Unbounded Love: A Series on Pentecost and LGBTQIA+ Celebration.
Kindred in Christ,
Happy Pride Month!
This June, I’m thrilled to invite you into a new worship series:
Unbounded Love: A Series on Pentecost and LGBTQIA+ Celebration.
Rooted in the powerful imagery of Pentecost—the Spirit moving freely, breaking down walls, and drawing people together across language, culture, and difference—this series celebrates the holy work of liberation, authenticity, and beloved community. We’ll explore how the Spirit continues to set people free, how love cannot be contained or confined, and how God’s desire for us is not conformity, but courageous, diverse unity.
In a world that too often tries to bind people with shame or fear, especially our LGBTQIA+ siblings and selves, this is a time to proclaim loudly and clearly: God’s love is unbounded. It is expansive, freeing, and for everyone.
The title for this series is drawn from the beloved hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, which describes Jesus as “pure unbounded love.” In early Wesleyan theology, that phrase was a way of expressing the radical idea that in Christ, God’s love had broken every barrier and come fully into the human experience. That same unbounded love continues to move among us, inviting us to become more free, more compassionate, and more deeply connected to God and each other.
Each Sunday, we’ll dive into stories of liberation and connection. This week, we begin with the story of Paul and Silas in prison (Acts 16:16–34) and Jesus’ prayer that all may be one (John 17:20–26). We’ll reflect on how the Spirit breaks chains, opens hearts, and brings new life, even in the darkest places. We’ll also look at how Jesus’ prayer for unity is not about sameness, but about love that honors diversity—and how that shapes the kind of church we are called to be.
And there’s more to celebrate! On Wednesday, June 4, we’ll be hosting a Drag Story Time for the neighborhood, featuring the renowned, Filipina, drag queen and activist Aleksa Manila. Aleksa brings joy, creativity, and bold advocacy to every space she enters, and we’re honored to welcome her as part of our Pride Month festivities.
Wherever you are on your journey of faith or identity, you are welcome here. Whether you’re a longtime member or visiting for the first time, I hope you’ll join us for this series—and bring a friend! Let’s continue building an inclusive, Spirit-led, justice-loving community where every person is embraced as God’s own.
Alongside you,
Rev. Paul Ortiz
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