“Saints Mary and Martha” by Ukrainian iconographer, Nadia Solomija

Kindred in Christ,

This Sunday, we continue our Interwoven by Grace series with a message titled “Beyond Sameness: Becoming a Community of Difference.”

The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 has often been misused—to pit spiritual contemplation against practical service, and worse, to dismiss the work of women, caregivers, and laborers as somehow less important than study, scholarship, or prayer. But when we slow down and really listen to the text, something much richer emerges.

You may know the story: Jesus comes to their home. Martha jumps into action—preparing the meal, caring for her guest, doing what needed to be done. Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening and learning. When Martha asks Jesus to make Mary help her, Jesus gently responds, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things… Mary has chosen the better part.”

Over time, some have interpreted this as Jesus choosing one sister over the other. But many feminist and womanist theologians have helped us hear it more faithfully. Jesus doesn’t rebuke Martha for working—he simply names her unnecessary worry and distraction. And Mary’s desire to learn from Jesus? That was a courageous choice in a world where theological conversation was often off-limits to women. Jesus affirms her full dignity as a disciple.

Interestingly, in traditional Christian iconography, we see a deeper understanding of this story. Mary is often depicted in a posture of contemplation or adoration. And Martha? She’s holding a loaf of bread or a chalice—symbols of service, hospitality, and Communion. Together, they reflect what the early Church knew: both women’s actions were holy. Listening and labor. Contemplation and action.

Rather than telling us to choose one over the other, this story invites us to hold the tension—and to honor the many ways people show up in faith. As our two congregations walk together in this season of discernment, this story offers us a timely reminder: being a community of grace doesn’t mean we all serve in the same way. It means we create space for difference and learn to trust each other’s gifts.

Whether you find yourself more like Martha or Mary—or maybe a bit of both—I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we explore what it means to be a community of difference, woven together by love.

There’s a place for you at the table.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz

The Good Samaritan—mosaic by Fr. Marko Rupnik

Kindred in Christ,

This Sunday, we continue our summer series Woven by Grace as we reflect on what it means to be shaped into one community by God’s love.

Our theme this week is: “Who Is Our Neighbor?”
We’ll reflect on Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)—a story many of us know, but few of us have truly wrestled with. It’s a story that invites us not only to show compassion, but first to recognize those who seem different from us as neighbors, equals, and people from whom we have something to receive.

The question, “Who is my neighbor?” isn’t just ancient—it’s still at the heart of many of our most pressing political debates. We see it today in the inhumane treatment of immigrants and refugees. Too often, we draw the lines of neighbor based on skin color, language, religion, or documentation status. But Jesus tells a story that disrupts those boundaries—before sending us out to serve, he first invites us to see differently.

We’ll also hear the Apostle Paul’s prayer to the ancient church in Colossae (Colossians 1:1-14), where he gives thanks for the love that connects the church to all the saints and prays that we would bear fruit through spiritual wisdom and compassionate action.*

As U Gathering and Green Lake UMC continue this season of shared worship and discernment, we are invited to consider how God is weaving us together—not just in structure, but in deep relationship and shared purpose.

Whether you are a longtime member, a newcomer, or somewhere in between, we hope you’ll join us as we seek to live into a more expansive vision of neighbor-love and grace.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz

*While some scholars believe Colossians may have been written by someone influenced by Paul rather than by Paul himself, others note strong continuity with his voice and theology.

Be Praised—mural of Saints Francis and Clare on the side of the Center for Action and Contemplation by Dimitri Kadiev

Kindred in Christ,

This Sunday marks a new and sacred beginning for our two congregations as we step into a shared season of worship, serving, and seeking God’s direction. As we gather for the first time during our official discernment year, as two congregations worshiping together, we launch our summer series: Interwoven by Grace.

In a culture that prizes rugged independence, the Gospel invites us into something deeper—interdependence. From the earliest stories of scripture to Jesus sending his disciples out two by two (Luke 10:1-11), we see again and again that God doesn’t call us to walk alone. God calls us to walk together—not in uniformity, but in partnership, vulnerability, and trust.

Just a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of making a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy, the hometown of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. I stood inside the basilicas where their legacy is held in fresco and stone. What struck me most was not just their individual holiness, but their friendship—a sacred companionship that shaped them both and renewed the church. Francis and Clare were not the same, but they were bound together by a shared vision of simplicity, love, and bold commitment to peacemaking. Their friendship became a force for transformation and renewal.

In many ways, their story mirrors our own moment. Two distinct communities—University Gathering UMC and Green Lake UMC—rooted in faith and friendship and shaped by different gifts—choosing to walk side by side. Not knowing exactly where the road will lead, but trusting the Spirit who goes ahead of us.

This summer, we’ll reflect on what it means to be “sent” like those early disciples—not alone, but two by two. We’ll explore scriptures that speak to shared mission, mutual care, and the courage it takes to be truly interwoven by God’s grace.

I hope you’ll join us this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as we begin this journey together. Come with curiosity. Come with faith. Come ready to grow in grace, side by side.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz

Love One Another by N.C. Callaway

Kindred in Christ,

As we come to the close of our Pride Month worship series, Unbounded Love: A Series on Pentecost and LGBTQIA+ Celebration, I want to take a moment to reflect with you on what we’ve experienced—and invite you into what’s next.

This month, we’ve been following the movement of the Holy Spirit through scripture and through our lives: the Spirit who unbinds us from fear and shame, who breaks down barriers that keep people apart, and who draws us together in beloved community. From jail cells flung open in Acts to Jesus’ prayer that we may all be one (John 17:21), we’ve seen again and again that God’s love is not boxed in by human boundaries. As Charles Wesley wrote in the hymn that inspired our series title: “Pure unbounded love Thou art.”

We’ve also been blessed this month by voices from our own community. I want to say a special thank you to Jeff and Steve Shamblin-Mullinix, who have each shared with us powerful, Spirit-filled words of grace, challenge, and affirmation. Their presence in our pulpit has been a true gift, helping us hear anew the call to live in God’s expansive love.

And that’s what Pride is about. It’s a celebration, yes, but it’s also a remembrance. We remember Stonewall—when LGBTQIA+ folks, many of them trans women of color, resisted harassment and violence and sparked a movement. Pride began not as a parade, but as an uprising. It was Spirit-led in its own way: a refusal to be bound by shame or silence any longer.

This coming Sunday, we get to honor that legacy and celebrate together Pride Sunday at First Church UMC at 10 AM. We’ll join with Methodist congregations from across Seattle for a joyful, inclusive, Spirit-filled service affirming the sacred worth of every person.

One of our own contributions to the service will be a creative pop-up pageant to bring the scripture to life—a playful, prayerful way to embody the Gospel with color and joy.

There will also be opportunities to participate in the Seattle Pride Parade—whether by marching, serving, cheering, or simply being present as a visible sign of Christ’s radical welcome. It’s a beautiful way to carry what we’ve experienced this month out into the streets. For more details about timing, parking, volunteer opportunities, and how to get connected, see the info below in the newsletter.

So, come. Bring your full self. Bring your family. Bring your joy. Let’s celebrate the God whose love is unbounded, and whose Spirit is still marching forward in justice and joy.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz