. Street • Indianapolis,

Telephone: -- • Fax: -- • www.stlukesumc.com

~identityWe are an open community

of Christians gathering to seek,

celebrate, live and share the

love of God for all creation.

~vision We envision being transformed

by God and transforming the

world into a compassionate,

just, inclusive,

Christ-like community.

~method We experience God’s

unconditional love,embrace hope, grow in faith,

and become empowered by our

passion for ministry and

service in the world.

2

: ,

Dr. Kent Millard, Senior Pastor

St. Paul began his letter to the followers of Jesus at Corinth with words which express how I feel

about the followers of Jesus at St. Luke’s:

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus,

for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind.” ( :-)

1. Development of a Governing Board

After an extensive consultation process with

Dr. Gill Rendle, our leaders decided to elect a

13-person governing board which would

have primary responsibility for long-range

strategic planning for St. Luke’s. The

Governing Board does not focus on current

operational issues; those are managed by our

Staff Parish Relations Committee, Trustees,

Finance Committee and Program Team

working with the Lead Team and the

Staff Executive Team.

The Governing Board deals with

strategic issues, such as how we will

pay our million mortgage when

the current capital campaign pledges

are completed in , and what will

be our process for succession plan-

ning when our current Lead Pastors

at St. Luke’s and The Garden retire

five to seven years from now. Please

pray for our Governing Board as they wrestle

with these significant and strategic issues.

The members of the Governing Board are

Jennifer Todd (Board Chair and Lay Leader),

Kent Millard (Lead Pastor), and members

Marilyn Burger, Sara Cobb, Terry Corman,

Brad Fuson, Mike Hertel, Kathy Minx, Jeff

Peek, Linda Pratt, Charlie Russell, Margaret

Wood and Bob Zehr.

2. Mission Outreach

We began with an emphasis on Sierra Leone, Africa with a Cultural

Festival and fundraising activities which brought in , to support

medical, agricultural and educational ministries in Sierra Leone. Mission

teams led by Dr. Don and Marilyn Griffith have brought hope and help to our

brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone in both and .

We have been key leaders in developing the Indianapolis Interfaith HungerInitiative which brings together Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Hindu

leaders in raising awareness and funds to feed hungry children in

Indianapolis through GleanersFood Bank, and in Kenya through

the Umoja (Unity) Project near

Eldoret, Kenya for providing food

for school children. St. Luke’s

raised , in October

for this project. In December the

Indianapolis Interfaith Hunger

Initiative donated , to

Gleaners and , to Umoja

for feeding children.

Jim Morris is the honorary Chair and Kent Millard is the Chairperson of the

interfaith steering committee promoting this project.

In we also celebrated our partnership with the Haitian Academy with the

graduation of the first Haitian medical doctors from the St. Luke’s Clinicwhich we built several years ago. Through the efforts of Kay and Gary Walla,we now also provide funds for a chicken farm as well as a school for children.

Our Community Ministries program has identified five focus ministries

which will receive special emphasis from St. Luke’s. They are BrooksideCommunity Youth Program, Fletcher Place Community Center, ConstructionMinistries, Outreach, Inc., and a Public School Partnership.

4. National Leaders at St. Luke’sDuring 2008 St. Luke’s was fortunate to host several nationally-known leaders:

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Bishop Mike Coyner preached here in February

Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love

Phil Gulley and Jim Mulholland, Indiana Quaker pastors and authors

Senator Richard Lugar spoke here in October

Brian McClaren, pastor and author of A New Kind of Christian

Jim Morris promoted the Interfaith Hunger Initiative

Carrie Newcomer, Indiana composer and musician

Nielson & Young, internationally-known musicians

President Barack Obama surprised us in worship in April

Parker Palmer, educator and author

Wintley Phipps, nationally known Gospel singer

Jill Bolte Taylor, bestselling author of My Stroke of Insight

Randall Tobias spoke at our AIDS Day service in December

3. Clergy Recognitions

Dr. Linda McCoy was recognized as an Influential Woman of Indianapolis by

the Indianapolis Business Journal for her pioneering work in establishing a

satellite ministry of St. Luke’s called The Garden, with worship services at

Beef and Boards Theater and the Mansion at Oak Hill in Carmel.

Dr. Marion Miller received her Doctor of Ministry Degree from Christian

Theological Seminary, and has created a multi-cultural, inclusive congrega-

tion at our Later@St. Luke’s Sunday evening service.

