Becoming a Community of Suprise
Rainbow at Camp Indianola
Kindred in Christ,
This weekend marks a meaningful moment in the life of our church. As many of us gather for our Vision Retreat at Camp Indianola—a time of prayer, listening, and discernment—we step into a season of reflection on who we are and who God is calling us to become. Whether or not you are attending the retreat this weekend, the journey we are on is a shared one, and there will be more ways to participate soon. All of us are part of this unfolding story.
On Sunday, we’ll continue our Eastertide sermon series, Signs of New Creation, by exploring a story of holy disruption and unexpected transformation. In Acts 11, Peter finds himself drawn into a new vision—one that stretches his imagination, challenges old boundaries, and ultimately opens the door for God’s Spirit to move in surprising ways. He doesn’t get there easily. His vision has to change. And when it does, the church is never the same.
We’ll reflect on what it means to be a community of vision and surprise—a people shaped not just by what we’ve always known, but by the ever-expanding love of Christ. Jesus’ final commandment to his disciples, “Love one another as I have loved you,” becomes not just a rule, but a radical vision for life together (John 13). It is that love that still invites us to grow, to risk, and to welcome.
Whether or not you are part of the retreat this weekend, I hope you’ll join us for worship on Sunday as we ask: Where is the Spirit surprising us now? What new vision might be taking shape among us? And how might God be calling us to love more deeply, more boldly, more like Christ?
See you Sunday. Come ready for surprise.
Alongside you,
Rev. Paul Ortiz
The Voice of Resurrection
Kindred in Christ,
This Sunday, we remember that Mother’s Day was born not out of sentimentality, but out of solidarity. Its origins lie with women like Ann Reeves Jarvis, a Methodist who organized mothers for public health, peace, and justice. It was a movement grounded in deep listening—to the needs of their communities and to the call of compassion.
In that same spirit, we’ll reflect on what it means to truly listen—especially when it comes to hearing the voice of God.
Our scriptures introduce us to Tabitha, a disciple whose life overflowed with generosity and care, leaving a legacy of love in her wake (Acts 9). We’ll also hear Jesus speak about being the Good Shepherd, whose sheep know his voice—a powerful image of trust, intimacy, and discernment (John 10).
We’ll also draw on the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who taught that deep listening to God begins in quiet, honest reflection. On Sunday, we’ll explore the Examen Prayer—a five-step practice for noticing where God may be speaking through your day: in your joys, your struggles, and your longings.
Together, we’ll honor the voices of women like Ann Reeves Jarvis and Tabitha, whose lives were centered on healing, justice, and peace. And we’ll practice listening—truly listening—for the God who still speaks.
Come join us.
Whether you’re seeking peace of mind, connection to God, or a deeper way to listen—we’ll be holding space for all of it.
Alongside you,
Rev. Paul Ortiz
Who is ALEKSA MANILA? – Our Featured Drag Queen for Drag Queen Storytime
Who is ALEKSA MANILA? – Our Featured Drag Queen for Drag Queen Storytime
ALEKSA MANILA (She/They)
Aleksa Manila is Seattle’s sweetheart of social activism. As a genderqueer FilipinX immigrant, her passion lies in honoring and uplifting marginalized communities especially BIPOC and gender diverse people. Her early years started with HIV education and intervention targeting young Asian Pacific islander gay men. This commitment blossomed working closely with LGBTQ organizations like Public Health – Seattle and King County, Seattle Counseling Service, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, People of Color Against AIDS Network, Entre Hermanos, UTOPIA among others. Mx Manila is featured in the GLAAD and Emmy nominated documentary, Caretakers directed by Geena Rocero and produced by PBS.
Finding her platform as a performance drag artist, she focuses on the power of voice and visibility for human rights centered on LGBTQ history and legacy. She’s a sought after keynote speaker, expert panelist, fundraiser, auctioneer, moderator and emcee at various events extending the boundaries of the traditional queer venues – like Seattle City Hall, King County Superior Court, Filipino Community Center, University of Washington, Seattle University, Department of Health, Asian Counseling Referral Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigations, including the White House to name a few. From Miss Gay Filipino, Miss Gay Seattle and Empress of Seattle – she continues to champion communities and collectives that honor the diverse LGBTQ narrative – from Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera to Harvey Milk and Mama Jose. She has gained recognition through her selfless act of creating safe space for others – from Seattle Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Leader, Filipino Community of Seattle Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Leadership, Seattle Women’s Pride Champion Award, Greater Seattle Business Association’s Humanitarian Award for Community Leadership, Grand Marshal at the 40th Seattle Pride, and Jose (Sarria) Honors to name a few including being sainted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
In 2012, she founded Pride ASIA, a Queer and Asian collective whose mission is to celebrate, empower and nurture the multi-cultural diversity of the LGBTQ2+ communities through the Asian Pacific Islander lens. Through her respected networking and collaborative efforts, Pride ASIA has the honor of disbursing $25,000 to individuals impacted by COVID.
With her Master of Social Work from the University of Washington, she centers her professional expertise on harm reduction, equity and social justice. She is in private practice focused on LGBTQ BIPOC populations, including health advocacy and consultation, and as a Program Manager at Public Health – Seattle & King County. Mx. Manila is a past and present member of the International Court Council, Heir Emeritus and Heir-in-line-of-succession to Empress Nicole The Great de San Diego, Queen Mother of the Americas; and various advisory boards centered on diversity for the arts, health equity, public health and social work. She is an Ambassador for the “Drag Out To Vote” national campaign to educate LGBTQ representation in the polls this fall.
Website: http://www.aleksamanila.com
When Sight Becomes Vision
Kindred in Christ,
This Sunday, we continue our Easter series, Signs of New Creation, where we’re watching how the Risen Christ shows up not just in empty tombs, but in transformed lives, courageous witness, and holy disruptions. One of the themes running through this week’s stories is the difference between sight and vision. We often move through life assuming we understand what we see—taking things in at face value. But God’s Spirit invites us into deeper awareness: to see not just the surface of things, but the sacred truth beneath.
In Acts 9, Saul is confident in his vision—he thinks he’s defending God’s law by attacking the followers of Jesus. But on the road to Damascus, he’s struck blind and only then begins to truly see. When his sight is restored, everything looks different—especially himself. It’s the beginning of a life shaped not by certainty, but by grace.
In John 21, the disciples are fishing all night and catching nothing. A stranger appears on the shore and tells them to try again. It’s only after they follow his instructions that they realize: this is Jesus. The risen Christ was with them the whole time—they just hadn’t seen it yet.
Fittingly, this Sunday also happens to be May the 4th—a day many recognize as Star Wars Day. And there’s a curious connection here. One of the most iconic characters, Han Solo, begins as someone who sees the world through cynicism. He looks out for himself and assumes that caring too much only leads to trouble. But something changes. Through community, struggle, and sacrifice, he begins to see differently. He discovers that love and justice are worth showing up for—and worth risking for.
This is the invitation of the Spirit: to let go of the certainty that keeps us safe, and to receive new vision. Vision that opens us to Christ among us. Vision that reshapes how we live. Come join us this Sunday, and bring your curiosity, your questions, and your heart ready to be opened. And may the force be with you!
Alongside you,
Rev. Paul Ortiz
Signs of New Creation
Kindred in Christ,
Christ is risen! And yet, even in this season of resurrection, we know that the world is still aching. Wars continue. Injustice persists. Grief lingers. Resurrection doesn’t erase pain—it works to redeem it. That’s the kind of Easter faith we’re embracing this season.
This Sunday, we begin a new sermon series for the Easter season called “Signs of New Creation.” Following the Lectionary, each week, we’ll hear from the Book of Acts and the Gospel of John—two bold witnesses to what resurrection looks like in motion. Not as a one-time miracle confined to a tomb in ancient Jerusalem, but as a Spirit-led movement disrupting the world as we know it and opening us to the world as God intends it to be.
Throughout the series we will be guided by the insights of theologian Willie James Jennings, who reminds us that, “The Book of Acts is not a story of the church getting organized—it’s the story of the Spirit breaking through human boundaries, drawing people into unexpected community, and planting signs of new creation in unlikely places.” Jennings reminds us that resurrection is not neat. It’s not tame. It’s not private. It’s disruptive to the status quo—and that’s good news especially for the disenfranchised.
This Sunday, our theme is “A Peace That Disrupts.” We’ll read from Acts 5, where the apostles stand before authorities, accused of stirring up trouble. Why? Because they won’t stop talking about Jesus—the one they say was “hung on a tree” by the powers of this world. Their message isn’t just personal—it’s political. It’s public. It challenges the very systems that tried to silence justice and love.
We’ll also read from John 20, where the risen Christ shows up to his disciples behind locked doors. He speaks words we say every week: “Peace be with you.” But this isn’t a peace that maintains the status quo. This is a peace that disrupts our fear, our comfort, and our complicity. It’s the peace of scars, still visible. It’s the peace that sends us out.
This week, we also mark the passing of Pope Francis—a humble, courageous follower of Jesus who reminded us that faith must stand with the poor, the outcast, and the suffering. Toward the end of this life, he made nightly phone calls to a parish in Gaza, listening, grieving, and praying with people under siege. His witness was not about preserving religious power, but about disrupting injustice with love.
May his memory stir something in us.
May the Spirit breathe on us again.
And may we have the courage to follow the Risen Christ into the world still being made new.
Alongside you,
Rev. Paul Ortiz