St. Luke's Walnut Creek is situated in the "active adult community" of Rossmoor.  As one of the original "clubs" serving the 9500 residents, we literally "make Church" every Sunday in one of the common rooms.  Ironically enough, it is called "the Diablo Room"!!  Two employees of Rossmoor set up the chairs, a long table on risers, and the tables used for the coffee hour, and then the dedicated and faithful members of the Altar Guild prepare the altar with all the traditional elements.

With Lent beginning during Black History Month, and  fighting raging in many African nations, the Worship Committee and I, with the permission of Bishop Marc, chose to offer the congregation a way to pray with those in Kenya, by using the Kenyan Rite from the Anglican Church in that country.  That way we  pray from their perspective, in their words, in unity with the faithful for peace and for justice.  The Kenyan Rite is online, if you would like to see it.  It has several appealing features: there is a great deal of "call and response," so the congregation plays a bigger part throughout.  It is well-suited to penitential seasons; it sounds somewhat familiar to those who remember the 1928 Prayer Book, as many members of St. Luke's do.  For example, there is a prayer reminiscent of the Prayer of Humble Access, but it is stated in this way: "We come to your table as your children, not presuming, but assured, not trusting ourselves, but your Word."  The end of the liturgy is particularly compelling, for it combines the call and response format with movements done by the whole congregation together, sending "all our problems to the cross of Christ," and setting "all our hopes on the risen Christ."  The only part I have altered is the beginning of the Prayer of Thanksgiving: in response to the three questions, "Is the Father/Son/Spirit here?"  we are replying a resounding "Yes!" each time.

We have also chosen to sing hymns from "Lift Every Voice and Sing" each Sunday.  The response to this has been enthusiastic, as some members associate the music with other times in other churches, and with camps they attended.

To accomplish the almsgiving aspect of Lent, St. Luke's is also taking up a special collection in support of ministries aiding Kenyan orphans and prayerful religious bodies (a convent has been recommended to us).  We are especially joyful that 100% of the funds gathered in this way will be used for direct aid.