Meet Don and Marilyn Griffith
Don and Marilyn met at the University of Evansville, where Don was a pre-theology major and Marilyn majored in psychology and sociology. After graduation, they attended Drew University in Madison, New Jersey where Don received a Master of Divinity and Marilyn a master’s in Christian education. They have been partners in marriage and ministry ever since.
Don began full time ministry at Cook Memorial in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He later served at Bloomington Arlington, St. Andrew in Indianapolis, Greenfield Bradley, Irvington in Indianapolis, and New Albany Trinity. While in Greenfield, he received a Doctor of Ministry.
After their youngest child began school, Marilyn entered Indiana University and received a master’s degree in social work. She worked as a Marriage and Family Therapist at Community Hospital Indianapolis for 20 years, seeing clients and training therapists in family therapy. She completed her career as a therapist in Clarksville when she and Don moved to New Albany.
Commitment to missions, spiritual formation, and stewardship was a part of their ministry wherever they served. Over the years, they encouraged growth through Disciple Bible Study, The Academy for Spiritual Formation, regular mission trips, and good stewardship practice. While loyal to the local church, both served in Annual Conference Agencies such as Spiritual Formation and the Board of Ministry.
Stewardship was important emphasis in ministry. Tithers throughout their marriage, Don encouraged the churches he served to grow in their giving to help address the critical needs of people, both locally and internationally. After retirement he served as a consultant in local church stewardship.
They retired in 2000 and moved to Indianapolis. Don told Marilyn that since she followed him wherever he was appointed she should choose the church they would attend in retirement. They visited several churches and chose St. Luke's, where both quickly became actively involved. Don served as Director of Missions for three years. They participated in numerous mission trips to Haiti, Honduras, Africa University, Chili, Poland and trips to various US sites.
Don came out of retirement to serve 2 years as the Bishop’s Executive Assistant. Among his duties was relating to Operation Classroom which served Liberia and Sierra Leone. He and Marilyn visited the programs and were convinced God was calling them to work with Sierra Leone. Over the years they led 13 medical and educational teams to support ministry and raised funds to meet needs.
At St. Luke’s, they participated in a number of small groups, where they formed lasting friendships. Don also chairs the retired clergy group at St. Luke's. "People need to be involved in small groups," Don said, “as God can often speak through a group."
When they are not involved at St. Luke's, you might find Don and Marilyn participating in various activities at Marquette or enjoying time with their three children, Brenda, Janet, and David, and their families.
Because of their deep commitment to stewardship over the years, it is not surprising to learn that they have included St. Luke's in their estate plans. Their hope is that St. Luke’s will remain deeply committed to missions, both local and international, for many years to come.
St. Luke's is very grateful for the many ways Don and Marilyn have lived their lives in service to others throughout their careers, and for the many ways they continue to share their time, talents, and treasure at St. Luke's and elsewhere. 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.
