 Our family moved to Birmingham 2 1/2 years ago from Lexington, Kentucky. When my husband came home in the middle of May 2006 to tell me we were moving to Birmingham, Alabama due to his work, I was shocked. I had never imagined living anywhere else, because that is where our family and life had been for so long. So we packed up our family and moved here in the middle of July.
I didn’t quite know what to expect of Birmingham since I had never been here nor even heard anything about the town. But after moving here, I was quite surprised and excited to be living in Mountain Brook. I had barely even moved into our house when neighbors started showing up with delicious coffee cakes and gifts. From my neighbors to the people I would meet at the library, Western, La Paz, etc., everyone was so warm and welcoming. Invariably people would start asking us “where will you be going to church.”
After telling people we were Episcopalians, we quickly learned the two main options for churches - the “one downtown” and Saint Luke’s.
After we settled into our new home and town, we decided it was time to start “church shopping.” Since we’ve always had some difficulties in making it to church on time with two small children, we decided on that first Sunday to attend the closest church to our house which happened to be Saint Luke’s. That first Sunday, I quickly got on the website to look up the Sunday School and Eucharist times. However, the website hadn’t been updated to the new Fall schedule, and we showed up in the Nave with no one there. So here we were -- these lost “newcomers” floating the halls of Saint Luke’s. Who do you think appeared out of nowhere? Father Rich! And seeing our lost faces, he took us to Graham Hall for our first Saints and Sinners class. And that is how we ended up at Saint Luke’s.
After that first Sunday, we never even visited any other churches in town. We immediately knew this was going to be our church. Everyone was so warm and welcoming that first Sunday. We even received our welcome package that afternoon.
Back in Kentucky, we attended church on a fairly regular basis. However, beyond Sunday, we never attended any other church activities. I liked my church but never felt especially drawn to be there more than once a week. But today I have a different attitude and outlook on church. I have now found a place that I LOVE going to. I have never felt more connected spiritually with God. My husband, my children, and I credit this to having “found” Saint Luke’s.
When friends and family ask why I love Birmingham so much, I always say it’s because of my church. I have found a “home” of loving people to whom I feel close. My Saint Luke’s “family” has made me feel at home here. It’s a place where I want to be as much as possible. I love coming here every Wednesday night for the delicious food and great programming. The Sunday School class options are amazing. My Seasons Bible study group has been so welcoming, supportive, and fun to be with. Their prayers this year, with my dad being diagnosed with cancer, have made being away from my family so much easier.
Every time I step foot into this church, I feel more at peace and calm. I am able to put the worries of the day to the side, and focus on my relationship with God. I just finished The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. There is a quote that I especially like about the definition of what is holy -- “Something simple, warm, intimate, and genuine (page 107).” This quotation summarizes what I feel when I walk into this church - a “holy” feeling. Thank you to everyone here at Saint Luke’s for welcoming our family. This truly feels like “home.”
Kellye is married to Chris, and they have two children: Peyton (7) and Clay (4).
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