As we approach October 18th with its Lukean Hat Trick-of a St. Luke's Day celebration of a new Rector named Luke at St. Luke's Episcopal Church-I'd like to invite you to ponder this question: Whose shoulders are you standing on? Take a second to consider those people who have made your life possible; those who have pushed you to higher heights; and those who have given you a firm place to stand. Where would you be without them? And on the flipside of the coin, whom are you currently supporting and launching to reach their full potential?

A Celebration of New Ministry is an invitation to consider all that has come before even as we set our sights on a new horizon. St. Luke's rests on the shoulders of many women and men of God-whose faithful prayers, courageous stewardship and capable leadership make our very existence possible. I am deeply grateful for the 13Rectors who have come before me and upon whose shoulders I now stand. But I am more grateful for the multitude of named and unnamed parishioners whose earthly pilgrimage brought them to this place. I am most grateful for those of you who currently call St. Luke's your spiritual home. It is your smiling faces that give me hope for the future.    

We stand at a place of unique opportunity...we get to celebrate new beginnings and all that has come before. The "New" ministry that we are celebrating-is our new ministry and not merely the function of calling a new priest or shepherd of the flock. This call to new ministry just happens to occur in our Stewardship season-when we are collectively and individually considering how God might be calling us to translate our resources into mission. Stewardship is the opportunity to give thanks for all those people upon whose shoulders you stand and for those who have launched you, and to consider who might one day be standing upon the many gifts that you gave to those around you.