1 St. Luke's Episcopal Church JULY/AUGUST 2015 Newsletter From Fr. Tim It is done. After thirteen months, five listening sessions, one retreat, seventy-five applicants, thirteen Skype interviews, five site visits, and countless hours of prayers, we have a new Minis- ter of Music! Even if it were Lent, I would still shout, "Alleluia!" While there is much I could say about the journey, for the purpose of this article I want to focus on three things. First, our new Minister of Music is Rodney Ayers. Rodney will be coming to us from St. Mat- thew's Episcopal Church in Wilton, Connecticut, where he has served as their organist and choir director for over twenty years. During his time there he has developed a spectacular intergener- ational approach to their choirs, with both wonderful youth and adult participation. He also has presided over an organ search and installation. When asked about Rodney, The Rev. Mary Grace Williams, the rector of St. Matthew's, said, "You would be crazy not to hire him. He means so much to the entire life of the church-- not just our music ministry. And he is more than a colleague, he is a dear friend. I will weep when he leaves." More than a gifted musician and minister, Rodney is a warm, engaging, and charismatic man. He clearly cares about people-- youth and adults alike. He will be a delightful addition to our parish community and I am so excited to have him as a partner in ministry. Rodney, along with his husband, Vince Edwards, moves to Rhode Island in August, and will be on the bench for kick-off Sunday, September 13. The second thing I want to say is that this process has provided me with additional evidence (not that I needed convincing) of the health and faithfulness of this congregation. I have loved working with our steering committee. Let me say that again for clarity and emphasis: I HAVE LOVED WORKING WITH OUR STEERING COMMITTEE! Sarah Curtis and Fran Gammell-Roach provided crucial leadership for our efforts, organizing our meetings, corresponding with our candidates, and keeping me attentive to all the little details. I am so grateful to them for their leadership. And in addition to these two individuals, the entire committee was stellar. They were so gener- ous with their time, often meeting several nights a week. They were so thoughtful about your comments from the listening sessions. They were so articulate in crafting a vision for our musi- cal future and then writing a job announcement. (Almost every individual with whom we Skyped commented on our impressive search materials.) They were so gracious to the candi- dates with whom we met. And they were so discerning in their reflections upon these meetings.
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St. Luke's Episcopal Church JULY/AUGUST 2015 Newsletter
From Fr. Tim
It is done. After thirteen months, five listening sessions, one retreat, seventy-five applicants,
thirteen Skype interviews, five site visits, and countless hours of prayers, we have a new Minis-
ter of Music! Even if it were Lent, I would still shout, "Alleluia!"
While there is much I could say about the journey, for the purpose of this article I want to focus
on three things.
First, our new Minister of Music is Rodney Ayers. Rodney will be coming to us from St. Mat-
thew's Episcopal Church in Wilton, Connecticut, where he has served as their organist and choir
director for over twenty years. During his time there he has developed a spectacular intergener-
ational approach to their choirs, with both wonderful youth and adult participation. He also has
presided over an organ search and installation. When asked about Rodney, The Rev. Mary
Grace Williams, the rector of St. Matthew's, said, "You would be crazy not to hire him. He
means so much to the entire life of the church-- not just our music ministry. And he is more
than a colleague, he is a dear friend. I will weep when he leaves."
More than a gifted musician and minister, Rodney is a warm, engaging, and charismatic man.
He clearly cares about people-- youth and adults alike. He will be a delightful addition to our
parish community and I am so excited to have him as a partner in ministry. Rodney, along with
his husband, Vince Edwards, moves to Rhode Island in August, and will be on the bench for
kick-off Sunday, September 13.
The second thing I want to say is that this process has provided me with additional evidence
(not that I needed convincing) of the health and faithfulness of this congregation. I have loved
working with our steering committee. Let me say that again for clarity and emphasis: I HAVE
LOVED WORKING WITH OUR STEERING COMMITTEE! Sarah Curtis and Fran
Gammell-Roach provided crucial leadership for our efforts, organizing our meetings,
corresponding with our candidates, and keeping me attentive to all the little details. I am so
grateful to them for their leadership.
And in addition to these two individuals, the entire committee was stellar. They were so gener-
ous with their time, often meeting several nights a week. They were so thoughtful about your
comments from the listening sessions. They were so articulate in crafting a vision for our musi-
cal future and then writing a job announcement. (Almost every individual with whom we
Skyped commented on our impressive search materials.) They were so gracious to the candi-
dates with whom we met. And they were so discerning in their reflections upon these meetings.
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Yet what moved me most deeply was their re-
action as we realized that after the first wave of
our search, we had not found a match. As you
might imagine, we all were disappointed. We
had worked so hard. And, truth be told, we
were just a bit tired, too. But given the oppor-
tunity to step down from the committee, each
member remained committed to seeing the
process to completion. And more than that,
each member remained not just hopeful but
certain that we would find the right person.
