2019 May/June Newsletter – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener Page 1
317 Franklin Street, Kitchener, Ontario N2A 1Y9
Mission Statement To share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all people
through the proclamation of the Word, the celebration of the Sacraments
and through service in Christ’s name.
MAY / JUNE 2019
Running is one of the most prevented
daily activities. There is no running by the
swimming pool, at the school hallway or in the
church, as I have heard many parents advising their
children. Running can also be linked with great
emotions. As a teenager I remember, I one day got to
kiss a girl, that I had a crush on. When I left from the
scene, boy did I ever run – without any particular
reason, just for the excitement of it!
Also, people ran around Jesus a lot. In the gospel
Jesus, John, and Jacob were returning from the
mountain and “When the whole crowd saw him, they
were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran
forward to greet him.”(Mark 9:15) Or “A man ran
up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good
Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’”
(Mark 10:17) Even vertically challenged Zaccheus
“ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see
[Jesus] because he was going to pass that way.”
(Luke 19:4) When you have heard good news; when
you have hope of getting healed, your life changed,
or sins forgiven, it makes you run!
After Jesus’ death, no one needed to run anymore.
The disciples had lost their hope. One morning some
women were on their way to anoint the body of
Jesus. They were not in any particular hurry. There
is no rush when going to a graveyard. Later on that
day two disciples were on their way to the village of
Emmaus. The reader gets the impression that also
these were dragging their feet.
Their phase got a sudden change together with the
realization: “Jesus lives!” The men didn’t care about
the darkness but hit the road immediately. The
women on the tomb ran then to tell the news to the
other disciples. After that, the disciples Peter and
John were running, almost racing to see the empty
tomb.
The message of the empty tomb has also reached us.
Most of us have heard about it already when we
were children. However, I have never seen anyone,
including myself, running because of the Easter joy.
No increase in pulse, no big emotions involved.
Sometimes I have to wonder what is wrong with
me? The news that the gospel tells is so good that I
should be running the streets crying: “Jesus lives.
Death is no more!”
Instead, I act more often, like Jesus would not have
risen at all. I have noticed in many congregations on
Easter mornings that I am not alone. Many of us
utter “Christ is risen. Alleluia” with a monotonous
voice and earnest look on our faces. It may look and
sound pathetic, but we’ll do it anyway because we
know, that it is the greatest news we have ever heard.
Happy ongoing Easter,
Pastor Olavi
CONTACT INFORMATION Church Office: (519) 893-3826
Website: stlukeslu*theran.ca
Pastor’s Cell: (519) 277-4145
Pastor’s Email: [emailprotected]
Church E-mail: [emailprotected]
Office Administrator: Helga Morrison
Financial Secretary: Daisy Puttock
Organist: Gloria Berg
2019 May/June Newsletter – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener Page 2
Those who are shut-in: Mildred Kaminska & Laurie O’Brien
Those who are at: Lanark Place: John Schmidt & Cliff Schneider The Westmount: Audrey Parker
Winston Park: Les Kipfer Briarfield Gardens: Ruth Debus, Geri Leis, Ralph & Joanne Roth
Those who are out of town: Alymer: Mary Hendel Elmira: Ed & Lola Ware Listowel: Norm Lewis
New Hamburg: Anna Picard, Irleen Karn
The Women’s Ministry of the Eastern Synod is holding its bi-annual weekend retreat at Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake this May24-26. Women of all ages are invited. Keynote speaker is Joanne Goodwin. The theme is JOY in the Journey. Please check our bulletin board for all the details. Sounds very exciting, including a "Red Shoe" banquet.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
Thank you to the congregation for supporting the Fellowship of the Least Coin by putting your nickels in the jar on the narthex table. Our collection tallied $203.00 this year. By collecting the least coin worldwide, everyone is able to participate as they can. Project grants in 2018 supported 34 worthwhile efforts throughout the world including Canada.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
On March 12, the St. Luke’s Women hosted a dinner celebrating International Women’s Day. I attended the event and was amazed at the multitude of things they do to support less fortunate people internationally. God bless this team for their contributions to enrich lives. Rev. Shirley Ruller was the guest speaker who shared stories of the women who inspired her. We reflected on the special women in our own lives that have made us who we are today. Many thanks to Gay Anderson for coordinating the event. – Helga Morrison
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
WORKSHOP RESULTS
45 Quilts/blankets, 16 baby quilts/blankets 6 hygiene kits, 46 soap bars 130 baby layettes 61 teddies/dolls 264 pillowcase dresses
ANNOUNCEMENTS
& EVENTS
We’re so excited to launch the ‘Member Only’ page of our website!
