Guest Preacher on October 16th: Rev. Asher O'Callaghan

This Sunday, October 16th, in conjunction with the second week of our (Re)Formation series, St. Luke's is honored to host Rev. Asher O'Callaghan as our guest preacher at both services.

Asher was a keynote speaker at the recent Why Christian? 2016 conference here in Chicago. Before becoming a Lutheran pastor, he fancied himself spiritual but not religious. He thought he was done with organized religion after growing up transgender and bisexual in a fundamentalist church. But then he stumbled into a Lutheran church called House For All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado where God messed up all his plans. There he heard an invitation he couldn’t help but share. From Christ’s open table he heard: “Behold who you are. Become what you receive.” Becoming what he’s received led him to earn a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary, to pastor a small mountain congregation in Colorado called Zion Lutheran Church.

Asher now serves as Program Director for Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM), an organization that works to affirm and support LGBTQ+ Lutheran rostered leaders, and those who are receiving a call for rostered leadership. ELM believes that LGBTQ+ people have extraordinary gifts for ministry, and through their witness can proclaim the gospel while transforming and enriching the church. He is also a member of Proclaim - the professional community of Lutheran LGBTQ+ rostered ministers and seminarians.

Coincidentally, Asher will be visiting our Reconciling in Christ congregation on the Sunday following National Coming Out Day. Our worship services that day will also be focused around the theme of Formed by Struggle as part of the (Re)Formation series. RSVP here on Facebook, and feel free to spread the word. Please join us on this special day as we welcome Asher to the St. Luke's community!

Read a reflection by Asher on his recent experience at "Why Christian?"