Kindred in Christ,

After missing a couple of weeks due to being sick, and then recovering just in time for my week-long family vacation in Hawaii (see some photos above), I am excited to be back with you and preaching this Sunday! A big thank you to all who stepped in and stepped up while I was away. I am thankful in particular to Rev. Judy Schultz, Leo Pacheco, Chris Vincent, Graham Whitehouse, and Dave Campbell for helping our worship services continue in meaningful ways.

This Sunday we will reflect on the transitional spaces that we often find ourselves in, especially during this pandemic, between grief and joy, between losing the things that used to ground us and embracing the new thing that God is bringing about in our lives. By considering Mary Madelene’s encounter with the resurrected Christ (John 20:11-18), we will explore the importance of mourning the past while welcoming the future—a pattern central to the disciple’s encounter with the resurrected Christ. I hope you will join us as we continue in our series Made New.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz