People of Hope, 

I am writing this on Election Day. You may be reading it on that day, the day after or a week later. Whenever you come to this and however you have arrived, peace be with you.

Breathe. 

God breathes God’s ruach and life bursts forth in the human of Genesis. May your inhales be a reminder that God is present, as near as your very breath. May your exhale be a reminder that release is holy and God receives what we cannot keep carrying indefinitely, especially anxiety and fear. Take the deepest breath you’ve ever taken. Sigh. May stillness invite you into God’s embrace. May prayer be your very first thing. 

Play. 

As I write this, my dog has interrupted me with a ball in his mouth and a demand for attention. I listened to his cue and took a break. May you pay attention to the interruptions in your day that invite you to delight and to joy. May the joy of the Lord be your strength; when you feel weak, may you return to this joy and be renewed. 

Love. 

Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Love the stranger. Love yourself. It is a difficult thing. The most difficult. So, may the love of God dwell in you. May the compassion of Christ disturb you. May the power of the Spirit guide you.

We are called to be salt and light and yeast in the world. This calling never changes and God equips us for the work. To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. So, as we move through today and the days following, may the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all.

Pastor Liz

There is a time to sow; there is a time to reap….and there is a time to weed.

As many of you know, we have a team of members who have been in a learning process with other ELCA congregations on creating and experimenting in ministry. The primary goals of this process are to listen to possible needs in our congregation and community, whether and how we are able to meet those needs, and then to create opportunities to address those needs. We spoke to several different people, including congregation members, and determined where we felt energized to pursue a ministry idea. Thank you to Josh, Erin, Janeice, and Todd for being a part of this team. 

Our Harvest of Hope garden has been a major ministry of our congregation and a labor of love for our primary volunteer, Don. Since its beginning, the garden has grown in space and pounds of produce that is shared with our community. As we have listened and learned, we have identified that the primary need of this ministry is volunteers to weed. Building up this foundation will enable us to pursue new ideas for this ministry! At the same time, we have heard from our congregation a desire to further connect with one another and with our community. So, why not combine them both? This summer we invite you to join us for fellowship, fun and yes, weeding, all throughout the summer. We encourage you to invite friends and community members as well. 

We will have a Garden Blessing & BBQ on May 19 following our Pentecost Worship Service. We invite you to bring sides, salads or desserts for our fellowship time. This will kick-off our summer garden season. Starting June 5th, we will gather weekly on Wednesdays from 5:00-7:00pm to weed and hang out – come if you would like to weed or come if you would just like to enjoy sunshine and chat! There may be other garden projects besides weeding on these days. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Then, on Thursday, June 20th, join us for a Summer Solstice Weed & Feed with food, games, and more. 

We have more plans to come! But this is the beginning of connecting our congregation, community and garden in deeper ways. We hope to see you in the garden this summer. May God bless this ministry of hope!

Peace,
Pastor Liz

​Dear People of Hope,

This month we will enter Holy Week, the week when we follow Jesus with palms and shouts of “Hosanna!” to the cross and then, finally, to the empty tomb. While the lead-up to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is surrounded by Christmas lights all around us, music in stores and movies reminding us of the season, Holy Week comes with very little to remind us that it is on its way, except for maybe Easter candy on the shelves. 

Palm Sunday begins our week remembering Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (and traditionally, also, Easter Vigil) are considered one service held over several days. Why do we leave them in silence without a benediction? Because the service is not yet complete; we will be returning to worship again. We will not hear a benediction until Easter! This is the rhythm we are invited into; setting aside time to gather, pray, reflect, and on Easter Day, rejoice with hope. This year, we are also joining Christians for Equality for a vigil remembering those unhoused neighbors who have died in the cold. 

It is such a contrast to what may be going on around us to think about breaking up our normal schedules for these strange services and gatherings during a long winter. Waving palms. Eating a meal in the sanctuary. Entering into the day that Jesus died. Entering into the death of our neighbors and the call to action it places upon us. All of it leading up to the shouts of “Alleluia!” 

I invite you to take a look inside our newsletter for what is planned. Are there ways you can help? Do you need to shift your calendar now in order to join us? Set a reminder in your phone today!

May Holy Week be a holy interruption in our lives. 

Peace be with you,
Pastor Liz

Dear People of Hope,

Mess: a disordered, untidy, offensive, or unpleasant state or condition (according to Merriam-Webster). Synonyms may be: disarray, muddle, chaos, shambles, havoc, confusion…snake pit? (Also, according to Merriam-Webster.) In internet speak, I would also add “dumpster fire.”

According to Merriam-Webster, some (not all) definitions of bless are: to hallow or consecrate by religious rite or word; to invoke divine care for; to speak well of; or to confer prosperity or happiness upon. Synonyms include consecrate and sanctify. In other words, to make holy. 

As I write this, my dog is in the center of the living room among the scattered fluffy remnants of toys he has ripped apart. A mess. There is so much about our lives and experiences that can be “messy” – whether it is our physical environment, events that are outside our control, the consequences of our actions, or our emotions and thoughts. The mess can hang on us, overwhelm us or leave us feeling like we have no idea what to do next. I have often started a deep clean of the closet, only to sit among the ruins completely overwhelmed and wondering where any of this goes and what happened to all my energy…? Sometimes clearing out my heart and mind feels the same way. Anybody else have that experience?

