Parish Family News
Early this year, we gave thanks for the life of the Rev. Sheila Ferguson, and prayed for God’s comfort for her family and friends. Sheila died on January 5, 2021 in Chicago.
Sheila was a member of St. Luke’s parish family from 1974 – 1987, with her late husband Ron and children, Doug, Heather (Horn), and Krista (Van Der Laan). Her mother, Mae Saward, made plum pudding which was enjoyed in the Undercroft by worshipers following the late service on many a Christmas Eve.
She and Ron were active in this church’s life in nearly every possible way lay persons can be – especially in the education and outreach programs. Signs of their commitment to social justice are with us still.
In the early 80s, Sheila was founder and first chairperson of The Food Pantry Network of Licking County, which St. Luke’s continues to support in so many ways, as it did through the volunteer service of many of our parishioners in its early years.
Sheila was ordained to the transitional diaconate in this parish by the Rt. Rev. William Grant Black. She was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Chicago after the family moved to Naperville, IL in 1987.
Sheila was Officer for Congregational Development in the Diocese of Chicago for several years before retiring from active ministry in 2008 following a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer Disease.
She will be remembered for her kindness, vision, competence, and cheerful spirit - an inspiration to those with whom she lived and worked.
We give thanks for the life of Monte F. Barnhart, brother of Michele Layman and brother-in-law of Steve Layman, and pray for God's comfort for his family and friends. Click here for his obituary.