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St. Luke’s Transition Prayer

June 21, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our St. Luke’s family has begun a time of transition. Last week we said goodbye to our beloved rector, Tim Rich, and his wonderful wife Diane. They have been with us for 12 years and we all have benefitted in so many ways from their presence with us. They have quite an adventure ahead of them … and so do we.

As outlined by the diocese, there is a specific process St. Luke’s will be following over the next many months. While we go through this process, it is important that St. Luke’s Church be soaked in prayer.

We are all part of this Process.

We can’t all be on the Vestry or on one of the Transition Teams, but through our prayers, we are all part of the Transition Process. Prayer is the responsibility of each and every one of the members of our parish.

Now, more than any other time, we are called to pray!

The Transition Prayer team was formed in April and was asked to compose a prayer for the St. Luke’s community which would be used throughout the transition process.

Our goal was to create a prayer which would be loving, meaningful, characteristic of our parish family … and relatively short. There was so much we wanted to include, but we also understood the practical considerations.

We believe we have succeeded in creating a prayer that expresses the wonderful spirit of our beloved St. Luke’s, respects our past under Father Tim’s leadership, and looks forward in hope and faith as we create the next chapter of our family story.

The diocese suggests that this prayer be prayed:
1) At all of our services
2) As we begin any meeting or gathering of parish members and our many ministries
3) By every member of our parish

To help us do that, there has been a prayer card created for our easy reference. The prayer cards will be given out at both services on June 23rd as we enter for worship, and we will begin using the prayer at the services that day.

Over these next many months, it may be important for us to gather for more intentional times of prayer. Stayed tuned for more opportunities to gather in prayer.

Let us pray,

Your Transition Prayer Team
Nancy Arnold (Chair), Paul Brookes, Joseph Gomes, Katie Gressle, Judy Horton, Stephanie Leite, Victoria Strang

Our Prayer of Transition

Holy and loving God, we thank you for all that has brought us to this moment and for your Spirit which flows so vibrantly through our St. Luke’s community. We are grateful for the wise and loving leadership with which we have been blessed, knowing it will sustain us on our sacred journey.

Lord Jesus, our church family is enriched with deep and caring relationships. May our parish life and outreach continue to thrive, reminding us of the strength that comes from community. Grant us a spirit of wisdom and discernment as we walk together in unity and purpose.

Bless our Wardens, Vestry, and members of our transition teams with patience and understanding. May the priests who discover St. Luke’s be guided by your Holy Spirit.

We ask that you bless this transition; may it be marked by your grace. Help us to embrace the changes with hope. Excite our imaginations and stir in us a daring faith while we look to the future with joy and possibility. All this we ask, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen