Dear St. Lukers,
Tomorrow marks the 4-year anniversary of the Pulse tragedy. Those of us who lived in Orlando will never forget that day and how it changed our city. St. Luke’s Committee on Inclusiveness has planned a powerful time of prayer and memorial for tomorrow night at 8:00 p.m. on Facebook LIVE. Click here to join us as we move from darkness to light with testimony from those who were at Pulse, reading the names of the 49 souls, lighting candles, and a powerful tribute to our City Beautiful by voices from throughout our community. Thank you to the entire lay team for making this happen.
New book studies begin this month as we meet in-between the spaces of our nation and seek to educate, understand, and find ways to move forward as the diverse community God envisions.
- Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. beginning June 24: Pastor Jeremy and I will be leading an online study based on the book The Cross and the Lynching Tree by theologian James Cone. Click here to register.
- Thursday mornings at 7:45 a.m. beginning June 25: Pastor Jad will lead an online men’s group to discuss the book White Fragility written by sociologist Dr. Robin DeAngelo. Click here to register.
- Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. beginning June 25: Caryn Royer, St. Luke’s Director of Adult Engagement, and I will begin a women’s conversation online around race and intersectionality using multiple texts and podcasts. Click here to register.
Chris Smith, St. Luke’s Director of Family and Recreational Ministries, brings us this week’s Core Value Word and shares how we can develop and strengthen our core muscle of “Acceptance.” Shout out to Chris and his team for their excellent work with pivoting during this time to ensure that we are moving and exercising! They moved workouts and exercise classes online quickly and have done a great job grounding us mind, body and spirit!
Our Core Value of Acceptance tells us Christ’s love knows no boundaries. How do we strengthen that muscle and stretch ourselves to cross boundaries we have created between us and others out of our exhaustion, fear, and the worry we might do or say something incorrectly. How do we embrace the meaning of God’s creation to see the wonder of all God created being good, beautiful, and beloved? Join us for worship on Sunday and prepare your hearts for worship with a word from Coach Chris.
Grace and Peace,
Jenn.