It is good to be joining St. Luke’s for this coming year! It has been a fantastic first week getting to know the staff, engage in chapel with the kids, and a side quest on the roof of the church and the attic. There has been so much to do and learn. And I am only writing this on Tuesday, my second day in the office.

I am truly excited for what is in store for my curacy year here! And I probably will be surprised too with all that this job entails.

And I am excited to get to know you all and jump into the established and vibrant ministry at St. Luke’s. But I know that you all do not know me all too well. And I do not know you. And I believe getting to know each other is one of the pillars of community and ministry. So, I want to take this letter to tell you a little story about myself.

I was born in Pakistan and something I remember distinctly about my time there was the church my family attended, St. Andrew’s. Maybe my memories of this church are so vivid because my grandfather was a priest. Or maybe it was just a special place, a place that reminds me a lot of St. Luke’s.

I remember running through the courtyard of St. Andrew’s, right up to the red brick fence dividing the church from the road. I remember Sunday school where my father was the teacher and how I would always try to get more candy from him then the other kids, but he would never let me. I remember the children’s plays, the church fairs, the fundraisers, the retreats, and so much more.

There was a lot going on at the church but what made it a place people wanted to be was the community. The community was genuine, loving, and caring for each other. There was real friendship and real laughter. Even as a child, I felt loved and loved deeply there. I cherish my time and memories at the church.

And the reason I have been thinking about my childhood parish recently is because St. Luke’s does remind me a lot of that place. This Sunday, I could not stay for the children’s musical, but I did walk by while they were practicing. I heard one child screaming into the microphone her lines, as I would have done when I was young. And I do think that this kind of formation and so many other opportunities at St. Luke’s are good and holy for children, adults, and everyone in-between.

I am so excited to be a part of all these ministries and contribute however I can during my time here. If you would like to get to know me, do stop by the church office, give me a call, or email me at celal@saintlukeschurch.net. I would love to chat, grab a cup of coffee or pray with you.

Blessings,

Celal+