OVERFLOWING WITH JOY. HOPE FOR THE PERSON WHO JUST LOST A LOVED ONE. HOPE FOR YOU. HOPE FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN REJECTED. HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE AND THE THINGS WE CAN’T CONTROL. HOPE FINDING WHEN IT FEELS IMPOSSIBLE. HOPE GIVING WHEN THERE ARE MANY GOOD THINGS. HOPE FOR KIDS. HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE. HOPE FOR THE UNCHURCHED.
HOPE FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN IN CHURCH THEIR WHOLE LIFE. HOPE FOR THE PERSON FAR FROM GOD. HOPE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGED BY THE “CHURCH”. HOPE FOR PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. HOPE FOR LEADERS. HOPE FOR FOLLOWERS. HOPE IN ACTION. HOPE THROUGH SERMONS AND WORSHIP. HOPE IN THE MUNDANE. HOPE FOR ANYONE OPEN TO IT. HOPE FOR THE PERSON WHO DOESN’T FIT IN. Hope Together.
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church is an open community of Christians helping people find and give hope through Jesus Christ - regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, disability, or socioeconomic background. We work to ensure that our congregation and its leadership represent the community in which we are located. We are dedicated to including women, people of color, and LGBTQIA+ as staff and in positions of leadership and decision making. We renounce the way religion has been used throughout history to support racism, war, discrimination, genocide, violence, and poverty, and we pledge to rid ourselves of the conscious and unconscious biases when sacred stories are used to uphold injustice. We are particularly sensitive to the issues facing our brothers and sisters of color and LGBTQIA+ individuals, both within the United Methodist Church and in the general society. We pledge to be leaders in eradicating racism and discrimination.
To be an open community of Christians helping people find and give hope through Jesus Christ.
To be an explosive force of God’s radical, inclusive, and just love, reaching hundreds of thousands of people, especially those who have given up on church or the possibility of a God who loves them.
Dear St. Luke’s,
As we reflect on 2025, I am filled with gratitude for the ways in which St. Luke’s continues to make a positive impact on our community and witness to the truth and justice of the Gospel of Christ. This annual report is a celebration of the ways we share Hope Together. In the following pages you will find specific stories within the framework of our strategic plan that has guided our ministry for the past several years. These include: Multi-Site; Inclusive Expansion; City Impact and Discipleship; as well as our Making Room campaign and Planned Giving & Endowment work.
Throughout the year, our church community has supported Freedom School, Luke’s Leaders, Hub for Hope, Back to School Bash, Angel House in Tanzania, all-age discipleship ministries, Vacation Bible School, Crooked Creek Food Pantry, and so much more. We have also been instrumental in starting many new initiatives, like Thriving Families and Streets to Home Indy; along with powerful worship, impactful care ministries, and fellowship opportunities.
Thank you for being a caring and supportive community. Your generosity and involvement have made St. Luke’s a place where people find and give hope through Jesus Christ.
As we look ahead to 2026, we invite you to join us in our continued journey of faith and service. On November 16th, we will hold a Service of Commitment where we will express “Our Choice” to share our vision for the future and make financial commitments to support the ministry of St. Luke’s in the year ahead.
Your pledge matters! It helps us set goals and plan effectively. Please find the enclosed intention card and start contemplating and praying about your pledge. Then bring it with you to worship on November 16th to make your response during the service. If you are unable to attend in person, you can mail your intention card to the address provided.
With your financial gifts, we can create a brighter future for St. Luke’s and our community as we share hope together.
With gratitude,
Pastor Rob
*You can view your pledging status and giving records at stlukesumc.com/myaccount. Please contact the church Finance Department at faina.kleyner@stlukesumc.com or 317-846-3404. To see all of your giving, print statements, etc., log into your account at stlukesumc.com/myaccount.
St. Luke’s is one church, united by one mission, with three campuses living out that mission in unique ways. The North Indy campus, founded in 1953, has built a legacy of faith that’s inclusive, hopeful and lived out through love and service to our neighbors. That same spirit now reaches even farther, through our growing online campus and our Midtown campus in Broad Ripple.
This year has been a season of exciting growth across all our campuses. Midtown, which launched in 2023, is already preparing to add a second service in just its third year! Our online community has grown by 7%, and new virtual ministry opportunities beyond worship continue to connect people in fresh ways. Behind the scenes, our multi-site strategic team is laying the groundwork for the future by developing a new site playbook, exploring resource strategies, and creating leadership pathways to prepare for the day we feel God calling us to launch another campus. Take a moment below to see how our shared mission of hope is transforming hearts and lives across every corner of St. Luke’s.
Last winter a family who was overwhelmed with the circumstances of their life, entered the church doors in need of rent support to avoid eviction from their apartment. The family has three school-aged children in Washington Township schools, and the mother of the family was not working. The father had suffered a workplace accident that shattered part of his foot, leaving him unable to work and in constant pain. Because he was a contractor and not an employee, he lost his job.
Shelly, the Director of Outreach and Justice, shared a special time of listening, crying, and praying together. We were able to provide them assistance for a month’s rent, as well as sending them home with some grocery gift cards. Throughout this year, and thanks to a generous donor, St. Luke’s has supported the family with several months’ rent and utility assistance. The Crooked Creek food pantry, started by St. Luke’s members, has helped supply food, and Shelly was able to help connect with resources by getting them signed up for our Angel Tree Christmas initiative and the Back to School Bash we share with other local partners.
This is one example of people of all ages finding hope on this campus whether its in worship, preschool, support groups, classes, or a variety of programs. The North Indy campus is a building that never sleeps; community is always gathering and through it, hope always rises.
There is a 2nd grade student living in Chicago who attends worship online. He had only ever seen this church on a computer screen so wanted to attend VBS in person! He came to Indianapolis and spent the week with his grandma who lives here so he could attend all five days of VBS. His grandma volunteered at VBS each day. When he walked into the building he said, “Wow! This place is huge and so much cooler in real life!.” When he saw Pastor Jevon, the student called him famous and made sure they had their picture taken together. It was one of the best weeks of the summer filled with Bible stories, friends, crafts, games, snacks, as well as the singing and dancing in VBS worship. This student’s faith began growing through online worship. Classes, small groups, care, prayer, and even service opportunities are also offered virtually throughout the year.
When we opened the Midtown Campus in 2022, one of Rev. Mindie Moore’s goals was to have a thriving Kids and Student Ministry. Through Midtown’s Launch Team, they had a handful of kids and students who they knew would play a part in starting this new St. Luke’s location.
What Mindie didn’t anticipate was the role that intergenerational connections would play in the growth of the Kids and Student ministries, and how important these relationships would become in their identity as a campus. Mindie says she got to see these relationships in action at Ned Lewis’ 90th birthday party this fall. Ned was a central part of Broad Ripple UMC and has become a central part of St. Luke’s Midtown as well. Not only does Ned help lead efforts to maintain our building and grounds, but he is also beloved by the young families our congregation is reaching. On a Sunday, you will see him talking to the kids in the donut room or gathering area, and at his birthday party, there were several Midtown Kids in attendance. One of the moms told Mindie, “Of course we will be at the party—our kids love Mr. Ned!”
St. Luke’s Midtown Kids and Student ministries have grown in some incredible ways this year, and Mindie believes that adults like Ned are one of the primary reasons why. Our Kids and Students know that they are an important part of the church community, and the adults in the congregation care about them and celebrate who they are. Mindie is so grateful for the ways Midtown is growing.
Over the past year, our Worship Ministry has experienced incredible growth and renewal. God is clearly at work among us—drawing new voices, new leaders, and new hearts into worship. We’ve expanded our choirs and worship teams with a special focus on engaging the next generation. We’re proud of the added involvement from our youth, as our Youth Choir is full of students in 5th-12th grades. Younger children make up our Genesis and KidzSing Choirs, and we’ve seen them lead our services in worship. In Traditional Worship, the Chancel Choir has grown by an amazing 60%, and attendance continues to rise. This community didn’t just grow in numbers, it grew in mission. Over the summer, we opened our doors and hearts to guest worship leaders, and we launched a new concert series featuring gifted musicians from across Indiana. At Midtown, worship has flourished as well. The worship ministry at Midtown has welcomed multiple new members and has seen attendance increase in service of 20% over the past year. Their fellowship is strong—whether they’re leading on Sundays or cheering together at an Indianapolis Indians game! The spirit of connection and purpose among this team is contagious.
