Leaders
Pastor Strasser
Arden Strasser began ministry here as our interim pastor in March 2018. In November 2019 the congregation extended a call to him to be the 8th pastor of Saint Luke’s. He speaks widely about God’s mission in the world and the place of the sacred in our daily lives. Pastor Strasser brings gifts in retreat direction, music, preaching, planning and management. Previously, he served as pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in northern California and an ELCA missionary to Zambia for church leadership development. He has served as interim pastor for congregations in Long Island and Westchester County. Pastor Strasser has degrees in engineering, music, theology and cross-cultural mission. He has also served on various non-profit boards. He is married to Susan, a Columbia University professor. They have two daughters. He enjoys meeting new people and sharing stories. Pastor Strasser aims to be available, being someone to listen and to pray with you
Pastor Jacobi
Martha Jacobi is a pastoral psychotherapist with a private practice in Manhattan. She became the Pastoral Associate in 2010. Her academic background is diverse, including degrees in ballet and mathematics, pastoral theology, social work, and clinical psychology. Ordained in 1981, she has served in various ministries within the Metropolitan New York Synod. At Saint Luke’s, Pastor Jacobi supports Pastor Strasser and the congregation, leading worship, providing pastoral care, and teaching adult education classes.
Cantor Pedro d’Aquino
Pedro d’Aquino, a native of Manhattan, has been the Cantor of Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church since 2001. He holds multiple music director positions at various religious communities. With forty years of experience in the New York area, he is also a faculty member at the School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Pedro’s compositions and arrangements have been premiered by several choirs and symphonies, earning him recognition and awards, including the title of Fellow and Choir Master of the American Guild of Organists in 2009, along with the Choir Master Prize and the S. Lewis Elmer Award.
Led by Pedro, our choir is open to all singers. The choir rehearses every Sunday at 9 AM during the school year.
Deacon Wechtenhiser
Bio to come
Emeritus Pastor Schmiege
Paul Schmiege served as the pastor of Saint Luke’s from 2000 to 2017. Originally from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, he comes from a family of Lutheran clergy. His academic background includes degrees in German and Greek, theology and church history. He was ordained in 1973 and served in various parishes in Massachusetts, New York City, Long Island, and London. Pastor Schmiege and his wife, Constance Duever, have two children. During his tenure at Saint Luke’s, he maintained the church’s liturgical and music traditions, community outreach through the Soup Kitchen and Clothing Bank ministries, and promoted adult education through Bible studies and retreat programs.