LUKE'S LOG for October, 2007 - (electronic version)

My dear friends,

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  That’s how St. Paul began some of his letters.  Not a bad way to begin, with grace and peace. “Grace” refers to God’s favor, God’s help, unearned yet freely given.  “Peace” refers, not so much to an absence of strife, but to the presence of abundance, of healthy relationships, and of security, as in the Hebrew word Shalom.

            That is what Paul prayed for his friends, and what I pray for you and me.  The saints tell us, and demonstrate to us, that grace and peace can be experienced in circumstances that are outwardly disastrous.  Whether facing the lions in the Coliseum, or the loss of loved ones, or devastating illness, or personal failure, some people live with an inner serenity, and even joy, that non-Christians have difficulty understanding.  That’s what I pray for us.

            When our security is in our relationship with God, other losses and disappointments can hurt but cannot destroy that central part of our identity which is founded in Jesus Christ. 

            I am touched by how often I see the grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ at work in you.  I see the fruit of it not only in patience and hope, but also in generosity.  So often you are generous with your time, your money, your affection.  You make the people around you feel valued and respected.  You make Grants Pass a healthier place to live.  You are signs and bearers of God’s love.

            So I simply thank God for his gifts of grace and peace in our midst, thank God for the fruit they bring forth, and pray that the abundance will continue, as I expect it will.

            Please plan on joining your vestry and other parish leaders on Saturday, October 13, at 6:30 pm, for a fine dinner, a gift from John Kirschner and several others, and to hear from Canon George Hemingway and the Visioning Team, who will have spent Friday evening and Saturday, looking to the future callings of our parish.  We’re calling it the “Anticipation Dinner.” This will also be a kick-off for the fall Stewardship program.  Come for fine food and fellowship, and some exciting glimpses of where God might be calling St. Luke’s in the next several years.  And, we want more than just the Vestry on the Visioning Team. Perhaps you.  Call me or Dennis James to learn more.    

Faithfully yours, 

RUMMAGE SALE REPORT       
The all parish rummage sale on September 22 was a great success.  We raised a little over $800 for the Gospel Rescue Mission building program, passed a good deal of excellent stock for their thrift store, protected the earth by good recycling, blessed a lot of customers, and had some fun.  We had just enough help, but would have been glad of getting more than enough.  Thanks to all who contributed. 

DEREK SEALS
Please keep Derek in your prayers.  Derek’s grandmother, Joanna Gullock, send updates by e-mail, so if you are on the church’s e-mail list, we will be sending out these to you.  A web site is available for everyone to check on his progress.  You can go to: www.caringbridge.org and click on visit and then type in derekseals and enjoy the site.  Amy will be updating the site.  If you would like to help the Seals family, an account has been set-up at U S Bank in Derek’s name.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
Daughters of the King meet on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7:00pm.  Meetings are held at the home of Marlies Wilson, 119 Briarwood Way. If you need directions, you can call Marlies at 474-1090. All women of the church are welcome.  Please check the calendar in the Log or call the church office at 476-2493.

WELCOME TO THE DIOCESE
The Diocese has produced a wonderful brochure which you will find in the Narthex.  It has a map of all the Episcopal Churches and Missions in our diocese, which is great if you are traveling throughout the diocese and would like to find a church to attend.  It also tells about our faith and our mission for the diocese.  Please pick one up and see what our diocese has to offer.

CROP WALK IS HERE!!
The 20th annual Grants Pass CROP Walk to aid the needy will be at 1:00pm on Sunday, October 7th. Twenty-five percent of the funds generated remain in Josephine County to support local hunger programs. The rest will go to Church World Service, which assists the needy on the national and international levels.

Contact Marlies Wilson at 474-1090 if you have any questions. She is recruiting both walkers and sponsors for this annual event.

WINDOW DEDICATION
On Sunday, September 9, 2007 a stained glass window was dedicated to June “Ginger” Reinach, a faithful member of St. Luke’s.  Thank you to Phyllis Harkson, a long time friend of Ginger’s, for refurbishing and having the window dedicated in memory of Ginger.

SUNDAY SCHOOL
St. Luke’s Church School is off to a good start for the new season.  Classes were offered all summer for younger students.  We are now offering four classes:  Nursery, Pre-school and First Grade, Second to Fifth Grade, and Youth.  Their head teachers are, respectively, Karma Flick, Jen Roberts, Laurel Samson and Pam Boston.  Laurel is also curriculum director and Jen is administrator.  We could use more help from assistant and substitute teachers.  Call the office or any of the staff, especially Jen Roberts, to learn more. 