As this ministry grows, so does the call to leadership. Several volunteers across services have stepped into new Sunday leadership roles, some serving in ways they never imagined possible. Their courage and commitment are a beautiful reflection of how God continues to work through this community. We celebrate all that has been accomplished this year and we look forward with anticipation to all that God will continue to write through the Worship Ministry in the year ahead.
ESTIMATED MONTHLY VOLUNTEERS ENGAGED IN LEADING WORSHIP 300+
20%
INCREASE IN NORTH INDY CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS
INCREASE IN TECH TEAM VOLUNTEERS 10%
INCREASE IN MIDTOWN WORSHIP VOLUNTEERS 15%
2,870
AVERAGE WEEKLY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE 4% INCREASE OVER 2024
3,715
NEW PEOPLE REACHED BY MINISTRY EVENTS AND GROUPS
WEBSITE VIEWS 1.3M VIDEO VIEWS
122K
NEW VISITORS TO OUR WEBSITE
740.7K WATCH HOURS (UP 71%)
6,389
AVERAGE MONTHLY ONLINE WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
8.3K
814
NEW SUBSCRIBERS TO ST. LUKE’S NEWSLETTERS
Around 4 AM on September 29, 2022, Beth Pope received a call every parent fears - her sons had been in a car crash. Nelson, who was 25, was able to be picked up from the hospital, but Rashid had not survived. Rashid was just 22. The next week was a blur - writing Rashid’s obituary, planning the funeral held here at St. Luke’s, and Beth was just trying to take one day, one hour at a time.
A few months later, Beth saw a GriefShare class would begin soon. She signed up, knowing she needed help in dealing with her grief. Beth wasn’t sure if GriefShare would be the right fit. She was so sad but also so angry - angry that it took months to charge the driver who caused the crash with DUI, angry with God - if God was loving, how could this be allowed to happen? Her faith wasn’t very strong in those days, but she signed up.
What Beth found in GriefShare was a loving community. They listened to each other and provided a safe space to cry and lean into their grief. At GriefShare, Beth could be herself. When you attend Care & Contemplation offerings you will find home, even when it’s hard to. There are 45 offerings spanning from Labyrinth Walks to Support Groups. In fact, 231 people attended support groups this year, 83 attended contemplation groups, and we had a total of 715 prayer requests. Our Care team has personally connected with 635 people. We’re here for our church community in their best times, and most importantly, in their toughest. Even more, Christ is always there.
Earlier this fall, there was beautiful music heard in the sanctuary during the organ recital at St. Luke’s. The pipe organ was played with precision and skill by Chuck Goehring and Michael Conley as over 125 voices were raised in unison and beloved hymns were sung by everyone in attendance. This event was open to everyone at St. Luke’s but was focused on providing a couple hours for our seniors to enjoy being together in the church that they love so dearly. As a result of an interest survey taken at the event, additional activities are planned to provide a continuing stream of hope-filled activities to our St. Luke’s seniors who have provided hope to others for so many years.
715
TOTAL PRAYER REQUESTS
314
IN A CARE SUPPORT OR CONTEMPLATION GROUP
111
RECIEVED CARE FOR THE FIRST TIME
Our Mosaic program allows us to support individuals and families impacted by disability . This ministry adapts programs for kids, youth and adults, creating a faith-filled experience for all. Mosaic work includes a strategic team leading in ministry development and creating more inclusive experiences on each campus. Currently, staff and members are working through an ADA checklist to determine accessibility changes to our worship and buildings so we can be one of the first United Methodist churches in Indiana meeting the gold star level of compliance for accessibility. Doing so will ensure people feel safe, seen and know that they belong.
Mo started attending Midtown in the early winter of 2025. Mo heard about St. Luke’s through their residence at Trinity Haven. Beck, the Midtown worship leader, was the first person Mo connected with when entering the doors at Midtown. Beck could feel Mo’s nervousness of being in a new environment. They started talking, and Beck learned about Mo’s sensory needs, their family background, and that the week after attending our services they were going to finally be able to legally become Mo.
