The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration announced this morning that the Reverend Emily Lukanich will join the clergy on December 18, succeeding Father Mark Huggenvick, who retired in August 2016, as Assistant Rector. She will assist the current rector, Father Brooks Keith, in celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Advent at its 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. services that day. “I applied for the position on a whim, but upon visiting, it just felt like home, like we belonged,” said Mother Emily. “We knew this was the place for us.”
Mother Emily is the daughter of military personnel who landed in Charleston, SC for the balance of her youth. The eldest child of three, she grew up on the beach in a resort destination similar to the lifestyle of the Vail Valley. A graduate of the University of Illinois-Champaign in French Literature, she felt a calling in her mid-20s.
After marriage to her husband Christopher and now a mother of two, she received her Masters in Divinity degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 2014. Mother Emily arrives in the Vail Valley from Blacksburg, VA where she is currently Curate for the Christ Church congregation. Largely responsible for Campus Ministry, she will take on additional responsibilities at Transfiguration as Assistant Rector.
“Our move to the Vail Valley is a great adventure and a new place to grow our family,” said Mother Emily. “There are so many possibilities here. Beginning ministry at Transfiguration is an exciting challenge with a whole new group of people to grow and learn from, and teach. I am honored to be chosen for this position.”
Emily and her husband were both teachers for several years before she left the profession for the seminary. Now raising two young boys who will attend elementary school, the Lukanich family looks forward to hiking and camping, and is new to skiing.
“Mother Emily will inject new life, experience, and knowledge into our congregation,” said Father Brooks. “She’ll be jumping in with both feet as we celebrate Christmas, but we are all very excited to welcome her with open arms into our community and the Transfiguration family.”
Mother Emily will be joining Father Brooks Keith and the rest of the Transfiguration team performing services on December 18, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day services at the Vail, Beaver Creek, and Edwards Interfaith chapels.
The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration | 970-476-0618 | www.episcopalvail.com
19 Vail Road, Vail, CO 81657 | office@episcopalvail.com