Rev. Marsha Hutchinson was interviewed in O Magazine for establishing

and a leading a Longest Night Service to help people through the Christmas

season when they are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Dr. Adolf Hansen co-chaired the task force which created one new Confer-

ence in Indiana bringing together the former South Indiana and former

North Indiana Conferences, and is working with Bishop Coyner as the

Interim Director of Human Resources for the new conference.

Rev. Stan Abell received recognition at the IU-Kenya Festival for his work in

raising funds and support for an AIDS orphanage in Kenya.

Rev. Brian Durand was chosen as one of the Young Clergy to serve on the

Transition Team for the new Conference.

Dr. Carver McGriff, former Senior Pastor, was named a “Chevalier” of the

French Legion of Honor for his service to that country, as is chronicled in his

book, Making Sense of Normandy, about his experiences in the invasion of

Normandy, France in WWII.

Dr. Kent Millard was elected to serve as an Alternate Delegate to the

General Conference in Ft. Worth, Texas and as a Delegate to the Jurisdic-

tional Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and to serve as Chair of the

Council on Finance and Administration in the new Conference and on the

Global Health Initiative Task Force for the denomination.

5. The Garden

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7. 2008 Finances

With the downturn in the economy in the

last quarter of and decreased giving, we

had concern about ending the year in the

black financially. However, because of great

frugality by our staff and lay committees and

a burst of generosity at Christmas, we ended

the year with a positive balance of ,.

Our Christmas offering jumped to

nearly , for the first time, which

helped us to end in the black.

Thanks be to God for your sacrificial giving

to God’s work.

The Garden is a unique and cre-

ative ministry designed to reach

those who have little or no previ-

ous church experience, or who have been disillusioned or

disenfranchised by prior church involvement. The Garden was a

pioneer in what is currently referred to as “multi-site ministry,” and

took that step long before the term was even coined. While officially

a part of St Luke’s, The Garden covers all of its own expenses except

for clergy salaries, and in , finished the year in the black.

The Garden is in its fourteenth year of existence, and has continued

to grow steadily over the years. It serves some 1500 Gardeners who

call The Garden their ‘spiritual home,” with attendance hovering

around each week. The ministry meets in two sites on Sundays—

Beef and Boards Dinner Theater, and the Mansion at Oak Hill in

Carmel. There are three services at Beef and Boards, and one at the

Mansion at Oak Hill, with conversation underway about launching a

second Oak Hill service. In addition, The Garden involves several hun-

dred people on its various teams, and has created a one-of-a-kind

process for helping people explore their faith and develop their

personal spiritual statement. According to our bishop, The Garden has grown to be one of the top fifteen churches in attendance in the

new Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church.

6. T.I.M.E. Together in MinistryEveryday Resources Published

The United Methodist

Publishing House asked

Kent Millard to write a

T.I.M.E. Handbook, LoriCrantford to write a

T.I.M.E. Workbook, MikeJensen to produce a

T.I.M.E. DVD, and peo-

ple in the congregation to

write a T.I.M.E. Devotional

Book to encourage other

churches to become more

outward-focused congregations. These resources

help congregations to care for people in their com-

munities as they Feed My Sheep, Teach MySheep, Heal My Sheep, Hug My Sheep, and

Shelter My Sheep based on where the

Risen Christ commands Peter to Tend My Sheep.

We thank God for our T.I.M.E. leaders who have been

the inspiration behind this church-wide emphasis in

becoming a more outward-focused congregation.

Looking Ahead to 2009

1. Finances—The economy has had a significant impact on many in

our congregation, and consequently on the economic health of the church.

About people who pledged in had to decrease their commit-

ment, and another were not able to make a commitment at all. This

results in about , less committed for than for .

We have significantly "pruned" our budgets, received , in special gifts,

used our net income from , reduced some positions, used some undes-

ignated gifts in the designated fund, and used income from the Endowment

to be able to present a balanced budget. Our total operating budget for

is about million. When we add in the gifts to the Endowment,

special fundraising projects from the UMW, Youth, Special Mission offer-

ings, etc., our finance office handles about million annually.

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2. The Intersection—Our Governing Board is exploring the possibility of estab-

lishing a Saturday evening worship service called The Intersection in partnership with

Roberts Park United Methodist Church. Roberts Park would provide the facilities without

charge, and St. Luke’s would provide the pastoral staff for a

creative, innovative and experiential service to reach

unchurched and dechurched people in the downtown area.

Rev Stan Abell and Student Pastor Brenda Freije from St.

