Ahhh!!! I cannot believe that I am sitting here in my office at the end of my first week as your priest. Moving and starting a new calling can cause a lot of anxiety, excitement and anticipation. With the holiday, this was a short week with a lot to get done. Right now, my top priority is to make sure there is continuity of pastoral care with two very difficult situations, and Chip is teaching me how you do worship in times like these, and Sue is graciously walking me through the small mountain of paper that needs to be filled out. It has been an absolute whirlwind, but I feel that every day I am learning a bit more, I am getting to know the congregation a bit more, and I hope that by next week I can fully devote my time to reaching out to the greater congregation.

Getting to know each other should be our top priority while we are starting this new ministry relationship, which is a tall order in the midst of this pandemic. St. Luke’s has done so much to make us feel welcome including a wonderfully massive banner in front of the Church, and a big welcome sign from the school in my office. The book that you put together for me with all of your photo and a short introduction has blown me away. With the chaos of this week, I have not had a chance to really dive into all of the wonderful narratives in the book, but I am looking forward to it so much. We have just begun this journey together, but I can already tell that you are committed, creative and wonderfully faithful. In the following weeks you will start to see a lot more of me as I get a chance to show you who I am.

I am hopeful that the day will soon be here that we can fill the pews at St. Luke’s, but in the meantime I appreciate the love you have shown me and my family.

Blessings,

Nick