November 7th, 2020

Dear Beloved Children of God,

Here we are in November of 2020, following a major political election of our lifetime, six months out from you calling me to be your new Priest-in-Charge, and entering a new stewardship season. I need not remind you of the disruptions, losses, and anxieties that this year has brought to our communities, for we are all still living with the impacts. I can say, however, that although the coronavirus pandemic has tested our resolve, it has not tested our faith. We are stronger, more resilient, and more connected than we have ever been as a Church and as a community of neighbors. Thank you. Thanks to each one of you doing your part in your homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, families, and here in our church.

I joined the St. Luke’s community in a time of polarization in our world and major transition within our own community. I have watched consistently how each of you have walked this journey with grace: maintaining the life of this community, our facilities and continuing to serve the least of these through our various ministries (converting each and every one of them to besafe in this pandemic). I have watched each of you live into being The Body of Christ in The Detroit-Shoreway Neighborhood. As we experienced some weeks of not being able to gather in person, the usual focus on weekly worship was spread throughout the week as we found ways to gather virtually, taking more time to pray for each other’s needs and serve our communities. You used this time to discover, hone, and put to use the gifts you have received from our Creator God and to serve one another.

I have witnessed the countless ways that you have used your resources for the mission of the Church and to help each other. You each have offered this radical hospitality to me as you welcomed me into this community. I have found it inspiring and hopeful as we plan our work
together in 2021. This coming year, we will explore the way that our generosity is inspired by our faith, how we are formed and led into relationship with each other as we share our gifts with the world. This is what we mean by “Faith-Filled Generosity.”

I personally feel that exploring this generosity goes “hand-in-hand” with our “Reimagining St. Luke’s” conversations. I Invite you to think about how your commitment helps our dialogue and work of building and creating the St. Luke’s of the future. How will you discover and use the gifts you have been given to help our church this year? How will you hear the Gospel call to seek and serve Christ in all people, and respond with generosity? As I look at each family, each individual in our community, I realize that we are the stewards of God’s manifold grace because we give to the world from what we have received.

In the coming weeks, you will receive messages from members of St. Luke’s as well as from various community members. You will also find enclosed this mailing, a pledge card. You may choose to fill out this pledge and submit it in the mail or find the information on our website to submit your commitment electronically. I invite you to receive this with grace and prayer as
you consider how you will share with God and God’s Church from what you have received.

I thank you for your prayerful consideration and contributions. I will continue to hold you each in prayer as we walk through the days and weeks ahead.

May you continue to be held in those loving arms of our One, Loving, Liberating and Life-giving God.

In Faith,

The Rev. Christopher M. Decatur