ECF Vital Practices: St. Luke's-San Lucas Chelsea, "Small Church, Big Impact"

“How does a congregation live into its sacred role as a healer?"

That’s the question congregational leaders at St. Luke’s/ San Lucas Episcopal Church in Chelsea, Massachusetts use to guide their ministry. Recently honored by their city for all they do to “advance the cause of Chelsea and its people,” this small church, in a densely populated and economically challenged city, is realizing their mission of living the love of Christ in worship, fellowship, hospitality and service to the community.

From serving as host of the recent ecumenical service of healing in response to the shootings in Charleston, South Carolina to their long running commitment to addressing hunger in their community, the people of St. Luke’s practice a ministry of healing, modeled by both their patron saint, St. Luke, and Jesus.

Central to this ministry is the recognition of the importance of a strong lay and clergy leadership team. “It takes more than a charismatic priest with good ideas,” says St. Luke’s priest Edgar Gutierrez-Duarte. “You also need a good relationship with a strong vestry; working as a team, with constant conversation and a willingness to compromise.”

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