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.