St. Luke's My Second Family

Paul and I joined St. Luke’s in 1979 when we first moved to Bloomington. From day one of joining St. Luke’s we have been actively involved in the church, along with our children, Phil and Jana, and now our son-in-law, Dan and granddaughter, Sadie.

The Cinnamons left St. Luke’s when they moved from Bloomington to Eden Prairie, but they came back to St. Luke’s because Sadie wanted to. The reason - because people here knew her and would engage in conversation with her. I consider St. Luke’s my second family. You have been with me through the good times and bad. I like to make acronyms -- so here is mine for St. Luke's My Second Family.
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S – since 1979 when we joined St. Luke's
T – trust
L - love
U – understanding
K – kindness
E’s – excitement
M - music
Y - youth
S – sincerity
E – enjoying
C – caring
O – opportunities
N – neighbors
D – devotion 
F – friendships
A – accepted
M – ministry
I – involvement
L – leadership
Y – YES!

I started volunteering in the church office in 2012, after working in the retirement plan industry for over 30 years. In 2014, I was asked to fill in when there was a transition in office staff and then hired to fill a part-time position. I felt a call to the position at that time. I wasn’t quite ready for retirement yet and I love my church and serving the members and our community.
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I am responsible for the daily operations of the office including answering phones, working on the bulletins, Proclaim (the video program used for our screen – but still needs to be done for those watching online), working on Tuesday and Thursday E-news, meeting with people who stop by regarding building rental, in need of help, etc. One of my greatest joys was having Warren Carpenter stop by when he was up to it and checking in on things here and bringing vegetables from his garden in the summer. In the past year, I have had fun with a member who stops by the office and calls me, Elaine, so I have been calling him Fred. Also, there have been many of you who just have stopped by the office and said “hi” and always showing interest in me and my family. My greatest reward is getting to know you more.

I am announcing today that I will be retiring in May from my office position, but I will still continue to be involved in many activities here St. Luke’s. I look forward to spending more time with my family, at our lake place in Alexandria, gardening and taking some trips. This fall we have an Alaskan cruise planned. St. Luke’s has a bright future and I look forward to continuing to be part of this faith community.

I am working with a great team of staff members here at St. Luke’s and if you know of anyone interested in my position, please have them talk to my husband, Paul, who is head of the Personnel Committee in 2022. Thank you!
Julie Klein