Dear STL Family,

A new year is a fresh start on the calendar, full of hope and potential—aka, the perfect time to connect with those for whom we deeply care. Regrettably, I got a late start and missed connecting with you last week, but I hope it's not a stale start. I trust you and your loved ones were able to welcome 2021 with a renewed hope and experience the warmth of Christ's light in our world.

If you recall, we established a "Visit-by-Phone" Outreach Ministry in the late Spring of 2020. With the best intentions and sincere desire to connect with as many parishioners as possible, our volunteers were able to make contact with hundreds of parishioners--several more than once, and a few others on a regular monthly basis. As time went on and we were able to reopen our site for indoor/outdoor services, we kind of lost steam in terms of phone calls and letters/notes. We apologize for neglecting those of you isolated at home.

I know too well that over the past several months, those of us with large networks of families, friends, and technological know-how have been able to socialize electronically or virtually. I also know that is not true for everyone. We have parishioners without any such ‘virtual’ social network. They have to rely on those whom they see as neighbors, those whom they used to see at church, and other places they visited before the pandemic. And with the strictest terms of the Public Health Order imposed on travel, dining, entertainment, school, work, etc, it's unbelievably difficult to stay connected or feel a sense of belonging.

We at St. Luke want to get a fresh start in 2021 by asking all of our parishioners to help us. YOU are so important to us and we want you to know that we truly care about you. 

• If you personally or if you know of another parishioner who would enjoy a phone visit or a written note by a member of our volunteer team, please reply below.

• If you would like to join our team and reach out to a few parishioners, also reply below. 

• If you or the person you're referring to us would prefer to keep this information PRIVATE, simply write "Please contact me directly, Jane." and I will do just that.

• More importantly, think of someone who may not even be able to view this note. Help us identify them so that we may be connected with them.

YOU are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.       ~ Matthew 5:14-16