New Beginnings: February 2024
Lent always seems to get a bad rap. Ashes, fasts, sin, and sadness, right? Lent really is about new beginnings and our journey towards resurrection on Easter. What better time to start our new journey together at Christ Church! Lent comes from the Old English word for “Spring”. It is a time for us to go back to the basics of what it means to be a follower of Jesus through a time of prayer, simplicity, and generosity. This Lent, I hope it is also a time for us to learn about each other. I hope this also can be a time of Holy Listening, where we can share our stories and our faith and create something new. I am eager to get to know you and my new community. I want to spend time to know your joys, fears, and hopes for the future in your lives and at Christ Church. There will be a variety of times in the coming weeks to get together both formally and informally in times of prayer and times of fun. I invite you to take time to create a Holy Lent of new beginnings and new hope.
The Rev. Michael Ruk (he/him)
Interim Priest in Charge
6105211626 EXT:22
You can call me Michael or Father Michael.
Michael was born in Pittsburgh and raised in a Roman Catholic family. He is a graduate of Allegheny College, where he majored in political science and religious studies. He holds a Master’s degree in Theology from Duquesne University.
Michael taught high school in Natrona Heights, Pa., for a number of years before deciding to enter seminary. He graduated from the Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Nashotah, Wisc., and was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2003. Before becoming rector at St. Philip’s in 2012, he served at Trinity Cathedral, Pittsburgh; St. Paul's, Levittown; All Saints, Fallsington; and St. Phillip's, New Hope. He is able to perform marriages in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Michael’s interests include liturgy, monasticism, inter-religious dialogue, and issues of social justice. He loves traveling for the chance it gives him to experience different cultures — and cuisines — and he is not one to pass up a good Broadway show, ever.