This Lent, you are invited to journey with us in our theme of “Bless this Mess.” In what ways may our mess bring about blessing? In the words of Rev. Otis Moss III, how can we “consecrate our chaos?” It's the mess that God uses, and it’s messy people whom God draws to God’s self. This is our prayer. 

Along with joining us for this sermon series on Sunday, you’re invited to join us for some practical Lenten practices. On the first Sunday of Lent, February 18th, join us after service for a walkthrough of our building. We will ask ourselves what messes need cleaning, and what new ways we might bless the spaces with which we have been entrusted. From this, we will create a list of tasks that people are invited to sign up for through Lent. By Easter, we hope our building will have transformed! And on April 7, we will take another walkthrough, blessing each room for God’s service. 

We will also have Wednesday night gatherings, and have a daily devotional available. For more information, check out page 2. Join us this Lent in our prayer: Please, Lord, bless this mess!

Peace,
Pastor Liz

​Dear People of Hope,

There are certain loops that get stuck in my head on repeat. Usually, they involve some variation of “I should” or “I should have.” Usually, these thoughts involve the past or the future – what I should or should not have done in the past, or what I think I am supposed to do in the future (which let’s be honest…probably won’t actually happen even if I beat myself up about it). Many of us have loops of thoughts, and loops can look like all kinds of things — repeating negative and hurtful thoughts about ourselves and about others. What I find is that these thoughts make me very very tired. And they can get my present self stuck, immovable. 

In the letter to the Philippians, Paul writes: From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise. Practice these things: whatever you learned, received, heard, or saw in us. The God of peace will be with you. (4:8-9, CEB)

For the longest time, I have thought that this just sounds more exhausting. How is it possible to focus one’s thoughts in this way? I’ve got loops! They play on repeat! 

But, the Lord is near, Paul says in the verses before. And the God of peace will be with you. The God who is true, and holy, and just, and pure, and lovely, and worthy of praise. When I find myself stuck in thoughts of “I should” or “I should have” (or whatever version your loop is), I can hit pause as I turn to God. The Lord is near. The God of peace is with you and me. And it doesn’t matter how many times I must turn to God in order to refocus my thoughts – it doesn’t matter how many times!! It might be 30 seconds later. Each time I turn to what is true, holy, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise, I am practicing what I have learned, received, heard or seen in others. 

During the month of November, we are often encouraged to give thanks and to practice gratitude. I invite you to make this a practice of refocusing your thoughts. Keep it simple! “I give thanks today for…” or “Thank you God for…” or notice what is true, holy, just, pure, lovely and worthy of praise at that moment or on that day. And may you use it when the loop begins to play. Hit the pause button. Turn to the Lord who is near. 

Peace,
Pastor Liz

In our last council meeting, during our devotional time, we shared around connection, particularly connecting to visitors and new people in our congregation (also, check out Chris’ council article!). A particular theme struck me – in order to build connection, we must be vulnerable. Such as, nervously introducing ourselves to someone, unsure what their response will be. And the truth is, anyone who visits a church that is new to them is also practicing vulnerability – they don’t know what to expect!

Vulnerability creates community. 

I invite you into a time of creating community, which may also be an invitation into vulnerability. Starting the week of September 10th, we are starting a sermon series on the theme, “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask…,” a series for curiosity, courage and connection. With this theme, I am inviting you to join a small group for the 4 week duration. Small groups will share with each other from a different theme each week. The conversations will be guided by the hosts. The first week is “I’ve Been Meaning to Ask…where are you from?” So much is packed into that question: family, church, culture, the memories that are most important to us. So much! 

I encourage you to sign up for one of these groups and join in the sharing. Families with kids are encouraged to join and talk with the host on what will work best for kids. We hope that some families will join the same small group and kids can play together! The options are as follows:

Carolyn H.’s house on Wednesdays at 6:30pm
Beaty’s house on Thursdays at 6:30pm
Adam at the church on Saturdays at 11:00am
Sign up here. 

On a personal note, I am excited to share with you that I will be starting a Doctorate of Ministry program this month. It is an interschool program with Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, McCormick Presbyterian Seminary, and Catholic Theological Union. I will be a part-time student joining online. I look forward to sharing more with you as I move forward!

Peace,
Pastor Liz

Dear People of Hope,

During those lockdown months of the pandemic, we had to do some extra work to stay connected with one another. We connected “buddies” with our children. We encouraged folks to reach out to others with cards and phone calls. Some of us invited others for walks and chats outside. It was a struggle! But we muddled our way through.

I’ve been thinking about that extra effort, sometimes successful and sometimes not. I’ve recently read articles and listened to conversations around the epidemic of loneliness in our country. We crave connection, and I wonder if we need to be reminded again of the blessing of slowing down, pausing, asking for help, offering help, pursuing connection and greeting all those around us with the peace of Christ….because we knew how much we all needed it and were in this boat together!