FROM OUR PARISH NURSE  
 
Frances Osborne

WHO IS IN CHARGE?

When you are young and you get sick you go to the doctor, he orders medication or a course of treatment and you usually get better.  As you get older, things begin to change and cures are not so easily found.  Instead your physician becomes your advisor and consultant as he tries to find a course of treatment that will make you feel better and relieve your symptoms.

In essence, he becomes a member of your team working to find those treatments that will prove most helpful to you.  You are still the captain of that team and it can include any number of people such as Therapists, Dieticians, Counselors, Ministers, family and friends.  You hold the lead position and it is up to you to follow their instructions and recommendations.

You can also use a lot of simple safe treatments to help you.  Heating pads, support stockings, knee supports are but a few examples of things that might help you.  You can combine these types of treatments with a good diet and reasonable exercise to relieve your symptoms then your doctor can enhance your efforts with medication and possibly surgical intervention.  Your doctor is an important part of that team, but, it is up to you to put everything together for your benefit.  After all, the doctor isn’t going to be there to see that you eat correctly, but your family should help you.  A therapist is not going to be there to see that you exercise correctly.  However, your friends can help you stay the course.  Therapists and dieticians can advise you about what is correct for you, but it is up to you to exercise appropriately, eat properly, use support stockings and take your medications as prescribed.  So step up to the plate, and take charge of your life.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

Duncan Fuller 10/3   

If during the past year we have missed any child’s birthday, we apologize.  However, we do need to update our birthday list. So, please call the office with the child’s name and birth date.  Thank you.

COMMUNITY RECYCLING CENTER
The Gospel Rescue Mission has been able to reopen their recycling center at 1010 SW Foundry Street.  Their hours are Monday – Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm, Saturday 9:00am to 3:00pm.  They accept the following materials:
Aluminum: such as beverage cans, pet food containers, pot & pans, pie plates, window and door frames. NO aluminum foil.
Clothing, linens, hats & shoes: in resalable condition. NO rags or items with paint or grease.
Copper, brass & bronze
Corrugated cardboard: moving boxes. NO waxed or greasy cardboard or paperboard items such as cereal boxes.
Paper products: computer paper, newspaper, junk mail or magazines.
Plastics: #1, 2, 4 containers such as milk jugs that are rinsed, pallet wrap, shopping bags.  NO Styrofoam.

For a more extensive list you can call them at 955-1091.

MEN’S MONDAY MORNING BREAKFAST        
The Men’s breakfast meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month and occasionally on a 5th Monday. Breakfast is at the Gold Miner Cafe on the corner of 7th and “M” streets at 8:15. If you have any questions, you can call the office at 476-2493

FROM THE ALTAR GUILD
Thank you to all of you who have signed up for flowers and Sanctuary candles.  If either of these are for a special occasion or in honor of or memory of someone, please call the office at 476-2493 so that it may be noted in the Sunday Bulletin.  If you have any questions about flowers or the candles, please call Flo Graham at 479-1493.

WHAT’S ON THE CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER     

October 7th                  :  CROP Walk
October 4-7                 :  Co-ed Cursillo @ St. Thomas in Eugene, OR
October 12                   :  Rev. George Hemingway on Congregational Development 7:00PM
October 13                   :  Rev. George Hemingway on Congregational Development
   9:00AM-5:30PM
October 13                   :  Anticipation Dinner @ St. Luke’s 6:30PM

COMING LATER

November 8-10                       :  Diocesan Convention & Ministry fair @ Salem Conference Center
November 11                 :  Celebration Dinner in Parish Hall – concluding Stewardship Drive
November 30               :  Photo Directory
December 1                 :  Photo Directory

BIBLE STUDIES FOR ADULTS:

The Bible
Deacon Joani’s Wednesday morning Bible study is meeting at 10:00am in the Guild Room. Joani and the group are working their way through the Bible.  There will be NO CLASSES on October 3rd, 10th, or 17th.  When the class returns on October 24th, they will be starting with the Book of Job and then on to the wisdom literature.  All are welcome.

Genesis
The group meets at 7:00pm at the home of Dan & Joan Collins at 531 Crestview Loop.  New comers are welcome.  Call Dan and Joan Collins at 476-6169 if you have any questions or need directions to their home. 

