November 2022

Dear St Luke’s Family,

God’s grace and peace be with you in abundance!

It has become a tradition of mine to express my gratitude for your financial support of St Luke’s with more than just words. I do this by giving a handcrafted wooden cross to every pledging member of our church. I love making these crosses, and I know that the recipients find them quite meaningful. This year’s cross, inspired by a Celtic theme, is a real beauty. I will be handing these out in church on December 11, at the ingathering of our 2023 pledges.

On behalf of your Mission Committee, we are grateful that, with your support, we have weathered the worst of the COVID storm, and have even benefited from it. Had it not been for the sheltering-in-place, we would never have implemented the virtual ministries of video and zoom. St Luke’s is now available both at home and internationally! How cool, is that?!? These ministries would not have been possible without your generosity.

Perhaps the single greatest financial challenge of this past year was the renovation and restoration of the St. Luke’s Vicarage on Adele Street here in Calistoga.  It can not be underestimated how important that property is to the future of St Luke’s. Your Mission Committee voted to move forward with construction, and many of you stepped up financially to make the completion of the project possible. With the incredibly generous support of the Diocese, the job was done and a new tenant installed without having to go into debt. 

Thank you, Jesus! Always so much to be grateful for.

Our beloved preschool, Hearts and Hands, has gone through a time of transition as well. Staff changes, the opening of another preschool, and changes in the Unified School District, have all taken a toll. As our most significant outreach to the community, the need to support this ministry is crucial.

Our operating expenses for 2022 will total $124,650, and we anticipate that will increase to $134,300 in 2023. We ask your help to support St. Luke’s. The world has need of the Gospel message of faith, hope, and love now more than ever. As we practice our 4-7-8 breathing, and consciously “calm the storm” that rages all around us, the church acts an antibiotic to offset the cultural symptoms of stress, anger, and depression. These times are hard, yet Jesus promises a “peace that passes all understanding.” 

I believe the community of Calistoga has as much need for that promise as anywhere else, and I believe that promise is attractive and can grow the church.

As you pray about your financial support for the work of the Gospel, meditate on what St. Luke’s has come to mean to you and how it might benefit others. Pray about how grateful you are for the presence of God in your own life, and let your generosity flow from there. Come join us then on December 11, as we joyfully offer our financial commitments to God, and receive your gratitude cross. 

Below click on the button below to make your pledge for 2023. Please join others in the St. Luke’s family by making your financial pledge, a pledge that reflects your gratitude to the God who is nearer to us than breathing and gives us the strength to manifest Divine Love in this crazy world. 



Should you have questions about how to make a pledge or how to make your payments, feel free to contact our indomitable treasurer, Janet Herrero, at jgentile@salesprint.com or 415-990-3075.  

Pax, MAC+