Since then, Mo has become a popular face of Midtown. They helped create our Sensory Retreat as they told us how sometimes the service space can become overwhelming, or if they didn’t sleep, they need to have a special place to sit and feel safe. We connected them with the Mosaic Ministry and made that dream come true within weeks. Mo stands near the front and will happily use American Sign Language for every song and share that gift with the folks around them.
Mo is one of the many folks who step into our buildings that just want to feel safe and seen. Our Mosaic Ministry team has doubled the number of students at VBS, doubled the amount of Mosaic programs, tripled the number of buddies available for Summer Programing, and there are now 313 people involved in Mosaic Programming. St. Luke’s is committed to ensuring all children, youth, adults, parents, and caretakers can feel safe, supported, and encouraged to grow in their faith.
St. Luke’s vision statement contains an audacious phrase…impacting hundreds of thousands of people. How will we do this, if not through the power of God and the commitment of God’s people! One way to have this kind of CITY IMPACT is through our active role in the community. This has been a year for St. Luke’s to step into new leadership, partnering with others to bring about a community where everyone freely experiences and contributes to wholeness and flourishing. Several important initiatives have launched from this vision in 2025, building coalition and partnership around different objectives.
60K+
VISITS TO CROOKED CREEK FOOD PANTRY (12,000 FAMILIES)
1,000
THANKSGIVING MEALS SERVED OR DELIVERED
200
FAMILIES SERVED MONTHLY AT THE DIAPER PANTRY
150
FAMILIES ENGAGED IN LUKE’S LEADERS AND FREEDOM SCHOOL
FAMILIES AT WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP ECC SUPPORTED WITH WEEKLY GROCERIES 12+
15
IMMIGRANTS PARTICIPATING IN A CITIZENSHIP CLASS
700+
SACK LUNCHES DELIVERED TO UNHOUSED PEOPLE (FLETCHER PLACE)
6,000+
STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOOL SUPPLIES
300+
FAMILIES SERVED THROUGH ANGEL TREE
42
FAMILIES ASSISTED WITH HOUSING SUPPORT FUNDS PROVIDED BY CONNECTIONS GIFTS & BOOKS
70
CHILDREN SUPPORTED AT ANGEL HOUSE TANZANIA
12
LOCAL PARTNERS SUPPORTED THROUGH I LOVE MY CITY
St. Luke’s was instrumental in building and convening the coalition that ultimately resulted in Streets to Home Indy. This bold partnership—between the City of Indianapolis, the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP), and faith, corporate, and philanthropic partners—seeks to end chronic homelessness in Indianapolis. Phase 1 is already underway and will provide permanent housing and support services for 350 of our most vulnerable unhoused neighbors by next summer.
The faith community has pledged to raise $270,000 for Phase 1, and St. Luke’s participated by raising over $70,000. The faith community is also working together to provide Move-In Kits for each newly housed person.
M arcia Roberts is a St. Luke’s Outreach & Justice leader who has worked tirelessly on behalf of those with insecure housing. She recently shared these words: “When I think about the formerly homeless individuals who have been housed as a result of Streets to Home Indy, I think how their daily life has changed--the safety they now feel, the warmth that surrounds them, the people who are supporting them and telling them they matter--and I’m thrilled to be part of the effort!”
This group began convening bi-monthly in February, with representatives from schools, hospital systems, faith groups, community centers, food pantries, and other non-profit service providers on the north side of Indy. St. Luke’s is taking a leadership role as this group creates a partnership network designed to serve Indy’s North side. The working mission and vision statement of this group is as follows:
“We desire a community where all residents thrive in health, wellness, and belonging. We are striving to build a network of community partners who are aligned on this impact and who serve Northside neighbors by providing easier access to resources.”
THRIVING FAMILIES INITIATIVE (TFI) launched this year in partnership with St. Luke’s, Second Presbyterian Church, and Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana. TFI is built on a conviction that poverty will not be solved by individual handouts, but by communities that rebuild a social fabric that involves meaningful relationships across differences in class, race, and background. Through a model of individual coaching and intentional community, TFI is walking alongside neighbors out of poverty and toward stability, growth, and good lives.
