Friends,

I would like a moment to talk to you plainly about our stewardship campaign.

In order for us to thrive as a Church we need many things. The most important thing that we need is people who are called to gather to worship and do ministry. Another thing that we need is money, because without it, we cannot support the people in their ministry. People are far more important than money, and I would say that as a Church, we have our priorities properly aligned. On the people front we are thriving. We have seen many new faces come into the Church over the course of the past year, and a large portion of them have stayed to make St. Luke’s their home. I really do feel that we are doing something right, and there is something special happening at St. Luke’s!

Now that we are getting to the end of the stewardship season, it is becoming clear that we are not going to be able to achieve the ambitious vision that we had planned for this coming year. St. Luke’s has historically been a two-clergy parish, which is something that we have not been able to afford for quite some time. We’ve seen such sustained growth in the past year and a half, that we thought the money would follow and we could have a second permanent clergy position at St. Luke’s again. This additional support could help support our ministry and get the next generation of St. Lukers integrated into our faith community. At this point in the season, not only are we going to have to put some of our hopes on hold, we may have to reconsider what ministry and programming we are able to afford.

For years St. Luke’s has asked the same people over and over again to increase their pledges just so we could get by. If you feel called to increase your pledge, we certainly welcome your persistent generosity, but I would like to invite all of our newer members to pledge for the first time, and consider giving with the belief that St. Luke’s can be your home for decades to come. If we are generous with what God has given us, then we can focus on what we need to do to thrive, and not just survive. We are at a cross roads where your gift could help us go the extra mile in the coming year to make St. Luke’s the spiritual home that we are called to be.

Regardless of what we face in the coming year, St. Luke’s will strive to be there for you whether you have been here for decades, you are just showing up for the first time, or if you just plan on being in the area for the short term. Our focus will always be on the people of St. Luke’s, and I hope that you can help us make the most of our ministry.

Blessings,

Nick