April 4, 2025
Dear Church,
As we continue to move through this year’s Lenten journey of Being Mortal, Living Well, we are doing so in a time where it is critical to stay connected to each other, and to the wider world and landscape. We are reflecting on our own lives, what it means to live well in response to God’s love, and we are remembering that we are woven into a much larger tapestry of God’s Creation.
Thinking globally, the 2025 Guatemala delegation arrived safely back to the United States last weekend. We spent a week with ILAG, some of the time in Santa Elena with our partner congregation, and part of the time learning more about Guatemalan culture, history, and cooperatives. We’ll be sharing more in worship on April 27th!
Thinking locally and nationally, in the first quarter of our fiscal year, our Noisy Offering raised $624.63 for Every Meal, which supports the students at Cedar Park Elementary with weekend food bags. This Sunday in worship, we will be blessing the food and donations from our participation in MN Foodshare Month, and then those donations will be sent to Shepherd of the Valley’s food shelf (the only food shelf in Apple Valley!). For quarter two, our Noisy Offering will go to Reconciling Works. As a Reconciling in Christ congregation, we have committed to supporting the mission and vision of Reconciling Works, as they journey alongside other congregations who are paying attention to welcome and hospitality for all.
And then thinking hyper-locally, we have an opportunity to support our youth at Grace in their faith formation! After sending out a Bible survey, we learned that quite a few of our youth don’t have their age- and grade-appropriate Bible. Talking with our Children, Youth, and Family Ministry Team, it was clear that it was time to do Bible sponsorships once again! If you would like to sponsor a Bible and write out a bookplate for one of our youth, the sponsorship cost is $25. If you’re interested, please reach out to Pastor Reed, or stop into the front office during the week.
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.