This morning I finally had a chance to open the June edition of The Christian Century. On page ten I found these numbers:
As of May 3, there were 14, 191 gun-related deaths in the US in 2023.
6,073 of those deaths were homicides.
8,118 were suicides.
Only 360 of the total gun deaths were committed in self-defense.
Judy and I have done several major home improvement projects in the years since I retired from Rainbow Hospice. The first was replacing the second floor (“Judy’s”) bathroom. Taking the existing bathroom down to the studs was probably one of the most satisfying experiences of my life. At the end of the day I could truly see what I had accomplished.
Supporting Young Migrants Seeking Asylum Pop-Up Event: Sunday, June 4, 3:30-5:00pm in the Atrium
Hosted by Viator House of Hospitality (St. Luke’s member Clyde Walter is involved with Viator House).
Come and bring your family and friends to worship outdoors at 10:00 a.m. on June 25 July 9, and August 13. The setting is informal bring a chair or blanket to sit on.
Our Old Testament lesson for Trinity Sunday, the story of creation, gives us a deep image for the life of the Christian steward. “Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image…and let them have dominion….over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that move upon the earth…”
Have you considered using your bicycle for shorter trips around town? St. Luke’s had bike racks installed by some talented members a few years ago. Sunday morning is a great day to take a bike trip as there’s not too much traffic. Come give them some company this summer! there will be worship outdoors on June 11, July 9, August 13. Come and bring the neighbors.
Shavuot or “The Festival of Weeks” occurs seven weeks after Passover and begins on the fiftieth day after, hence its Greek name Pentecost. This is one of the three festivals for which some Jewish people would make pilgrimage to Jerusalem (the other two are Passover and the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles). Pentecost is a harvest festival where families bring the first fruits of their harvest in anticipation of God blessing the remainder of the harvest (Exodus 23:16; Deuteronomy 26:5-11). This made Pentecost already symbolically rich for imagining the beginning of a bountiful ingathering, but in Acts’ case what was reaped was not produce, but people.
On June 6, 8:30 a.m., please join us for our final breakfast until October. We will serve outstanding pancakes, bacon, sausage, coffee and orange juice. Our speaker, Mr. Dan Winters is from the Shriners Children’s Hospital. He will explain how they provide free care for their many little patients. We look forward to seeing you. Questions? Contact John Nommensen.
Have you been following the local news? On Wednesday Night ABC Channel 7 News reported that the number of migrants who have been transported to Chicago from our country’s southern border since last August now exceeds 9,000.
These migrants—families and individuals—are not here illegally. They are here seeking asylum. Under U.S. law they have 1 year to demonstrate to the immigration courts that they have a legitimate claim to asylum and the right to stay in this country permanently.
In the meantime migrants struggle. Chicago does not have adequate housing and support to offer migrants. They have been bussed to area Chicago police districts and have been sleeping on the floors at the police stations.
As we have talked recently about “year-round stewardship” I remembered a suggestion once made, only half in jest, that the Church move St. Matthew’s Day on the liturgical calendar from September 21 to April 15 and refocus our stewardship emphasis, beginning on that day and continuing through the month of May. We can give thanks for Matthew the Tax Collector, the IRS, and all tax collecting bodies for truly making us aware of our financial health and stewardship.