MUSIC NOTES 

Choir
Choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 5:30pm.  We hope to be able to do some a cappella pieces, as well as things incorporating other instruments, such as handbells, drums, strings, the praise band, flutes, guitars, etc.  Please come and join us.

Bell Choir
The Handbell Choir rehearses at 4:30pm on Wednesdays. New members are welcome.   We hope to get bigger and better.  Children are encouraged to join us.  If you would like to learn more as well as have a lot of fun, call Edla at 761-6490

Praise and Worship Musicians
If you are interested in participating, please contact Ulf Bjorklund at 476-5012 for practice times.

Children Choir
Our Children’s Choir has been learning together after the 10:30 service, and will continue to do so on most summer Sundays.  New singers are welcome.

Church Photo Directory
Olan Mills Photographers will be at St. Luke’s to do a new Church Directory.  They will be here on Friday, November 30th  from 3:00PM – 9:30PM and Saturday, December 1st  from 10:00AM – 5:00PM. If you would like to have pictures taken for Christmas gifts, they guarantee that you will have them in time for mailing.  David Sloan has kindly agreed to be our coordinator for the directory.  If you are unable to be at either photo session and would like to be in the new directory, please call David at 476-2426.  

SMALL PRAYERS            by Fran Turney

Lord, when I cannot stop to pray accept the phrases murmured in my heart.
Almighty Father, know I am aware each moment of your faithful presence.
Somewhere in my being words slip out soft voices overheard.
They rise amid the thud and slap of shaken rugs, running water, phone’s demand, loud engines and shrill tongues.
Strange, how these small prayers spoken in the tumult of my day recall, great triune God, how you once walked the earth like me and drank from common wells.
Words spoken when I feel them keep you intimately near.  Amen.

TRACTS IN OUR NATHEX

How to Pray for our Children
            For all grandparents, parents, aunts & uncles, godparents, everyone who is lovingly concerned about just how to go about praying for a child, this concise booklet gives the loving and simple answers.  The author is a mother of two, and recognizes the wide array of circumstances we bring to the God about children.  Her responses come from having sought simple, straightforward ways to respond to all the issues that come up in the lives of children and those who love them.

The Bible: A book about us, a book about God.
            If the idea of reading the Bible is daunting to you, the first part of this tract may possibly reinforce that feeling.  Please read on however, because the author not only gives some very good ways to approach reading the Bible, he gives us some excellent reasons to do so.  Of course, here at St. Luke’s there are also three Bible Study groups available for you to join.

A PROFILE: FRANCES OSBORNE

Frances was born on October 6th, 1936 in Huntington Park, a suburb of Los Angeles.  She lived there until she graduated from high school, after which she attended Bishop Johnson College of Nursing at the Hospital of the Good Samaritan. 

She graduated in 1957 and a year later started working at Alaskan Health Services which is part of the U.S. Public Health Services, in Nome, Sitka, Barrow, and Anchorage.  While working in Anchorage, she met Robert Osborne and in 1961 they were married.  In 1964 they moved back to Los Angeles so that Bob could complete his education.  While in Los Angeles, their daughter Victoria was born and they also welcomed a baby boy that they adopted and named Robert, Jr.

After Bob graduated with his teaching credentials they moved to Eureka, Nevada in the central part of the state.  Eureka was a tiny town with a population of about 200 people.  Bob taught school while Frances worked part-time as a nurse.

After several years in Eureka, they moved to Gardenerville, Nevada and Frances started work as a public health nurse for Douglas County, a position she held for 20 years.  While in Gardenerville, she became very active at Coventry Cross Episcopal Church, the local 4H group, the local women’s club, and many other activities.

In 1992, Frances and Bob retired and moved to Cave Junction to be closer to family. While in Cave Junction she and Bob became active at St. Matthias’.   In 2002 they moved to Grants Pass and joined St. Luke’s.  Soon after she became St. Luke’s Parish Nurse, a program associated with Three Rivers Community Hospital.  Parish Nurse is a roll that she enjoys along with other activities and worship at St. Luke’s.  She and Bob also enjoyed camping, hiking and horseback riding when they were younger.  Now they enjoy being outdoors and sharing their life with family and friends.

Many times I have heard others ask for her opinion and help concerning health problems and her expert opinion has led many of us in the right direction as well as to the right doctor.  She does this in a very friendly and caring way.  She is not only our Parish Nurse but our friend.