Luke’s are working with the Rev. Howard Boles and Student

Pastor Kim King from Roberts Park to enroll lay leadership

in developing this worship experience. Because of the uncer-

tain financial climate in which the church and other funding

agencies find themselves, it is likely that a launch of this

ministry may need to be delayed. The vision and mission of

serving downtown Indianapolis with a progressive theologi-

cal voice and vibrant outreach ministry remain strong.

3. Our Vision—In spite of the decrease in income

and the pastoral challenges of helping people who have lost

jobs, homes and businesses, the vision of St. Luke's remains

that we will be transformed by God so God can use us to

transform the world into a compassionate, just, inclusive

and Christ-like community.

In some ways, this “pruning” will be good. It has caused us

to evaluate everything we do and determine what is really

most important to achieve God's vision. It will require us

to enroll more volunteers to lead where paid staff has led

in the past, and that will be good for us in the long run.

I thank God for our committed and dedicated staff, and I

am thankful for the Lead Team of clergy and lay directors

composed of Julia Johnson and Adolf Hansen as co-chairs,

with Dr. Linda Mccoy, Rev. Brian Durand, Dr. Marion Miller,Rev. Marsha Hutchinson, Rev. Stan Abell, Terri Coe, MarkSquire, Jayne Thorne, Mary Katherine Schnitz, JulieO'Connor and Dr. Kent Millard serving as members.

St. Luke's is also blessed with an outstanding core of com-

mitted and talented lay leaders. Jennifer Todd gives untold

hours as Lay Leader and in leading our Governing Board;

Jeff Peek gives his expertise as a CPA and attorney in lead-

ing our Finance Committee, refinancing our mortgage and

managing our income and expenses; Linda Pratt leads our

Staff Parish Relations Committee in hiring and supervising

our full-time and part-time lay staff, and our six full-

time and one part-time clergy staff.

Steve Lankton guides our Trustees with expertise and com-

mitment in caring for our large and complicated physical

facilities. John Guild has led our Stewardship Campaign

with experience and expertise, and Mark Helmus has led

our Endowment to an all-new high of about million.

Marsha Reynolds heads our Program Team, which con-

sists of Wendy Loker leading the Growth Team; RonSinicki leading the Member Care team; Dick Tully leading

the Music Team; Barbara Branic leading the Outreach

Team; Tony Hunley leading the United Methodist Men;

and Kathy Dalton leading United Methodist Women.

When I think about the incredible leaders in this congre-

gation I say again with Paul: I give thanks to my God

always for you!!

To God be the glory!

Grace and Peace,

Kent Millard

Lead Pastor

During , the St. Luke’s congregation continued to generouslysupport the ministries of the church with their financial gifts.

Gifts received for Powerful Possibilities Campaign ,

Other Capital Campaign/Building Fund Gifts ,

TOTAL Capital Gifts ,

Gifts toward Annual Operating Fund ,,

Gifts received for Support of The Garden ,

Funds Received for Missions/Designated Funds/Programs** ,

Gifts Received for St. Luke’s Endowment ,

TOTAL Gifts Received for Operations/Outreach ,,

TOTAL Gifts Received from the St. Luke’s Family in $ ,,

** Sampling of Outreach Ministries receiving assistance in

••• Total gifts and contributions made to world and community

groups from UMW, The Garden, Singles, Children’s and other ministries

were over ,.

••• St. Luke’s also contributed , through apportionments to the

work of the United Methodist Church throughout the world.

: The congregation continues to respond to St. Luke’s mission with their Prayers, Presence, Service and Gifts.

# of Families Pledging Total Pledges Average Pledge ,, ,

,, ,

,, ,

,, ,

,, ,

2008

by th

e num

bers

6

pledges

Appalachian Project, Hazard, KYBrookside Community Youth ProgramCaring Churches NetworkChanging FootprintsConstruction Ministries (SAWS)CubaD’Iberville Volunteer CenterEarthquake and Flood ReliefEpes Center, ChileFletcher Place Community CenterFresh StartGlobal AIDS InitiativeHabitat for Humanity

(Indianapolis; Collier County, Naples, FL; John’s Island, SC; Ft. Myers, FL)

Haitian Academy training of medical students and agriculture

Heifer ProjectHonduras Medical MissionHurricane ReliefIndiana United Methodist

Children’s Home

Interfaith Hunger InitiativeIPS School 20 PartnershipIU/Kenya AIDS/Power of OneInter-Faith AllianceJamaicaJohn Wesley School, Jeremie, HaitiLiberia, AfricaLucille Raines ResidenceManna from HeavenMar EliasMidwest Mission Distribution CenterNeema OrphanageOperation Classroom in

