Friends,

When the clouds part here in the Pacific Northwest and Mount Rainier, or Tahoma, comes into view, it’s hard not to stop and look up. There’s a local saying: “Live like the mountain is out.” Pay attention. Take in the beauty. Remember that the world is bigger than whatever is right in front of you.

And Tahoma is more than a beautiful landmark. For Indigenous peoples who have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial, the mountain holds deep cultural, spiritual, and ancestral significance. Its presence reminds us that this land has stories and relationships that reach far beyond our own.

This Sunday, we’ll explore Isaiah’s vision of a mountain where God prepares a feast for all people, wipes away every tear, and reveals a world transformed by love and justice (Isaiah 25:1-9). And this vision raises a question: What if faith isn’t about escaping the world, but seeing the world as God dreams it to be, and then moving toward that vision together?

Last Sunday, we celebrated an exciting step in that direction: our proposed mission and vision statements passed!

Mission
To lead with love, embody justice, and serve with compassion in the way of Jesus.

Vision
To become a diverse and inclusive community that experiences God’s transforming love, grace, and forgiveness that empowers people to serve all.

These words give us a shared picture of who we are becoming and the kind of community we hope to build together. Now comes the fun part: living into that vision!

Join us Sunday as we continue our series The Garden We All Share, lift our eyes toward what’s possible, and live like the mountain is out together!

Alongside you,
Pastor Paul