Mission for Ministry Campaign

Formation

In the closing prayer of the Eucharist we often say these words, “And now Father, send us out to do the work you have given us to do, to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.” I love this part of our liturgy where we are reminded that it’s not for nothing that we come together each week to worship and receive Communion, but that it is a preparation to go back out into the world and do the work of loving God and loving our neighbors. But how are we formed into a people who can faithfully love and serve in this way? At St. Luke’s we place a great deal of emphasis into answering this question. We want to give every member of our parish opportunities to grow in their faithfulness and love of God as we pursue together the work that God has given us to do. To that end, we have many opportunities for adult spiritual formation, including excellent preaching from Fr. Joel, in-person Bible studies from many gifted and insightful teachers, as well as classes about our Episcopal tradition. This year we are also excited for the return—after a years long hiatus—of Education for Ministry. Additionally we have a growing list of online offerings, such as live-streamed services, podcasts and social media content that offer wonderful resources for revisiting sermons and staying connected when we can’t make it to in-person worship.

It is my hope that through these many offerings we will each find a way to engage in our adult spiritual formation ministry and through it to become more equipped to do the work that God has given us to do.

Lori Jacob
Adult Formation Coordinator

Worship

Having the privilege of serving and worshipping at St. Luke’s immediately brings one phrase to mind: Holy Pause. Arriving on campus we collectively pause and direct our eyes toward the heavens. To be here, is to pause the noise of the world. To pause the clutter encroaching our minds. To pause the regret of yesterday and the pressing needs of the week ahead. This is why I love worship at St. Lukes: it gives me a place to pause and pray with others, tapping into the well that is the Book of Common Prayer, a well that never runs dry. We invite all who are weary, all who doubt, all who need a break, to come and "press pause," kneel with us around the altar, and receive water from the well of Word and Sacrament.

Nathan Napier
Verger

Music

As one of the newer members of St. Luke’s Adult Choir, I remembered a thought I often had since coming to St. Luke’s to worship in 2007. I felt that the choir was full of professional level singers, accompanied by wonderful accompanists, and expertly directed by Dr. Andrea Dismukes. I thought my voice was not needed. I felt best suited for singing in the congregation. Having been in choir in Episcopal churches since I was in 3rd grade, I was well aware of the value of music in worship. Long ago I heard that “He/She who sings, prays twice,” that music is one of the most lasting brain functions, and it also improves lung health. The reason I give of my time and talents to the choir now, and in the past, is that it is a time when I feel closest to God and to my fellow singers. It is one way I use my talents to serve God. I think the Choristers' Prayer says it best: “Bless, O Lord, us thy servants, who minister in thy temple. Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts, we may show forth in our lives. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” If singing is one of your talents, reach out to Dr. Dismukes about joining the choir.

Fran Henry
St. Luke's Choir Member

Online Ministries

I have been honored to serve with the Online Ministry since its inception at the dawn of the pandemic. It has been wonderful to see what a true blessing this ministry has been, not only to local parishioners who are unable to attend events and worship in person, but to Christ-seeking people from all over the planet.nder the extraordinary leadership of Fr. Joel and Isaac Doty, this program has created a recorded library that is a treasure trove of articulate and intelligent sermons, presentations, devotions, scripture, and services of Worship. I encourage you to jump into this ocean of knowledge and, as Fr. Joel is fond of saying, “let it wash over you.”

Jim Burton
Livestream Team

Children & Youth

St. Luke’s is important to me because it is very inviting and very welcoming and has so many opportunities I can take part in. I love all the people here. They are so nice and so friendly and so loving. I love the youth program. It has taught me so much about how I can get closer with God and connected me with so many friends my age who just want to grow their faith.

Will Kelly
Sr. EYC Member

College & Young Adults

I’ve been coming to St. Luke’s since I was a child, and I have always felt the support from this church. Through middle and high school EYC was a major part of my life, and Happening introduced me to lifelong friends. Recently, since moving back from college, St. Luke’s has helped me reconnect to the community that means so much to me. This place is a second home for me.

Jackson Moore
Young Adult

Hospitality & Fellowship

From the very first time Rob and I entered the church as Episcopalian novices, fumbling our way through the Book of Common Prayer (back in the days before the entire service was printed in the bulletin), we felt the sweet welcoming spirit of St. Luke’s. A kind parishioner, noticing our total bewilderment that day, sweetly handed us her own book, open to the place in the service we needed to be. And from that day until this one, we have never felt an absence of that same hospitality. Whether passing the peace in a Sunday morning service or at Coffee Hour or at a Christian Formation session or at a Home Gathering event – at all times and in all places, we have found the scriptural command for us to “love each other as Jesus has loved us” is one of the foundational tenets held by the people here. And it’s one they do so well! Because of their generous, permeating spirit of hospitality, this lovely church has become our spiritual home.

Stephanie Taylor
Parish Life Coordinator

Outreach

One of our many great outreach efforts supports our local chapter of Girls on the Run, or GOTR. This program addresses the whole girl – body, brain, heart, spirit and social connection. Girls learn how to manage emotions, help others, make intentional decisions, and resolve conflict. We’ve sponsored two GOTR teams, provided volunteer coaches, and many of our youth have participated in the program. Our support of GOTR also helps facilitate some girls who need some financial assistance to enroll. This is just one of the many ways St. Luke’s contributes to our wider community.

