A Note from Pastor Bill

Cheerio Saints!

Kim and I are in London for the special ceremony at Buckingham Palace where Dr. Gary Mason will receive the honor of being named a “Member of the Order of the British Empire” from Queen Elizabeth II. As many of you know, Gary and I have been close friends for more than a decade, during which time St. Luke’s has developed a meaningful and enriching connection with the difficult work for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Gary’s tireless and hope-filled work for peace in his role as a Methodist pastor has been a key element in the process that has led to the first shared leadership government in the history of Northern Ireland. I am honored and delighted to be present when Gary is recognized for his efforts in the name of the Kingdom of God.

We at St. Luke’s have benefited from our mission partnerships around the world in many ways, and our partners have also benefited from us. Your support of the 70 in 07 offering for “Water, Shade, and Healing” this month has already enabled us to begin moving forward is these exciting ways:

As of Monday, we have raised $39,360. That means that we are already able to put water filters in 200 homes in Duverge, Dominican Republic which will happen when our next team goes in June 2008. The roof is already being replaced on the building that will house the year round volunteer health clinic in the mountains of Lauriston, Jamaica. When our next medical/dental mission team returns in February of 2008 they will be able to begin some of the inside renovations with the funds we have already received. The Branches ministry in Florida City that we have worked with since it began in 1993 will have enough for the first payment toward a shade system and new playground for their ministry for low-income and migrant children in their community. We can celebrate what we are able to do with the funds we now have in hand.

We still have $30,000 to go to reach our goal. Reaching our goal means we can complete the renovations of the building for the health center AND provide the much needed medications for their first year of operation. Reaching our goal means we can get Branches closer to their vision of a shade system AND playground equipment. How exciting it is that we have such strong connections in different places in the world where we can make a difference AND see the impact on people first hand. Maybe one of you reading this is feeling called to give something toward Water, Shade, and Healing AND feeling called to participate in one of our mission teams in 2008.

Kim and I will be home in time for Saturday’s Shepherd’s Hope Famous Faces Gala. The theme this year is “Build it and They Will Come” from the “Field of Dreams” movie. I will come back from wearing a suit in Buckingham Palace to wearing a vintage baseball uniform at the Royal Pacific Hotel. (I have a great life!)

This coming Sunday is our annual Children’s Sabbath services where third graders will receive their Bibles and we have the opportunity to celebrate the gifts children have to give and receive as a part of the worshipping community at St. Luke’s. Today and through the rest of this month they will be collecting health care supplies for our mission partnership in Jamaica through their Sunday School classes. We are so blessed by their positive example and great enthusiasm for ministry. See you when I get back on this side of the pond!

With faith, hope and love,
Bill