June 6, 2025
Dear Church,
One of the many points of connection between Grace and our partner congregation, Mensajero de Cristo in Guatemala, is our shared commitment to hospitality through food. At Grace, we often break bread together, whether that’s soup at our Annual Meeting, a meal shared after our monthly midweek worship service, communion, or the many times snacks and treats are shared just because.
When our delegation visited our partners this past March, we were welcomed with meals cooked and shared in the congregation’s kitchen and fellowship hall. We got to try making tortillas (some were more successful than others!), and our partners took the time to show us all the kitchen improvements they’ve made since we’ve last visited, including installing a metal roof.
The next project they are working on is finishing their fellowship hall space. It’s currently in-progress, the walls low enough that village dogs can jump over, and open enough that birds and bugs can easily join in the feast. They are planning to build up the walls (you can see in the picture where they’re adding blocks as they’re able), and to add wooden screens. These updates will allow them to gather more comfortably, and host larger community events.
Breaking bread together is such a sacred act, and there is so much labor and care that goes into all of the meals we share with each other, at church, at home, and in the world. To support our partners in finishing their fellowship hall, the Guatemala Ministry Team is hosting a free-will offering pancake breakfast after worship this Sunday, June 8th. All proceeds will go to Mensajero de Cristo.
Additionally, please hold Mensajero de Cristo, and all of the community and staff of ILAG, in your prayers as we mourn the death of Bishop Horacio Francisco Castillo Argueta, the founder of the Augustinian Lutheran Church of Guatemala.
In Christ,
Pastor Reed
A note about pastoral coverage:
If there is a death or emergency on June 9, 10, or 11, please contact the front office at (952) 432-7273. Pastor Sarah is out of the country from June 7-18, and I will be off June 9-11th as my dog is declining and we have an appointment scheduled for her to cross the Rainbow Bridge. In case of a death, Rev. Dawn Alitz will be responding, and in the case of hospital visits or pastoral care phone calls, either Rev. Dawn or our visitation team will be available. Thank you for understanding!
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.