- Bay View - Milwaukee
A great place to worship and grow

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
June is a time when the school year ends and we all (or most of us) take vacations. Often attendance at church goes down in the summer; which apart from anything else means we usually have less money coming in. Of course the bills keep coming in. Just a reminder.
   Vacations are important; at least some break from our regular rhythm of life and work is important. Many years ago when I was a young man I learned about "the Golden Section". It was taught to me when I was briefly an art student by a very patient man who put up with my lack of talent. The Golden Section is a ratio long known to artists about interest and intervals in a painting. Basically for a painting to ‘work’ well to our eyes it should have something like 1/3 interest to 2/3 rest or interval (or 3/5 to 2/5, or whatever). So if the painting is, for example, of a ship then there should be something like 1/3 ship and 2/3 sky or sea. Our eye focuses on the interest in the painting (the ship), and the relatively empty spaces of sky or sea serve to highlight the interest area. Fill the painting completely with interest, and it looks cluttered and busy.
   Our lives need similar periods of interval or rest. Actually we need these every day, but then we call it sleep. When we are awake, we still need to find some other form of activity that relaxes us and refreshes us for going back to whatever we have to do. And so we come back to vacations.
   We need to remember, though, that God does not take vacations. Every minute of our life we are watched over and cared for. Equally, his Church continues its mission all the time. There is a wonderful evening hymn (#24 in the Hymnal) which reminds us that as each part of the world slips into sleep another part is already taking up the endless song of praise. Even here, at St. Luke’s, worship goes on every week. Throughout the year we always have three services a week (more than some parishes I know). We have the regular Sunday morning Eucharist; we have Evening Prayer every Tuesday; and we have a midweek Eucharist every Wednesday morning ( which becomes a Healing Eucharist once a month). We also celebrate the great Feasts when they occur, and we come together on other occasions as a parish for weddings and funerals. All in all, we have a very happy and thriving worship life, along with our wonderful outreach ministries.
   Bay View, I’m told, is changing. Lots of new people are moving in to the area, many of whom are churchless for one reason or another. Our Outreach Committee is actively delving into ways of reaching these people and bringing them to St. Luke’s. However, this is something we all ought to be doing. We should want to share our happy parish life with others. As we go about our daily activities we need to keep in mind that many of the people we run into are looking for a church home. It is not something we should be afraid to bring up in conversation. We are all of us, after all, called to be (in St. Paul’s words) ambassadors for Christ. Please remember that we are all of us also ambassadors for St. Luke’s. Talk to the Outreach Committee members: John Halvorsen, Mary Arriola, Kris Holaday-Wondrachek, Dick Klaesing, Laurel Stringfellow, Marge Lower, Jamie Verley, Larry & Dana Washburn, Marge Kiss
   and see if there is a way you can help with reaching out to find new members. You may be surprised at how easy it is. God bless, Fr. Michael +

4^th Annual EcCo* Worship Site Tour begins here at St. Luke’s. Everyone is invited to this tour of neighborhood worship spaces Saturday June 9^th 2007. We meet at 9am at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Next we visit Prince of Peace Lutheran (ELCA) on Howell. We conclude our morning at the Islamic Center of Milwaukee 13^th & Layton where a satisfying lunch concludes the Interfaith presentations There is no charge for the tour or lunch! Please come and bring your friends to this informative gathering as we explore rich faith traditions.

Outreach Committee carries on…
May was busy for the Outreach committee. Our mission is to seek out new members and welcome them into our St. Luke’s family. Please read on for some of the exciting activities we are planning:

-Church Picnic: May 20th planned by the committee. Please see related story.
-St. Luke’s Dinner Club: Let’s eat! Well, let’s also socialize and get to know each other better…that was the experience my wife and I had in Green Bay when we participated in one such group. They were really fun because of the opportunity to spend a little more time with other parishioners. The groups have been formed and the dinners are beginning – if you haven’t signed up for one please call Dana or me for more information. -
Father’s Day Pot Luck: June 10^th: Fathers will be honored with a special dinner after the service (and we will also recognize one daddy in particular!). Please make sure to sign up for something to bring – these potlucks, put on by Mary Arriola, have really become great social events at St. Luke’s! -Instrumental summer music program: If you play an instrument, remember to tune up this summer! We are still making plans to get this exciting program off the ground! You could play solo or play with other members – it could be in the church service or it could be a "jam" downstairs during coffee hour – all ideas are open! -
Local Events: We will be looking into having a presence at some local events during summer and fall this year.
The Outreach Committee is also planning a sale of St. Luke’s clothing and a Bring-A-Friend Sunday. In addition, we are always looking for new members. Anyone interested in joining the Outreach Committee should contact Dana or Larry Washburn at (414) 327-0949 or larrydana@wi.rr.com. Our next meeting will be Monday, June 11, 6pm in the Guild Hall – join us!
And here is the Outreach quote of the month:
"We must become the change we want to see." -Gandhi
Yours in Christ, Larry Washburn Outreach Committee member

CHURCH PICNIC: Not even the cold and blowing wind could curtail the St. Luke’s Annual Picnic. All at the church picnic on May 20^th had fun and good food. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, forcing us to have the picnic "indoors" in the shelter of the Guild Hall. However, we had a pleasant celebration of the 2006-07 Sunday school year. There were delicious hamburgers, hot dogs with all the fixin’s and dishes to pass – not to mention the tasty desserts! And we all enjoyed games and the magic of Alan Borg as he amazed the children in all of us with his illusions. It was truly a wonderful time and all of the committee members should be commended for a job well done in putting the picnic together. The door prize of a $20.00 gift certificate to the Gyros’s stand on Oklahoma was won by Matthew Belasco and Diana Bagley. Congratulations. And many thanks to all who participated. Fellowship is alive and well at St. Luke’s.
Larry & Marge for the outreach committee

ECW Diocesan Spring Meeting
On Saturday, April 28^th, the Women of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee held their spring meeting at St. Anskar’s. Twenty-five women representing 12 parishes and spanning three generations spent time sharing and reflecting on their "passions" -- the Millennium Development Goals, spirituality and women’s organizations in parishes. Dolly Seidel and Marge Kiss represented St. Luke’s. Dolly was recognized by the group as being instrumental, along with Yvette Presnell, in the "rebirth" of ECW. The host parish supplied a light lunch. A silent auction netted $176.00 that will be split (50/50) between ERD for malaria preventive mosquito nets and the Diocesan ECW budget. The free will offering at the Eucharist raised $123.00 for The Women’s Center/Sister House in Waukesha. Refreshed in mind, body and spirit, the women left with a positive energy to continue in the service of the Lord.

THE GREAT HUNGER BOOK SALE at All Saints’ Cathedral
Over 25 years of feeding the hungry
Opening Night $5 donation: Thursday August 2^nd 6-9pm
Then open Friday 8/3 through Tuesday 8/7 from 11-6

414.271.7719 ascathedral.org 414.271.7720

EcCo Minutes April 17 2007 Christ Church
Represented: St. Luke’s. Christ Church, Unity Lutheran, Islamic Society, Immaculate Conception, St. Veronica, BVUM, Sacred Heart
Spaghetti Dinner: Georgia will f/u w/ St. Roman’s for possibility of cooking spaghetti for Open Door Free Clinic fundraiser on September 8^th.
Peace Day Proclamation: Ziad to f/u up w/ Mayor Barrett’s office

Bay View Bash: Booth reserved, Cannot sell food but will see if we can give ‘food’ away, like wrapped chocolates, suckers, etc. to encourage visitors. Canopy we must supply our own, Mary has a contact. Brochures, pictures, copies of past handouts, service bulletins etc. to be available for viewing
YISR – 4/27 & 4/28 Many requests for help received. Ziad stated he could ‘activate’ more youth from Islamic Center. Last year’s was videotaped and recipients of help were invited to concluding dinner to view youth’s community service. Types of service include: At Repairers of the breach last year the garden was spruced up along with residential homes receiving care.
* From Rick Miller 5/3/07: YISR was fabulous! We had over 80 youth and ran out of work - but were well appreciated by the seniors.
Advertising: Jackie & Della will talk up events at Interfaith meetings. Information is sent to Worship sites, Bay Viewer, CNI, Milwaukee Post, Bay View Compass, Catholic Herald, MJS, Channels 6, 12, 18, 4 &58, The Fish radio station, Wilson Commons & Howard Village retirement communities, Don Buck posts on BayViewNow.com.
Fundraiser: An easy hot dog, burger & soda vending opportunity at Save-A-lot has been monetarily successful for various groups. As our dues sustain us, need for fundraiser not immediate. Jim B. suggested Thrivent may consider a matching donation for a worthy endeavor, such as the Open Door Clinic

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Bill & I want to thank all the wonderful members of our St. Luke’s family for a super (and so unexpected) surprise Baby Shower at church on Mother’s Day, May 13. We are so grateful for the bassinet, the bassinet sheets, the yellow sleeper, the pacifier holder, the "I Love Grandma" Bib (Grandma will enjoy using it when she baby-sits, no doubt!), and the cuddly white lamb. We so appreciate everyone’s kindness, generosity, and love that they have given us. And, I have to say that I was absolutely overwhelmed when I came downstairs after church and saw what you all had done. We can’t properly express how grateful we are to you all. This is one of the hundreds of things that makes St. Luke’s such a special place! Thank you! With much love, Kris & Bill Wondrachek

Your St. Luke’s ECW Monthly Update
The Spring Rummage Sale was a financial success. There was a small group of us that spent countless hours preparing, sorting and cleaning up. Thanks from Marge Lower and Pat Kuenstler. Without you this would not have been possible. We have made a profit of $813.00
   The date for the fall sale has not been set yet. Watch the newsletter for more information. You can start saving your "GENTLY USED" items, bring them to church and leave them in front of door #4. Remember - if you would not wear it - nobody else would.
   Meeting on May 20 regarding the dishwasher and refrigerator replacement: At this time there have been some questions posed by the Vestry that has placed this on hold. The Vestry will be meeting to discuss this issue as the next step in the process. Watch for updated info in the bulletin or newsletter. If there are any questions please call ECW contacts: Marge Lower 762-7360 Pat Kuenstler 744-5499

RECIPE OF THE MONTH - THIN MINT COOKIES
Similar to girl scout cookies
2 - 4.7 oz packages of Andes Candies - regular flavor
1 box Ritz crackers
Melt candies in a double boiler, then dip crackers into the chocolate just coating the cracker. Line several cookie sheets with wax paper. Lay crackers on paper and cool in the refrigerator about 15 minutes So Good…..yummy. submitted by Marge Lower

Treasurer’s Report April 2007
Income $11,023.66 Expense $6,351.22 Difference $4,672.44

Presiding Bishop is a remarkable woman
   Someone brought an interesting article on our new Presiding Bishop, thinking that some of you dear readers may like to know a bit more of her. Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, is a pastor and a scientist (oceanographer) who was ordained somewhat recently, in 1994. After ordination she served as assistant rector at a parish in Oregon. It was during this time that she took a driving trip through several Western dioceses to interview members in other parishes to learn what was working in their ministries. Realizing that her scientist’s gift for observation and data complimented her humanness in recognizing how relationships work, and that she was doing what many bishops do during their visits, she was asked by one of the priests if he could submit her name for Presiding Bishop.
   Though she is described as innately shy, she does not fear conflict. The scientist within her understands how an organism gets healthier when dealing with challenge. As for the science-religion dichotomy, she realizes that both are about knowing and understanding.
   In her role as Presiding Bishop she is eager to focus on the Episcopal Church’s commitment to the eight Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations. These include eradicating extreme poverty, halving hunger and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS, providing universal primary education and ensuring environmental sustainability. (these goals have also been embraced by our diocesan ECW and discussed at their spring meeting)
   (If you are interested in the entire article, it is posted on the bulletin board downstairs.)
   Interestingly Bishop Schori was almost a visitor in our pews a few months back when she was in the area for a wedding. Unfortunately, a Google search for a Parish close to the airport presented St. Mark’s in So. Milwaukee. What a day it would have been had she been led to St. Luke’s instead.