Dear St. Luke’s Parishioners, Staff and Wardens,
As my official position at St. Luke’s has come to an end on August 16th, I wanted to write a huge THANK YOU to the St. Luke’s community. It feels like I started my role as Program Director just yesterday at St. Luke’s when in reality it has been a full two years! I have learned much during my time at St. Luke’s, about myself, about God, and about the wonderful people who make up the church. My favourite moments in these last two years have been hearing your stories. Some truly strong and faithful people of God are in this community, people who have been part of this parish for generations and those who have newly come back to faith.
I see this community as a place where seekers are welcomed into a space of wisdom. One place I have witnessed this is in my work with the Fantastic Friday community. People from all walks of life, different religions, abilities, cultures, languages, and ages come together on the surface to share a meal and do some crafts. But if you look deeper they come together for community, friendship and love. People from St. Luke’s open their doors to a world that is seeking these very things and they do it with such care and grace, even when it is not always easy.
In this time of COVID-19, many changes have occurred both in the church and in my work as I have transitioned from office to home. With this change I have missed the in-person work I would do not only with the Fantastic Friday community, but also with the residents at Mount Douglas Senior Housing Society.
However, during this time my connection with the St. Luke’s community has only grown and I have been able to witness the strength of this community in supporting each other in times of need. Through Sunday Coffee Hours, Thursday morning spiritual gatherings, and an amazing pastoral care phoning team I don’t think anyone has been forgotten. I have no doubt that as the realities of meeting together continue to form and change you will support one another into the next phase of what St. Luke’s will be.
For me, my journey with work in ministry continues. I have felt a calling for a long time to pursue ordination and I am now following that call as I begin my Master of Divinity at the Vancouver School of Theology. The campus will not be open this fall so, I will remain living in Victoria and start my studies online. I will be continuing my work with the youth at St. George’s Cadboro Bay and therefore will not be disappearing from St. Luke’s as we continue to run our youth ministry in partnership!
You will all be in my prayers and I hope to be in yours as well!
Peace,
Leslie