St. Philip Lutheran ChurchEveryone is invited and encouraged to be a part of an open forum on Sunday, March 18th starting at 10am in the sanctuary. The intent of this gathering is to provide some space for good dialogue as St. Philip considers options for staffing into the future. Please check out the State of the Parish article and mark your calendars for March 18th to bring your questions, comments, hopes, and dreams to this very important time of discernment in our life together at St. Philip.
Dan Radmacher
Church council met January 30 at 6p.m. in the church library. Much of the meeting continued discussions about the staffing transition and bigger picture thoughts about how best to devote staffing resources to fulfill the mission and ministries of St. Philip.
Pastor David reported that the temporary staffing situation — an increase in Office Administrator Laura Latham’s hours and the hiring of Kelly Miller Truax to work part-time as a volunteer coordinator — has helped, though some communications issues are still being worked out.
Pastor David and Sue Huntington, Council President
Ministry is alive at St. Philip! We are planning and praying, discerning and discovering the best possible ways for ministry to continue in great ways but also grow and be strengthened. Your St. Philip leadership is dedicated to empowering our ministry together as we work toward staffing the ministry we live in the most effective ways. We also are committed to communicate well as these processes and conversations unfold.
Where are we now? Because this community of faith is exceptionally gifted and has admirably stepped into ministry gaps so much continues. Over 20 people have either added new responsibilities in areas where they currently serve or have taken on completely new tasks. They are too many to name specifically, but I am most grateful.
February 14, 2018 – 7:00 p.m., Ash Wednesday, St. Philip Lutheran Church
Ash Wednesday, is the first day of the season of Lent and begins a 40 day journey intended to be a time of confession, reflection, preparation, and fasting. It is a time for Christians to remember that our hope comes from the Christ of the cross and is assured by Jesus’ Easter resurrection. Come and experience the powerful promise of Jesus as we gather for worship in the sanctuary.
Lenten Worship Series: Open My Life Lord
When we cannot see the beauty of your creation, open our eyes, that all living things thrive and grow. When we neglect the poor, the sick, and the grieving, open our hands to do your work in the world. When we ignore the cries of injustice in our midst, open our ears, that all will know your love. When we are hardened against our neighbor, open our hearts and heal our resentment. When we are closed to the grace you long to give us, open our lives and turn us to follow in the way of the cross.
February 21, 2018 – 7:00 p.m., St. Philip Lutheran Church, Rev. John McCandlish
Open My Eyes Lord: Paul saw the light of Christ shining around him on the road to Damascus. As individuals and communities, what do we have difficulty seeing?
February 28, 2018 – 7:00 p.m., Glade Creek Lutheran Church, Rev. David Derrick
Open My Hands Lord: We use our hands to pick up a child, to serve a meal, to play an instrument, to wipe away a tear. Jesus used his hands for healing and for deeds of great power.
March 7, 2018 – 7:00 p.m., St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Rev. Ken Lane
Open My Ears Lord: Ancient Greek philosophy notes that we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. Jesus reminds us that we sometimes hear but don’t listen, listen but don’t understand.
March 14, 2018 – 7:00 p.m., St. Philip Lutheran Church, Rev. James Davis
Open My Heart Lord: Listening to Paul’s teaching, Lydia opened her heart to God and was baptized. Her willing, trusting faith echoes down through the centuries as we witness her “open heart procedure.”
March 21, 2018 – 7:00 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, Lutherans of the Roanoke Valley – CANCELLED
Open My Life Lord: Writing to the Galatians, Paul tells us that we have died to the law so that we might live to God. It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us.
*All services except Ash Wednesday preceded by Soup and Bread at 6:00p.m.
Council met on January 9 at 7 p.m. in the church library. Much of the meeting focused on long-term transitional planning in the wake of Pastor Kelly’s departure.
Treasurer Peter Shick said the year-end appeal to congregation members to help erase the anticipated budget shortfall was very successful. In November, it looked like the church might finish the year having spent $7,000 more than was received in offerings. By the end of the year, that deficit had been reduced to $282.
Pastor David reported that church administrator Laura Latham agreed to boost her hours for the next six months to help meet some of the short-term administrative needs created by Pastor Kelly’s vacancy, and Kelly Miller Truax, a teacher at St. Philip preschool with family ties to the church, agreed to work 10 hours a week as a volunteer coordinator. She will be at church on Sundays to help connect people to the work that needs to be accomplished.
Many volunteers have already stepped forward and been assigned tasks and responsibilities, and even more have said they’re ready to help out. Pastor David said he’s feeling very good about the short-term transition effort.
Council spent some time brainstorming about the church’s future, how to best engage the congregation and what kind of long-term staffing solutions to consider. This will be an ongoing conversation.
The next council meeting will be January 30 at 6 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.
St. Philip Lutheran Church and Feast @ Philip’s is featured in this Roanoke Times article. 
With great pride we celebrate with Pastor Kelly her call to serve as the Assistant to the Bishop of the Virginia Synod. Her faithfulness, love for God’s people, creativity, passion, and compassion will now be experienced by an even greater audience.
Please make plans to be present as we lift up Pastor Kelly’s ministry among us at St. Philip. On Sunday, December 10th we will have a reception between worship services to honor her and to give thanks for the wonderful ways she has led us to be better disciples of Jesus. The reception will begin at approximately 9:45am. Come to share stories, a word of thanksgiving, and to surround her with our very best wishes. Well done good and faithful servant.
