Dear St. Luke’s Family,
I want to pick up where Pastor Jenn left off last week in her Weekly Update message: May our prayers of “how long” be turned into earnest surrender of “use me” to be God’s peace and love in this divided world. Amen!
In a world that is becoming increasingly divisive and fractured, individuals saying, “use me,” and doing their part to help restore hope, dignity, and healing is – I believe – our ultimate calling at St. Luke’s. We are a congregation of people who say, “use me.” St. Lukers make the impossible happen through faithful serving. That is the reason we say “it’s not St. Luke’s without U.”
Our own UMW saints say “use me” every day, all year-round. They have been doing so for the past 35 years! Last week, they distributed more $16,000 to St. Luke’s ministries, community organizations, and global programs in Africa. Just to give a sample of who they support:
- Building the next social justice advocates by equipping St. Luke’s high school and college students who serve as interns with our Missions team through a Mission Scholarship Fund they set up.
- Supporting a Haitian Pastor who is building disciples with minimal resources and personal sacrifices.
- Buying nutrients and covers for a hydroponic system, donated by Universal Studios, for our Grow It Forward initiative. The system, which is housed at Olympia High School, has the capacity to grow 600+ heads of green leafy produce that the agriculture teacher and students use both for their education and growing food for the student-led Olympia Titan (Food) Market that distributes healthy, shelf-stable items and fresh produce to students, and produce for the monthly food box distribution at Maxey Elementary.
- Supporting organizations such as Matthew’s Hope, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Charities (right next door to St. Luke’s at Holy Family), and Harbor House.
The UMW helps St. Luke’s do ministry well and reach more people beyond what our budgets allow. Some of this money was raised through the annual Holiday Marketplace and Rummage Sales, but another major funding stream for the UMW all year comes from the Blessed Treasures Gift Shop.
If you haven’t been to Blessed Treasures, go check it out! It is in the Annex building behind Building C where the Shepherd’s Hope main office used to be. They have transformed the space into a beautiful boutique in the front, and a workshop and storage in the back. They sell household and clothing items, paintings, jewelry, seasonal décor, and more. All this year-round work is because they are passionate about helping children and women at St. Luke’s, in our community, and around the world. Send them love and appreciation, and make sure to visit Blessed Treasures!
I stumbled on the song “Use Me Lord” by Albertina Walker while preparing to write this message. Listen to her amazing voice and lyrics by clicking here, I promise it will bless you the rest of this week.
This Sunday we look at Mark chapter 6 to find Jesus the Miracle worker. Read chapter 6 carefully to prepare for worship, as Pastor Jenn is going to share an unexpected thread of miracle working Jesus invites us to, especially as we continue our commitment of liberation from last Sunday.
By the way, if you head to our Facebook page there are some clips both of music and Pastor Jeremy’s powerful sermon from last week that you can share with friends and family to give them a taste of St. Luke’s. And when you do, make sure you let them know – “it’s not St. Luke’s without U!”
Hope and Grace,
Mariam Mengistie
St. Luke’s Executive Director of Missions