So Flo Guns - 4th of July Celebration – About St. Luke’s, the Lawn, and the Fellowship

Our July 4th Celebration is taking place at St. Luke the Physician - a “hidden in plain view” garden parish, right in the middle of Kendall.

Just a mile or so west of Miami-Dade College’s Kendall campus on Killian Parkway, as you drive over the turnpike and look to the right, you’ll notice a big red cross over the trees, on top of a bell tower. As you get closer you’ll notice a big open green space – St. Luke’s lawn. A tree-lined green expanse just perfect for our July 4th Celebration, complete with bands, food, and fun!

Once on the grounds you notice there is so much more than just the lawn and the understated church building itself. The meditation garden and recently opened La Casita Thrift Store make this a very special place that thousands drive by every day, but rarely notice. It’s likely been this way since the early 1980’s when it opened – though the Banyan tree and Staghorn ferns were likely much smaller, and the priest lived in the thrift shop building.

St. Luke’s is an Episcopal (Anglican) church with many members rooted in the Caribbean and other spots around the world. It’s been a tough year as it has for churches everywhere. In-person services stopped at the beginning of the lockdown and have only resumed under meticulous conditions including temperature checks, mandatory hand sanitizing, socially distant seating, no choir, no wine, etc.

St. Luke’s is trying very hard to get ready for its future and this July 4th celebration is part of that; with the extra opportunity for fellowship – and fundraising - it offers. Because the best thing about St. Luke’s if you ask those that have been here since the beginning, is the fellowship. St. Luke’s is a very special place which represents our melting pot community in ways like few others. So the idea of St. Luke’s remaining in its pandemic induced status is distressful to the long serving members that make the place go.

This July 4th at St. Luke’s has come together very quickly as it became clear that CDC guidelines will permit it. It is really shaping up with food trucks and three bands offering music for all Miamian tastes.

We hope you can spend at least part of your July 4th afternoon with us. If you can’t make it we hope you’ll consider a donation anyway. We are also reaching out to the local business community for potential sponsors. Just go to Lukes4th.org where you can find more information, the flyer, sponsor materials, schedule of performances,  and updates. Just click on the “Donate or Sponsor” button.

​And, as always, please remember St. Luke’s in your prayers and good thoughts.

See you on the 4th!