Easter Message from Pastor Karen
April 18, 2025
Blessed Holy Week, Friends!
However you have chosen to spend the time between last Sunday and now, we hope you have been aware of God’s movement in the world, and God’s love for you, and for all whom God has created. As we lean toward the empty tomb and our Easter celebration and hope, I want to invite all who worship in-person with us to heighten your senses, especially for those who may be guests, checking us out and looking for safety, hope, love, community.
Our ushers, greeters, and connection team will be on alert, along with staG. Our desire is always that folks encounter a generous and pervasive ethic of hospitality when they show up—which means they can bring all that they are, and we will receive them.
Our tumultuous socio-political times may bring more guests than normal—and so I invite you to do what you would do normally:
Look out for folks you don’t yet know;
Make room for them in the pew (maybe sit to the center of the pew or row if you usually sit at the edge);
Share a smile and genuine welcome,
and if able, introduce guests to other people—share what you know, and who you are, and who we are and hope to be for them.
Folks regularly wonder if we are who we say we are—whether All Are (truly) Welcome, and whether we practice Inclusiveness as God Intends.
May we demonstrate authentic love in all that we do and say— On Easter Sunday, and always.
With love and hope,
Pastor Karen