July 2, 2026

It is an amazing experience to collaborate with other congregations. On Sunday, four churches will gather at Foothills Park for worship and a picnic. The four clergy have met, planned out the service and coordinated with folks in our respective congregations to assist in the service. This is an example of how many hands make light the work. I am excited to share leadership with my colleagues and get to know our neighbors.​

After worship we will share in a potluck picnic and folks are encouraged to bring their own table service (plate, silverware, cups). There will be games to play. We have access to the shelter which has some tables; however, you are encouraged to bring chairs/blankets to create a picnic environment.
The most comfortable response for our time on Sunday will be to stay with the people we know from Our Savior’s. I want to encourage you to introduce yourself to folks from the other churches. We are neighbors in ministry, and this is our opportunity to learn from them as well as share the exciting things that are happening at Our Savior’s. We are better when we do things together, building off our strengths and creating pathways to help with areas in which we may struggle. No miracle will happen on Sunday, and while we may be disappointed with potential inconveniences; this is our chance to explore, extend and celebrate being beloved Children of God.

At lectio on Monday, Jesus spoke of creating a place for us all. There is peace in knowing there is room for us. Room for our thoughts, feelings, hopes, discouragements, joy and trauma, and space for everything in-between. As I ruminated on dwelling places, I remembered the joy of being back at the Grunewald Guild among new and close friends. There were also moments in the week when I thought “this is different than other times”. Withholding judgement, I allowed the rhythm to unfold. When something did not resonate, like the singing bowl tone as we walked the labyrinth, I took leave of the group and rejoined once the bowl was no longer singing. Self-care is an integral part of residing in a place that has been prepared for us.

Speaking our truth with love and kindness is another way we help create space for others who may not view the world with our lens. The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence can stir up a myriad of emotions. This secular holiday on Saturday is an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful ways people have experienced independence throughout the generations. Likewise, our faith invites us to consider the ways in which Jesus continually invites us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to honor the dignity of all human beings, and to seek justice and mercy. The tension between the sacred and secular is most poignant when we feel the cognitive dissonance in our heart when troubling things happen.

My prayer for you this weekend is for safety, kindness, joy and an extra measure of generosity and compassion. There is room at the table to all of God’s beloved and I look forward to sharing a picnic table with you on Sunday.