Sept 11, 2026
Dear church,
This Sunday is going to be so wonderful! After two Sunday away, I am eager to be back in worship and see all of your faces again. I’m also so excited about what we have planned for the fall, and hope that you are finding a place to plug in that speaks to your heart and energy at this time. If you haven’t had a chance to review our fall brochure yet, please do! I can’t say it enough - there is room for you, each and every one of you, in our work together!
In addition to all the plans and festivities we have planned for Kickoff Sunday this weekend, we are also so grateful to welcome Rev. Karen Castillo as our guest preacher. Pastor Karen is the president of the Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG), which translates to the Lutheran Augustinian Church of Guatemala. Since its founding in 1991, ILAG has ministered to people living in the margins of Guatemalan society, particularly the indigenous poor. From the lowlands of Petén in the north to the ravines of Guatemala City, ILAG works to make God’s grace known to all. ILAG has more than 2,000 members in 18 congregations across the country.
Grace has a partnership with one of these congregations - Mensajeros de Cristo, which is in the small, indigenous village of Santa Elena. In partnership, we practice authentic and mutually transformative relationship through prayer, visits, projects, and presence. Grace will be sending a group to visit our sibling congregation in Santa Elena this coming November. This relationship with our siblings in Guatemala has brought so much life, perspective, and shared joy to both of our congregations. I’m so grateful Pastor Karen is able to be with us this coming Sunday! Please join me in welcoming her!
Pastor Sarah