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This week, I want to use this note to start a few conversations with you.

I’m looking forward to being back with you in worship next Sunday. I’ve enjoyed getting to see how worship happens at other churches and I hope you have also valued the opportunity to hear from new voices and perspectives in worship at Haller Lake during our Season of Creation pulpit swap. I’m interested in your feedback about how it worked and if there are ways we can improve on the experience if we try it again in another season.

You will see in the photos in this newsletter that I was able to participate in Solidarity Day at the Northwest Detention Center last weekend. On my way there, a member of our congregation called me and asked if I was “on duty.” I told him where I was going and he responded that he was thankful that I would be there to add my voice and our congregation’s presence to the event. The day was organized by Tacoma First UMC and attended by many UMC pastors and congregation members throughout the area, including the bishop, who presided at communion during the event. We heard from speakers about what is happening inside the detention center and the efforts of the organization La Resistencia, which works to advocate for more humane and just treatment for those inside and eventually for the center to be closed. While we listened and sang, prayed and witnessed, two buses drove into the compound. At least one of them was carrying a new detainee. When the buses drove in, we stopped whatever we were doing and shouted, “No esta solo. You are not alone!” The bishop encouraged all those present to talk about our experiences in our churches and to make it clear that what is happening at the detention center affects all of us. I hope to have more conversations with many of you about how we might be called to participate.

This coming Saturday is an opportunity to participate with our Service Team at the Day of Service and Learning at Riverton Park UMC. We will meet at Haller Lake Church to load at 8am and travel to Riverton Park and set up by 10am. We hope to have activities and games for children and lunch for everyone. The goal is for us to demonstrate our care for those seeking asylum and refugee in the area, who are living at United Methodist churches and for us to learn more about their stories and situations so we have deeper connection and compassion for what is happening. I hope the conversations that begin on Saturday will continue in coming weeks and months.