“The Proclamation” by Ceballos Fernández, Lázaro A.

Kindred in Christ,

As the days stretch longer and summer begins to settle in around us, I find myself noticing how much life happens when people gather.

A conversation over coffee. Neighbors pausing to talk on a walk. Friends sharing a meal around a table.

Community is built in ordinary moments of connection.

Perhaps that is why I am grateful for the life we share together as a congregation. Week after week, we gather to worship, serve, listen, learn, and encourage one another. In a world that often feels divided and weary, such gatherings matter more than we realize.

This Sunday, we continue our Pride Month series, “God Is Proud of You: Sent as We Are,” as we reflect on Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew. Seeing the crowds who were “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,” Jesus responds with compassion—and then sends his disciples to participate in God’s work of healing and restoration.

One of the gifts of this Sunday’s worship will be hearing from members of our congregation as they reflect on why this community matters to them and how God may be calling us forward together. As we listen together, may we recognize God’s grace at work among us and discover anew how each of us is called to participate in Christ’s healing and reconciling work.

Following worship, we will gather for our monthly sandwich-making ministry. This simple act of service has become one of the ways we embody compassion in our community. Whether you have participated before or are joining for the first time, I hope you will stay and lend a hand as we prepare meals for our neighbors.

I look forward to worshiping, serving, and growing together this Sunday.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Anna