourselves and our children. We decide it is time to get serious, get to work and fill our time knocking out our endless to-do lists. As a young adult I was an AmeriCorps volunteer in L.A. and lived with five other AmeriCorps Volunteers. We took on a Rule of Life (an under-standing for how we would share our lives and resources together) and in that rule of life we promised to share three meals together each week, to have weekly Bible study, and to have a monthly time of play together as a community. We were good about sharing the meals, the weekly gatherings, and worshiping together, but the time of play we actually forgot about on a regular basis. We became focused on our jobs and other obligations, and finding time to play together felt frivolous. But when we were able to get out and play – (a putt putt golf game or an evening on the Santa Monica boardwalk) it had a positive lasting impact on our quality of life together.

Do you have time dedicated to play? I am not talking about working out; that’s different. Play is without purpose. How do you play? What did you enjoy playing as a child?

The National Institute for Play offers this definition of play:

Play is something done for its own sake. It’s voluntary, it’s pleasurable, it offers a sense of engagement, it takes you out of time. And the act itself is more import-ant than the outcome.

Play involves tapping into something deeper within ourselves. When we find our passion, when we find what makes us playful, we discover joy and fun and experience moments of vulnerability. In play, we engage our bodies, our minds, each other, and the world simply for the fun in it, for the joy of it. Playfulness is a practice that shapes our spirits – it connects us to one another and brings us to places of wonder, moments of joy, experiences of peace. Play is an important spiritual discipline, a form of prayer– as the mere act of play takes us out of time, and connects us to the great joy, wonder, and peace we experience as children of God playing in God’s marvelous, wonderful Creation.

And if you still need more convincing as to why play in adulthood is important, research has found that play makes us more productive, it is a means of reducing stress, maintains our social well-being (it connects us) and contributes to our overall well-being. If playing games or doing puzzles is your thing, studies suggest these forms of play help to maintain memory and thinking skills. Evolution has biologically wired us to play so that we can con-tinue to learn new things, make new connections and not just survive, but thrive.

So, let’s get in touch with our inner child and re-discover forms of play in our lives. Con-sider how you might incorporate forms of play more into your daily life – institute a “recess” of your own to nurture your innate curiosity, open yourself to experiences of joy and wonder and see God in the world around us all. See you around the playground!

♥

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Staff InformationSt. Luke’s Episcopal Church

404-873-7600

The Rev. Dan Matthews, Jr.Rector

Beth Elliot Rector’s Executive Assistant

and Liturgy Assistant404-873-7610 | [email protected]

2018 Vestry

Clergy

The Rev. Elizabeth Shows CaffeyLiturgy and Education

404-873-7612 | [email protected]

The Rev. Horace L. GriffinPastoral Care and Outreach


Staff

Caitlin Dowling, Music Associate404-873-7600 | [email protected]

Valerie Freer, Receptionist/Admin. Assistant404-873-7600 | [email protected]

Brian Hummel, Manager of Facilities Support404-873-7647 | (c) 404-291-0059

Michelle Jemmott, Manager of Office Admin.404-873-7616 | [email protected]

Colleen Kingston, Assistant for Children’s Music


Kristin Lennon, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministries


David Lowry, Parish Administrator404-873-7663 | [email protected]

Mark Simmons, Director of Stewardship & Membership


Dr. Arlan J. Sunnarborg, Director of Music404-873-7620 | [email protected]

Priscilla Tennant, Administrative Assistant404-873-6711 | [email protected]

Hala Hess White, Director of Communications404-873-7630 | [email protected]

Scott Inman, Senior WardenRichard Lee, Junior Warden

Mignon Crawford, Treasurer Cap Putt, Finance Chair

Pat BrumbaughC.J. CashRussell CurreySara KennedyAnn Kimsey

Sue McAvoyCarolle PerkinsSusanna RobertsNeil SchemmDrew Vann

Parish News

We had a glorious - and VERY busy - Sunday on May 6. It was Senior Sunday and our graduating high schoolers and acolytes were honored. Se-nior Katie Earles preached (and if you missed it, be sure to watch or listen to the recording on-line), reminding us what a blessing it is to truly grow up in a church - in the same one. We also had the 5th Grade Bible Presentation, celebrat-ing our rising 6th graders as they finish up in the Children’s program and move on to the Youth Group. And, this is just a glimpse of the day!

St. Luke’s sponsoring Vigil to call attention to gun violence in Georgia

As most of you know, St. Luke’s holds a monthly prayer service to pray for peace from gun violence and terrorism. As part of it, we pray – by name – for each person who has died in Georgia in the previous month because of gun violence. The list can be daunting.

Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 1 and feeling compelled to acknowledge all of these many people for whom we have prayed, St. Luke’s is sponsoring an Inter-Faith Vigil at Liberty Plaza from noon until 2 p.m. We will read the names of all of the people who died because of gun violence in our state in 2017. We do this to honor the dead, but also to remember the families they left behind. We hope to have leaders of all faiths, all denominations, and all regions of Georgia participate in giving voice to these names.

You are invited to join us in this vigil – and to invite others who might be interested - as we all continue to work to discern a way forward in reducing the number of senseless deaths from guns.

The Abundant Life of St. Luke’s

YOUNG ADULTS BRUNCH The first Sunday of each month we meet for brunch following the 11:15 a.m. service at Holler & Dash (1085 Howell Mill Rd.). Join us! Questions? Contact Hughes Miller ([email protected]) or Robert Jimison ([email protected]).

Young Adult activities are intended for folks between the ages of 21-38. If that’s you, come join us!

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The national “I Have A Dream”® Foundation was launched in 1986 to ensure that all children, especially those from low income communities, would have the opportunity to pursue higher education, fulfill their po-tential, and achieve their dreams. In 2001, two historic, downtown Atlanta churches formed a partnership to provide academ-ic, cultural and spiritual support for 60 students attending A. D. Williams Elemen-tary School. These children were born into disadvantaged situations with low odds of success. The idea was to level the playing field a bit and increase those odds. The promise was to mentor, tutor and nourish these “Dreamers” through high school and beyond. Quite proba-bly, like other “I Have A Dream”® (IHAD) chapters, neither the Dreamers nor the churches knew what a long and sometimes difficult journey we would have together - a good thing - for if we had known what we were in for, we might not have tackled this bold undertaking!

How have things worked out? From that group of 60 students, 38 graduated from high school (their elementary school prin-cipal estimated that 10%, or 6 kids, would graduate HS). By May, 2018, ten Dreamers will have graduated from a 4-yr college with a bachelor’s degree, six completed a 2-year associate’s degree (one of whom later graduated college), five completed and one is currently enrolled in vocational training programs. Not bad for a group of 2nd graders with the odds stacked against them! Let’s go back to the beginning.Back to the future

The idea to start an IHAD chapter was initiated by The Rev. Spenser Simrill, then rector of St. Luke’s, and The Rev. Joseph Roberts, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church (EBC), with considerable encour-agement from Llew Haden, president of the national “I Have A Dream”® Founda-tion and a member of St. Luke’s. The A. D. Williams Chapter was the first in the nation formed as a result of the collaboration of

two churches. The groundwork was laid by the original sponsors: Malcolm Edwards and Jeronia Blue from St. Luke’s and Nancy Jones from EBC who hired our first project coordinator (PC), Alfred Vines. This lead-ership team recruited numerous mentors and other volunteers and established an after-school program. At this point, all the Dreamers lived in Bowen Homes and all attended A. D. Williams Elementary School. The program was launched on October 11, 2001 in the school gymnasium amid much fanfare including press coverage. Christine King Farris, sister of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was present for the occasion.

The elementary school years were

instructive as numerous visitors came to speak to the Dreamers at the after-school program. Among these were Mayor Shir-ley Franklin and Margaret Clifford, great granddaughter of Booker T. Washington and St. Luke’s member. These were fun times, as we visited Zoo Atlanta and the girls had tea at the Ritz Carlton. Each year we held a Christmas Party at the Bowen Homes Community Center, featuring Christmas caroling led by Malcolm Edwards and his strong, baritone voice. Near the end of the elementary school years, our IHAD fam-ily received quite a shock as our beloved project coordinator Nancy Jones died very unexpectedly. Two of our yearly awards, the Nancy Jones Achievement Award and the Malcolm Edwards Communication Award are given each year to commemorate the lasting impact these two individuals had on our program.