When Keontae first joined TFI, he had transitioned from an unfulfilling career in accounting and was working in food service. He had dreams of finding purpose as a teacher and football coach, and one of the first things he did was leverage existing relationships in the TFI network to connect at a local school. Keontae now works as a teachers’ assistant, and continues to make meaningful strides toward his professional and personal goals. He is actively completing his FAFSA and college applications to finish his bachelor’s degree. He was also excited to co-facilitate the September Thriving Families MeetUp— an experience he
described as a valuable leadership opportunity aligned with his goal of becoming an educator. Building on his transition from part-time underemployment to full-time work at Tindley Schools, he is now working with his coach to finalize a sustainable plan for managing past education debt, completing his degree, and deepening his engagement by joining a committee to help plan future MeetUps. Keontae is one of many who have experienced the wholeness and flourishing that comes from being part of TFI.
In His final words Jesus called us to make disciples. That process is one we take incredibly at St. Luke’s. It includes growing in our understanding of God through groups and classes, studying the Bible, and living in community with others. These practices extend across the course of our lives from birth to our twilight years. At St. Luke’s we intentionally plan out the ages and stages of our growth with milestones that mark our continuing maturation. This year we are excited to report that each of the discipleship ministries has seen flourishing as we bring together a community of all ages, united in the pursuit of living continually more like Christ.
Inspired by their time with St. Luke’s Adult Discipleship programs, Jeffry Weber and his husband Carl Wodrich launched their own small group in March 2025. Starting with eight members during Lent, the first five sessions focused on the previous Sunday’s sermons.
The group quickly moved from discussion to action. During their sixth meeting, they undertook a service project, creating Easter baskets for 17 children in a single family and providing gift cards for the mother.
Gathering socially throughout the summer, the members have grown into a “chosen family,” supporting each other daily via text. Now, they are piloting a new curriculum, Circle Up. Jeff and Carl describe hosting the group as a blessing that far exceeded their expectations, centered around discussing faith in daily life. They plan to gather for the holidays and will resume their Lenten group in February.
Adult Discipleship is continually seeking new ways to engage members, from small groups and classes to the expanding 20|30s Ministry which regularly welcomes around 65 young adults to faith-filled events like Restaurant Takeovers, Monthly Dinner Clubs, and Books and Brews. These gatherings foster deep conversations and
116
NUMBER OF CLASSES
96
NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN DISCIPLE
160
NEW TO GROUPS AND CLASSES
1,740
TOTAL IN GROUPS AND CLASSES
A student mission trip to Belize has forever changed the way Nola Boyle interacts with others. When the team initially arrived at the church in which they’d been serving, they were greeted with warm hugs and welcomes from people they had never met. The immediate love and trust for complete strangers was something Nola had never previously experienced, and she says thinking about it still makes her tear up. Although these students were the ones doing service projects for our Belizean friends, each of them walked away thinking that they had received a lot more than they had given.
400+
STUDENTS REACHED BY TEEN RESPONDERS
STUDENTS CONFIRMED 46
AVERAGE ENGAGED STUDENTS EACH MONTH 185
Director of Student Ministries, Travis Bannon first received the idea for Teen Responders in the Fall of 2020. After gathering a team of amazing mental health professionals who helped shape it into what it is today, St. Luke’s officially launched Teen Responders in March of 2022 with the mission of training teens and their adults to respond to the mental health needs of other teens. Since then, Travis’ team has had hundreds of teens and hundreds of adults go through a Teen Responders workshop—at St. Luke’s, in local schools, at other churches, in juvenile detention centers, etc. These mental health resources have now benefited thousands of teens.
Teen Responders is a source of HOPE in the Indianapolis community. We have now launched official Teen Responders Host sites around other parts of Indiana, Michigan, and Texas! Teens around the country will be empowered to respond to the needs of their peers and care for their own mental health as well. Adults of teens will better care for the mental health needs of the teens in their lives. All of the work done through Student Ministries is in service of giving hope to teens, helping them live and thrive the way God desires for their lives. Travis’ team partners with parents to raise tweens, teens, and college-aged students to create safe spaces where students can grow and transform in an inclusive environment.
