This is a leadership profile you’ll really hate to miss. Need me to prove it to you? It involves, beer, Dungeons and Dragons, the Apostolic Succession, and a summer camp coincidence from the 80’s.
Lucas w/ his son Asher
Amy: How long have you been a member at St. John’s?
Lucas: Hmm… maybe 4 years? I think we started in 2011 but I am not certain of that. I have actually never been officially received into the church.
Amy: Since being a member technically boils down to baptism and spartan attendance, with a little service/contributions tossed in, I’d say that a formal reception into the Episcopal Church is well… a formality. However, one of the cool parts of being of a denomination that has held to the Apostolic Succession is that when you are received and the bishop lays hands on you, you become another link in a chain of blessings that goes directly back to the apostles. Thoughts? Concerns? Would you consider being received this November when St. John’s hosts diocesan confirmations?
Lucas: I would certainly consider being formally received.
Amy: Have you always been Episcopalian? If so, what kept you involved in church? If not, what inspired you to join?
Lucas: If by always you mean since 2011 when we started then yes! If you mean my whole life then nope. =) I was inspired to join by the openness and inclusivity of the Episcopal church. My experiences with religion prior were somewhat less accepting and somewhat more judgmental. Oh, and the wife. She had a say in my decision too.
Amy: Being a wife myself, I’m familiar with having ‘a say.’ Was there any reason you settled on St. John’s specifically or just divine intervention?
Lucas: We chose St. Johns for a couple of reasons. Perhaps the least interesting is that it was close. We also thought it was a beautiful building. More than those however is that the service is more traditional and less contemporary and that’s what we were looking for.
Amy: What other ministries are you involved with at St. John’s? At the diocese?
Lucas: I am a member of the vestry and I occasionally lead our Godly Play for the young’uns.
Amy: To say ‘occasionally’ is modest. You have been a critical support keeping our Sunday School program consistent and relevant to our kiddos from week to week this past year. How has this experience affected your family worship? Do you have any thoughts for other parents looking to plug into Godly Play?
Lucas: Leading Godly Play has forced me to become more of a student of our traditions. As a new Episcopal there are many things others take for granted that I am either not familiar with or have only a passing familiarity. The church year is a good example. Prior to my time here I didn’t even realize there was a church year, let alone a year with various seasons and days that necessarily align with what I think of as the calendar.
Amy: Tell us about your day job or cool hobby.
Lucas: My day job is tedious and boring. I run a small team of program managers working for a telecommunications company (XO Communications). By night I throw off the illusion of ‘normal’ and take up the mantle of Dungeon Master in a weekly Dungeons and Dragons game. Yes. I’m almost 40 and still play games weekly. Plus I brew beer.
Amy: Is there a funny personal tid-bit you’d like to share? (Melanie’s serious aspirations to be a ballerina will be hard to top.)
Lucas: Not so many years ago I got out of bed, showered and drove to work. I noticed as I arrived the place was sort of empty but I didn’t think much of it. Rebecca called about twenty minutes later. I was concerned as she never calls me early in the morning. She was concerned too, she wanted to know where I was. When I informed her, perhaps somewhat snarkily, that I was at work, she reminded me that it was Sunday and if I didn’t hustle home we’d be late for church!
Amy: I’ve always found it satisfying to latch on to the end of the procession and then slide into the first available pew when running late. It’s like letting the current take you down stream in a canoe. This is liturgy at work, people!
Amy: What is something you hope to accomplish during your time on the vestry?
Lucas: A friend of mine once told me in passing that you should always leave a place better for your time there. I look at my service on the vestry similar to this. I don’t expect to move mountains but I do hope that my contributions can help have a small and lasting impact on St. Johns – for the better.
Amy: Lastly, what makes your faith real to you? (There may be a better way to word this but nevertheless, it’s a place to start.)
Lucas: I don’t generally talk about my faith publicly as I find it intensely personal and somewhat awkward. I will say I find great comfort in knowing that there is a plan and purpose for me, my son and this world beyond what is evident to my limited understanding.
Camp Ego 1985
Lucas: Here’s a freebie – When I was 13 years old I received an invitation for summer camp. It was this camp I’d never heard of sponsored by a church from Saginaw I didn’t know anything about. I went to the camp and had a great time. The camp was called Camp Ego. The church was St. Johns. Long before I ever considered becoming a member here, the church was already ministering to me.