Juliette Fischer Melia

OCTOBER IS FISH MONTH

FISH, the community based food pantry that St. Luke’s supports is fishing for volunteers. They are needed to help with tasks ranging from clerical/administrative to filling pantry orders for customers.  FISH is supported by various churches in the Grants Pass area and is based at Newman United Methodist Church.  FISH provides food and basic personal care items for hundreds of our neighbors in need every month.  Many of these are children of parents who work but have to stretch their wages to pay bills and other basic necessities.  At present, there are no volunteers from St. Luke’s helping in the pantry and FISH could sure use your help!  Fish is open to serve our community on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.  Do you have a few hours you can invest several times a month?  Please contact Nancy Livingood, St. Luke’s FISH representative, at 944-0862 for more information on how you can help. 

FISH Food Drive
Well, not “fish food” but food for FISH, the community pantry!  Feel free to bring your own bags full of contributions at any time.  Any nonperishable food items are welcome, but especially:
Canned stews, soups, meats, tuna, vegetables, and canned milk
Pasta, beans, or rice
Peanut butter, jams, crackers
Personal items: shampoo, soap, deodorant, toilet paper, diapers

If you prefer to make a financial contribution, please make your check payable to St. Luke’s and note “FISH” in the memo line.  If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Livingood, St. Luke’s FISH representative, at 944-0862.

On Thursday, September 13th at 7:38PM Sam and Amy Marsh welcomed Louisa Maria into the world.  Louisa weighed 6lb. 13 oz. and was 191/2 inches.  Amy said, “She’s awesome and absolutely perfect!”

Forgiveness – Who Needs It?
            This powerful booklet is an entire course on sin and forgiveness.  It discusses our modern preference for treating personal discomfort as “dis-ease” by means of a therapist, instead of looking more deeply into the causes and cure.  The author talks about the availability of God’s forgiveness, but only when we acknowledge that we need it.  If you feel a lack of satisfaction, of closeness, in your relationship with God, reading this made lead you to an important part of the solution.

Stop in the Narthex as you enter or leave the Church and look at the multitude of short publications available on the Tract Rack.  You’ll see leaflets about church history, personal spirituality, and practical aspects of living the Christian faith.  Some will answer questions about the Episcopal Church, some will address Christian marriage and parenting, and others are suitable
for giving to someone in the hospital or may be going through difficult times.  Also the August/September/ October edition of Forward Day By Day is available.  Help yourself.  Suggested prices are marked on each and you may leave your contribution in the labeled basket.  Also Glimpses is out.
           

CHURCH KEYS
If you have a door key to St. Luke’s or a key to the Sacristy and are not using it, please turn it into the office. 

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME
Daylight savings time ends on November 4, 2007

Dear Members and Friends of St. Luke’s:
            On September 20, our Treasurer, Mike Dawson, reported to the Vestry that if nothing is done, St. Luke’s could end the year with an operating fund deficit of as much as $8,000.  He proposed that he and the Senior Warden Dennis James send out a letter explaining the situation, the reasons for it (which are several), and asking that all of us to give, as we can, something extra, in order to close the gap.  You may see that letter before you see this one.  I hope you will read it and heed it.  I also want to add a few thoughts.
            First, we have been here before.  Sometimes we have been here and still ended the year “in the black”, sometimes not.  I fully expect that the final numbers will not be too far from the break-even point, because I know and rely on the faith and generosity of this congregation.
            Second, no matter what happens, this has been a marvelous year for St. Luke’s, financially and in every other way.  Our new front entrance, new landscaping, and new restrooms are only part of the story.  We have equipped young and old to live lives of faith, hope and love; we have worshiped God with both enthusiasm and dignity, and have been especially blessed by the talents of our new organist Don Corbett.  We have comforted those in need, challenged ourselves to excellence, and demonstrated our faith throughout Josephine County.  We are a community that welcomes nurtures and sends forth disciples of Christ.  It has been a very good year.
            Third, you may want some pastoral advice on how to figure out your own response to the letter you will receive from Mike and Dennis. 
            There are several approaches that I do not especially recommend.  One is to give from your “spare change”.  Another is look at a chart that says we need one $2000 gift, two $1,000 gifts, six at $500, and 50 smaller gifts and then decide where you fall.  It seems to me there are two better ways, one somewhat better and the other a lot better.
            The somewhat better approach is to give until you know you really are giving, and that means until you know you are giving up something of value, that you are giving sacrificially, in other words, “give ‘til it hurts”. 
            But, there is an even better way.  The root meaning of the word sacrifice is “something made holy to God”.  I find joy and wonder in the fact that I can give something to God, that I can bless the One who so blesses me.  And so the best advice on giving is not, “give ‘til it hurts” but rather, “give until it feels good”.  I’ve heard that called “hilarious giving”, from the Latin word for joy. 
            So, thank you for what you are and what you have done, and thank you for what we are as a parish community. I pray you much joy.

