Dear St. Lukers,
We hope you have received and read the St. Luke’s COVID-19 Task Force email about moving forward based on the revised CDC and county guidelines on masks and social distancing. We have officially stopped registration for on-campus worship, and for those who are fully vaccinated, we are bringing singing back, and masks are now optional. We recognize some in our congregation have health issues that preclude them from being able to receive a vaccine, and want to make sure we are protecting those who are still vulnerable during this time, so we ask that you take seriously the parameters of social distancing, and we will continue for a while to help escort and seat people in our worship venues. We also want to remember that children age 11 and under and their families still do not have the possibility of vaccination. As an inclusive body who is committed to being 1 of 5 in the lives of our St. Luke’s children, we want to create opportunities for them to have programming with fully-masked staff and volunteers during the entire worship service. If you have any questions regarding the decisions made, we invite you to refer to the CDC chart and information available, as well as our Bishop and the Florida Conference’s guidance. We look forward to seeing more of you in worship on campus as we begin to slowly make our way toward the rhythm of learning, engaging, listening, and echoing our story through worship and discipleship.
This week we celebrate the birth of the church on the day of Pentecost. In both worship venues we will celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to God’s church and how the Spirit is still empowering us today. After each service there will be an opportunity for you to join Liz Vasquez, Director of Adult Discipleship and Evangelism, and Caryn Royer, Director of Adult Engagement, both in-person and virtually to learn more about Spiritual Gifts, and to begin your journey of understanding your unique wiring and giftedness. Click here to take the Spiritual Gifts Assessment and to sign up for one of the two class times (10:15 a.m. or 12:00 p.m.).
The following week, we kick off the summer with a weekend of fun activities and worship! Families of children and youth can participate on Saturday, May 29 in Summer Splash from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with water activities, inflatables, and a cook out (click here to RSVP by May 26). On Sunday, May 30 starting at 6:30 p.m., Theatre at St. Luke’s will be hosting an outdoor Disney and Dessert concert with some of our top Central Florida entertainers and band leading us in some of our Disney favorites, and maybe some new songs you haven’t heard before! Bring your own picnic dinner, chairs, and blankets, and we will provide something sweet for dessert (click here to RSVP).
On Sunday, May 30 we will bring back “Ask the Pastors” Sunday with all of your clergy, including Pastor Bill Barnes and Pastor David Stephens! In fact, we will have the first round of “Ask the Pastor” on Wednesday night (May 26) at 6:30 p.m. if you would like to sign up for a more intimate time with your clergy via Zoom (click here to register). We will try our best to answer your burning questions about theology, church life, our family lives, and whatever else you might throw at us. Send your questions ahead of time, or during online worship on May 30 to askthepastors@st.lukes.org. If you attend worship in person, we will receive your questions on cards during the service. Then for the following three weeks, we will consider the top three lessons we have learned over the last year with feedback you offered in a recent worship survey.
We cannot wait to kick off the summer with you, because remember: it’s not St. Luke’s without U!
Grace and peace,
Your clergy.