More than dedication in their response to this
development, there was an abiding faith.
Which leads me to the third thing I want to
share with you. One of the many take-aways
from this process is the reminder that (what we
call) the Holy Spirit really does look after us.
As you can well imagine, there was some dis-
appointment when we arrived at the end of our
initial interviews only to discover we had no
match. But after that initial surprise, the com-
mittee rallied quickly based upon the deep be-
lief that the Holy Spirit really was in charge
and we simply had not yet met our person.
Then, within a matter of days, I received a call
from the rector of Grace Church, Providence.
We had been communicating periodically
about our simultaneous searches. He informed
me that they had recently called Vince Ed-
wards, a wonderful musician from Connecti-
cut. And when I shared with him our need to
cast the nets again, he replied, "Well, Vince
has a husband who is also an amazing musi-
cian-- and will now be looking for work in
Rhode Island!" Before hanging up the phone, I
asked Jonathan to let Rodney know we were
still searching.
After finishing that conversation, I called The
Rev. Patrick Campbell, a former organist and
now the rector of the Church of the Redeemer,
Providence. When I told him the latest on our
search and inquired about Rodney, he said,
"Oh, as soon as I heard Priscilla was retiring a
year ago I thought Rodney would be your
perfect candidate!" That further piqued my
interest.
Finally, just an hour later, Rodney called my
cell. Our conversation was animated,
thoughtful, and delightful. When asked why
he didn't initially apply, Rodney told me that
Vince had been taking the lead on the search
and, although he had been captivated by our
vacancy, he wanted to let the Holy Spirit do
Her thing with Vince first. Once Vince land-
ed the Grace job, he was so disappointed to
have missed out on our process—and then
overjoyed to discover that we were still
searching! The rest, as they say, is history.
From day one, I told the twelve member
steering committee that we really had a thir-
teenth member-- that being the Holy Spirit.
Of course, I am grateful to Sarah Curtis, Fran
Gammell-Roach, Jesse Facey, Jody Ryan,
Charlotte Palmer, Stacey Nakasian (Jenkins),
Michael Sullivan, Pat Hallenbeck, John
Walsh, Bruce Stevens, Tom Sprague, and
Brenda Mendes for all their hard work.
Regardless of perspective or interest or age,
each contributed significantly and collaborat-
ed beautifully. The whole truly is greater
than the sum of our parts.
But that said, I give special thanks for the gift
of the Holy Spirit-- who has led us through
this process and brought us a person beyond
our wildest imaginings. I cannot wait to see
what Rodney, the people of St. Luke's, and
that same Spirit will do next!
Summer blessings!
Regardless of perspective or in-
terest or age, each contributed
significantly and collaborated
beautifully. The whole truly is
greater than the sum of our
parts.
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Music Director Search Committee
With grace-filled and grateful hearts, the search committee has completed its task part-
nering with Father Tim to identify our next Music Minister. As Fr Tim announced on
Sunday, June 21st, St Luke’s has called Rodney Ayers and he has accepted. We would
like to thank all of the committee members for their time, thoughtful conversation and
prayers as we worked to seek God’s call for the next chapter of Music Ministry at St
Luke’s. You will read more about Rodney in Father Tim’s article. The committee was
such a wonderful group that we will miss its gatherings as we look forward to welcom-
ing Rodney in September.
Peace,
Sarah Curtis & Fran Gammell-Roach, Co-chairs
July 30th ——-SAVE THE DATE
On Thursday, July 30th at 5pm, join us for a summer BBQ in our dining
room and garden area. Following the dinner, take your lawn chairs across
the parking lot to listen to East Greenwich’s Summer Concert Series.
More information will follow in our weekly newsletter.
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Thank You!
To all parishioners of St Luke’s,
As many of you know, Sunday June 28th was the last day of my internship assignment at St.
Luke’s.
I would like to thank the people that make this congregation a focal point in the community
and in the dioceses and who welcomed me into that extraordinary experience with open arms,
smiles, encouragement and friendship. I would especially like to thank Rev. Tim, Rev. Noel
and Deacon Ted for their guidance, advice and direction during my all too brief time at St
Luke’s. I would like to thank Sue MacDonald, the staff and especially the children of Sunday
school for allowing me to share in your growth and formation and for the exceptional work
done in support of St Mary’s Home. This is a truly dedicated group working with outstanding
young people and all of St Luke’s should be proud of what they accomplish. And I will not ev-
er forget the wonderful choir that so enhances the worship experience each week at St Luke’s. I
will recall fondly the vocal warm-ups done by Eden Casteel and the St Cecilia and Angel
Choirs. Even now as I think about the vocal loops and yips you go through, I find myself smil-
ing. And speaking of vocal warm-ups, my heartfelt thanks to John Brooks and Eden for the
guidance, instruction, help and encouragement to a coughing, slightly horse and somewhat in-
timidated Deacon in Training that allowed him to make it through Easter Vigil, although I am
not sure I have had tea and honey since. Again, thank you. To the outreach groups you are all
truly accomplishing Christ’s ministry to the sick, the poor and the outcast. Christ’s Community
Kitchen, Mobil Loaves and Fishes, Eucharistic Visitor, Harrington Hall and the many commu-
nity support groups that use the St Luke’s facilities. I thank you for all you accomplish in the
community. You are really doing great stuff. I never had to look too far to see and experience
the face and spirit of Jesus wherever the people of St Luke’s would venture within and outside
the walls of the church. And, last but certainly not least to the acolytes, altar guild, chalice
bearers, greeters, readers and all those whose ministry supports the congregations worship ex-
perience weekly. It was an honor and a pleasure working with all of you.
I would also like to thank everyone for the beautiful stole that you gave me and will think
fondly of St. Luke’s when in the future, with God’s grace, I am able to wear it as an ordained
Deacon.
So, it is time to end. Again to everyone at St Luke’s I thank you for an insightful and wonder-
ful experience over the last nine months. I thank you for your welcome, your fellowship and
your friendship during my stay here for myself and also for my family. Best wishes for you all
as you continue to do the work of God in the congregation, community and the world. I will
miss you all. You will be in my prayers.
Grace and Peace,
Ed Dean
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The East Greenwich Interfaith Food Cupboard (EGIFC)
What are empty, well used and always in need of your support? If you answered the
shelves at the East Greenwich Interfaith Food Cupboard that operates out of St. Luke's Church,
then you are right!! How can you be a winner in our eyes? Specifically help us fill the shelves
for the summer months and then provide ongoing support to the Food Cupboard all year
round.
In the summer, the number of food drives that support the EGIFC fall off because schools are
closed and corporate supporters are on vacation and/or thinking of other things. But the need
for food by clients of the Food Cupboard does not diminish. In fact, it may be greater because
the children who may get a subsidized meal at school are home for the summer.
Though we always welcome your support, we need it now in the summer months more than
ever. You can help by dropping off some canned vegetables (corn, carrots, spinach, peas),
some canned fruit (pineapple, pears, peaches, mixed fruit), boxed cereal or oatmeal, Progresso
soups, canned chicken or tuna, jelly or jam, etc.
Don't want to drop food off but still want to help? Write a check to the EGIFC. In the last three
months we have spent a FEMA grant in the amount of $1,450.00 and over $1,800.00 from our
Treasury.
The Food Cupboard now has a cooler so we are giving out eggs, cheese and margarine. We
hope to see more fresh fruit and vegetables donated during the summer months.
As always, we appreciate all your support.
Chris and Steve Bartlett
Co-Directors
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Consider joining the Eldredge Legacy Society with an estate gift to benefit
the future ministry of our parish.
From the Planned Giving Committee ...
At St. Luke’s, we can see the legacy of those who came before us. Our parish ministries are
possible today, because our forbearers gave of their time, talent and treasure to build up the
church over the years. Many of these were in the form of planned gifts—gifts made from the
estates of parishioners upon their passing. To encourage, promote and recognize planned gifts
to St. Luke’s the Eldredge Legacy Society was established, named for a family who played a
key leadership role in the parish for many years.
The Society serves to enable members and friends to witness to the value of St. Luke’s in their
lives and secure its ministries for generations to come. Planned gifts to the Society are acts of
hope for the future of our parish. Through God’s grace and your generosity, St. Luke’s will be
well equipped to serve our community in generations to come.
You may become a member of the Eldredge Legacy Society simply by notifying the parish of-
fice that you have named St. Luke’s as a beneficiary in your will, trust, insurance policy or re-
tirement account with either a specific gift amount or percentage of your estate or of a specific
asset. You may also qualify by making the parish the beneficiary of a planned gift instrument,
such as a charitable remainder trust, charitable gift annuity, pooled income fund or life estate
agreement. Gifts of any size qualify you for membership; there is no minimum amount re-
quired.
All Eldredge Legacy Society members will be listed on the Society Honor Roll and recognized
at an annual event. Members will also be invited to seminars and special sessions on planned
giving, financial and estate planning. This year’s annual event will be a light dinner on Sunday,
September 13 at 4:00 PM at the home of Jim and Cathe Rezendes. All parishioners who
are current members or who notify the parish office of their documented planned gift by
August 31, 2015 will be invited to attend.
Enrollment forms and the new St. Luke’s Planned Giving brochure are available at the parish
