The Weekly View - August 20, 2021
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In This Issue
- Weekly message from Rev. Joanne Whitt
- Weekly Facebook video
- Upcoming Events
- Outreach Opportunities
message from rev. whitt
Dear St. Luke family,
This coming Sunday, we’ll read the passage in First Kings that describes Solomon’s Temple, which, at the time it was built, was seen, quite literally, as the dwelling place of God. The Temple, where the ark of the covenant was kept, was the center of public worship. The people made pilgrimages to worship in the Temple, the one place they were certain they’d encounter God.
Have you ever been in a place in which you felt as though you encountered God? Where you felt inexplicably, even mystically, closer to God? The Pre-Christian and Celtic people of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England called such places, “thin places,” because in them, the distance between us and God feels “thinner.” The rural landscape in Scotland and Ireland is littered with standing stones, cairns, and markings that once boldly stated, “This is a thin place. This is holy ground.” As one author puts it, “The very ground itself seems to call out, ‘Come here and be transformed.’”
Or, perhaps, rather than a place, you have experienced a moment in time when the veil seemed to lift, and the presence of God felt more real. We don’t experience these moments or these places with our five ordinary senses. So, what is it, then, that makes God feel more real, and more accessible, at some times or places than at others? Is there anything the church might do to foster such transformative experiences? We’ll explore these questions this Sunday.
We’ll also hear from guest musicians Courtney McGiver (horn) and Jesse Chi (trumpet).
A reminder: Soon, you’ll be receiving a letter about registering for the annual gala fundraising dinner. The dinner on Saturday, October 2, at 5:00 p.m., will have indoor and outdoor seating. Our chefs are planning a fabulous menu. I understand that many of our guests at these annual events are friends and family of St. Luke members, so don’t forget to invite your friends and family, and perhaps even buy a table. See below for a link to purchase tickets online and to find our auction donation form.
I’ll see you on Sunday!
Grace and peace,
Joanne Whitt
Interim Pastor