New News: The Outreach Committee has just expanded the fundraising to include Joplin!
The Big Event -- Entering June, the countdown to the Summer Solstice Celebration begins. This is going to be a lot of fun – important fun!
Important fun because the end result will be vital support for some of our “Core” Outreach Causes – like Agape, Green Country Free Clinic, CONCERN, the School Supply Drive, and more. These wonderful and important ministries are no longer supported by our annual budget. Therefore we need to do everything we can to raise funds to make up the difference. In each case the money goes to help people far less fortunate than most of us at St. Luke’s. We need to make this a priority for each of us in terms of being there. Even more, we need to volunteer to help make this a success. This is beyond giving a donation – it is personal involvement to help others to participate and contribute. Together this can be huge.
One of the keys to success is inviting our friends to buy a ticket and sharing in the fun. Relying on members of our parish alone is not enough. We need people from the community to see how much fun we Episcopalians can be. The meal will be tasty and plentiful. The entertainment-packed evening will include music by Kilkenny Road, Contra Dancing and new stories from Fran Stallings – all donated talent and fun energy. In addition, Stonehenge Croquet, Street Booths, Sketch Artist, a special Bonfire at Sunset, and a St. Patrick Ring Toss (guess who is St. Patrick).
Originally Lynda and I had planned to be in Kansas City during the week of the 20th visiting our grandchildren (a new one is to be born soon on the 7th!). When we learned the Outreach Committee had chosen the 21st, the Summer Solstice, as a big fundraising celebration, we changed our plans. We wouldn’t want to miss this fun-packed event – and we are also committed personally and financially to the organizations/ministries we are seeking to support. So we have purchased our tickets and will encouraging our friends to do the same – and of course we are also volunteers.
We need a minimum of two hundred people at the celebration – four hundred would really make a difference. So, don’t wait – mark your calendar, buy your ticket, volunteer to help and invite your friends. We will have a great time together and touch the lives of many more.
Add the restoration of Joplin to the list. Thanks to the compassion and vision of the Outreach Committee, the funds raised at the Summer Solstice Celebration will be divided between local organizations who serve the poor and helping people in Joplin survive and rebuild. Personally, that means Lynda and I will want to donate more for these causes beyond our tickets and volunteer time.
Regarding Joplin and other communities hit by the tornados, the opportunities to help and support are many. Consider what else you can do. Lauri and Mike Watkins spent Sunday in Joplin helping with a restoration team. I understand if you can give as little as a day that would help. One St. Luke’s family went through their closets and came up with four big bags of clothes for people in Joplin. There are many avenues for helping financially which can be found in the new services and internet – and the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund – and now our Summer Solstice Celebration. And as we have done for the people in Japan, pray daily for those who suffer, grieve and rebuild in Joplin and communities in Oklahoma.
Note: several people have been concerned about the advertised “Palm Reading” at the celebration. This was just for fun and not to be taken seriously, but we have removed it from our publicity. Now, on with the fun!
Meanwhile, sermon topics are still being accepted. Let me hear from you.
Blessings,
Fr. Lee+
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