Johnathan Wagner
Girls on the Run
Board Member

Pastoral Care

St. Luke’s new Prayer Shawl Ministry is a key part of our pastoral and outreach mission. Over a dozen caring participants, both men and women, work "to create gifts of love, support and celebration with prayerful intent." To meet this mission statement, individual and unique shawls, blankets, hats, and prayer squares are crocheted or knitted for those in need of comfort or for celebrations in life such as weddings and new additions to the family. Each piece is prayed over several times; by the person making the item, by ministry members at the beginning of meetings, and as they are displayed in the sanctuary. At "Blessing Day" services, the items are blessed by Fr. Joel, then boxed and distributed to the intended. Prayer squares are available in the sanctuary to take and to give. This ministry benefits all parishioners, their families and the community.

Katie Bowen
Prayer Shawl Ministry Co-Coordinator

Clergy, Staff, & Vestry

St Luke’s growth can be attributed to the amazing leadership of our Rector, Fr. Joel. He consistently models the behavior that reinforces the mission of the Episcopal church. We are blessed to have a Staff that works tirelessly behind the scenes. Their goal is to execute a seamless transition to the endless number of ministries available to everyone. The Staff could be referred to as the “glue” that holds us together. Our Vestry diligently makes decisions that wholly support the mission of St. Luke’s by word and deed. The members of the Vestry form a partnership with the Rector and together they are intentional about their agenda and responsibilities.
Fr. Joel provides the outstanding leadership that focuses on keeping “The Main thing the Main thing.” The combination of St Luke’s Clergy, Staff, and Vestry work as a team to form a remarkable success story. Our doors are wide open to EVERYONE who wishes to worship and praise God. The “Ministers” create a safe and joyous environment for all.
I would like to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to our Clergy, Staff, Vestry, Volunteers, and all of the Ministers of our St Luke’s family. It is truly a Blessing and an Honor to be a recipient of all the gifts St Luke’s has to offer.

Rose Allen
Vestry Member & Office Volunteer

September 20, 2024

Last fall, our Mission for Ministry program was a great success! The program packet outlined many of St. Luke’s ministries, and we are so grateful for the volunteers who wrote those paragraphs. They did an outstanding job of articulating these ministries and why they are important to them.

Our current ministries and programs are highlighted in this year’s packet. We are blessed to have a new group of volunteers who have written paragraphs in the areas of Worship, Formation, Music, Online Ministries, Children and Youth, College and Young Adults, Hospitality and Fellowship, Outreach, Pastoral Care, Clergy, Staff, & Vestry, and Buildings & Grounds. These are vital components of our vibrant Parish Life! As you read this information, we ask you to consider their importance to St. Luke’s and to you personally.

At the 67th General Convention in 1982, the Episcopal Church adopted the tithe as the standard of giving for our churches. If your support of St. Luke’s is at this level, we thank you. We also thank you if you have not yet reached the goal of tithing but are working toward it. A “giving chart” is included in this packet to help guide you. As you consider your pledge for 2025, please remember that our parish can only offer our programs and ministries with your support.

These are exciting times in our parish! So, please prayerfully consider your pledge and be as supportive of our parish as you are able. Let us know if you have any questions. Let the church office know if you would like more information about or would like to be involved in any of our programs or ministries.

Love and peace,

St. Luke’s Mission for Ministry Committee

Lou Patten, Chairman
Bryan Bowen

Christy Cannon
Jill Davis, Senior Warden

Jim Davis
Armen Epperson
Gary Farlow

Lisa Harper
   Bill Littlejohn, Treasurer
   Michelle Mazzolini
   Lew Warren
   Fr. Joel Huffstetler, Rector

2025 Mission Packet

Make your 2025 Pledge

Request a Pledge Card

2025 Mission Packet

Make your 2025 Pledge

Request a Pledge Card

How can I make my 2025 Pledge online?

Sign into Realm from our church website, or by going directly to Realm at www.onrealm.org/stlukescleveland. If you need assistance logging into Realm, please contact the church office at (423) 476-5541.

Click Giving on the left menu.
Click +Pledge, enter your pledge information, and click either Save Pledge or Save & Setup Online Gift. PLEASE NOTE: If you did not make a pledge last year, please confirm from the drop down menu that you have 2024 Pledge fund selected.
To Setup an Online Gift: Enter the amount, select a gift frequency, and enter the appropriate information. Click Give.

(423) 476-5541 | stlukes@stlukescleveland.org
320 Broad St NW Cleveland, TN 37311

Mission for Ministry Campaign

Formation

Lori Jacob
Adult Formation Coordinator

Worship

Nathan Napier
Verger

Music

Fran Henry
St. Luke's Choir Member

Online Ministries

Jim Burton
Livestream Team

Children & Youth

Will Kelly
Sr. EYC Member

College & Young Adults

Jackson Moore
Young Adult

Hospitality & Fellowship

Stephanie Taylor
Parish Life Coordinator

Outreach

Johnathan Wagner
Girls on the Run
Board Member

Pastoral Care

Katie Bowen
Prayer Shawl Ministry Co-Coordinator

Clergy, Staff, & Vestry

Rose Allen
Vestry Member & Office Volunteer

Building & Grounds

Tom Cate
Member of St. Luke's

How can I make my 2025 Pledge online?

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Mission for Ministry Campaign

Worship

Nathan Napier Verger

How can I make my 2025 Pledge online?

Subscribe to our Weekly Announcements

Nathan Napier
Verger