Welcome to St. Lukes
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is a faith community in which people from many backgrounds have discovered, in God, a oneness greater than our differences. We have come to understand, appreciate and celebrate that our diversity reflects the divine comprehensiveness evident in all God’s creation.
As a congregation, we seek to be engaged in worship, rather than merely entertained by it. We want to be open to God’s truth as it is revealed to us, instead of being told what is “right” or “wrong”. We prefer to build our faith stone by stone, rather than receiving it pre-packaged and fully assembled. Instead of molding the Gospel message to support our individual ideas and causes, we choose to live it out as it is given to us in community. And, following the examples of Christ himself and his evangelist, Luke the Physician, we seek to be a refuge where the healing love of God can be experienced.
When you visit St. Luke’s, we believe that in some way – subtle or profound – the Spirit of God draws you to worship with us. And, because people come to church for a variety of reasons, we invite you to participate in our common life regardless of your background or level of commitment. We want to be a safe place for skeptics and doubters, as well as for convicted believers; therefore, the communion meal of Christ’s presence among us is offered to anyone who comes with a sincere heart to receive it.
Whether you are searching to find your way or seeking a community to support you in the Christian life you have chosen, we hope you will feel welcome to join us!
Interim Pastor, St. Luke’s Episcopal Parish
Fri, 12/30/2011 - 17:16 | 
Waynn
The Reverend John E. Crean, Jr., Ph.D.
Interim Pastor, St. Luke’s Episcopal Parish
122 South California Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016
626-357-7071
Dearly Beloved in Christ!
Let me take this opportunity to greet you in the Name of our Lord! We begin together on Holy Name Sunday, January 1st 2012. A New Year! A New Beginning! I am absolutely thrilled that Bishop Bruno has appointed me to serve as your Interim Pastor.
Whenever I assume leadership in a new parish, I like to put people at ease about what to call me. Shortly before ordination in 1974, I asked my mentor, “What should I have them call me?” His answer was unforgettable: “They will call you what they need to.”
I am most comfortable with just “John” or “Father John.” You choose. I have an old parishioner who insists on always calling me “Professor.” (Remind me to tell you a funny story sometime about how they address me in Germany.)
Terminology interests me. I think terms are important. My “job” title here is “Interim Pastor.” Both words are significant. “Interim” means that under no circumstances may I succeed myself here and become your rector. While my time with you has no specific limit, I simply serve as long as necessary until your new priest arrives.
“Pastor” is even more meaningful. The Diocese has chosen that term deliberately. The term “rector” derives from the Latin regere, to rule. The word “pastor” is related to our word pasta. At least etymologically speaking, a rector rules, while a pastor feeds.
I hope to be “among you as one who serves,” who feeds, who pastors. I have been charged to work alongside your elected leadership, the Vestry. Together, we are supposed to make sure we have everything we need to be the church here in Monrovia. Both Vestry and Bishop are counting on me to get St. Luke’s ready to receive the next priest God will send you. I welcome that assignment and promise to offer my experience in our joint endeavor, while loving you all to death (but hopefully not literally!) in the process.
Please call me whatever you will . . . but please do call me! I am most eager to get to know and love you all.
Devotedly yours in Christ,
John+
Stewardship Reminder...Giving to our church
Sun, 11/20/2011 - 10:44 | Waynn
The official ingathering of pledge cards was on Oct 30th. Many thanks to those who have turned their 2012 pledge cards. If for some reason you have forgotten to turn yours in, please do so as soon as possible so the Vestry can begin the task of setting up our budget for 2012.
People often ask, what is stewardship? At its most basic, it is how we care for the gifts we have received from God. It is the wise and faithful use of our resources – our time, talents, and treasure – all of which we believe were given us by God. Stewardship is about community and how we function together. It is a personal thanksgiving to God for all of the gifts that God has given us. While emphasizing once more the importance of the use of our time and talents during this fall stewardship effort, our primary focus will be on the commitment to financially support God’s work at St. Luke’s through pledging.
Your pledge to St. Luke’s allows the Vestry to make plans and allocate funds for the support and strengthening of the ministries, missions, and outreach efforts of the church. It aids in the preparation of a master plan or budget for the coming year. The budget will weigh heavily on the Vestry’s decisions both in calling our next Rector and in maintaining our existing programs.
Words That Describe St Luke's
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 17:37 | Waynn
Enjoy the first word cloud that has evolved in part from the first focus group meeting to select a new Rector for St Luke's.
Click on image above to get to the word cloud.