I come from a very, very large Greek family which consists of a lot of “loud” love. Although loud, that love defines the certainty of peace and grace of sharing in communion as FAMILY. To me, family is where one holds comfort in belonging and loving unconditionally. I cannot think of one Sunday in church that I have not heard Rich refer to Saint Luke’s as a “family”…“We want you to be a part of the Saint Luke’s Family” or “come have supper and join our family” or “come to the family picnic”, or “this is the Saint Luke’s Church family pancake supper” I could go on and on. These words have been so comforting and welcoming to us!
In October of 2002, my husband Mike and I had the privilege of being pilgrims of Cursillo 139. The Lay Rector was Norman Jetmundsen, the Spiritual Director was Rich Webster and the staff consisted of several Saint Luke’s members, among those were, of course, Ellen Webster, Kelly Jetmundsen, John and Susan Shuster, and a host of other amazing folks. It was there that Mike and I, together, first experienced the perfect love of God together as one, as “family.” God truly used that setting and those people as instruments to reach two searching souls: two souls searching for faith commonly as one, for a place to worship together as family, as a warm embracing family.
Reach us, He did. I remember on Sunday of that weekend in October telling Rich and Ellen how I would pray that someday my children would have an opportunity to meet both of them. Then I said to Norman “if Rich and Ellen ever come to Birmingham, we would follow them.” Little did I know that was already in the works, and I would have to put my money where my mouth was. Anyway, not knowing what the future held for Rich and Ellen, we piled our family, all seven of us and then some, into the car and drove up to Saint John’s in Decatur to hear more of Rich and to give my children the chance to meet the Webster family. We filled an entire pew which, in hindsight, I am now certain belonged to another family.
We stopped at the Cracker Barrel and I remember our oldest son repeating something Rich had said about his dog, a “Yorkie.” I was stunned that he had heard anything after the early morning trek to Decatur. I was beginning to feel a real connection with the Websters. Still unaware of the coup for Saint Luke’s, Mike went to work a week or so later only to be summoned by a patient who was a member of Saint John’s, Decatur, “you stole our priest, you brought your family and stole our priest!” Of course that was not the case, but Mike came home and said “Tree, I think Rich and Ellen are coming to Birmingham.” All I could think was, “no way!”
Well you know the rest of that story, but what you do not know is the amount prayer that went into our decision to move to Saint Luke’s. I knew we could not change churches to follow a priest; a rector is not what church and worship is all about, but we decided to visit Saint Luke’s. The very first Sunday we walked into the Nave, we were greeted by smiling faces, warm embraces, and the sure essence of the Spirit of the Lord. Even the Senior Warden hugged my neck. We heard, “I am so happy to see you here,” “We are so glad you are at Saint Luke’s today” “Let me know if I can help you in any way.” It was the most welcoming and embracing experience I have ever encountered in a new environment. “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place, I could feel His mighty power and Grace!” We felt immediately at home, but still, I knew one does not follow a priest or you will be moving whenever he does, and your church does not become your “home.” So I continued to pray for guidance and wisdom in this search of our church family.
Finally after a year of prayer, one Sunday, I looked around and there it was, the ‘sign.” On my left, seven Callahans taking up an entire pew, sitting as part of one big family in communion with God and all of you, then to my right across the aisle was Rusty Goldsmith with his head bowed and eyes closed worshipping as a parishioner! It was right! We passed the peace and my children were hugging strangers and smiling; I was truly at peace! Not only did God lead us to Saint Luke’s, he also answered my prayer that my children meet the Websters. Rich even married our son Miles, and five years to the day of that Sunday of Cursillo 139, he baptized our first grandchild!
I know nothing lasts forever, and nothing goes without its troubles, but through the words of Tina Darnell, ”prayer can get you through and to anything; it got Saint Luke’s back on its feet” and it got the Callahans here!.
There is something for everyone here, and being a part of the Saint Luke’s family has given Mike and me the Grace and Peace of the Lord, which truly does pass all understanding. Thank you all for including us in communion with the Saint Luke’s family!
Amen!
Teresa and husband Mike are the parents of Miles, (married to Mandy) Charlie, Koula, Mikey, and Timmy. They have one grandchild Koula Courtney.
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