All members with an email address will receive an email on May 1 with instructions on accessing the Members’ Only area. Your personal login details will be listed at the end of that email. Please save it for future reference. Please contact the office if you do not receive an email.
THE FOOD TRUCKS ARE BACK!! The Food Trucks will be at St. Anthony Daniel’s this summer for another season of good company and good eats. THURSDAY EVENINGS: 4:30 pm – 8:00 pm May 10 to September 23
2019 May/June Newsletter – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener Page 3
2019 COLLECTIBLES UPDATED
Lutheran World Relief Baby Layettes: t-shirts or onesies, gowns or sleepers, receiving blankets, cloth diapers, washcloths, sweaters or sweatshirts, large safety pins. Flannelette to make diapers. Quilts: Adult size approximate 60” X 80” children’s quilts, blankets & afghans. Material, sheets, quilt batting & thread to make quilts. Pillowcases for dresses. Knitted bears. (patterns available) Packaged bar soap. Mary’s Place Hotel soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, Salvation Army Mitten Tree Mitts & gloves, slippers, hats, scarves, socks. Wool for knitters. Food for Children Food Bank Pneumonia vests (patterns available) Canadian Bible Society Overseas Relief Eye-glasses
Please put in the box in the Narthex under the
coat rack to the left as you enter. Thanks
Saturday, May 4: 'SHUNPIKING' BUS TRIP
with Warren Stauch - The bus is full!
Fri. Sept. 20 to Sun. Sept. 22: This year’s Getaway Weekend is to the Niagara-on-the-Lake area. Contact: Gay Anderson 519-893-6827
Stay tuned for our upcoming events: * Mother’s Daughter: the third play in the trilogy by Kate Hennig
* The Sounds of Christmas: A heartwarming musical celebration
* Lunch at Anna Mae’s
Sunday, June 2 10:00am – Gathering Time 10:30am – Service with Holy Communion Location: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church 317 Franklin St. N., Kitchener Sermon by National Bishop Rev. Susan C. Johnson Lunch will be provided courtesy of Piller’s and dessert by the Apple Fritter Haus. Games, Music and Activities for adults & children. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a sun umbrella. Contact: Kathleen 226-338-1298 or email at [emailprotected]
August 24 to September 3, 2020 Organized in conjunction with the Socialite Committee. If you are interested in going on this trip to Scotland, you are invited to attend an Information Meeting to be held immediately following the service on Sunday, April 28 with Alan Green of Maritime Travel.
http://clipart-library.com/scottish-cliparts.html
mailto:[emailprotected]
2019 May/June Newsletter – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener Page 4
Pay It Forward Christmas is that magical time of year when we are
reminded to think of others. We are in the “giving
mood.” We, at St. Luke’s often rely on those
Christmas donations to get us into the black. I was
sitting at the computer reading my Facebook
newsfeed back in December, when I came across an
article written by Alicia Becker. Alicia is a member
of Christ Lutheran, Waterloo and a friend of our
family. I read her article and it made me think about
how our small acts of kindness can have more
impact than one grand gesture. We all have the
power and ability to make a difference in the lives of
others. After I read her article, I messaged Alicia to
ask her if I could reprint it in our next newsletter and
she said, “Of course!” I hope you find it as thought-
provoking as I did. We are to be in mission for
others and it does not take much to help those in
need. It is easy to remember the needy at Christmas
but we should “pay it forward” all year long. I like
to remember the lyrics to a song sung by The
Nylons- It’s not the things we do at Christmas time,
but the Christmas things we do all year through. I
encourage everyone to keep an eye out for those that
need help and offer your assistance. It really can be
the smallest act that can make the biggest difference.
Please enjoy Alicia’s article reprinted below. I hope
it inspires you to give the world your greatest gift-
yourself.
