Our Quest for Faithful Presence

Dear St Luke’s,

I don’t know about you but I had such a fun time engaging Mr. Rogers Sunday last weekend… thanks again to everyone who went out of their way to help make our day feel so special. Mr. Rogers’ invitation to look for the helpers, hold those who have helped with gratitude, and to wonder about which neighbors I might be able to “help” next has been running through my heart and mind. 

For this weekend the tables have be rolled out of our sanctuary, our pews will be back in place, and even the altar will be moved back up to the chancel… things will be more familiar.

After our worship gathering we will have a Community Forum where I’ll be facilitating a conversation around the question, “What does it mean to belong?” I invite you to be thinking about the question of belonging. Consider the various groups to which you belong: family, work, school, neighborhood, church, racial, ethnic, gender identity, Facebook, Instagram, Tic Toc, friend groups, clubs, fan bases, etc.

One of the questions I’d like for us to lean into, is how has “belonging” changed over the years at St Luke’s?” And what might be some helpful frameworks for thinking about belonging as we look to our collective future. Please note we are just having a conversation, we are not making policy or leaving with a game plan. It’s just that we are a faith community and from time to time it can be helpful to think a little about that what belonging in our community means.

And yes, if you would like to become a member at St Luke’s or officially transfer your membership to St Luke’s from a prior congregation please let Deb in our church’s office know as we are a tentatively planning to welcome new members on Easter Sunday.

Just as an FYI, after worship this Sunday I am heading up to Canada and will be there through Thursday. This trip is not to see family, rather the Association of Theological Schools, which is the accrediting body of seminaries and bible colleges across North America, has asked me to be part of an accrediting “Site Visit” for a member school. But rest assured our church’s office will maintain regular hours as noted on our website.

Always remember my friend, you are beloved, you are not alone, and yes, you belong. See you on
Sunday.

Peace, dwight