St Luke’s Church Parish Profile

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“For the majority of our teens over the last 10 years, the Dominican Republic (DR) mission trip has been the highlight of their Christian education experience at St. Luke’s.” Christian Formation at St. Luke’s Christian Education is vital to our mission as witnesses to Christ in our everyday lives and as effective members of the Episcopal Church community. Parishioners are very supportive of our Sunday School program and impressed by the number of children involved – approximately 150 students in 2010- 2011. Many parishioners credit the Christian Education program for drawing families to St. Luke’s in a similar fashion that the children’s music ministry does. The Christian Education/Formation ministry at St. Luke’s is divided into three parts: Sunday School, Youth Formation, and Adult Formation. Our Sunday School program includes the teaching of classes from preschool through grade six, including a Corporate Communion preparation class for grade three. The curriculum is lectionarybased to familiarize the children with the day’s Gospel. For grades three and above, we hold Sunday school classes at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. For children in pre-K through second grade, classes are held at 10:00 a.m., with children joining the service during the Peace. This practice reflects Bishop Wolf’s belief, firmly expressed in the late 90s, that children in grade three or above should attend the entire worship service with their family. By holding classes for these children at 9:00, families are able to attend either the 8:00 or 10:00 worship service together. Both the Interim Rector and the Coordinator of Youth Christian Formation agree that children in “This may be the most successful Christian Education program in the Diocese.” grade three or above should participate in the full worship service as well as attend their class. However, some parishioners have identified this as an issue for young families, due to the attendance-time expectation for their children in grades three to six – two hours between Sunday school and church. Some parents whose children get religious instruction with the choir forgo Sunday school for these years. From grades seven through twelve, teens participate in the Journey to Adulthood Program, which comprises Rite-13 (7th and 8th grades, and including Confirmation), J2A (9th and 10th), and Young Adult Christians (11th and 12th). The Journey to Adulthood Program is a complete youth ministry St. Luke’s Episcopal Church: P a r i s h P r o f i l e 2 0 1 1 12
Christian Formation (continued) program of spiritual formation that uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, and outreach ministries to help our young people grow in their relationship with God. The Rite-13 class celebrates the individuality of each young teen and their creative potential. It also recognizes the growing importance of peer relationships in our young people’s lives, and seeks to plant the seeds for a strong peer group right at St. Luke’s. The highlight of the class is the Rite-13 ceremony, which celebrates our teens’ movement beyond their families into a widening world. The service emphasizes that these young people have the love and support of their parents, their peers, “Our church is known throughout the community and the congregation as they begin their journey. because of music, The Dominican Republic If the Rite-13 class plants the seeds for a strong mission trip, and Christian Education.” and supportive youth group, J2A cultivates it, using a mission trip to the Dominican Republic as its focus. For the majority of our teens over the last 10 years, the DR mission trip has been the highlight of their Christian education experience at St. Luke’s. Our young people spend a week in the barrio village of El Pedregal, experiencing firsthand what outreach means – building a school, fixing a roof, planting a banana grove, painting a home… More important, they experience the light of Christ as they stand side by side and hand in hand with the people of El Pedregal. And when they return to St. Luke’s, they give witness to the church about their experiences. Some youth have expressed concern that we need to do more to retain the interest of our younger church school children. Activities such as plays and cantatas were suggested, as well as a local mission trip for our junior high students. Such trips are an effective way to engage young people in our program. Our Young Adult Christians (YACs) group is made up of high school juniors and seniors. They are usually DR mission trip alumni, bonded to one another through that experience and emerging into adulthood with one another’s friendship and support. The group meets on Sunday mornings at St. Luke’s and at various coffee houses on Main Street in town. Adult Formation at St. Luke’s includes Theology on Tap, a men’s group that gets together to discuss theology and share fellowship in a relaxed setting; the Inquirers class, a seminar for those who want to learn more about the Episcopal Church; the Tuesday Book Group; annual Lenten Study Series; prayer groups; and the recent addition of a clergy book review and discussion, held between services on Sunday. “We want outreach but have to realize that it is more than just writing a check. It is a commitment to do God’s work.” St. Luke’s Episcopal Church: P a r i s h P r o f i l e 2 0 1 1 13
Page 1 and 2: “Seek and you will find.” - Luk
Page 3 and 4: Table of Contents Section Page Pray
Page 5 and 6: A Vision of Our Future St. Luke’s
Page 7 and 8: What We Seek in a Rector When we as
Page 9 and 10: “Coming to church challenges us s
Page 11: Music at St. Luke’s (continued) i
Page 15 and 16: Outreach and Stewardship (continued
Page 17 and 18: Governance and Leadership Staff St.
Page 19 and 20: “Our church building is inspirati
Page 21 and 22: Our Finances (continued) Operating
Page 23 and 24: Our Community The spire of St. Luke
Page 25 and 26: Our History (continued) Society wer
Page 27 and 28: Useful Links St. Luke’s Church We

St Luke’s Church Parish Profile

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