-Kathy Thomsen
I was standing at a gas pump in downtown Kitchener
the other night, filling my tank in the dark, cold,
winter wind. As I stood idly holding the handle
down a man approached out of the shadows and
from afar I heard him call out to me, “Excuse me, do
you mind if I come talk to you for a minute?”
As he stepped out of the shadows I saw a man,
maybe 40, half-walk, half-limp towards me, eating
an apple. The man introduced himself as Patrick, a
recent import to KW, having moved here for love
that didn’t work out. He was without a home. He
grew up in farm country, worked hard for money
when he was able, and lived with Tourette syndrome
and schizophrenia. I noted a violent twitch in his
neck and shoulders as he moved closer, “Thank you
for not being afraid,” he said earnestly as he jerked
back, embarrassed, aware that he had spit out a piece
of apple from his mouth.
Patrick had clearly learned to speak as quickly as
possible, to ensure he got his story out before anyone
had the chance to shut him down or shirk back in
fear of his symptoms. He struggled with his words as
he realized I wasn’t moving away or shifting
awkwardly to leave. I turned my body towards him,
listened with interest to his story, and responded a
couple of times to the things he was sharing.
“Sorry, I’m stumbling all over my words. You have
such a nice smile.”
Patrick needed some money. There was a place he
could stay tonight, but it would cost him $16 to get
in. He had been awake for 24 hours. I didn’t have
$16, but I likely had at least $12, change stored up
from a week of cash spending, an unusual habit for
me.
As I handed Patrick the handful of change gathered
from my car and wallet, I noticed that his demeanor
had changed. When he had first approached his
energy was frantic, and fearful. As we parted, a calm
smile had settled on his face.
I didn’t change the world that night with Patrick; I
didn’t even give him everything he needed to be
well. But for those moments we shared I was a
friend, and a comrade in a world that has little time
for friends like Patrick.
There is incredible power in the gifts of empathy and
compassion; especially in a world that is trapped in
well-worn patterns of fear and greed. In the sharing
of a conversation, friendship and understanding we
give the world our greatest gift, ourselves.
I hope this week you meet a Patrick and you find it
in your heart to lean in, be present and offer a gift
the world so desperately needs. You. May your heart
be put back together in the sharing of that gift – and
may all of us find that compassion in our own need.
-Kathy Thomsen
2019 May/June Newsletter – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener Page 5
A great way to meet fellow members of the congregation in a social setting. So here is how it works:
Members (singles and couples) are put in groups
Each person/couple takes a turn hosting – means you are out 4 maybe 5 times from October to May
Host sets the date in conjunction with other members in the group and books a reservation at a restaurant of their choice. Everyone pays their own way.
After dinner, return to the host’s home for coffee, dessert, conversation, cards, games. Date for next evening out is set.
Choice of a lunch or supper group
Members in the groups change every year A sign-up sheet will be posted in the courtyard bulletin board so if:
You want to change from a supper group to a lunch group or a lunch group to a supper group – add your name
Your plans have changed, and you need to withdraw – record your name
You are joining Supper 8 – add your name Assumption (good or bad) is that if your name is not on the list and you are currently in Supper 8, you are continuing to participate. Questions – Cathy Wilke (519) 744-3044
I have settled into my home in Grimsby, ON. Life is different but good for me. My health is improving. I had a very nice Easter with family. I got to meet my new great-grandson. I will always miss my good friends at St. Luke’s. You helped me thru my good and bad times. You are a very special group of people.
