The Rev. Luke Selles

The Rev. Luke Selles (they/them) was born in Hong Kong to Christian missionaries from the U.S. who were part of a small (Netherlands) Dutch Reformed tradition. They spent their early childhood until age 10 in Beijing, China, before moving to Birmingham, AL for their middle school and some of their highschool years. In their junior year of high school their family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where their paternal family is from. They studied English Literature and Environmental Studies at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, and while studying abroad in York, England and taking a pilgrimage during Holy Week to Taize, a French monastery, they experienced God’s call to serve God’s Church.

After graduating from college, they moved to Central PA to participate in the Sycamore House, the Episcopal Service Corps Program based out of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which is an intentional community and service year for young adults. During that year, they interned with the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter as a community organizer. When the year was over, they were hired on to continue the work full-time as they began the discernment process for the priesthood. Because of their time organizing, they are passionate about the need for an intersectional approach to social justice issues.

While studying at Virginia Theological Seminary, where they graduated from in May 2024, they were known for hosting tea times, fireside compline services, sung evening prayers, and gardening days for the community. Luke takes great joy in many things: choral singing, community meals, studying the Bible, gardens and public parks, long walks with friends, general silliness, baked goods of all kinds, novels, practicing yoga, and their fluffy, black-and-white cat, Ramona (Mona for short).