I want to encourage you to pursue connection this month. Introduce yourself to someone new in the congregation and get to know them….even if it feels awkward! This month, our kids, teachers and school workers are returning to school. Send them a card or drop off cookies! Ask parents or teachers if they need any help getting ready for the transition. Call someone you haven’t seen for awhile. Can you connect with one of the elders in our congregation? Can you go through our directory and pray for people? Can you help out at the food pantry? Can you ask for the help you need? Is there someone you can invite to church with you?
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And then look around your neighborhood, your job, your grocery store and frequent trails ....are there ways for you to drop seeds of joy? Even if it is as simple as saying a blessing in your mind for someone you see. Are there seeds of joy that others are dropping for you? Receive them. 

We’ll have other opportunities for building connection starting next month. Stay tuned for more details! But I invite you to begin today. Let’s keep stretching ourselves to live as the beloved community of Christ. 

Peace, 
Pastor Liz

​Dear People of Hope,

During these summer months (it is summer, right??), I hope you are finding moments that offer you rest, build up your spirit and give you joy. It gave me great joy to bless our garden together and sit in the sunshine with all the delicious food that was offered at the BBQ last month. And it was a joyful day when we gathered at Celebrate Pride, giving and receiving love and joy with all those around us. Thank you to all the many people who helped with both of those events. 

This month I am seeking rest through prayer and retreat. On July 18-20, I will be going to a cabin in Ninilchik with the intention of praying about the ministry of Lutheran Church of Hope and planning ahead. I’ll be praying about where God is working among us, where God may be leading us and how we can respond. I don’t know if I’ll come away with any answers! But I think it is good to stop and get away to listen, following Jesus’ example. I am grateful for the opportunity to do this. Thank you for making that possible through providing funds and the ability to take the days away from everyday tasks.

I ask that you pray with me and for me! I would love to hear what answers to those questions you receive. And I hope you also find moments to get away and listen, even for just 10 minutes a day – listen to the Spirit in your heart and in your life, building you up and giving you rest. 

God’s peace,

Pastor Liz

Dear People of Hope, 

While the repair needed for my office wall is not fun, the change in office space has been. (Big shout out to Todd and Adam who moved me in while I was at synod collegium!) I have enjoyed the new space. I appreciate the layout it offers for welcoming people in, the big windows and light, and the accessibility to others. My previous office felt a little too tucked away and out of sight. 

No matter the office, you are always welcome to say hello when I am there. In fact, I’ve been thinking about how the pandemic disrupted our ability to have those conversations and meetings together. If you stretch your mind waaaaay back to 2020, we never even finished all our small group gatherings when I first arrived as your pastor – gatherings meant to get to know one another! 

So, I have a summer experiment in mind. I invite you to a conversation - a “one-on-one” some call it – but it can be with your family or others. We can meet in my new office, at a coffee shop, or in your home. We could go for a walk. I would love to hear more about what is going on in your life and your family, what thoughts are percolating about our congregation, and/or what faith questions you might be wondering about. 

The truth is everyone in the congregation can always request to schedule a conversation with me! Any time. But this is a little nudge for the summer….let’s talk.

In the midst of camping, hiking, and enjoying the summer, let’s have a conversation!

Peace be with you,
Pastor Liz

​Teaching my dog, Rory, has been teaching me. We have steadily been working on his ability to remain calm when seeing other dogs. This requires rewarding him for good behavior, and ignoring him and just hanging on when he starts pulling and lunging. Every week I see him improving. I also notice that if we run into too many dogs on a walk, or if there’s too much stimulation around him, he gets worse. He may have been behaving great at the beginning of the walk, but by the end, I’m dragging him along. Or, he’ll have a great day, and then the next day, be an overly excited and anxious pup.

Teaching him has been teaching me.

Growth is often a slow process. The results are not always readily visible. I cannot see from day to day how he is progressing….but I can certainly see it from last spring! Steady small steps with the expectation that there will be bad days, and overwhelming triggers, and a need to wait until calm returns. 

Faith, as well as life, may be about the small steady steps, as much as the big ones. It will include the days when we forget who we are (child of God). It will include the days when there is too much stimulation – too many fears, too many anxieties, too many hurts. They are not too many for God, but we forget. And in our forgetfulness, we do what we wish we did not do. Or we stop altogether – impatient with our progress or stuck by some hurdle that has appeared in our way!

Yet, we are invited to return to the slow steady steps of the Spirit. Healing is sometimes slow and meandering. Faith is often filled with questions. Joy comes in the morning, but we may be awake at night for a while. The evidence may not yet be visible to us – how the Spirit is strengthening us, or how God is sheltering us, or how we truly are learning to lean on the secure foundation of Christ. But then we look back! And we see how far we’ve come.

May you follow Jesus, no turning back, and may your slow steady steps take you to a surprising place, people of Hope. May you be surprised by the abundance of growth all around you and in you. And may your growth be a testimony to the love and wonder of God.

Ask me next year how well Rory walks past dogs.

Peace,
Pastor Liz