PASTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT 2021
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thes. 5:16-18
Dear Friends in Christ,
Since my arrival to St. Luke as your pastor in July, I have been filled with so much joy and gratitude to see the ways God is at work in your lives and in our congregation. From hearing your personal stories of God’s grace and forgiveness, to your love of worship and music, to the ways you’ve expressed Christ’s love through service (Rise Against Hunger, Feedmore drives, caroling and Angel Tree, just to name a few), I have been deeply moved by the many ways the Spirit is at work here at St. Luke.
The past year has shown us both great joys and also difficulties. In just the time I have been here, we have said goodbye to four members through death, while also welcoming three new members, including one through baptism. Though no one could have predicted what 2021 would bring, we remain grateful that God saw us through. We give thanks for you, too, the congregation, for your continued commitment of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and your openness to following the call of the Spirit. Because of you, and the love you have for each other, I am filled with confidence and optimism for our future ministry.
As we enter into this next year together, we embrace both the opportunity and challenge of what lies before us. We will strategize and dream further about how to expand our ministry in Richmond. As we continue to care and support our long-time members, we will also envision creative ways of sharing the liberating love of Christ to new generations. Together, we will more deeply discern and discover where, and to whom, God is calling us. Freed by God’s grace, we have nothing to fear.
Walking with you in Christ,
Pastor Josh Menke
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC ANNUAL REPORT 2021
The merry music makers of St. Luke Music Ministry have had another quiet year in 2021. Although we have resumed in-person worship services, some members have prudently chosen to participate from afar through Zoom and streaming videos. Now with Omicron surging through the world once again we find ourselves longing to be making music TOGETHER!
When we did have the opportunity to make music, the adult choir and handbell choirs did so with gusto! The recent Christmas cantata is a good example (one of the benefits of streaming the service is the ability to review our efforts!)
This past summer we also had twenty-five children participate in the summer musical theater production of “Malice in the Palace.” Hopefully, next summer we will be able to hold our sixth summer musical theater production for children in grades 1 – 8.
n the meantime, we will look forward to once again providing music for our worship services and special events. Once again, I am thrilled to collaborate with such wonderful singers and instrumentalists. I am incredibly happy to serve the community of St. Luke Church and look forward to a long and fruitful tenure.
And many thanks for the generous annual Christmas bonuses you have provided my wife Luci Hughes and I these past six years!
Peace,
Richard Barnett Director of Music
HANDBELLS ANNUAL REPORT 2021
After a year hiatus, our handbell choir resumed activities in September. We rang two preludes and participated in our Christmas cantata. We plan to ring again in Lent and later in May.
Rehearsals are 6:30pm most Thursday nights and we always welcome new ringers. No experience is required.
Respectfully submitted,
Joe Bucher
MEMBERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2021
7 MEMBERS RECEIVED
By Baptism – Children 15 yrs. & younger 0
By Baptism – Adults 16 yrs. and older 1
George David Gustafson 12/05/2021
By Affirmation of Faith 3
Alison Eckis 06/06/2021
Gus Gustafson 12/05/2021
Leah Gustafson 12/05/2021
By Transfer from ELCA congregations 2
Pastor Fredrick W. Marcoux 11/01/2021
Lesley Cole Marcoux 11/01/2021
By Transfer from other non-Lutheran congregations 1
Pastor Joshua J. Menke
13 MEMBERS REMOVED
By Death 8
Earl Russeth Swandby 02/03/2021
Joan Liane Haithcock 02/18/2021
Albert Bishop 04/07/2021
Fred Wilson Yarbrough 05/24/2021
Jeanne Van Vleet Goforth 09/01/2021
Marilyn Louise Leander 09/21/2021
Lesley Cole Marcoux 11/18/2021
Lambert Kerschbaumer 12/04/2021
By Inactivity or Statistical Adjustment 0
By Request 5
Daniel Crandall 01/21/2021
Sharon Crandall 01/21/2021
Kaitlyn Crandall 01/21/2021
Joshua Crandall 01/21/2021
Sydney Vonada Von Wilson 12/19/2021
By Request, transfer to other church 0
By transfer to other ELCA congregations 0
Removed, Other 0
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP AS OF JANUARY 01, 2021….………………………………………310
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2021…………….………………..………304
0 CONFIRMED
FIRST COMMUNION
Savannah Marie Pennington 04/04/2021
Respectfully submitted,
Tammy Hammond, Church Administrator