Kindred in Christ,

I have long loved the trinity of observances that just passed, Halloween (Oct 31), All Saints Day (Nov 1), and Día de los Muertos (Nov 1 & 2). For me, and for many around the world, these days are a threshold season—what some refer to as a thin space, where the veil between the living and the dead becomes thinner. I have increasingly found that this is a time of paying attention, for listening at the threshold, and for being empowered by our loved ones who have gone before us yet are with us in God’s eternal embrace.

This Sunday we will spend some time at the threshold as we reflect on our connection to the great “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). We will explore how remembering their stories and relying on their continued presence compels us forward—like the divine cloud that led the Israelites in the wilderness.

You are invited to bring pictures of loved ones or objects that remind you of them to add to our altar this Sunday (see below for more details). We will also continue in our series, Building to the Future, as we consider the importance of or ancestors and saints in moving forward. For, during this time of year, we are invited to remember that the veil thins not only towards the past but also towards the future. As we are asked: How are we moving through this life in a way that will help make possible the paths of those who follow? How will we be remembered in the future as someone’s saint or ancestor?

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz

Kindred in Christ,

This Sunday we begin our new sermon series, Building to the Future. I hope you will join us each week in-person or online as we consider the different “building blocks” of the kin-dom of God. This first week we will consider the importance of allowing the Spirit to move us from a mentality of scarcity and scorekeeping (which is pervasive in our society) and towards a posture of abundance and grace. This week we also kick off our pledge campaign series, where you will be invited to prayerfully consider giving of yourself and finances, not only so we can plan a responsible budget for 2023, but so we can continue to reach more people as we continue the long legacy of our congregation and build relevant ministry into the future of U District.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz

The late Desmond Tutu, South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBTQIA+ rights and former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town was known as a person of deep joy. In fact, Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama co-authored The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World as they reflected on a spirituality of deep joy in the face of the violence and oppression.

Last week we began our new series, The Heart of Worship, and we considered the real presence of Christ available to us in corporate worship, especially when we gather for Communion. This coming Sunday, we will consider how that encounter can ground us in a deep and lasting joy. This joy is not a circumstantial happiness, nor one that ignores the suffering of the world, but rather one that can root and empower us during changing circumstances. Join us as we explore the joy of worship.

I hope to see you this Sunday, in-person and online!

Alongside you,

Re. Paul Ortiz

What does it mean to be in awe of something or Someone outside of ourselves? How does coming together as a spiritual community to worship on Sunday mornings make a difference in our lives and in the world? During this time of transition, as our church searches for a new Worship Leader, we will take time to reflect on the heart and meaning of worship. Join us Sundays, Sep 4th – Oct 9th, in-person or online!

Kindred in Christ,

I’m excited to introduce to you the search team for our future Worship Leader! These are the folks that will prayerfully discern a candidate to lead us in song and worship in the near future. Starting on the top left in the picture above, please meet: Jemina Marasigan, Kirsten Yellin, Keith Eisenbrey, myself (Pastor Paul Ortiz), Joey Chin, Kim Chin, Sharon Fisher, Doug Seto, and Jillian Pyle.

I truly believe that the emergence of our church’s future lies in the spaces where long time members and new folks to the church come together to share power with one another in creative openness to the leading of the Spirit. This holy practice of sharing power has led us to make meaningful steps forward in the past, such as updating our name to University Gathering UMC to better reflect who we are being called to be in the present.

You are invited to be part of this process, too! Firstly, join us for our new sermon series, The Heart of Worship, where we will explore what it means to “worship” God, and the difference it makes in our lives and in the world. Secondly, read over the job description for our new Worship Leader position and hold it in prayer with us. And finally, please fill out The Worship Leader Survey to share some of your thoughts and hopes with the search team and be part of this important communal discernment.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz