“Anointed” by Laura Pittman

Kindred in Christ,

I anticipate this Sunday to be a special and spirit-filled gathering, and I warmly invite you to be part of it!

Green Lake UMC will join our regular time of worship at 11AM for a beautiful expression of unity, shared faith, and discernment for the future. Our worship will center on the theme “Pouring Out: From Scarcity to Abundance,” drawn from our Lenten series Cultivating and Letting Go and grounded in the rich texts of Isaiah 43:16-21 and John 12:1-8.

We’ll reflect on Mary’s bold act of love as she anoints Jesus’ feet with her hair, Judas’s scandalized response, and Jesus’ unsettling yet freeing words: “The poor you will always have with you.” While Jesus’ phrase has been misused to justify inaction, we’ll explore it how it is meant to be an invitation to always remain near to the poor and marginalized—never turning away, nor never forgetting them.

Together, we’ll ask: In a world that too often trades compassion for control, and generosity for judgment, what does it mean to pour ourselves out in trust? How do we know when to give, what to release, and what God is inviting us to cultivate anew?

We’ll also be naming that discernment isn’t always easy—whether in our personal lives, our giving, or in our life as a church. But God promises: “I am about to do a new thing… do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19).

After worship, our DS. Rev. Derek Nakano will lead both congregations in a Charge Conference to vote on several important matters in the life of our shared ministry, including:

• My potential appointment as a shared pastor between our two churches
• Considering two SPRC recommendations for ministry candidates: Jemina Marasigan and Joey Chin
• Considering Rev. Jeff Shamblin-Mullinix as he retires, joins our church as member, and transfers to our Charge Conference

I hope you’ll come ready to worship, to pray, and to continue shaping the next chapter of ministry together. Your presence matters—and I believe the Spirit is moving among us in powerful ways.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz