Dear St. Luke’s,

Did you know that poison ivy is so globally prolific that no one knows where it originated from? In the end it’s kind of a moot point, because we know it is a valuable plant for wildlife, but we’ll kill it anyways because of the rashes they give people. My hobby since I have moved to the area has been reclaiming a vacant lot behind our house, and I’ve learned to fend off all sorts of unwanted vines and plants, along with the omnipresent poison ivy. There is one that looks like it should be wisteria that covered everything, but it never developed the massive bunches of purple flowers. In the opposite corner a thorny plant that looks like blackberries was dominant but it only produced pathetic tiny tart berries. Cutting the vines, and ultimately pulling them down was a very satisfying chore. Clearing the pseudo-blackberries was a bit more difficult and often revealed trash piles that had been there for decades, and considering the high concentration of liquor and beer bottles, I’m guessing it was a favorite hideaway for partying teens in the 60’s or 70’s.

The space now feels completely different. All of the non-native invasives are cut down, and the few remaining trees are making a comeback. There’s still some trash, but a fraction of what was once there. We had a fence built to keep all of the dogs and children that will play there nice and safe, and we are planting some fruit trees, along with heaps of native flowers and trees. It’s clear that it looks cared for now, but through this process I have been acutely aware that it would only take one season of neglect to lose all of this progress, and the space would begin to scream of disuse and neglect. If poison ivy can dominate the world and make itself utilized by wildlife in most continents, then it won’t take long for it to regain its foothold on our tiny little plot of land. This beautifully cared for space is temporary, and I have every intention of enjoying every minute I have with it.

Our corner of Fort Hunt Rd is not that different. St. Luke’s has proven herself to be a dynamic Church, and during the pandemic a tremendous amount of effort went toward making our virtual worship as top of the line. People missed Holy Communion, so we bought an FM transmitter and our former Associate Chip Russell made a box on a long stick, so we could celebrate the Eucharist in the parking lot while people participated in their cars, and received the bread in the box on the stick. When I came in January of 2021, there was no doubt that St. Luke’s was determined to thrive in whatever environment it found itself.

Now, we find ourselves in a similar but distinct reality as from before the pandemic. The doors are open, but online worship is here to stay. We continue to be dynamic by experimenting with different ways of engaging new members while we are turning on ministries that paused during the pandemic. I continue to see what I suspected when I arrived. St. Luke’s is alive and dynamic and will rise to the occasion regardless of where we find ourselves. Like the field that my family has slowly been turning to into a dog/child haven, it is going to take constant care, and we will never be done. The Israelites may have thought they were done when they reached the promised land, but it was just the beginning of another chapter. Ahead they faced challenges, hardships and joys that they could not even begin to imagine. I imagine as they crossed the Jordan, the future was not on their mind, but they were dominated by the present. What were they going to do now? How would they survive? Who would they encounter?

In a much less dramatic way, I think we are in a similar boat as the ancient Israelites in that our attention must be on the present, because we do not have time to waste before we start making St. Luke’s feel like the spiritual home it needs to be. Like our spiritual forebearers, we will make mistakes and pray for grace, but let’s not wait to start cutting down the vines that choking the trees and start planting flowers that will bring joy and life to our outpost of the Jesus Movement.

So full disclosure here; most of this this figurative, but I actually do hope you literally show up and help us cut vines, spread mulch and plant flowers on April 29thfrom 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Blessings,

Nick