Then came the middle school years and “Diaspora I” - the big transition from one el-ementary school to (eventually) ten middle

schools. Vivian Scruggs answered the call and came out of retirement to suc-ceed Nancy as project coordinator, and we immediately set about the task of finding the Dreamers in their new loca-tions. Once located, we discovered that many Dreamers were already failing to keep pace academically, and a new emphasis on tutoring took shape, both from volunteers and professionals. This tutoring effort was to become standard operating procedure throughout the middle school and high school years. About this same time, John Stewart re-placed Malcolm whose health was start-ing to fail. Next came the big transition from middle school to high school and “Diaspora II,” as the Atlanta Housing Authority closed Bowen Homes, relo-cating families throughout the city. The

Dreamers eventu-ally settled in thir-ty high schools, but “Once a Dreamer, always a Dreamer,” and we did our best to be a continu-ing presence in the lives of these sixty young people. Another fixture was the Third Saturday

Activity which focused on educational, cultural or fun outings, such as the visit to King Tut’s Tomb (in the Civic Center), the Summer Swim Party, and reporting the news at Georgia Public Broadcast-ing where each Dreamer was filmed as co-anchor of the broadcast.

As for any non-profit organization, fundraising was always a priority. Dream Auctions at St. Luke’s, the Party with a Purpose at EBC, and the Rhythm and Dreams event at GPB - all of which were supported by numerous members of both congregations - went a long way toward meeting our financial needs. Many thanks are due Nancy Zintak, Lisa Turner, Rev. Raphael Warnock, sponsor Tanya Palmer and a host of others for orchestrating these events. Also, our “IHAD Angel,” Anita Jones, was a huge factor with her love for the Dreamers, her total commitment to IHAD and her financial support. The Anita Jones Outreach Award is given each year in

From Second Grade to Today: St. Luke’s Eyes the Finish Line

for Its Program of Support for Dreamers

continues on page 6

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From time to time, St. Luke’s publishes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and photos of church members in the church bulletin, newsletter, directory and other church communications. As a policy, we will not use names with photos of children.

If you do not want us to use your information in communica-tions, please email David Lowry, Parish Administrator at:

[email protected]

1 Scott InmanSusan BelmonteChris MorganMiranda TroyBo SchillKiki SchillLuz Culpepper2Marilyn GristBill GristRogers Toy, IIIAndy FordhamAlex Cann, JrJack JenningsZach Massey, IIIBlake Young3Warren WilliamsRichard TurnerJames VaughtThomas ClowerWilliam Bryan, IIIHollie HollisCaroline HowardSarah McDuffieElliot DennisDale Williams4Susan DuckwallSarah Turner McKay Johnson5Bob WickerAnnelies SchellingerhoudtChase Brock6Jeff HopperFlavia GunterA. George Norman, IIIMatthew BoyerSarah CookScott McLeodTommy Davis

7Jennifer McCoyAngela BarringerRod GanskeAllie HorneAllie McFarling HorneZan FoosheeBob FoosheeCharlie Holder8Frederick WillardJohn LivingstoneBrett WilliamsJimmy SatterwhiteMegan Patterson9Jodi WeymanEmery AlstonErin RaittRyan RasheedRegina FinanErin Mueller10Margot GraettingerHarry SmithPhilip LamsonBobby MaysLaura GilesSeth Mellen, IVWestlin Gifford11Snow BenedictStuart AlstonJeff AshworthPam ShaheenDwayne TurnerSusanna RobertsKenzie BigginsWill HollemanHaley Carr

12Tom Claiborne, Jr.Denise NeelyLiz PortwoodPoncie AnsleyAustin BryanJohn O. IzlarChase Kiseljack, IV13Becca EilandFrank FernandezKim NelsonCaitlin McClurePrice O’KeeffeKate Lockett14Meg PrinceCJ Finan, Jr15Elaine FendtStephanie HillhouseJulia TurnerPenson Sherrill16Al SherrodAllison EzellDaphne ZintakBenjamin Lewis17Mike WigginsJack GreshamRachel MedleyOwen Bryant-MolyneauxHana Strack18Roy Walton, Sr.Jim WinerSharla JacksonBeth ShorthouseAmy DuckwallWilliam FryGeorge Smalley

26Nancy HowardMichele SouthwellFielding ArnoldAddie Eiland27Barbara Culmer-IlawMary Hair GrahamElizabeth MurphyDon Rigger, Jr.28Mary BallSharon McClureJohn EarlesRichard Rowe, JrMarcus EvansMason TurnerNina Petiot29Austin BunchPaul IzlarConner BallHolly ByrdKortney Watkins Greg GunterJasmin CunninghamGrace Lockhart30Arthur GriffithEmily HuieKinley RobertsVan Lanier

June Birthdays

We celebrate the lives that make up the community of St. Luke’s Church.

19Ginny SikesJeffrey GloverWytch RiggerSydney Marie JonesRyan Nelson20Jack Noland21Brad CurreyAnnie MableyAmy DoylePeter Duncan22Chris CopleyMarie HolbeinJudi HolleyDel HawkinsClaire Marie HuffLori Beth WisemanSteely Hawkins, IIIHenry Portwood, Jr.23Rachel WrightRussell CurreyLuke Hutchison24Bob UrbanGeorge Weidman, IIIVincent Dobbs, Jr.Frederick BartelsRobert KennedyMaura GunterNick ZamboniElizabeth Temple25Sam AllenRich GreeneDondra HayesAshley RuysDavis Nunneley

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to

peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 14:19

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Thursday, June 14 - Dinner @ EATaliano Kitchen - 7 p.m.Come enjoy some delicious dining in Brighton Park. EATaliano Kitchen (located at 2480 Briarcliff Rd., near I-85 & N. Druid Hills) is a stand-out destination for those seeking the best Italian cuisine Atlanta has to offer! Choose from hardy Italian comfort foods, signature pizzas and salads, traditional pasta dishes, as well as a lovingly curated wine selection. Expect moderate prices and excellent service. More information at eatalia-nokitchen.com. Sojourner reservation required by Sunday, June 10. Coordinator: Mary Anne Edwards. Friday, June 29 — Jazz on the Lawn at Callanwolde — 7:30 p.m. The Jazz on the Lawn outdoor series showcases a mix of classic and contemporary jazz, swing, fusion, Latin and blues. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Callanwolde’s grounds, we'll picnic together, and then unwind to live music performed by singer/song-writer Diane Durrett. BYO blanket/chair and picnic. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 in advance online (recommended) or $25 at the door (debit/credit only.) For more information: callanwolde.org/jazz-on-the-lawn. Rain or shine! Sojourner reserva-tion required by Tuesday, June 26. Coordinators: Jeff Hopper and Elaine Swobe. Thursday, July 5 - Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare TavernTwo pairs of lovers and a rag-tag group of thespians find themselves in the woods right as the fairy kingdom has quarreling leaders. Fun time! The play starts at 7:30 p.m.but doors open at 6:15 p.m. for time to eat and socialize. Cost $15 for General Admission. Call the Tavern at 404-874-5299 for tickets. More information at www.shakespeare-tavern.com. Sojourner reservation required by Sunday, July 1. Coordinator: Donna Church.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL EVENTS: There are three convenient ways to sign up:

• Add your name to the sign-up sheet in the Reception Area outside the Parish Hall (most Sundays)• Call the St. Luke’s reservation line (404-873-7777, ext. 4).• Send an email to [email protected].

Always include the names of all attending, your phone number and email address, and the name of the

event. The coordinator will contact ev-eryone via email prior to the event; this

is why we need your email address!

her memory.Under the direction of Vicky Jackson, who joined us as

program director, the high school Dreamers participated in numerous service projects. They planted trees, engaged in clean-up campaigns, and worked at the Atlanta Community

Food Bank. As high school gradua-tion approached, college visits were a priority for many Dreamers. Vicky arranged trips to many colleges and junior colleges in Atlanta and in the southeast such as Morehouse, SCAD, Savannah State, Abraham Baldwin, Tuskegee, West Georgia and many more. Vicky also took several Dream-ers to “I Have A Dream” conferences in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Boulder, CO. In many cases, these trips were the

first time our Dreamers had ventured outside the state or traveled by air. While we are proud of our ten college graduates, we are particularly proud that 38 of the Dream-ers received high school diplomas. Many of them have had either some college experience or vocational training and have a plan for their lives.

