The Dedication of Hope Church
July 25, 2023
Bishop Deon Johnson officially dedicated the newest parish in the Diocese of Missouri on Saturday, July 22.
Hope Episcopal Church is located in Town & Country, which is in West St. Louis County. It is on the site of the former Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, which merged with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Manchester last year. The combined congregation chose Hope Church as their new name.
The dedication service was held in Hope Church’s parish hall, which is being reconfigured as an additional worship space for the new congregation. And at the center of that worship space sits a beautiful new altar, which is a gift from Bishop Deon Johnson. The altar top is made out of wood from the pews at St. Luke’s Church.
As the St. Luke’s congregation was leaving their building, Bishop Deon asked them to keep four pews that could be used to build furniture for their new church home. Then he hired a local woodworker to create the altar top from those pews.
The dimensions of the new altar are the same as the old altar at St. Luke’s, so their linens can still be used at Hope. The bishop said his goal was to find ways to repurpose sacred items in a way that would breathe life into something new. “I wanted a way to preserve St. Luke’s legacy at Hope.”
The altar top is designed with five wooden crosses, representing the wounds of Jesus. “There is grief with any merger,” said the bishop. “This is a sign of resurrection for this community.”
The Rev. Angela Ferree serves as deacon at Hope Church. She shares this reflection on the connections made between St. Luke’s, Good Shepherd, and now Hope Church:
God moves in mysterious ways.
How does the Divine move through us and within us, linking us, and moving us beyond ourselves into the world? I recently saw this question answered in unusual connections.
While I was a member of St. Luke's, Manchester, the Lord persisted in calling me to the diaconate.
We all know change is inevitable. The merger with Church of the Good Shepherd soon followed, and only then was I able to activate a personal connection. I was able to acquire a St. Luke's pew, downsized to be a feature in my home. Daily, in passing it, I give thanks to the Lord and ask guidance in my ministry. I also honor and thank all those responsible for their support in moving me forward.
Personal connections in our lives are so important -- and come in unexpected ways.
As a result of the merger and a new name, Bishop Deon led a glorious dedication service on July 22. And the connection? A beautiful altar created again from St. Luke's pews was consecrated. Its exquisit inlaid crosses amazed us all. Then as the host and wine were distributed, we left to serve the Lord in the world, carrying forward our mission to love and serve, knowing we are connected as a worldwide communion.
Indeed, our God moves in mysterious ways.
A side note: There was enough wood from those pews to build a second altar top. That altar will be used in the diocesan office space, but only temporarily. “My dream is, down the road, if we plant a new congregation, this altar could be given to them as a gift,” Bishop Deon said. “We’re just holding it in trust for the next congregation.”
Dedication of Hope Church - July 22, 2023
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