Words From The Warden
Change
Last Sunday morning, I was standing at the back of the church, waiting to process in, when Judy Roberts arrived. We greeted one another, and she teased me by saying she had no idea I was in the Hall of Fame. I joked that you can get into anything if you have enough money. We laughed, the processional hymn began, and her comment stayed with me.
Judy’s remark got me thinking about how many times my life has changed direction. Over the years, I have been honored in ways I never expected, including induction into four halls of fame:
The Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
The Ohio Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame
The Ohio Wrestling Officials Hall of Fame
The OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame
I was also awarded the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Lifetime Achievement Award and the NFHS Distinguished Contributor Award.
At the risk of sounding boastful, I was pretty good at my profession, and many people recognized that. My employer, however, seemed to feel that the spotlight shone too brightly on me.
In October 2012, I was fired. I had not been happy with much of what was going on within the OHSAA, and I had prayed almost daily for God’s help in transforming me. I asked Him to point me in a direction where I could continue to help people. Be careful what you pray for.
Then, in a single day, everything changed. I was out. And what a change it was.
Recently, I have been thinking about all the changes that have taken place at St. Luke’s and within our parish family. In 2017, our well-loved priest moved on, and we were left without a parish and spiritual leader for more than a year. During that time, changes began to unfold.
We were later blessed with a hardworking interim priest. Some familiar things were discontinued, and new things took their place. More changes followed. That priest eventually moved on, and, a short time later, St. Luke’s called a full-time rector.
Then COVID transformed nearly every part of our lives. More changes came. The mutual ministry for which we had hoped never fully materialized, and I am certain that priest felt similarly. Once again, our church community found itself without a leader.
Parish lay leaders stepped in to fill the void. However, having multiple captains makes steering a ship all but impossible. Change came again.
Another priest was called, but that ministry also did not last. Once more, we found ourselves without a single leader.
In February 2025, St. Luke’s and Pastor Julia entered into a mutual ministry. Since then, that ministry has continued to grow, change, and take shape. What began as a new partnership is now gaining both momentum and direction. It is clear that she has found a home and we have found our leader.
I have a difficult time reading much of what the Apostle Paul writes. His thoughts and phrases can leave my brain feeling tangled. Still, one line from his letter to the church in Rome struck a chord with me: “We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains.”
That image feels familiar. My own life is constantly being reshaped and recreated, and I have often groaned the loudest when change has arrived. St. Luke’s is also still being created, and we, too, may groan during seasons of change.
Even so, our work now is to keep waiting patiently and serving faithfully alongside Pastor Julia. We may not yet see exactly where this season of creation and change is leading us, but we can stay connected, support one another, and meet each change together—even when we feel afraid.
Peace,
Henry Zaborniak, Senior Warden