At its February meeting, Council elected the following people to positions of leadership:
Chairperson: Jane Hennig
Vice-Chair: Aaron Wilke
Secretary: Donna Finch
Treasurer: Dave Decoppel
Council Members:
Jane Hennig (Chair)
Aaron Wilke (Vice)
Donna Finch (Secretary)
Cathy Dowsling
Vic Lytle
Darlene Hilborn
Anita Gerstenkorn
Debbie Gastmeier
Mary Ann Lang
Susan Hennig
Tim Wilke
Committee Chairs:
Christian Ministry: Pastor Olavi
Facilities Management: Gail Atkinson
Property Management: Chuck Stuebing
Finance: Aaron Wilke
Mutual Ministry: Jane Hennig, Kathy Thomsen
Parish Life: Susan Hennig
Worship & Music: Kathy Thomsen
2019 May/June Newsletter – St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Kitchener Page 6
MAY CELEBRATIONS BIRTHDAYS 01 Ruth Golbeck, Ralph Roth 05 Laurie O’Brien, Brendan Ziegler 07 Irleen Karn, Janet Brash, Esther Diegel 08 Leslie Armstrong, Haley Bors, Megan Janssen,
Dennis Lang 09 Marilyn Glasser-Lang, Shauna Keating,
Riley Thompson, 10 John Barrow 11 Ken Karn 11 Doreen Wolfe 14 Douglas Horne, John Klein ,Susan Longpre 15 Austin Szeryk 16 Ava Bunyan 17 Jayden Scheffel 18 Gabrielle Bickford, Brent Clarke, Carl Hoffman, Emma Metcalf 19 Kelly Veiledal 20 David Steinmoeller 21 Catherine Dowsling 22 Ross Dreisinger, Tim Cronmiller, Anna Sutton 23 Deacon Becker 24 Amanda Brautigam, Mary Ernest, Kathryn Leidy 25 Vic Lytle, Jacob Schnittke 26 Val Hennig, Sharon Rehkopf 28 Riley Bickford 29 Eric Brewer, Nicole Koch, Sarah-Jane Wilke 30 Ellis Dejaegher
ANNIVERSARIES 02 Greg & Anne Brodrecht 04 Fred & Brenda Pearson 05 Tom & Gail Atkinson, Phil Lang & Marilyn Glasser-Lang 06 Michael & Joan Parker 08 Len & Danya Hundt, Murray & Elaine Schwartz Manfred & Christine Petersen 10 Jason & Kim Bickford, Daryl & Erika Fitzgerald 11 John & Nahlah Carapanta 12 David & Joanne Byers 12 John & Marlene Schmidt 15 Bryon & Mary Jane Hundt 17 Ken & Brenda Karn 20 Mathew & Taryn Dejaegher 25 Ross & Edith Dreisinger 26 Steve & Christine Bunz 27 James & Mary Prange 31 David & Deb DeCoppel
(The above information is based on what is presently recorded in our parish records. If anything is amiss, please notify the church office immediately.)
JUNE CELEBRATIONS
BIRTHDAYS 01 Eileen Bartley, Helen Schlueter, Jacobi Ward 02 Stefanie Clarke, David Metcalf, Steven Scheffel 03 James Prange, Noah Ramautor 04 Ron Schmidt 05 Nancy Koellner 06 Christine Petersen, Lola Ware 08 Taylor Maloney 09 Adam Janssen, Lori Lougheed, Don Smith 11 Sarah Brooks, Valerie Kotz 13 Travis Prange 14 Henry Longpre, Laurie Shaw 15 Lisa Bredin, Cheryl Lamondin, Gloria Mayer 16 Madison Pulley 17 Sherry Barrow 18 Riley Monahan, Claire Shaw 19 Ryan Koch, Stephen Lyon, Ed Neff 20 Lauren Hammel, Xander Metcalf, Chuck Stuebing,
Roger Wyatt 21 Paula McPherson 22 Steve Janssen 23 Claire Gage, Eliana Gage, Eleanor Hill, Marvin Pitz,
Daria Pulley, Brian Schnittke, 24 John Carapanta, Kara Lyon, Baron Sharpe 25 Donna Tummler 26 Mary Hendel 27 Brittany Florjancic, Kassandra Gorasso, Joan Hackl 28 Bruce Harmer 29 Jane Hennig, Jordan Schlitt 30 Jacob Bunz, Greg Schlueter
ANNIVERSARIES 02 Bob & Barbara Pitz 03 Ted & Kelly Maloney, Marvin & Deborah Pitz 05 Emerson & Eleanor Hill 08 David & Erica Pasnyk 09 Crystal & Tony Piscitelli 10 Thomas & Jennifer Hanley 11 Jason & Emily Gastmeier 12 Kevin & Jennifer Ernest, Bob & Bonnie Thomas 16 Jim & Lerine Gillespie 18 John & Liz Pulley 19 Greg & Brenda Behrendt, Bob & Gloria Berg 20 John & Victoria Davey 22 Ron & Joan Schmidt 23 Dennis & Ruth Willfang 24 Jan & Susan Cina 25 Dan & Nancy MacLean 26 Thomas & Catherine Dowsling 29 Nick & Shirley Retzler