Greetings from St
Luke’s Anglican Church, Enmore
Pastoral Letter August 2007
If you are reading this
it means that you are on our mailing list.
If you are on our mailing
list, it means that we count you as a friend and companion.
Not only that, we count the
members of your household as friends and companions as well.
What does it mean to be a
friend? Jesus said that a friend is someone who understands what you believe in
and what you are trying to do with your life.
I guess that not many of us know each other as closely as that!
The friendships we make
at St Luke’s are friendships in the making. We may begin by sharing names. Many
people find that it is helpful to wear a name tag - it is a first step on the
road to friendship. From then on, the development of friendship is a gentle
walk, taken at a pace comfortable to each of us. We try hard at St Luke’s not
to be judgemental or to force friendships by asking personal questions. Our
mission statement says that God’s friendship and love is open to all, regardless
of age, gender, race, marital or family status, sexual orientation, disability
or wealth.
Of course these things are part of who we are and we
may wish to share the information with others. But we may not need to know
these things about each other. It may be none of our business! If we understand
what we believe in and what we are trying to do with our lives,
that makes us friends, according to Jesus.
Friends and
companions. A companion is someone we can share a meal with. “Com pane”
means “with bread.” So companions are those who share bread together. You may
remember the story where two of Jesus’ friends were walking to Emmaus. Jesus
joined them, but they did not know it was Jesus because they had just seen him
die on the cross. But when they broke bread together, when they shared a meal,
when they became companions - then they knew it was Jesus!
God knows that sharing
food is a good way of growing friends. A chat over a cup of coffee and a
croissant; an intimate conversation with a candle-lit supper; a table full of
people and good food and wine; a wedding feast; a Parish Dinner - even a wake
after a funeral. God knows these are opportunities for friendships to grow.
This is, of course, why
we celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays at 9.30am. Perhaps because it is an
intimate and personal sharing of Christ’s body and blood,
and at St Luke’s we do have candles, it might be better to call it “The Lord’s
Supper”. This holy breaking of the bread, this holy companionship, is a way of understanding
Jesus and what he is doing in our lives.
When we gather around the altar we can welcome new friends without saying a
word!
After church it’s a
different matter! Tea and coffee in the hall (Fair Trade from now on!) is a
great friendship-growing time. Lunch at a café or pub afterwards is excellent
as well. And how good to offer the hospitality of our homes to each other!
If you turn the page
over, you will find a whole list of opportunities for friendship, which is why,
of course, you are reading this letter.
With love and
best wishes from Gwilym, your parish priest and friend. õ
Coming
events at St Luke’s Church!
(
Saturday
25th August – It is almost too late to book for the 7.00pm Warden’s
Dinner on a Beatles theme. Come dressed as a song title – Lovely Rita Meter
Maid; Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds or Sergeant Pepper. Ring Leigh on 9797 9173 or 0407
558 163 to see if there’s still room!
Sunday
26th The Lord’s Supper at 9.30am, Prayer
for Healing at 10.45
Saturday
1st September. Under The Blue Moon Festival presents
Local artist and singer-songwriter-guitarist, Andrew
Hagar who will be performing a solo from 3pm to 3.30pm.
and also
Dandelion Wine from Melbourne who are rapt to be playing
in the Church and have promised a special show with some unusual instruments. They will be
playing from 3.30pm to 4.45pm.
In
the Hall we will have a 2.30pm session of 'gothic yoga' which will lead nicely
into the above performances in the Church.
Sunday
2nd September. The Holy Eucharist, the Mass, the Lord’s Supper at
9.30am followed by Birthday Cake in honour of those who have birthdays in
September.
AND…
After church or from 11.30 onwards. A
barbecue at the Rectory for young people, their parents and friends (see
definition overleaf) BYO.
Hotplates, tea, coffee, salad supplied.
Come and see Perpetua and Felicity, chooks extraordinaire!
Tuesday
4th September. Peace in the
Fr Amjad
Sabarra is a Christian Palestinian and is the Priest
at the Church of the Nativity in
Sunday 9th September. Come and welcome Hugo
de Kantzow into the family. He will be baptized during the 9.30am Eucharist.
Sunday 16th September. More baptisms! Liam McIlroy, Max and Mekaylah Purdue
will be baptized today at the 9.30am Eucharist.
Sunday 23rd. Our
preacher will be Mandy Tibbey at 9.30am. Fr Gwilym will be preaching at Christ
Church St Laurence Evensong 6.30pm
Sunday 30th September. Come and celebrate
St Michael and All Angels with Eucharist and a Special Morning Tea. The
Eucharist starts at 9.30am