Eye on the Ball

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

- 1 Corinthians 9:25

I love college football and the excitement a new season brings. The energy is palpable; you can even feel here at the church. Office doors are decorated, favorite team shirts are worn, and trash is talked. Meetings can get heated! Our common goal of sharing ways to live and love like Jesus brings us together and squelches any animosity.

This past weekend Texas college football teams wore stickers on their helmets with a green ribbon over the state of Texas in memory of the victims and those impacted by this summer's flooding. Each team posted a video showing the teams applying the stickers with the hashtag #texasstrong. They came together for something bigger than football.

In the scripture above, Paul reminds us that our ultimate goal is achieving the "crown that will last forever", not earthly crowns.

You may consider yourself an Aggie, Longhorn, Cougar, Owl, Horned Frog, Bobcat, Red Raider, Mustang or [enter your favorite team mascot here], but more importantly you are on team JESUS. Just like any football team, this team requires everyone to be successful. I hope something in this newsletter will inspire you to get in the game. Keep your eye on the ball, I mean the crown!

-Charity Autry, Outreach Program Director Lead

Gig'em

Visit the Outreach Website

In September, St. Luke’s is collecting candy and coats for the Gethsemane community. Individually wrapped candy donations will benefit Gethsemane's beloved Trunk or Treat event in October. Gently used or new coats will wrap children at Sutton Elementary and visitors to the Mercy Closet in warmth as weather grows colder. Coat sizes requested are 3 months – Youth XL.

See recommended options on our Amazon Registry here, or shop at your favorite store. Donations can be delivered to the church or dropped in the Donation Bin located in the Gathering Room.

Questions? Contact Karen McCarver

Crayons, pencils, backpacks and new shoes, oh my! Last month we collected $19,504 for CCSC's Back-to-School program. These elemental items equip 260 students with the feeling of preparedness that can provide the confidence to show up and face the challenges ahead. We are so thankful for your generosity!

The Big Serve is coming! Twice a year, all ages and worshiping communities come together for a special day of service. Our fall Big Serve, focuses on organizations in and around our Gethsemane community. For the third year, we are partnering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to provide beds to children in the Gulfton/Sharpstown area. Our goal this year is to build and deliver 55 beds in one day! This isn't just a number, it is 55 children that will have a comfortable place to lay their heads on November 1.

Bed building not your gift? We have other ways to Love our City including gardening, sorting clothing and other meaningful projects at Gethsemane campus and the surrounding area. Opportunities available for all ages and abilities.

Donate to the bed build here. $250 provides bed materials, a mattress and bedding. Any amount donated will help us reach our goal of $13,750.

News From Our Community Partners

Do you have 30 minutes a week to spare? Volunteers are needed to serve as a Small Steps Nurturing Center "Buddy" this school year at both of their Gulfton and Fifth Ward campuses. Buddies are asked to commit 30 minutes each week, Monday through Friday during school hours (specific days/times vary based on campus), with pre-K aged children in child-directed play.

All volunteers are required to complete an in-person 2-hour training on one of two training dates (Wednesday, September 17 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. or Tuesday, September 23 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.). These trainings will be held at the Fifth Ward campus (2902 Jensen Dr. Houston, TX 77026).

Contact Madeleine Haynes for more information.

PX Project Cohort 11 is here!

They are looking forward to seeing you at the PX Cafe. Check out the new fall menu here. Try the Butter Chicken, Veggie Wrap or the Green Goddess salad. Have a sweet tooth, try the chocolate croissant! Pop in for your next breakfast or lunch meeting at PX. Cafe hours:

Mon. - Thurs. | 9 a.m . - 3 p.m.

Friday | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

As The Garden grows, so do the variety of opportunities young people are getting to experience! Do you have a skill you'd love to share in a one-time workshop for young people to try out? Everything from pottery to pickleball is welcome. Interested in sharing a skill or passion with young people at the Garden? Contact Mirella Sales.

Serve with us this month!

Support your favorite college team and tackle hunger at our Food Drive Showdown benefiting CCSC! Bring your non-perishable food items to the Main Entrance porte-cochere from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Our enthusiastic, jersey-clad volunteers will unload your car and place your donations in the college bin of your choice.

Most needed items are protein packed soups, canned meats, peanut butter, rice and beans. No time to shop, click here for our Amazon wish list; note your favorite team in the “Gift message” box. Items purchased from Amazon will be delivered directly to CCSC.

