Here are this week’s announcements. Be sure to view all upcoming events at christandstlukes.org/events. If you do not already get our weekly email updates, you can subscribe here.
Liturgy & Music
Midday Music Returns
Friday, April 24, 12:00 p.m.
Our Midday Music series returns featuring the Collegium Musicum early music ensembles from Old Dominion University, led by Dr. Bianca Hall. This 45 minute concert will feature the ODU Baroque Quartet (flute, violin, viola da gamba, & bass) and the eight voice ODU Madrigal Singers. Free-will offering.
Organist James Kealey — Ticket offer
Sunday, May 10, 4:00 p.m.
The Virginia Arts Festival presents organist James Kealey in concert at Christ & St. Luke’s, this Mother’s Day. Kealey is First Prize and Audience Prize winner of the 2022 American Guild of Organists National Young Artist Competition. He is also Director of Music at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Music of Alfred Hollins, Percy Whitlock, Calvin Hampton, David Hurd, Maurice Duruflé, and more. Tickets for the concert are $24 but CSL parishioners can use the code CSL26 for a discount on up to eight tickets when purchasing at vafest.org. Enter your code in the box before adding tickets to your cart, and the discount will be reflected in your cart before you pay.
Pentecost Doves
Sunday, May 24
In preparation for the Feast of Pentecost, you will have a chance to participate in a special art installation. In this interactive, artistic prayer activity, paper doves will carry simple prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, petition, and/or intercession and will be beautifully displayed on Pentecost Sunday, May 24. The symbol of the dove at Pentecost represents the Holy Spirit and its gifts of peace, unity, and the new beginning of the Church. Please write a prayer(s) in a hand folded dove, provided for you following both services on Sundays, May 10 & 17. You may also submit prayer requests or questions to Rachel Welch (gro.sekultsdnatsirhc@hclew.lehcar) or Charlie Davey (moc.liamg@yevadweilrahc). If you are an experienced origamist, reach out to Rachel Welch for more information on how you may assist. Please note that during this participatory art process, careful attention will be paid to maintaining the private, personal nature of prayer. No prayers will be disclosed to the parish or read aloud. We hope you’ll find a moment to participate.
Formation
Building A Rule of Life
Sundays, April 12 through May 17, from 9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Whether we realize it or not, unspoken rules already govern our daily lives. But do they center Christ? This Eastertide we invite you to bring intentionality to your days by joining our clergy for a six-week Adult Forum exploring the ancient Christian practice of a “Rule of Life.” Inspired by St. Benedict’s promise in 530 AD when he wrote rules for his monks, hoping to establish “nothing harsh, nothing burdensome,” we will study monastic and lay traditions to help you craft a personal framework for encountering God. Discover how to follow Jesus with renewed intentionality. Come, see!
Children’s Formation Schedule
Important information for when you drop off your child:
Please escort your child to the Children’s Room (under 3), or Gold Room (3 and older) or Lower Llloyd (9-11 years old). Sign them in so we have a record of who is here and please make sure there is an adult present. If your child is rejoining you for communion, please watch for them when they come down the ramp. Thank you for helping us keep your children safe!
- 9:00 a.m. – Children up to 3 years old gather in the blue room in the Parish House at the end of the hallway before the stairs for childcare if their parents are attending adult formation or sing in the choir.
- 9:00 a.m. – Children’s Formation for children 3-8 years old gather in the meeting room (the gold room) for what was formerly known as “Sunday School.” We will explore scripture and the traditions of the Episcopal church through stories, music, and art response.
- 9:00 a.m. – Children’s Formation for children 9-12 years old gather in Lower Lloyd for discussion of scripture, the Episcopal Church, and Christ & St. Luke’s. Participants are invited to join their families for the 10:15 a.m. service.
- 9:00 a.m. – Teen Group (12-16 years old) gather in the Mezzanine Office to discuss and reflect on their spiritual lives and growing closer to God through prayer and contemplation.
- 10:15 a.m. – All children through 8 years old participate in developmentally appropriate worship during Children’s Chapel in their respective rooms. Older children will be brought into church to rejoin their families at the Peace. If you would like your child under 3 to join you at the Peace, please come to the Children’s Room at that time to sign them out.
Our youth group is meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday to have a meal and make cards related to the recent service day for Tidewater Friends of Foster care.
DnD Night for youth
Sunday, April 19, 5:00-7:00 p.m.,
Dinner from Panera and check-ins followed by Disciples and Dragons. Other games are available if DnD is not your jam.
Rector’s Book Study
Friday, April 24 at 4:00 p.m., the Gold Room
We’ll read “Daughters of Palestine” by Leyla King, a memoir about the impact of growing up in a Palestinian-American family on her life and ministry as an Episcopal Priest in the diocese of West Texas.
The Saint John’s Bible Docent
Sunday, Apr 19, 2026 after the 10:15 a.m. service in the parlor room.
Anne Lankford will be our docent this month, so please come with your questions.
Gospel Gang Outreach & Fellowship Event
Sunday, May 3, following the 10:15 a.m. service, Lower Lloyd
The Gospel Gang will have its final outreach and fellowship event of the program year Sunday, May 3. We’ll enjoy sandwiches, snacks, games, and origami, assisting in preparation for our parish-wide Pentecost project. All children ages 9-12 are welcome, even if they haven’t yet had a chance to join us for our regular formation group on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. Come join the fun with the Gospel Gang!
Youth Lector Training
Sunday, April 26, following the 10:15 a.m. service
Do you know a child who would like to serve as a youth lector during our services? Children ages 9 and up are invited to this lector training, especially tailored for youth and led by Kathy Hanna (gro.sekultsdnatsirhc@annah.yhtak) and Rachel Welch (gro.sekultsdnatsirhc@hclew.lehcar). Have your child grab a snack from coffee hour and head to the sanctuary. Current youth lectors are also encouraged to attend. Please note, participation in the training does not require a commitment to serve as a youth lector. Children who may decide they’re not quite ready to participate are welcome to try it out at the training. Contact Rachel or Kathy for more information.
Fellowship
Seasoned Spirits
Tuesday, April 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Green Onion, 1603 Colley Ave.
This group was begun by parishioners who wanted to make deeper connections with other members of their church family who are passing through the middle decades of life. So if you have aged out of our wonderful “Pub Club” group for people in their 20’s and 30’s but are still hungry to connect with people, join us! For additional information contact Jo Ann Short.
Confessions of an Arts Critic
Sunday April 26, 12:15 p.m.—1:15 p.m., The Second Floor Choir Room
Virginian-Pilot theater, film and arts critic Dr. Page Laws will lead a fascinating conversational session hosted by the Christ & St. Luke’s Arts Guild where she’ll talk about her career as a critic both for the local paper of record and also, for Cineaste magazine, widely considered one of the most high-falutin’ journals of contemporary moviemaking in the world. If you’re at all interested in art, theater, or film and in learning how to critique from a fair and humane lens, then come, see!
Arts Guild Tour of The Chrysler Museum
Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m.
Art Guild member and retired docent Gary Hecht will offer us a tour of Christian art at the Chrysler Museum. There is no need to RSVP, simply meet us inside the Chrysler at 3 p.m. for this free tour.
May First Thursday Supper
Thursday, May 7, 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. at the home of Robert and Kristi Jones, 5410B Ocean Front Ave, Virginia Beach 23451
If you’re new or have never been; we hope you consider this relaxed, “no agenda” evening with friends old and new, a pot luck meal and plenty of fellowship. No sign up is necessary and all are welcome. Bring a dish to share. For questions please contact a member of the Committee: Ginny O’Malley Hale, Maria Lyall, Vickie Easley or B.J. Taylor at moc.loa@csarolyat or om 757-373-6701. We look forward seeing you!
Faith in Action
An Earth Day message from Caring for Creation
“On April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day to show appreciation for the beauty of our home planet and to consider how to continue to be good stewards of God’s creation. This year, we encourage everyone to consider what small actions to take on, such as participating in community cleanups, using less plastic, or composting food waste. Small consistent changes at the individual level can add up to big changes for our planet!”
Prayer Guild
Thursday April 23 at 6:45 p.m. in the Parlor Room
We are a small group of parishioners who meet to write prayers in support of the parish community. We approach prayer as a conversation with God, and use written prayer as a part of a Rule of Life. No prior writing experience is necessary. If you’d like to join us, or would like more information, contact Barb Kersey at: moc.liamg@95yesrekbraB
Want to find out more about Thursday Lunch Ministry?
See firsthand how our dedicated volunteers are doing much more than just serving mealsthrough our new mini documentary about lunch ministry. As one volunteer puts it, they are “helping people feel like human beings through food,” and it’s a process that benefits both our volunteers and our guests in equal measure. We invite you to watch the documentary, learn more about our shared mission, and discover how you can get involved today.
Caring For Creation: Clean The Bay Day with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Saturday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Volunteers from across the state will gather to remove litter from rivers, streams, roadsides, and shorelines as part of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s annual Clean the Bay Day. You’re invited to participate at sites across the state. Since 1989, volunteers have removed more than 7 million pounds of debris from Virginia waterways. Learn more and register here, signing up under the “Norfolk/Keep Norfolk Beautiful” location option. Our Caring for Creation team will meet at 9 a.m. at the corner of Villa Circle and Rialto Place in the Villa Heights neighborhood in Norfolk.
Spring Weekend at Camp Chanco
Friday, May 1st @ 7:30 PM – Sunday, May 3rd @ 11:00 AM
Youth in grades 6-12 (and their adult leaders) are invited to gather for a weekend of fun & fellowship at Camp Chanco. Participants stay in the summer camp chalets and have the opportunity to grow their faith & take advantage of Chanco summer camp activities. To learn more, visit the Camp Chanco website.
Save the Date – Norfolk Winter Shelter Reunion Dinner
May 28, 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
The Urban Renewal Center of Norfolk is hosting a reunion dinner for all guests and volunteers of the Norfolk Winter Shelter. This annual dinner is a chance to break bread together and celebrate the work of the shelter, in addition to catching-up with our guests and fellow volunteers. Please save the date, with more details to follow.
