March 14, 2025
Dear Church,
This Sunday in worship, we will be blessing our 2025 Guatemala Travel Delegation. There are 8 of us going to visit our partner congregation, Mensejero de Christo in Santa Elena, Guatemala. We have been partners in following the way of Jesus since 2009, staying connected through regular visits, letters, and prayer. Our delegation this year is Lisa, Patricia, Cathy, Katy, Corinne, Anne, Vicki, and myself.
Our partnership is a ministry of accompaniment, of caminando juntos – walking together. We visit with a spirit of humility, openness, and excitement. Going in the season of Lent, a time of turning towards God, and reflecting on our Lenten theme of Being Mortal, Living Well, I am struck by the way journeying outside of our everyday lives and experiences can be a time of profound change and reflection. Are we living how God is calling us to live? What can we learn from other followers of Christ about living well? What change will this trip stir in our spirits?
The entire delegation is so grateful for the congregation’s ongoing investment in this partnership – we are able to support our partners with food and school supplies, purchased once we arrive in Guatemala. And your generous support has made it possible for the delegation to travel, offsetting some of the costs.
We’re leaving before the sun rises on March 21st and returning the night of March 29th. Please keep us in your prayers for safe travels, connection with our partner church, and openness to the many and diverse ways of following Christ. We carry your greetings with us and look forward to sharing about our experience when we return!
In Christ,
Pastor Reed
Every Friday, we send an email to the congregation and any others who would like to learn more about the Grace community. The last four Friday emails are posted below.