The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Block Print by Richard Beerhorst

Kindred in Christ,

Our world often feels parched—our spirits, our communities, even the earth itself. Inequality grows, the climate strains, and the work of making things right can feel beyond our capacity. And yet renewal keeps breaking through—beyond what we can do on our own—in shared vision, acts of mercy, and the surprising flow of the Spirit among us.

As we move toward the close of our All Creation Sings series, I’ve been reflecting on how every part of creation—rain, soil, breath, and heartbeat—points us back to the Source of life and renewal. This Sunday’s theme will draw from Joel 2:23–32 and Luke 18:9–14, inviting us to notice where grace is already at work among us and within us.

In Joel, the rain becomes a sign of the Spirit—restoring what has been lost, healing what has been broken, and bringing new life where the ground has grown dry. In Jesus’ parable (depicted above), we meet two people at prayer: one relying on his own righteousness, and one simply opening his heart to mercy and change. Together, these passages remind us that renewal begins not in our strength, but in our openness to grace—the Spirit raining down upon us and within us, calling us to live in ways that heal and sustain our communities.

Before we gather on Sunday, I’m also deeply looking forward to our second Vision Retreat on Saturday with our facilitator Kristina Gonzalez. A lot has been bubbling up lately—new energy, creative ministry, and meaningful collaborations between our two congregations. This weekend is a chance to listen deeply to one another, to celebrate what’s emerging, and to stay open to where the Spirit may be leading us next.

I can’t wait to be with you—listening, praying, and being renewed together.

Alongside you,

Pastor Paul Ortiz