Happy (almost) Halloween St. Lukers!
Did you dress up when you were a kid? Do you still dress up? What was your favorite costume? This is one of those times of year that I see so many people going down memory lane, sharing photos of childhood costumes and parties. And in those photos, I don’t just notice the adorable kids in costumes…I also take note of the people in the background of the pictures.
Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends…I imagine that some of them were part of making those costumes a reality. Whether as the chauffeurs to the ever-momentous selection of that year’s costume, or as crafters, stitchers, or gluers for that homemade masterpiece. Memories are seldom created alone, especially childhood ones.
With Friday being Halloween, Saturday is All Saints Day, the day each year when we remember those who have gone before us – the memory-makers and mentors who shaped our lives, our faith, and our church. This day reminds us that we are never truly self-made, but rather shaped by our life experiences, including the people in our lives.
This Sunday, we will remember, by name, the St. Luke’s saints we have lost in the last year. We will speak their names, remembering that though we may not know each individual by name, they are all part of our cloud of witnesses as a church, and each played their part in the legacy of this church and God’s kingdom.
As we do that, I hope you’ll have a moment to flip through your own mental memory book, to remember where you came from, and the names and faces that shaped who you are now. The people who not only sewed costumes, but who introduced you to scripture, and to Jesus – not just through their words but through their love. And to remember that you are their legacy.
This Sunday we will also have some exciting things to share about what’s next for St. Luke’s and how we are living into our 24 and More Vision as a way of honoring the legacy of those who have gone before us, as well as leading into the future to leave a legacy for St. Lukers to come. I hope to see you there as we express our gratitude for the courageous leadership of our saints, and claim our own place as courageous leaders here and now.
Blessings,
Pastor Melissa
