October 12, 2018
Dear Community of St. Luke's,
The role of leading a congregation requires many skills, but also it requires an open ear and heart to the Holy Spirit and the willingness to constantly do the work of discerning next directions and the way forward.
Such prayer and listening have brought me to the realization that this shall be my last year as rector of St. Luke's. I have shared this news with the Vestry on Tuesday night of this week and with the staff the following morning. This notice of retirement is usually long, but I want to be forthright with our parish as we envision our future.
This chapter at St. Luke's has been the greatest privilege of my ministry. I will forever hold this parish family in my heart. My love for our worship and work together has not diminished one bit. It has simply become clear that this is the right decision for both the parish and me.
The work of building the Vision this summer shows that this is a strong, healthy faith community with a clear idea about who we are and what we desire in order to be more readily equipped to be Bearers of God's Love in the world. It is a vision that was built with dozens of personal stories and reflections and nearly 100 responses on the congregational survey. St. Luke's is a community of many faithful people, not a following of one rector.
Be assured that the wardens and the Bishop's staff are in conversation and as next steps are developed you will be kept informed. Meanwhile, I ask you to participate fully in the life of St. Luke's. We have ministry to do, and a world that so desperately needs the hope and light of the Gospel.
In God's Peace & Passion,
Jeannette+