The Sponsors would like to give special thanks posthu-mously to Ahmed Johnson, Terri Woods and Jean Cooper for their efforts in the early years - including driving the EBC bus to those Third Saturday gatherings! Also, at STL’s, work-ing largely behind the scenes was the “Dynamic Duo” of Beth McDonald and Deborah Strack, making the Dreamer portraits happen and helping Vicky with numerous events.

Ted Warren has also been a faithful supporter, and the Beth Angela Warren Award is given each year in memory of his daughter. Also special recognition is due Kevin Stacia who has been an active member of the Advisory Board for the last 17 years.

The A. D. Williams Chapter of “I Have A Dream”® is more than a program; it is a ministry. Thanks be to God for sending men-tors, coaches, tutors, driv-ers, donors, speakers, board mem-bers and those with spiritual guidance. Lastly, the sponsors would like to thank the sixty Dreamers and their families who have gone on this journey with us. While we have tried to level the playing field and provide opportunities which they might not otherwise have had, it was these young people who made our program a success. Their presence will be a living testament to “I Have A Dream” for many years to come.

Sponsors (St. Luke’s): John Stewart, Jeronia Blue, Malcolm Edwards. Sponsors (Ebenezer): Tanya Palmer, Elva Thurman, Carolyn Lake, Nancy Jones. Program Directors / Project Coordinators: Vicky Jackson, Carletta Hurt, Vivian Scruggs, Nancy Jones, Alfred Vines.

Dreamers, continued from page 3.

“Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, St. Luke’s welcomes you.”

Pastoral Crisis or Concerns?Call Beth Elliott at 404-873-7610, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., weekdays: X To connect with our Pastoral Care staff for such things as illness, hospitalization, miscarriage, divorce, unemployment;X To add a name to our parish prayer list or;X To have someone placed on the St. Luke’s Intercessory Prayer list to be prayed for daily.

After-hours and on weekends, call the church at 404-873-7600 to get the name and number of the priest on call.

May God bless you and comfort you in your difficult times as well as your joyful ones.

X

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit 486 Atlanta, GA435 Peachtree St. NE

Atlanta, GA 30308-3228

To Submit Articles

E-mail Hala Hess White [email protected]

or call 404-873-7630 to submit articles.

Deadline for the June 15issue is:

Wednesday, May 30by noon.

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From June 11 – 15, St. Luke’s will transform into a Peace Lab, where children will learn God’s

way of peace!

Register online for this half-day program filled with music, games, art,

storytelling, and science.

EYC Summer EventsCrossroads Service ProjectSunday, June 10 | 10:15 – 11 AM (between services)Meet in the High School Room to assemble toiletry kits for Cross-roads. Field DaysSunday, June 3 | 5 – 7 PMMeet at Iverson Park for kickball and other games at 5pm.From there, we’ll walk over to Fellini’s on McLendon for dinner. Sunday, July 8 | 5 – 7 PMMeet at the home of John & Alison Earles for games and dinner.1541 Fordham Ct NE Atlanta, GA 30306

Sunday, July 22 | 5 – 7 PMMeet at the home of John & Alison Earles for games and dinner. Sunday, August 5 | 5 – 7 PMMeet at Iverson Park for a Kickball Game against Epiphany’s Youth Group. Victory dinner to follow at Fellini’s.

Diocesan Tubing TripSaturday, August 4 | Time TBDPlan to carpool from the church in the morning.

Diocesan Summer Events Bridge from Congregation to College2018 High School Graduates, let the diocese know where you will be headed in the fall. Whether attending college or not, we want to make sure you connect with a young adult community. Fill out the form online from the Sign Up tab and stay connected. atlSERVE 2018 | June 24-27 at All Saints’ Atlanta | $150atlSERVE is the diocese’s annual summer missional experience. This week of service teaches our middle schoolers and high schoolers how to better serve our communities and how we can be better disciples of Christ. Participants live in the youth space of All Saints’ Atlanta. This state-of-the-art youth space has a basketball court, movie screen, pool tables, ping pong tables, kitchen, showers, and ample sleeping space. Register from the Sign Up tab on the St. Luke’s webpage.

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