Early in August comes the Feast of the Transfiguration, in some ways the most mysterious event in the earthly life of Jesus. It occurs in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, but not in John; and there seems to be an allusion to it in 2 Peter 1:18. The consensus of the Gospel writers is that Jesus was alone in a high place with Peter, James, and John and was briefly changed before their eyes (‘transfigured’) into a dazzling whiteness. Moses and Elijah (long dead for centuries) suddenly appeared beside him, and a cloud descended upon them from which came the divine voice. And then it was over as quickly as it had begun.

There have been numerous attempts to explain what happened there in purely human terms, but none have been convincing. The normally useful Oxford Dictionary of the Bible calls it " a paranormal experience of luminosity", which tells us nothing and sounds like gobbledegook. Suggestions that the event is misplaced in time and really belonged to after Jesus’ resurrection are equally unpersuasive. Even though the Gospel accounts themselves are not by eyewitnesses (2 Peter was written much too late to have been by Peter), the presence of the story in three out of the four Gospels strongly indicates that something very mysterious occurred on that mountain.

It is a salutary warning that we cannot expect to understand everything about Jesus Christ. Central to our faith is he is God and man. Even on a simple logical level that makes him unique, and there are no guidelines for understanding the unique. The unique simply is. Much of what Jesus said and did is crystal clear (though we spend much of our time ignoring it); but not everything about him is clear. We are told so little surprisingly in the Gospels that we do not even know what he looked like. Moreover the Gospel writers though inspired were still men of their own time, using the words and ideas of their own background. After all, how do you describe someone who heals the sick, raises the dead, and turns a few loaves and fishes into a meal for thousands?

We believe as Christians that the truest and fullest revelation of God is in Jesus Christ. That does not rule out God having revealed himself to other people in other ways, but as Christians we know God most fully as revealed in Jesus. Yet revelation means what God has revealed; it is not the totality of God. There always remains the unknowableness of God as God really is. Even God’s fullest revelation in Jesus Christ still retains that which lies beyond our human ability to grasp. That is the nature of faith, which is always about that which we do not grasp or comprehend but which in our hearts we know to be true. This does not mean that we should not try to understand. God does not call us to ignorance but to humility. St. Anselm talked about seeking to understand the ground of our faith, but always within the parameters of faith. The Feast of the Transfiguration is a reminder of the limits of how far we can go, but is also a wonderful vision of who it is that we have faith in.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Michael +

Our beloved deacon John has decided to retire formally as Deacon here at St. Luke’s. As we all know he has been unable to carry out his duties for some time, which has been a source of very deep regret to him. Out of respect for John and in deference to his many, many years of wonderful and devoted service we have not raised the question with him, but the time has come when he feels that it is appropriate for him to cease being listed as active here. I have informed the Bishop. The Vestry will discuss at its August meeting some way of marking this end of an era. John and Dallas of course will continue to hold a special place in our hearts and prayers, and I remind everyone that Clement Manor is not that far away and they like to have visitors.

Let’s have a social get together. The South Milwaukee PAC is calling us. Experience new and exciting programs for the 2008-2009 season

I have selected a few events that should have you smiling

Friday October 24 at 7:30 PM-Alpin Hong Pianist

He plays classics and fun medleys for old and young. Stunning techniques, emotional range and rare humor. What a showman! What a musician!

Approximate cost $20.00 if 10 or more people sign up

Saturday December 13 at 7 PM-Cantare Choral Christmas Concert

Milwaukee based community choir. The group’s repertoire includes a variety of music both sacred and secular. A wonderful way to start the holiday season.

Approximate cost $20.00 if 10 or more people sign up

Friday April 24 at 7:30 PM-John McGivern

All new show, fun filled local humor from the Milwaukee born storyteller. From last years performance we laughed, cried and went away feeling good we had been there.

Approximate cost $23.00 if 10 or more people sign up

The South Milwaukee PAC is a beautiful, comfortable, easy access theatre for all. Stairs or elevator available, parking free and on street level

This is part of our Outreach Project and we St. Luke(ites) need to support this effort and each other. These will be wonderful evenings

50^th ANNIVERSARY-Your community hospital is 50 this year! Golden anniversaries are pretty special, and we intend to commemorate our official founding for months. From Trinity Memorial to Aurora St. Luke’s South Shore, all eras will be recognized throughout the year, culminating in a very special 50^th Anniversary Open House on Saturday, October 4. Watch for details in future newsletters.

Every Monday – 1 to 3 p.m.

Do you Knit or Crochet? Aurora St. Luke’s South Shore would like to make "prayer shawls" available to patients and their families to enhance their hospital experience. Whether they are called prayer shawls, comfort shawls, peace shawls or mantles, the shawl maker begins with prayers, blessings or special wishes for the recipient. Upon completion, a final blessing or wishes are offered before the shawl is sent on its way. This is wonderful project for individuals or for sharing with church groups, families, friends and fellow knitters. Simple patters are available at the hospital for both knitting and crocheting. For more information or other ideas on how you can help, please contact Terry Leonhardt in Volunteer Services, (414) 489-4017.