Faithfully yours,

CHURCH SEASONS
The Christian Church, following earlier Jewish traditions, has used the seasons of the year as an opportunity for festivals and holidays, sacred time set aside to worship God as the Lord of life.  While Jewish celebration revolves around the Exodus from Egypt, the Christian Church year focuses on the life and ministry of Jesus.

1.         ADVENT – beginning with the 4th Sunday before Christmas and ending Christmas Eve.
                        Theme:  Anticipating the Coming of the Lord
                        Color:    Purple or Blue.
2.         CHRISTMAS – from sundown on Dec. 24th until sundown on Jan. 5th.
                                    Theme:  Celebrating the Incarnation of God in Jesus Christ.
                        Color:    White.
3.         EPIPHANY – Jan. 6th and the week following, including our Lord’s Baptism on Sunday.
                        Theme:   Jesus manifests Himself as God.
                        Color:     White
4.         ORDINARY TIME (Sundays after Epiphany) – follows Epiphany and ends before Lent.
            Color:     Green.
5.         LENT – 40 day period before Easter.
                        Theme:   Retreating into the wilderness with Jesus, prepare for Holy Week.
                        Color:     Purple.
6.         HOLY WEEK – From Palm Sunday through Easter Eve, especially the Great Three Days       of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and the start of Easter.
                        Theme:   The Saving work of Jesus Christ
                        Color:    Passion Red or Purple, Black on Good Friday.
7.         EASTER – begins Easter Day and lasts 50 days ending with Pentecost.
                        Theme:    Celebrating the Resurrection of the Lord.
                        Color:      White.
8.         PENTECOST – 50th day after Easter.
                        Theme:     Empowerment by the Holy Spirit.
                        Color:       Red
9.         ORDINARY TIME (Sundays after Pentecost) – begins the day after Pentecost and ends          the day before Advent.
                        Theme:     The Church fulfilling the Great Commission.
                        Color:        Green.

Other Feasts of our Lord and of the saints fall through the year.  Most are celebrated on weekdays, but some, including the Annunciation, the Transfiguration and All Saints, plus some major saints days, can be observed on Sundays in Ordinary Time.

Diocese of Oregon 119th Convention
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
&
3rd Annual Mission and Ministry Fair
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Salem Conference Center, Salem Oregon

Dear Friends in Christ,
            Diocesan Convention will be here before we know it!  This year’s dates are November 8-10 at the Salem Conference Center.  Once again we are inviting you and the people of your congregation to participate in a diocesan-wide outreach project, but this year you have a choice.           People who enjoy doing hands-on projects are invited to collect supplies and assemble hygiene kits for Church World Service.  Please make certain to include $2.00 cash with each kit which is the amount needed for Church World Service to process and ship it.  [Flyers at Church.]
            As important as disaster relief is, there also is a desire among people of the Diocese of Oregon to focus on development issues, particularly the need for clean water around the world.  People who would like to support this critical need are invited to find a used water bottle and fill it with spare change between now and convention.  For only $750.00, Episcopal Relief and Development can dig a well and teach the people of a community how to use and maintain it.  Our goal is for the 2007 convention is to raise $2,250.00 – enough to build a well in India, Africa, and Latin America.
           

In selecting these projects, we tried to choose something that people of all ages can participate in.  We hope you see possibilities for families, children, youth, and various adult groups within your church to participate.  Congregations are welcome to participate in either project or a combination of the two.  Whatever you decide to do, we encourage you to have an ingathering on Sunday, November 4th as part of your All Saints celebration.  Then pack up your hygiene kits and your water bottles filled with change and send them to convention with your clergy, deputies, and high school youth who will be attending the unconventional Youth event.            Kits and bottles will be gathered and blessed as part of the opening Eucharist on Thursday evening at the convention and at the Friday night U2charist at St. Paul’s.  Youth and adult volunteers will pack and ship the hygiene kits for Church World Service and count the money and recycle the water bottles for Episcopal Relief and Development.
            We invite all persons to participate in this life changing work – to rejoice and sing as we the people of God, out of our abundance and in joyful obedience, do the work God has given us to do.
            In Peace,
Alice Speers, Environmental Commission
Leslie Sackett, Peace & Justice Commission
Ellen Nesbit, Episcopal Relief & Development
Barbara Ross, Missioner for Christian Education & Life-long Formation
Catharine Healey, Missioner with Youth, Young Adults and Higher Education

(You can pick up a flyer with a list of the items which are included in the Church World Service hygiene kits from the office, or in the narthex.)

