Dear Friends,
It was a joy to gather on Sunday, honoring sixty-five years of God’s work through and among us. “65” lends itself to a retirement theme. But just as retirement doesn’t signal the end of life for workers, neither does it for a community of faith. Instead, with the help of PowerPoint slides I named 65 assets, ministries and reasons for gratitude. Some of these represent decades-long traditions. Remarkably, however, many have emerged since our last big celebration five years ago marking 60 years.
Instead of “retirement” we spoke of “re-TIRE-ment,” as in, a pit crew rushing to change the wheels on a race car. In our case, the race car represents God’s mission, or work in the world. Notice the urgency and focus of the pit crew in the image above. That for me faithfully represents the hard work and commitment I see within our faith community and in our neighborhood. Incredibly, this good work has not diminished or even plateaued. It’s continued to grow!
How is that possible? How can a relatively small number of people accomplish so much? The stories of our faith over millenia point to a God whose power is able to magnify and multiply any humble expression of service, often in the context of a community committed to discerning God’s will in the world. Which begs the question: If so much is possible through a few, imagine how our neighborhoods and communities might be blessed by a fresh infusion of new faces, talents, ideas and relationships! (cont’d…)
Spend some time with the list below. It’s certainly not exhaustive. Celebrate what is. Ponder what’s missing. Imagine what might be.
Peace be with you this week, Scott
…REASONS TO CELEBRATE WHAT GOD IS DOING AMONG US!
Social Justice/Ministries of Compassion
Fair Trade Product Sales for Farmers in the U.S. & Overseas
ARISE Ministry for Homeless Men
Lutheran World Relief Quilts for Emergencies in the U.S. & Overseas Reconciling-in-Christ Welcome to LGBT community and All People Neighborhood Elementary School Backpacks
Neighborhood Thanksgiving baskets & Christmas Baskets
“Fostering Together” Foster Parents Support Group
Emergency Feeding Program/Mayor’s Day of Concern for the Hungry Compass Housing Alliance Support Visitation/Caregiving/Transportation
“Living Water” Clean Drinking Water in the U.S. & Overseas Lutheran Counseling Network On-Site Counseling Services Renton Food Bank/Salvation Army
South Sudan Shoe Collection with Kent LC
Stewardship
Mission Endowment Fund Gifts & Distributions
Earth Ministry Washington, D.C. (Creation Care Study) Support for Renton Veterans’ Housing
Support for Luther’s Table
Auction Fundraiser for Facility Remodel
Wine-tasting Fundraiser for Facility Remodel
Facility
Bathroom Remodel for All Genders & Universal Access Library Remodel for Improved Hospitality
Office Remodel for Better Visibility
Outreach
Neighborhood Fourth of July Picnic Neighborhood Recycling Event
Blessing of the Pets
Synod Publicity Grant A-Board Sidewalk Sign Synod Publicity Grant for Website & Facebook
Faith Formation
Sunday Children’s Hour Bi-monthly Book & Bible Study South Sounders Book Club Women’s Retreats
Caregiver Workshop
Leadership
Office Administrator
Faith & Care Teams
Leadership Training Workshops Intern Pastor
South King County Lutheran Cluster Congregational Leadership Northwest NW Washington Synod Council Bishop’s Convocation Committee
Associate in Ministry Discernment
NW WA Evangelical Outreach Team NW WA Synod Consultation Committee
Ministry Partners
AA
Seattle International Church
Ciudad de Refugio (City of Refuge) Church Neighborhood Elementary Schools Partnership Planning Open Door Ministries
REACH (Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches) Thrivent Financial
Renton Farmers Market
Church of Steadfast Love (Compass Center)
Columbia City Church of Hope
Grace Chinese Lutheran of South King County
Worship & Music
Altar Guild Paraments and use of Votive candles Sudanese Choir, Kent LC
New Red hymnals
Seasonal (Advent, Lent, Epiphany) Worship Memorial Services
Weddings Baptisms
Children
Learn-A-Lot Preschool
Children’s Worship (Baptismal Water & Message) Ushering/Offering Collection/Communion Assistants
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