The college team with the most donations will win the Food Drive Showdown Title! Will the Longhorns take the title for the second year in a row?

"Thank you, St. Luke’s clergy, staff, and congregation, for helping to keep CCSC’s food pantry shelves stocked with your Christmas in July food drive donations and your long-standing Second Saturday Food Drives. Your steadfast support of our shared mission keeps food on the tables of Houstonians in crisis. We appreciate you! " - CCSC Staff

Providing hope and comfort with a smile!

The Mercy Closet is visited by people looking for a kind face and a helping hand each week. Thanks to your ongoing generosity, guests can pick up items for a job interview, school uniforms, shoes and clothing to prepare them for what is ahead.

Have a few hours to help?

Opportunities to volunteer at the Mercy Closet Monday thru Friday. Choose a day and time that works with your schedule. Sign up here.

Want to donate?

The current needs are new or gently used school uniforms (pre-school - high school) and NEW undergarments (all ages). No time to shop, click here for our Amazon wish list.

Drop off donations* in the bin in the Gathering Room at Westheimer or contact Getrida Deleo to set up a time to drop donations off at Gethsemane.

Questions? Contact Getrida Deleo

*Please Note: Because we have limited storage space and want to maintain a well-organized system, we ask that you hold or donate elsewhere any fall and winter clothing at this time.)

A SPECIAL THANK YOU!

We want to take a moment to thank the wonderful anonymous fairies who donated school uniforms to the Mercy Closet. Your kindness and generosity are making a real difference for children and families in our community.

Because of you, students are starting the school year with confidence—walking into classrooms prepared and proud in uniforms that fit. What may seem like a simple gift is truly a blessing to families who need a little extra support right now.

Your thoughtful donations to the Mercy Closet remind us that when we come together, we can ease burdens and lift each other up. We are so grateful for your hearts of compassion and for showing what community looks like in action. Thank you for caring, for giving, and for helping kids shine this school year!

Fun, food and fellowship

The Outreach Team kicked off Wednesday Night fellowship on August 20 serving over 100 people. Attendees included members of the community and youth from The Garden. Guests enjoyed pizza, salad and Mandazi, the star of the show! Volunteers from our Baragumu community provided this homemade dessert. Mandazi is a fried bread or doughnut from East African cuisine, especially popular in Kenya and Tanzania. Unlike typical Western doughnuts, they are not frosted, but are lightly sweetened with coconut milk and cardamom. Let me tell you, they are AMAZING!

In addition to dinner, participants met with representatives from organizations serving the Gulfton/Sharpstown community. Christian Community Center, The Garden, Social Motion, Harris County Public Health, ECHOS and many more were there to share their resources. We are so thankful to be in partnership with these organizations that share a common vision.

Every Wednesday night you have the opportunity to be a part of living and loving like Jesus. We are seeking help on September 10 & October 15. Whether you love to cook or prefer to use a caterer, enjoy serving food or would rather strike up a conversation, we would be grateful for your help to offer a meal the community can count on and a space in which they can find belonging. Find a date that works for your schedule here.

Questions? Contact Getrida Deleo

Do you have a heart for children with special needs or want to learn more? Volunteers are needed for St. Luke's kids' day out program for children with disabilities and their siblings. Training is provided. Don't have time to be at an event? We need donations of meals for the volunteers too! Please contact Bevin Barrett at pmpals@stlukesmethodist.org or 713-402-5053 for more details.

Fostering Generosity

Each year St. Luke's distributes a total of $192,000 from the Outreach budget to organizations that share our mission in Houston and beyond. Stay tuned for inspiration and opportunities to support these organizations with your time, skills, and resources!

Your Outreach Team

Amy Sumrall - Pastor of Outreach (713-402-5073)

Amy Kelley - Outreach Community Engagement Lead (713-357-4464)

Charity Autry - Outreach Program Development Lead (713-402-5199)

Getrida Deleo - Outreach On-site Coordinator, Gethsemane Campus (713-357-4463)

Karen McCarver - Outreach Volunteer Support & Administrative Lead (713-402-5152)

Marci Pampe - Outreach Team Support (713-357-4466)

Look Before You Click!

If you receive an email from the church, please make sure that it is from (name)@StLukesMethodist.org. The stlukesmethodist.org (as opposed to @gmail.com or @yahoo.com or others) tells you it is from St. Luke’s and not spam.