Sierra Leone and LiberiaOutreach, Inc.Sierra Leone, AfricaTree of Life, South DakotaUMCORUnited Christmas ServiceUnited Methodist Children’s Home

in KentuckyWorld Missions support of work trips

2008 Annual Income StatementPledge Income ,,

Identified Plate ,

Loose Plate ,

Christmas/Easter ,

Special Gifts ,

Gain/Loss on Securities

Prior Year Pledges ,

Facility Rental ,

Church School

TOTAL Income ,,

Confessions of Faith

Confirmation Class

Transfer from UMC

Other Denominations

TOTAL New Members

Removal of Members

Withdrawn

Transfer to Other UMC

To Other Denominations

Deaths

TOTAL Withdrawn

Net Membership Gain

Membership

Baptisms

Preparatory / Children under 18

Constitutents

Average Worship Attendance

St. Luke’s Worship

The Garden

TOTAL

Board of Trustees ,

Staff Parish Relations ,,

Church Apportionments ,

Program Budgets ,

TOTAL Expenses ,,

Net ,

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Welcoming New MembersDuring we welcomed new members at St. Luke’s and lost members by death, transfers or

withdrawal for a net gain of members. The total membership of St. Luke’s is , at the end of .

mem

bership

St. Luke’s StaffST. LUKE’S CLERGY STAFF: Kent Millard, Linda McCoy, Brian Durand, Marsha Hutchinson, Marion Miller, Stan Abell, Adolf Hansen

ST. LUKE’S STAFF: Kathy Alexander, Administrative Team Assistant;Jason Barnes, Director of AV/Media; Dawn Bick, Assistant Director of Children’sMinistry, Elementary; Betty Brandt, Director of Spiritual Life Center;Brad Cherry, Facilities; Terri Coe, Director of Adult Ministries;Marsha Coyner, Director of Joyful Rhythms; Lori Crantford, Director ofCommunications, Marketing & Development; Brian Durand, Director of Youth &College Ministries; Jan Emmons, Finance; Sylvia Forbes, Membership & Care;Brenda Freije, Student Pastor; Bertie Gilster, Front Office; Mary Hach,Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry, Early Childhood; Adolf Hansen,Theologian in Residence; Kathleen Headington, Associate Director of YouthMinistries; Martha Heinrich, IT Manager; Carol Helmus, SpecialEvent/Wedding Coordinator; Sharon Holyoak, Oasis Bookstore Manager; Julia Johnson, Executive Director of Ministries; Mike Keller, Director ofWesleyan Ringers; Faina Kleyner, Finance; Beth Lammers, Building Scheduler;Erica Lampe, Benefits/Development Assistant; Tujuianna Lockhart, Facilities; Bobbi Main-Jackson, Director of Weekday Ministries; Charles Manning,Assistant Director of Music Ministries; Linda McGlothlin, Adult Ministries; Bonnie McMenamin, Music Ministries Assistant; Janet Miller, Children’sMinistries; Alex Moon, Facilities; DeAnna Moran, Adult Ministries Registrar;Rickie Murphy, Facilities; Debra Nethercott, Director of Children’s Music;Sarah Nevin, Publications Design; Jan Nichols, Coordinator of World MissionsProjects; Julie O’Connor, Administration & Celebration Team; Matt Peyton,Associate Director of Youth Ministries; Rich Potterf, Building & Grounds Ministry;Mary Katherine Schnitz, Director of Care Ministries; Cara Scott, Receptionist;Kelly Scott, Facilities; Winnie Sibotshiwe, Facilities; Mark Squire, Directorof Music Ministries; Tara-Lynne Sinicki, Director of Children’s Ministries; AlisonStrawmyer, Assistant Director & Registrar, Weekday Preschool & Parent’s Day OutProgram; William Taylor, Facilities; Jayne Moynahan Thorne, Director ofOutreach Ministries; Chris Thornsberry, Associate Director of Adult Ministries;Cheryl West, Director of New Song; Adra Wheeler, Director of Hospitality &Volunteers; Rich Wisman, Facilities.

THE GARDEN CLERGY STAFF: Linda McCoy, Stan Abell THE GARDEN STAFF: Troye Kinnett, Director, The Good Earth Band;Steve Whipkey, Director, Oak Hill Band; Judy Tolley, Administrative TeamLeader; Beth Fried, Communications & Worship; Larry Fletcher, Director ofMarketing & Operations

. Street • Indianapolis, • Telephone: -- • Fax: --

www.stlukesumc.com

Some of our new members in 2008.