It’s generous when parents give us the opportunity to love and pour into their kids. And one of our dedicated caregivers has been doing that for the past several years. For Amanda, it’s most important to create a safe and welcoming place for St. Luke’s families with young kids. Since coming to St. Luke’s almost seven years ago I’ve been in the early years rooms with kids under 3. She values creating a safe and fun environment where St. Luke’s kids feel comfortable at church and where their families can sit in the sermon or a class to focus on the message with the security that their kids are in a caring place.
Amanda has many moments in time that stick out to her and those revolve around the relationships built with St. Luke’s staff, caregivers, and families. Some of the most rewarding experiences involve the building of those relationships. Not every kid is comfortable being away from their family. It takes time, effort, and patience to figure out what they need and how to connect. Once they’ve built that comfort, it is so rewarding to see them go from apprehensive to running into the room ready for our time together. Each Sunday and with four major events, an incredible group of volunteers care for kids of all ages.
2,843
TOTAL EVENT ATTENDANCE
289
ATTENDED VBS 11% INCREASE FROM 2024
187
AVERAGE SUNDAY NORTH INDY ATTENDANCE
25
AVERAGE SUNDAY MIDTOWN ATTENDANCE
The Making Room building campaign continues to transform our campus, creating dedicated, mission-focused spaces that support the thriving ministries of St. Luke’s. We are thrilled to report the successful completion of Phase 1 and significant momentum as we move into the largest expansion yet.
P hase 1: Completed and Celebrating Growth We celebrate the completion of Phase 1, which has immediately impacted key areas of ministry. We expanded and refreshed the Lodge and are welcoming new students each Sunday which has helped support their growth! Next we built a garage, with solar panels, that provides secure, organized storage for many ministries at St. Luke’s
P hase 2: Upgrades and Expansion Underway Momentum carried through the summer with the completion of the Children’s Wing Upgrades . This renovated space has been met with excitement by ECP teachers and Sunday morning volunteers alike. We just broke ground for the remainder of Phase 2! ( Phase 2-B, C, and D)
W hat’s Coming Up?
The upcoming work (Phase 2-B, C, and D) represents the largest portion of the project:
• Educational Addition: 7 new classrooms and an inviting entry area designed to host community outreach events (like Diaper Distributions and Hub for Hope activities).
• Interior Refurbishment: New Catering Kitchen, conversion of the Fellowship Hall kitchen to new restrooms, and the planned removal of The Modge.
• Finishing Touches (Spring/Summer 2026) : Completing the connection to the new space, adding classrooms near the Narthex for the Mosaic Ministry and High School students, and securing the entire Children’s Wing for enhanced safety.
If you’re interested in learning more about our Making Room Campaign, contact Nancy Lange or Steve Lankton.
Nancy Lange: nancy.lange@stlukesumc.com
Steve Lankton: steve.lankton@stlukesumc.com
CONGREGATIONAL COMMITMENTS TO SECURE DURING ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
$5,721,000 OTHER INCOME SOURCES
$1,907,000
PLEDGING RECURRING GIFTS
$7,628,000
TOTAL INCOME NEEDED TO FUND MINISTRIES IN 2026
Q. Why do we ask for an annual financial commitment/intention?
A . Your commitment is the basis for how we fund our budget as a church. Your financial intentions tell us if we will have the resources to put desired ministry into action in the coming year.
Q. How can I submit my commitment/ intention for 2026?
A . You can make your commitment in these ways:
O NLINE: visit stlukesumc.com/give and click on “Submit Your 2026 Financial Commitment.”
IN -PERSON: bring your intention card to worship on Sunday, November 16.
DR OP OFF: bring your card to the main office any week day between 9AM-5PM.
MA IL TO:
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St.
Q. Can I set up a recurring electronic gift?
A . Absolutely! After you’ve submitted your 2026 commitment/intention, go to the website: stlukesumc.com/give and click, “Set up Your Electronic Giving.” You can use a bank account (lower fees for us) or a debit/credit card.
Q. Can I prepay my 2026 commitment?
A . Sure! You can either drop off a check at the church office or make a onetime gift online at stlukesumc.com/ give. Indicate that it is for 2026. We also accept stock transfers by calling the church office.
REMEMBER: YOU ONLY NEED TO SUBMIT YOUR INTENTION ONCE EACH YEAR!
