Saint Luke's Episcopal Church
| Uganda Committee |
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| 2009 Progress in the Clinic Slideshow |
| Ministries |
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This group of parishioners, otherwise known as "God's Housekeepers," cares for and prepares the altar and appointments. If you wish to reserve a date for altar flowers or Sanctuary Candle, contact the Administrative Assistant.
Acolytes, Readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers
All youth, aged 10 and older, are invited to serve as acolytes as "they increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. " New Readers and Lay Ministers are also always welcome. Anyone interested in service on Sundays is invited to contact the rector.
All singers are welcome, and no special talent is necessary. Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings from September through May from 7:15 to 9:00 p.m.
Children from Kindergarten through 3rd grade are invited to Children's Chapel during the 10:30 Worship Service. Children are led upstairs to the Children's Chapel room after the Gospel reading and rejoin the service at the Sign of Peace. Children are encouraged to deepen their faith through discussion, movement, and creativity.
Fellowship, coffee and sweets are served between and after the Sunday services. We encourage everyone to become acquainted and share with each other. Parishioners meet for potluck dinners in the Undercroft at 5:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month.
Classes for adults who wish to either join the church or to receive a very basic understanding of our faith are held during the Fall and early Winter months. Please contact the Rector to learn more about these classes.
Confirmation classes for young people and adults are scheduled by the Rector before the Bishop's annual visit.
We encourage anyone wishing to visit with our shut-in members and share Holy Eucharist with them to become a Lay Eucharistic Visitor. Please contact the rector.
St. Luke's has a vigorous Outreasch Ministry in cooperation with the other churches and institutions of the community. This ministry is led by the Outreach Committee, but includes every person who is a member of the parish.
Original Commission:
On January 6th, 2006 Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, Mechanicsburg, PA, commissioned Dr. Scott Cohen, Dr. Susan Samuel, Dr. Rod Freshman, Jim Ellison, and the Reverend Canon Ed Messersmith to go to the Bishop Masereka Medical Center, Kasese, Uganda, in order to work with the staff of the medical center in their battle against HIV/AIDS. We found a warm, loving and devout people who are facing crushing odds and are in deep need. The donations we took with us were no more than a proverbial drop in the huge bucket, but were eagerly accepted and deeply appreciated. However, we believe it was our presence there that meant more to the people of Uganda because it gave them hope that they are not forgotten. It struck us that we went to give and came home having received so much more than we gave. Though this medical mission was sponsored by Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, Mechanicsburg, PA, with the support of the medical residents from Brown University Medical School and the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, we are inviting you to become partners with Bishop Masereka and his staff as they live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can find out much more about the Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation at their website (www.bmcf.org). We are also available to visit your parish and provide a PowerPoint presentation showing how you can help. Please contact us at St. Luke’s 717-766-5182 or via email stlukemech@pa.net.
2008 Update
Funds raised for the medical clinic: $9,605
Funds raised for orphan sponsorship: $11,155
Orphans sponsored: 43
You are invited to join our subcommittee. Contact any of the following members for more information: Penny White, Martha Leaman, Rod Freshman, Chris Wolfe, Joan Ellison, or Jim Ellison.
St. Luke's prayer group meets Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. The Prayer Group supports the healing ministry of the Church while bringing spritual enrichment to its members. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
This group promotes the development of individual and community spiritual growth so that all may share in the growth of the Holy Spirit amongst us. Special activities include prayer group, small group discussion, quiet days, conferences and Cursillio.
All women of St. Luke's parish are automatically members of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese. ECW meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at 9:30 a.m.
The Vestry is the body which governs the parish's temporal affairs and oversees and promotes the various inreach and outreach ministries of the parish. It is comprised of the Rector and 9 to 14 lay members. The Vestry meets at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.
Youth fellowship for Junior and Senior High students is a very improtant part of life at St. Luke's. The Youth Group meets on a regular basis for fun, fellowship, learning and service to the parish and community beyond.