ATTENTION COOKIE MONSTERS!
Just in from Eloise Gibson at the Diocese.  “We like to provide convention delegates and visitors cookies and milk to ease the stress.  If you would like to help, please bake some cookies and send them with your delegates to Salem.  Ask them to drop off the treats at the hospitality table on the main floor of the convention center.  Thanks for helping add this homey touch to the convention”

STEWARDSHIP 2008

We are once again inviting all members and friends of St. Luke’s to prayerfully consider their support for our parish in 2008.  Laurel Samson is heading this year’s program, assisted by Alison Huber.  The centerpiece will be a series of cottage meetings in member’s homes in late October and early November.  These will be framed by two dinners, the Anticipation Dinner on Saturday, October 13, and the Celebration Dinner Sunday, November 11.  We are asking that all pledges be turned in by November 11.  Sign ups for the cottage meetings will be available from October 13.  If you would like to host a cottage meeting, or help facilitate one, please call Laurel (479-1642) or Alison (479-6548).

Stewardship is, of course, much more than our financial support for the parish.  It involves our management of all that we are able to manage: our time, energy, influence, possessions, and finances.  Perhaps Jesus mentions the money aspect more than the others in his teaching because it is the most tangible, most easily understood.  No wonder he said that, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”  Managing even one aspect of our lives well is likely to lead to better management in all the other aspects as well. 

The purpose of cottage meeting is to enable us to share own feelings and experiences about God, the parish, and money management.  There is no pressuring.  One aspect of the conversation concerns the church’s needs and program, and someone who is familiar with those should be at each cottage meeting.  But more important than the church’s budget is one’s own need to be faithful and responsible before God.  It helps to talk about why we feel called to give, and our own experiences in responding to that call.  That’s why most stewardship teaching encourages tithing, or working toward (or beyond) the tithe by percentage giving.  Although the church’s needs are important, our need to be faithful and responsive is much more important.  We are called to give, and give generously, more for our own sake than for the sake of the good works that will be accomplished with our gifts, as important and necessary as those are.

Thank you to all of our St. Luke’s family.  The love that we experienced at St. Luke’s after the death of our son, Rob, meant so much to us.  Your love sustained us during this very hard time and we feel humbled by your generousity.
Sincerely Robert and Frances Osborne

Dear friends at St. Luke’s,
Ken and I are so grateful for your prayers, phone calls (especially Fr. Jim’s), flowers, and cards following my surgery 2 weeks ago.  I’ve been at home over a week now, and I am making good progress.  The doctor’s report indicates that all visible traces of cancer were successfully removed.  In a couple of weeks I’ll begin a course of chemo, just in case any bad cells remain.  Meanwhile, thank you again for sending your love our way!
Love,  Ann & Ken Weathers

Friends at St. Luke’s
            As many of you know, my stroke on March 2nd followed by an angioplasty (stints) on April 20th has left me a bit short-changed for awhile.  I had to quit my job teaching orchestra at 5 schools in Medford, and lost of over half of my private students.  Of those who stayed, most had vacations as well as canceling several lessons during the summer months.
            Combing the loss of income with the co-pays for doctor visits and medications put me in a terrible bind.  Money needed for gas, groceries, etc. went to these co-pays.
            One day several weeks ago, I found an envelope, in my mailbox at the church, with 4 gift cards inside to be used at a local grocery store.  Cheryl and I were delighted and we were able to keep our “larder” full for several weeks.  There was no name on the card, so I have no way to thank who ever left the cards, except to mention it in praise during the birthday and celebration part of the service.
            Some weeks later, I received another anonymous gift to a local store where I could purchase groceries as well as many other things that we needed.  Last but not least, I received some gasoline coupons.  On top of all this, the congregation has set up an emergency fund for us which has been a terrific help with doctors and medication. 
            Others have come to my aid as well, such as Fr. Jim, Alison and Jim Huber, Jean Middleton, Starr Hungate, and Robin and Dick Griffiths.  I know these people do not want any thanks or praise but in my church family these people are but a few of the many angels that I have and I want everyone to know this.  I am so glad God led me to St. Luke’s.  You all are in my prayers.
            God bless!

            Edla Stephenson