Meet Jane and Bob Tharp

Jane and Bob Tharp have had a "Love Affair" with St. Luke's United Methodist Church for many years. It started in 1967 when they settled on the north side of Indianapolis after Bob had completed his Air Force duties. Their daughters were 9 and 7 years old. Jane and Bob wanted to find a church for their girls to grow up in, so they visited several local churches that were convenient for them to attend. Denomination was not important. Convenience and a welcoming feeling were key. Eventually they visited St. Luke's.

Bob grew up in Indianapolis and he saw a couple of his high school classmates the times they visited St. Luke's. On one of their visits a classmate's husband said as they parted, "I hope to see you next week so your kids can visit our kids in Sunday School." That greeting started their "Love Affair" which has blossomed every time they have moved away and returned to Indianapolis. Their girls were married at St. Luke's and Bob and Jane's four grandchildren were baptized here.

That history is important, but their involvement here has been the key factor for their "Love Affair" story. They credit their growth in their relationship with their Creator God and the teachings of Jesus to each of the four pastors they have appreciated, starting with Dick Hamilton when they joined the church, followed by Carver McGriff, Kent Millard, and Rob Fuquay.

Jane and Bob have served St. Luke's in many capacities. It started the second year after they joined when a survey was passed out at worship asking members to pick a volunteer program that they might be interested in pursuing. They checked "Youth.' The next week a couple, Bob and JoAnn Waeltz, invited them to come to a meeting at their home to discuss starting an evening teenage Youth Fellowship program and a possible Junior High Sunday School class on Sunday morning. The Waeltz' had two teenage boys, and at that time there were no programs for their boys. They wanted to discuss those possibilities and how to find volunteers to staff those programs. Bob and Jane decided to start their volunteer work at St. Luke's in youth programming. That led to their history of volunteering wherever they saw a need that they could help address.

Jane and Bob claim their "St. Luke's Love Story" has always been enhanced by the many programs and changes St. Luke's has gone through during their 50+ years of membership, For them it has made St. Luke's "God's Church, serving all of God's Creation."

All of this, and much more, is why they included St. Luke's United Methodist Church in their estate planning.

St. Luke's is grateful for the many ways Jane and Bob have shared their time, talents, and treasure over the years, and for their thoughtful estate planning. The church is pleased to recognize them as members of St. Luke's Legacy Society. If you would like more information on how you too can become a member of St. Luke's Legacy Society, contact David Heetland, pastor of planned giving, at [email protected] or 317.399.6202.