Dear St. Lukers,
This Tuesday, we had more than 110 lay leaders join together on Zoom for our first of five Leadership Trainings for 2022. It was a great learning experience with our Annual Conference Co-Lay Leaders Alice Williams and Derrick Scott. They shared with us the call for the laity of the church to support the ministries God is creating with their presence, purpose, passion, and through their partnership. We are excited to use these four words as our themes for leader training throughout the year, beginning with an in-person retreat on our commitment to presence with God, ourselves, and others on April 1 and 2. If you volunteer with any of our ministry areas (Worship, Care, Grow, Serve, or Commit) we would love to have you participate. Watch your Weekly Update for more details in the coming weeks.
At this meeting we also approved the budget for 2022, which has been set based on giving in 2021. We trust that God has much for us to do, but also has given us more than enough talent, resources, and passion to accomplish God’s Kingdom-size goals. Your Estimate of Giving cards help us ensure we are living into the best stewardship possible as we move forward. Please let us know an estimate you can give for at least this quarter and consider being a part of the Just $5 More Stewardship Challenge. You will be receiving your 2022 Stewardship Guide in the mail very soon with an Estimate of Giving card to mail back to us, or you can fill it out online by clicking here. Just $5 doesn’t seem like much, but together it is more than enough in God’s hands.
This Sunday we will look at the stories in Mark chapter 7 where Jesus has an encounter with an outsider after talking with the insiders about whether we should worry more about the outside or inside! That’s a mouthful but trust me, if you read the chapter, you will see where we are going! Join us for worship on Sunday either in person or online as we celebrate six baptisms and meet a Jesus who call us to “open up” to heal.
See you Sunday at St. Luke’s where there’s always a place for U!
Jenn.