Building Committee Update

We are pleased to report that, after many months of waiting, we have finally received our appraisal report on our rear parcel (Parcel 181) from the Treffer Appraisal Group. Their effort was quite impressive and included an engineering study from Messick & Associates, Consulting Engineers, which was used to ensure that all of Treffer's facts, figures and assumptions were accurate and feasible. The Committee is reviewing this report with our land attorney, Kathryn Dahl of Hyatt & Webber, P.A., to determine our next step.

In regard to progress on our new sanctuary (Parcel 180), we are awaiting completion of the engineering site study being done by C. D. Meekins, Consulting Engineers as part of the City requirements before we can move forward with submitting our Request for Variance. In addition, our architect, Terry Averill, is completing certain site plans that must also be submitted with our variance application. You may recall that the LDA (Limited Development Area) classification of this parcel limits the impervious area taken up by improvements to only 15%. Our proposed building will exceed this limit, therefore, we must be granted a variance in order to build.

We recognize that progress at times seems agonizingly slow. It is a long process but please know that we are moving forward step-by-step.

The "old timers" at St. Luke's will remember The Rev. Richard Landis, early vicar of our little parish, who passed away in late March. His funeral mass and committal was celebrated by Bishop Leighton at St. Anne's on Sunday afternoon, March 25^th. The church was full with many of us who value and rejoice in his life and grieve his loss, especially his family. I spoke that evening to a parishioner from the early years of St. Luke's as a mission church; she moved away years ago. She said, "They sent us many priests in those early years, and Dick was by far the best." He was a faithful shepherd, good friend, serving always, and loving much. May light perpetual shine upon him.

St. Luke's Memorial Garden is in the process of a re-planting. A new layout of plants has been provided by horticulturist, Jan Moran. Anyone wishing to dedicate one or more of the following plants to the memory of a loved one is encouraged to do so. The Garden Committee will be in touch with the families of the interned to request a yearly donation for the perpetual care of the garden.

1 Crepe Myrtle $150.00 each

15 Echinacea $10.00 each

12 Hoogendorn Hollies $40.00 each

15 Hellebores $20.00 each

12 Stella D'Oras $10.00 each

Spend a day of fun on Saturday, June 2^nd from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Luke's for our annual flea market, including furniture, clothing, house wares, and much more. Don't forget to visit our bake table!

The Thrift Shop is still going strong, albeit with abbreviated Saturday hours. For many of our clients, Saturday afternoon is the best time to shop or to bring in donations. It would be wonderful if a few volunteers could be found for the Saturday 12-3 pm slot, which is currently closed. Now that nice weather is here, please consider helping out for a few hours, perhaps once a month, on a regular basis. Call Dawn Moorehead (410-268-2445) or Margaret Eder (410-269-0787)to volunteer. We really need your support.

On March 3^rd, St. Luke's Scout Pack 153 participated in the annual Scouting for Food drive under the "Good Turn for America" banner. More than 1,000 lbs. of food were collected and donated to the food banks of all local churches, St. Luke's, of course, being one. The March 11^th edition of The Capital had a long article with photos about Cub Scout Pack 153.

The baseball season is truly here, and it arrived at St. Luke's the last week in April when a ball flew through an undercroft window. With our lovely playing field in the lee of our cross, it's amazing that such an event has not happened before. If the incipient Babe Ruth comes to the church, Father John will accept his/her apology and return the baseball.

June 2007 Calendar