St. Luke’s Endowment Fund was created in 1989. The goal was to establish and maintain a growing, perpetual endowment to ensure that St. Luke’s United Methodist Church would be able to live out its mission to help people find and give hope through Jesus Christ, both now and in the future. In 2024, the Endowment generated a 10.9% rate of return on investments after expenses, and the Endowment Fund had grown to $ 8,302,340 as of January 1, 2025.
In 2024, the General Endowment generated $148,182 in interest and dividends. This was combined with $43,722 in carryover from 2023 to make a total of $191,904 available in 2025 for funding ministry and mission needs not included in the operating budget.
The Planned Giving and Endowment Committee received and considered grant requests from various ministry areas throughout the year. In 2025, four grants were awarded: an $80,000 grant to the trustees to replace the fire protection and intercom system, a $20,375 grant to engage church leaders in a strategic planning process to operationalize our inclusive values, a $35,000 grant to renovate landscaping, meeting space, and seating at the Midtown campus, and a $45,000 grant for a
three-year lease of two vans for Student Ministries, Outreach & Justice, and other church groups. In addition to the General Endowment, St. Luke’s is fortunate to have ten named endowment funds to support designated purposes, including areas like Sowers, Orchestra, Worship and Arts, and Staff Parish. At the beginning of each calendar year, the appropriate committee chairpersons and staff members are notified of the funding available to them for the year from these designated funds.
The Endowment Investment Committee is responsible for managing the Endowment. The Endowment is invested through Elser Financial Planning and custodied at The Charles Schwab Corporation. The Endowment Investment Committee meets periodically to review fund performance and reports to the Finance Committee at least quarterly.
Outright gifts and planned gift commitments are both welcome ways to grow St. Luke’s endowment. For assistance with current or planned gifts to the Endowment, visit our planned giving website, stlukeslegacy.com, or contact David Heetland, Pastor of Planned Giving, at 317.319.6202.
St. Luke’s Legacy Society recognizes and thanks those persons who have included the church in their estate plans. If you have already included St. Luke’s in your estate plans and your name is not on this list, or if you would like further information about planned giving, please contact David Heetland, Pastor of Planned Giving, at 317.319.6202 or david.heetland@gmail.com.
Andrew P. Acher
Tim & Bev Altman
John & Marsha L. Anderson
Scott & Linda Arant
Frances Arnold
John G. & Margaret P. Baker
Lori Ball & Lisa Hicks
Richard E* & Janet F. Barb
Kimberly Basch
Nancy Dellekamp Bell
Roger Boop
Barbara K. Burke
Steve* & Linda Claffey
Greg & Anne Clark
Diane Clayton
Summer Curry
Brian & Susan Elser
Andrew & Danielle Fiega
Larry & Carol Franks
Rob & Sandi French
Barbara R. Furlow
Brad & Terri Fuson
Donald & Marilyn Griffith
Greg Hale & Monika Nyby
David R. Hamer
Yvonne Hammond
Adolf & Naomi Hansen
Sandra K. Harlan
Brent & Linda Hartman
Brent & Gwen Harvey
David & Kathy Heetland
Vicki E. Hittle
Stephen & JoAnn Hoskins
George & Marli Howell
Joseph & Dinah Huse
Steve & Barb Jackson
Denny & Judi Jones
Ann W. King
Dawn King
Tom & Nancy Lange
Richard & Jan Lautzenheiser
Glen & Lana Lehman
Tom & Leisa Merrell
Kendall & Angel Millard
Kent & Cheri Millard
Mike & Patty Miller
Donald L. Moehn
Rita Peat
Jeffrey & Debra Peek
Bing & Suzi Pratt
Steven & Linda Priddy
Judith Proffitt
Kim Reeves & Becky Sondgeroth
Jerry & Sue Shanks
Nancy Snively
Paul & Jan Snyder
Judy Stamper
John* & Barbara Stark
Risa Stockton
Mary Ann Thaman
Bob & Jane Tharp
Jerry Timmons
Doug Tirmenstein & Joan Metzler
Pierre & Susan Twer
Elizabeth Van Tassel
Karen Wever
Jim & Joyce* Winner
Barry & Margaret Wood
Jenna York
An * indicates St. Luke’s Legacy Society members who have passed on to glory. Thanks be to God for their life and faith!
