Paint Day at Community House
The Outreach Committee brings before the parish the needs of
people outside the congregation in the local community, on deanery and diocesan
levels, as well as throughout the Church and World. In addition, the committee
recommends opportunities for meeting needs through parishioner giving of time,
talent and treasure. Saint Luke's Outreach Goal is to become more visible in
the larger surrounding community as a faith community actively engaged in our
mission of service with people in need.
Despite tight parish budgetary constraints, we remain deeply
committed to the servant ministry of the church: to respond to people in need.
Among our many outreach initiatives is our Annual Outreach Grant, comprised
of approximately 10% of all our special events income.
This year's recipient of our largest grant ever, $4400, is God's
Love We Deliver. GLWD
prepares and delivers nutritious meals to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer
and other serious illnesses, who, because of their illness, are unable to provide
or prepare meals for themselves. To learn more, visit www.glwd.org.
Saint
Luke's Lenten Project
EPISCOPAL
RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT
Each year, the outreach committee sponsors
a Lenten project to focus the parish on self-denial offering. This 
year’s
subject is Episcopal Relief and Development, the Episcopal Church outreach network
working with Anglican and ecumenical partners to save lives and build hope around
the world. By providing emergency assistance in times of natural disaster, helping
communities combat poverty and disease, helping people increase food production,
and supporting local economic development through job training and small business
development, ERD is compassion in action. Their integrated development approach
addresses the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in every place
we work. With your partnership, Episcopal Relief and Development provides solutions
today for tomorrow’s challenges. For more details, visit their website
at www.er-d.org. We will be collecting daily self-denial offerings in hope chests,
which will be gathered on the Sunday of the Passion, March 16. To supplement
these offerings, the hospitality hour on Refreshment Sunday, March 2, will take
the form of a bake sale to benefit the project.
Lenten Bake Sale
St.
Luke’s has an ongoing relationship with the Forest Hills Community House
to support their programs for struggling families and senior citizens in our
community. Located on 63rd Drive, the Community House is a settlement house
that runs after-school programs, a nursery school, a senior center, and other
essential services. Our partnership includes stocking their food pantry and
providing holiday gifts for children through our Jesse Tree project. Last January,
we completed our first hands-on volunteer project with the Community House,
painting two classrooms in their nursery school, depicted above.
As a local Citymeals-on-Wheels provider, the Forest Hills Community House is
looking for volunteer Friendly Visitors to provide homebound older adults in
our community with companionship. Friendly Visitors become a trusted friend
with whom the older adult can share life stories and memories. We are looking
for warm and caring people who are able to commit once a week for 1-2 hours.
Anyone interested should contact Dennis Redmond at dredmond@fhch.org or 718-592-5757
x223.
Paint Day at Community House
Worship
The Worship Committee gives the Rector counsel and assistance in matters of
the liturgical life of the parish.
Evangelism
The Evangelism Committee seeks to invite members of the community-at-large to
experience aspects of our parish life. Welcoming newcomers to our various special
programs and worship, as well as incorporating new members into the congregation
are concerns of this committee.
Stewardship
The Stewardship Committee carries out a year-round program of education to encourage
the members of the parish to give of their time, talent and treasure for the
support of our parish life and program. The committee conducts the Annual Pledge
Campaign and oversees parish fund-raising.
Education
The Education Committee carries out a program of Christian Instruction and Faith
Formation for all age levels (Nursery, Church School, Youth Group, Adult).
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
That's what St. Luke's Inreach Committee is all about and we're asking you, our fellow parishioners, to help us help each other. Please consider the list of options on the form and check off those you'd be interested in doing occasionally; if you think of services that aren't listed, please write them in. Also, we're always looking for more information to add to St. Luke's resource file. If you can recommend caregivers, baby-sitters, house cleaners, therapists, nursing facilities, etc., please write their names and contact numbers where indicated.
Front row: Vera Moron, Hedi Hoffman, Noelle
Lenti, Joyce Egginton
Back row: Gary Carldon, Florence Amato, Jane Thornton, Anne Su, Barbara Trippel
(Not pictured: Ann Chamberlain , Madeleine Hogan, Gert Hounsell, Tess Conte)
Hospitality
The Hospitality Committee coordinates the various ongoing fellowship programs
(such as Sunday Hospitality Hour, parish meals) and special events.
Finance
The Finance Committee keeps the Vestry apprised of the financial needs of the
parish, manages investments at the direction of the Vestry, takes responsibility
in annually convening the Audit Committee, and prepares and presents the proposed
operating budget of the parish.
Buildings and Grounds
The Buildings and Grounds Committee manages the care and maintenance of all
parish buildings, grounds and equipment (Church, Parish Hall and Rectory).
The Gingerbread
Players of Saint Luke's
Saint Luke's has long been blessed by a group of theatrically talented parishioners
known as the Gingerbread Players whose musical productions draw from throughout
Queens. Now in its 31st year, the Players stage several productions each year.
Auditions are held for new actors and people are always needed to work behind
the scenes. Delicious gingerbread is sold during intermission. Material has
ranged from operas, musicals, to original works by members of the church.
Each production is a true labor of love for the "behind-the-scenes" crew as well as those on stage. Rehearsals take place on weekends for about three months, with performances on weekends. The shows offer children a unique opportunity to learn about the theater and work as a team with adults; players range in age from eight to eighty. Saint Luke's occasionally presents other theatrical experiences. In addition to concerts by soloists in the choir, readings, instrumental recitals, and one-man shows have been staged as fund-raisers. Upcoming Stage Events
Saint
Luke's Choir
Saint Luke's Choir is well known for its inspiring liturgical music. The Choir
sings at 10:30 a.m. Sunday mass.
Rummage Sale
Our annual Rummage Sale is not only a lot of fun it is also one of the main
fundraisers for our annual community outreach grant. Workers report that it's
a great opportunity to get acquainted with fellow parishioners. This festive
two-day event attracts a large and loyal following from near and far.
Youth Activities
Youth activities have varied with the number and interests of the young people.
In recent years, they have enjoyed annual outings to parks like Splish Splash
and joint trips with youth groups from other local churches. These activities
were supported by the youth group's own fund-raising from sales of baked goods,
plants and Christmas cards. For several years they have also attractively decorated
the parish hall for the special Easter followship hour.
Social Activities
Saint Luke's offers a wide range of social events from coffee hours to caroling,
from picnics to parties (including Halloween), from musical sing-alongs to classical
concerts and theater.
Altar Guild
Members serve as a team by caring for the eucharistic vessels, the altar furnishings
and by decorating the altar for special occasions. Altar
Society
Acolytes
Young people and adults are invited to share in the experience of assisting
at the altar.
Bell Ringers Guild
The church's 800-pound bronze bell, initially installed in 1925, had been silent
for several decades because of a broken harness assembly. The bell has now been
restored to its previous glory. Now there seems to be no end to the number of
parishioners of all ages who want to express their love and joy for the church
by ringing the bell to call fellow parishioners to worship each Sunday.
Updated: 3/9/08
