Flags inviting all to worship stolen from St. Luke’s.

By Mary O’KEEFE

Overnight between Saturday and Sunday someone stole the series of flags that lined the front lawn of St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church in the 2500 block of Foothill Boulevard.

The flags represented the countries of Korea and Mexico as well as social causes which included the rainbow (gay) and an environmental flags. The Armenian flag was stolen a few weeks prior. The only flag that was left behind was the American flag.

The flags were a symbol of the church’s “open minds, open hearts” philosophy, letting everyone know that they are welcome to worship.

It appears the theft of all flags but the American was more of a message being sent to the church about its open door policy. A woman had contacted the church earlier to complain about the new St. Luke’s sign that is in the front of the church that has the worship service in both English and Spanish. Recently the Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church in Tujunga was closed and St. Luke’s opened its doors to the congregation with a special service in Spanish at 11 a.m. The transition has been smooth between the two congregations, with both groups excited about working with new people.

The theft has not deterred the congregation’s resolve to open their doors to all who wish to worship.

“We will continue to put [the flags] up,” said Bryan Jones, St. Luke’s vicar.

And the flags will be flying again. At Sunday’s service, when the congregation learned of the theft, members began donating funds to help replace them.