RECTOR
Teresa and Fr. Nick
Fr. Nick joined St. Luke’s as Rector on January 16, 2021.
Previously he had been serving as Associate Rector at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Pensacola, Florida for the past four years. He was awarded The Episcopal Church Creation Care Grant last year in which he developed the Muscogee Cultural Continuation Project in response to environmental racism. He is also one of the first people to graduate from the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing in Atlanta, GA.
Fr. Nick received his Master of Divinity from the School of Theology at University of the South in Sewanee. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2017. He will be joined by his wife Teresa, who is the Director of Training Operations for the Godly Play Foundation. The Phares have three children (Morgan, freshman at University of the South, Alexis, high school sophomore, and Paxton, 3rd grader).
Fr. Nick states, “My family feels particularly called to St. Luke’s because they are a community who knows themselves well and who are not afraid to live authentically and vulnerably – with arms wide open.”
Senior Warden Dan Droege adds, “I cannot express to you in words, how blessed we feel as a vestry about how God has led us – and our next Rector – over the last several months. We know you will quickly grow to love our new Rector as much as we do.”
In his free time, Fr. Nick enjoys reading, biking and traveling with his family.
Penny Williams, Administrative Assistant
StLukesBartlesville@outlook.com
Parish Office: 918-336-1212
Penny Williams, a longtime congregant of St. Luke’s and a recent vestry member, became our church secretary at the beginning of 2022, following her retirement from the City of Bartlesville’s municipal court. Given her long association with St. Luke’s, Penny is a wonderful resource on what’s going on within our church community.
Keeli Droege, Youth Christian Formation Director
Keeli Droege is a volunteer in this important position, coordinating the two St. Luke’s classes for students up through the 5th grade. Keeli and her family have been St. Luke’s members since 2016 and she and her husband Tom have three children. She can be reached by email or at 918-697-8509 with questions or to sign up to volunteer. Church members may volunteer to be a teacher or “doorkeeper” by going online to Volunteer Signup.
Dolores McCreary, Organist and Choirmaster
dolores@episcopalbartlesville.org
Dolores has been organist/choirmaster at St. Luke’s since 1978. She does a remarkable job with the organ, choir and worship music and brings variety and flair to everything she does. Dolores has composed Psalm settings, anthems and many of the musicals and dramas performed under her direction. Her contributions to the arts in the Bartlesville community are widely known and respected. Dolores and Max have two grown daughters, two sons-in-law, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Margaret Holden, Church Sexton
Margaret has been a part of the St. Luke’s family for the past six years, joining the staff as a gardener and groundskeeper before expanding her role to church sexton in 2018. In this capacity, Margaret is directly involved in caring for the church facility, inside and out. And what a wonderful job she does! Margaret grew up in a family of eight children, where her father demonstrated the virtues of hard work and perseverance. She has two sons, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Father Bob Gates, Retired (but active)
A long-time member of St. Lukes, Rev. Bob is our “go-to” pastor on a variety of assignments including officiating at Sunday services when Fr. Nick is away.