Dear St. Luke’s,

Happy Easter and welcome to our Vestry Newsletter from your Wardens, Sharon Gay and Pat Brumbaugh. If you are new or catching up, this publication is designed to keep you informed during our transition as we search for a new permanent rector. Here, you’ll find updates on clergy, staffing, and important parish news.

Rector Search Update

On behalf of your Rector Search Committee, we’re pleased to share a few updates on its ongoing work, supported by The Rev. Canon George Maxwell from the Cathedral of St. Philip.

• • • • Rector Search Page: Our “Rector Search” landing page is now live at www.stlukesatlanta.org and is linked at the top navigation bar. The page includes a welcome video, parish profile, annual report, and a link to submit résumés. The application period remains open through April 16, 2026.

• • • • Advertisements & Recruitment: Position advertisements are running in Episcopal News Service and The Living Church. In addition, the Rector Search Committee sent personal invitations to 25 potential candidates recommended by parishioners and friends.

• • • • Application Reviews & Timeline: Following the submission deadline, the Bishop’s office will review and forward eligible candidates to the Rector Search Committee. After Easter, the committee will begin interviews and discernment with support from Canon Maxwell.

While dates may shift, we currently anticipate the following timeline: 

• • May–July: Virtual interviews

• • July–August: In‑person interviews in Atlanta (2–3 candidates)

• • August–September: Vestry reviews recommended candidates and begins the selection process

Thank you again to all our search committee members: Drew Putt (Chair), Jodi Black, Lindley Cole, John Earles, Caroline Fooshee, David Gillon, Lala Halsema, Scott Inman, Mary Kyle, Louis McLeod, Jason O’Rouke, Deneta Sells, Adelaide Steedley, and Carrie Teegardin.

* Please note that dates can fluctuate depending on church and candidate priorities and calendars.

Budget Updates

We are pleased to announce that the Vestry approved the 2026 budget during the March meeting, developed and presented by St. Luke’s finance committee. Here are a few things to know:

• • The Vestry approved a balanced budget with projected revenues of $3,754,423 and expenses slightly below that amount.
• • This budget assumes pledge collections of $2,225,000, which is approximately what we collected in 2025.
• • Other sources of revenue include draws from our endowment funds and rental and parking lot income.
• • Our largest expenses are compensation, property and grounds maintenance and repairs, and our annual pledge to the Diocese.
• • This budget allows us to support our ministries and programs in 2026 in a comparable manner to 2025.
• • For a number of years, the church has needed to supplement its operating budget with draws from reserve funds and other non-sustainable sources of revenue to close budget gaps. For 2026, the Vestry committed to limit those draws to $100,000, a meaningful reduction from prior years.  

Thank you for a beautiful Lenten season and Easter.

Thank you to all our clergy, staff, choir, musicians, and worship guilds for a beautiful Lenten season, Holy Week, and Easter! We are deeply grateful for your faithful leadership and for creating the community we call our parish home.

Thank you as well to the entire parish for your prayers, presence, and continued support as we move forward together in faith.

Sharon Gay & Pat Brumbaugh