By Mary O’KEEFE

After over a year-long search, St. Luke’s of the Mountains/Ascension Episcopal Church has found its new vicar.

The Rev. Dr. Antonio Gallardo has “accepted the call.”

Gallardo comes to the church following the departure of The Rev. Kirby Smith who left St. Luke’s a little over a year ago to take a position as the chief financial officer of the Episcopal Diocese in San Diego. During the search The Rev. Hartshorn Murphy, a retired priest, conducted regular Sunday services. On Feb. 10 the new priest will take the reins at the La Crescenta church that hosts two congregations.

In 2012, the Church of the Ascension in Tujunga combined with the congregation at St. Luke’s of the Mountains. The two congregations worked together in the search for the new vicar. The three-stage process involved discernment, selection and choosing. Discernment was a time when the members of the church looked inward, not only to who they are now but how they wanted the church to grow. A portion of this stage involved a survey given to the entire congregation about the qualities they would like in the new priest as well as how they felt about the church. This reflection has proven invaluable for the members of the church when searching for common ground and has opened a dialogue between those who attend the Spanish and English services. The discernment stage also included a profile of the church.

Gallardo seems to be a perfect fit for St. Luke’s/Ascension. He is bilingual and is someone who is used to diverse communities working together. He was drawn to St. Luke’s/Ascension because of the importance it placed on being part of the community and inclusive to all.

“When I read [St. Luke’s] profile [I realized] that it was more than just a congregation but it was also the [plan] to be part of a larger community,” Gallardo said.

Gallardo began his church life in the Catholic church. He said he learned a lot from his time in that church but felt he was called in a different direction.

“I was without a church for a few months,” he said. “Then a friend of mine mentioned All Saints Episcopal Church [in Pasadena].”

His friend knew of Gallardo’s passion for social justice and All Saints was a good match for him. Now he feels his skills as a priest who has worked to include all will be of value at St. Luke’s/Ascension.

Gallardo was ordained as a priest in January of this year. Prior to that he served for over three years as a pastor at All Saints working primarily with the Latino-Hispanic congregation. During that time he worked to bring together a diverse population to serve all. In 2017, he was recognized with the Episcopal Evangelism Society Award. He was chosen to pilot the church’s approach to “Find Mutuality in Christ” between dominant and non-dominant groups in Episcopal congregations.

Gallardo said he was drawn to St. Luke’s/Ascension because of its desire to be a community church and to be welcoming to all.

“I love to have the opportunity to get to know the community,” he said.

He added there is work to be done to bring more people into the church and to build stronger bonds between St. Luke’s and Ascension and feels his background will help.

“St. Luke’s is on a journey. I feel I can help the [congregations] with this journey [that is] inclusive. And my journey [thus far] has prepared me to do this,” he said. “I come with an open heart and open mind.”

All are welcomed to meet Rev. Gallardo at his first service at St. Luke’s on Feb. 10. The service in English is at 10 a.m. and the Spanish service is at noon. A potluck Sunday dinner will follow at 1:30 p.m.

St. Luke’s/Ascensia is located at 2563 Foothill Blvd. at Rosemont Avenue.