April 16, 2026

What joy it was to have Pastor Aimond and Deaconess Carolyn join us for the Fellowship Forum last Sunday. Four other members of the Marshallese JRD congregation gathered with us as well. Thank you to all who attended and for your curious questions about the Marshall Islands as well as the daily lives of the congregation meeting in our space. Their youth group meets on Friday evening and will help carry the amazing donations from the upstairs library down to the Fireside Room. This action is in preparation for our assembly of the Welcome Totes for the West Lake Grove Habitat Homes. Join us on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. as we fill the totes. The coffee will be on and I heard there might be fresh pastries.​

This Sunday we begin our four-week book study on See Me Believe Me. Folks asked me last Sunday where the book study will occur. This is an exceptionally good question. When we began our ministry together, there was a book study that met in the Conference Room. I noticed a separation between the folks in the Fireside Room and the Conference Room. While the book study was on hiatus, I noticed a lot more chatter in the Fireside room as folks talked with one another. I do not want to lose these moments. Community connection is important.

We are also creatures of habit. I can imagine book study folk going directly to Conference Room and missing the conversations in the Fireside Room. So, I wonder what your openness is to have the Book Study in the Fireside Room? Pulling a few tables together on the far end away from the kitchen. We could experiment. There is a challenge to this experiment. How do we help those who still want to visit not feel run out by the book study participants? Perhaps we begin the book study at 11:35ish. I want to be flexible, and I am open to your ideas. Where is book study meeting on Sunday, hopefully we can experiment in the Fireside Room. This is where communication is important, I want to hear from you.

See Me Believe Me invites us to consider our welcome and engagement toward people of color. The Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers invites us into a space of honesty, humility, and courage. She shares experiences black rostered leaders have had while serving in the ELCA. She encourages us to be mindful of our own privileges and prejudice. One resource she encourages us to explore is Peggy McIntosh’s “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” article. I will also have copies of this article on Sunday.

A stranger approaches two walking companions in our Gospel and asks: “What are you talking about?” They stop in their tracks and look at the stranger recounting the devastating events of Jesus’ arrest, death, and resurrection. The walking companions tell the stranger how they had hoped things would have turned out differently. The stranger engages with them in dialogue, and they are reminded of the gift of grace God offers in the breaking of the bread. See Me Believe Me explores the hope rostered leaders of color have for sharing their gifts with the church and the ways these hopes have been harmed. I invite you to join in the conversation as we read this book.