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: stlukeslutheran.ca

Pastor’s Cell: (519) 277-4145

Pastor’s Email: pastor.olavi@gmail.com

Church E-mail: stlukes@rogers.com

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 kathleenrobert@rogers.com

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

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