Dear people of Bethlehem,
Blessed Spring to you all. As the weather warms and the hills are covered in the color of new growth, I find myself reflecting on the miracle all around us. Last Sunday, Dave Ensberg and Steve Grady sang one of my favorite pieces, entitled “Holy Now”. It reminds us that miracles are neither scarce in our midst, nor relegated to the pages of scripture. The song says, “Rather — the challenging thing, becomes finding where there isn’t one.” I wholeheartedly agree. I see miracle all around me, in the breadth of the color of the creation, in the recent baptisms at Bethlehem, as bright new souls are added to this earth, bringing smiles to the faces of our congregation, and bringing the hope and promise only babies carry as their small hands reach for tomorrow. I see miracle in hospitals where healing is possible, and in the wisdom of those who have seen so many decades, and yet still carry hope as their legacy, reminding me of the indomitable power of good in this world. God is present in it all and connecting it all, in a tapestry of grace that cannot be undone by any news feed — because everything is holy now.
And I see miracle in the expression of the church. That in 2024, we are still proclaiming a Gospel of grace and light in a world that seems increasingly intent on the opposite. Our faithful gathering, week after week, is a defiant decision that, as far as it involves us, hope will prevail. I was recently asked to report on Bethlehem’s activities this last year for the Pacifica Synod Assembly notebook. I found it a good exercise to summarize our ministry this year in one paragraph. I found myself writing about a community that gathers in joy and grace each week, serving our neighbors whenever possible, and living into our core identity as an All are Welcome church. I wrote about new members that have come to us, Deacon Mindy’s call in our midst, and an after school learning program for immigrant children at Ocean Knoll. I talked about monies given away this year to assist housing and care in our community. I spoke of Vicar Keegan’s internship and the power of the Holy Spirit to light the church and continue to make all things new.
Thank you for being a part of the miracle — for adding your voice and your grace to it all. Thank you for your faithfulness to this expression of God’s church and to our collective proclamation of hope and grace in the world. Mahalo for all you do individually, to both see the miracles around you, and to participate in miracles in the lives of others. As the days warm, I pray that the warmth of the Spirit finds you and fills you will every grace. Thank you for making a difference.
In Thanksgiving, Pastor Laura