Kindred in Christ,

Of all our innermost human desires, perhaps the most significant is being seen. Our faith tradition insists that we are created for community and togetherness. There is something very fundamental about being noticed, of being seen, as a unique person. Yet this past year of social distancing and wearing masks has left many of us feeling disconnected and unseen.

Recently, I joined our Reopen Team in-person for the first time at the Masonic Lodge to do a test run of our upcoming live broadcasting and in-person worship gatherings (date to be announced soon). And for the first time, I found myself with a group of congregants inside a building without masks. Even while remaining six feet apart, I was fully seeing other people’s faces and they were fully seeing mine. It felt vulnerable and beautiful. It was an event that was both ordinary and extraordinary.

This Sunday, as we continue our Anything but Ordinary worship series, Pastor Karen Yakota Love will guest preach and help us reflect on God as El Roi, which means “The God who sees me.” Hagar, an outcast to her own family, is empowered by being seen by the Divine in the midst of one of the most uncertain times of her life (Genesis 21). Join us as we explore further what it means to be seen by God and how we can help empower others to be fully seen and celebrated, too. See you on Facebook Live!

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz