How to compress almost forty years of being at Saint Luke's into a couple of paragraphs? Should we tell of the welcoming people when we Methodists came looking for a new church home? Of the parishioners who have laughed with us during happy times and comforted us during times of stress. People who have shared with us their inner most thoughts when we needed just such counsel.
Of the wonderful rectors and priests who have helped us on our spiritual journey. Who have counseled us in times of trouble or just when we asked for some advice. Who quietly listened as we railed against something in the church that wasn't really that important in the scheme of things. Those wonderful sermons we cherish and those we don't. The little tidbits of wisdom that we heard from sermons or talks or counseling that still help understand and deal with daily issues.
Of Lay Ministry, Pastoral Care, Stephen Ministers; all the ways our clergy and laity respond to the needs of our parishioners. Parishioners networking to bring nourishment, fellowship, comfort, and love to others. This has been a common thread through the years; as Jesus loves and cares for us, so we respond by caring and loving others.
Of Sunday School classes, Lenten programs, outside speakers: Scott Peck, Martin Bell, Rabbi Zucker, Faith Alive, and other programs we have forgotten but whose teachings still reside in our minds and hearts, Parishioners who volunteered to teach, and we were amazed at their depth of knowledge and wisdom.
Of opportunities to serve in the church or the community. Stories to tell about Acolytes, Vestry meetings, fund-raising, committees, Habitat, Evergreen Bottom, GBN, Holy Innocents Ministry, Alan Cott School and others. Being in a church that felt outreach was an integral part of being Christian.
Of Sundays to hear the Scriptures read and preached. To hear a message of God's love
for us and his creation, on Festival Sundays and low Sundays. Our wonderful choirs with music that lifts the soul in such diverse ways; Folk Masses, contemporary music, orchestras, guitars, hand-bells, five-o’clock, jazz, Mozart, oboes, on and on.
Of this wonderfully diverse group of Christians who gather each week to praise God, to learn about Jesus, and to celebrate our lives together…for forty years of this, dear Lord, we give you thanks!
Melinda and Bill have one son, Prescott (married to Laura Powers), and two granddaughters: Meghan and Emma.
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