June 28, 2008

Present: Dana Washburn, Marge Lower, Mary Arriola, and Andrew Eagan

Next potluck to be scheduled in fall, possibly a costume party celebrating All Saints Day on November 2. Prizes for young and old

We will have a presence at the South Shore Farmers market on August 9 from 9 AM to 12 noon, called THE NATIONAL DAY OUT to tell people about St. Luke’s and the wonderful people here. Please step forward to help hand out cards and reminders, etc

The Bay View Bash will be held on September 13. Please step forward to help show St. Luke’s as a local community church with feeling. Andrew and Mary will attend a meeting prior to the event to get details

Church picnic was a great success, thanks to all that participated. A special thanks to Mark Kuenstler for donating a Weber grill for us to use and now is church property

The results from Custom Greenhouse fundraiser were $364.50 and we got some great plants and flowers to boot

We are trying to work out details for a musical concert here at St. Luke’s

T-shirt orders are being taken and ordered

Church survey was interesting which prompted discussion of a health fair and blood drive. More to come later on this

Some good ideas were brought forward for thought and discussion. Please join us to generate these ideas into a plan. This is your church and it needs participation by all of us. The easy way is to let others do the work but we need to forge ahead with numbers to help make this church grow.

A THANK YOU NOTE FROM PATRICE HANSEN

A challenging opportunity at St. Paul’s Catholic Church presented itself and wow it’s a stretch. An so I let myself be distracted and have not yet thanked you so much for being welcomed at Mass and for the plaque and it’s kind words. It is prominently displayed in my new office where it has caught the eye of my new bosses who enjoyed a glimpse at how caring St. Luke’s is. I’ve recently been busy working with the finance committee on creating a budget and scheduling major maintenance projects so I’m in some new territory. But the Catholic archdiocese with its layers of structure has also revealed great wisdom in that there is a group of business managers who meet regularly to share ideas and resources. Thank God! Lots of learn and I am so grateful for having the experiences of the past 7 plus years at St. Luke’s to build upon. Your new administrative assistant, Bobbie, is terrific and an active member of Prince of Peace, another great southeast Milwaukee Church, and a Kid’s Kloset supporter. It is just a pleasure to, time and again, realize the wonderful work being done by our neighbors. St. Luke’s is part of that great community of faith and I will always treasure my time with you.

P. S. Did I mention that Bobbie can get me Harley shirts real cheap. Love always, and I dearly hope that our paths intersect again in one of the many ways that people remain connected and present to one another!

Bobbie Morris

A LETTER TO MY FRIENDS AT ST. LUKES

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you as a member of the Outreach Committee. Last week, I became part of a new ministry at Gesu Parish in Milwaukee. This new ministry is called Vets’ Listening Sessions and encourages veterans to share their war with us that we all might be healed from the wounds of war. As a Vietnam veteran and the father of a son who has done two tours in Iraq, it was something I definitely wanted to be part of.

However, my participation in a new ministry is not really what I want to talk about. What really impressed me was Gesu parish’s starting up this new ministry. They saw a very real need and responded to it. Moreover, they responded to a need, which would not ordinarily be considered "church". Buy their reaching out, I have no doubt that this ministry will serve veterans and their families with a Christ-like love. And this, of course, is the name of the game, isn’t it?

And this is my [point. Our world is full of many desperate needs, which are often not considered spheres of Christian ministry. Social services, psychologists, etc., are the ones we assume will work with these problems. As a result, we begin to ignore some very real needs and pains, which surround us. But many of those needs, such as being listeners, we as Christians can fulfill, if only we will begin to think outside the box. I’m sure many of you know of such needs where we might serve Christ by helping our brothers and sisters in need.

We of the Outreach Committee would greatly appreciate your sharing of these needs with us so that we might help those in need. Please contact myself or Dana Washburn or Fr. Michael, and we will make the Outreach Committee aware of these needs so that we might respond.

Yours in Christ, Andrew Eagan

Dear Fellow Parish Members:

A quick update on my postulant journey. Though I do not have classes this summer, I have started my 200 hours of volunteer work for the Clinical Pastoral Training aspect of the formation program. The rationale for the CPT is expressed in the Deacon’s Formation Program as follows

A CPT experience will enable deacons-in-formation to develop competence in building relationships, solving problems and identifying resources within the context of diaconal ministry.

I applied to and was d at Casa Maria to do my CPT. Casa Maria is a temporary shelter for homeless women and their children. There are four rooms available. We workers take shifts: 9-2; 2-6; 6-10. We do their laundry, prepare their meals and are generally available to answer the phone and recommend resources to those who call needing assistance. Sometimes Casa Maria needs donations of necessary items. Sometimes they need maintenance assistance. On my shift I am trying to prepare special homemade meals. If you would like to make a casserole or homemade cookies (thanks Pat Kuenstler!) or would like to come and visit and help make a meal or help with maintenance, you would be very, very welcome

Peace.
Marge Kiss

The Bay View Community Center, 1320 E. Oklahoma Avenue will be having a Rummage Sale, Saturday, August 2^nd, 8 AM – 1 PM. Among the items for sale will be clothes, books, file cabinets, chairs, desks, books (children and adults), household items and table appliances, toys and more. Donations for the sale will be accepted Thursday July 31^st and Friday, August 1^st. All proceeds to support the Center’s programs for families and individuals. Call Linda at 482-1000 with questions or to volunteer.

If someone in the parish is in the hospital or really sick and you cannot get hold of anyone in the office, please call me at home (262) 473-4068.