Ministries that We Have

St. Luke's has two distinct congregations - 8:00 and 10:00.  The 8:00 congregation is comprised of older people who have been members of the Parish for many years.  The 10:00 service is the family service, and includes a time for the Sunday School to meet.

St. Luke's currently has two retired priests within its Parish, along with a deacon currently assigned to the Parish.  One of the retired priests was St. Luke's rector from 1961 - 1989.  Since retiring, he has been a supply in various parishes in Vermont as well as in Canada.  The other retired priest was formerly Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Vermont, and has held a number of interim positions.

Our deacon, the Rev. James Ballard visits the area nursing homes, as well as works with the farming comminity in the Fairfield area.  Their church closed some forty years ago and Jim has been working to reconnect with some of those families.

From October through April we do a once-a-month luncheon for the local senior citizens, feeding anywhere from sixty to ninety.  The men of the Parish were meeting for breakfast at a local eatery a couple of times each month, but that has dropped off.  What started as a Parish-sponsored art show a few years ago has evolved into the Bishop Street Artists, a group of artists who gather each week to paint.  Some of the artists have shared their talents with classes at one of the local nursing homes.

St. Luke's works with the other area churches to provide noon meals at Martha's Kitchen, as well as support the Samaritan House (overnight housing for the homeless).  The Parish is active in the local food shelf, with baskets at both the front and the back of the church for donations.  Last year the children of the Sunday school worked on the Heifer Project.  The church has opened its doors for various community events, such as concerts (Vermont Symphony Orchestra and Counterpoint), along with regional music festival tryouts.

Some of the significant fund raiswer which we have include a Yard Sale, a Rummage Sale, and a Book Sale.  All of these end up being opportunities for people within the community to obtain treasures, or clothing, for a just a little bit of money (i.e., a quarter), and they help our parishioners, and even those outside the Parish, to clean out their closets each year.  Each sale  includes a food table, which is always popular.  Additionally, in the spring we have a Salad Luncheon, which has been a part of the Parish life for over thirty years.

Liturgical ministries include chalice bearers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, acolytes, and the altar guild.  Although we have music at both services, we have a difficult time conjuring up interest and commitment to a choir.  The former rector offered evening adult education classes in a variety of subjects, usually preceded by a light supper of soup and salad.