Gethsemane Lutheran Church

This week we walk through a story about a radical teacher whose profession of love and care for the poor, outcast, and stranger was met with contempt by the powers of state and empire. As tensions rose, Jesus kept loving and speaking the truth. He kept feasting with friends and serving them with love. If that is a story that feels relevant, if you need to hear about a love that has no limits even when the crowds are shouting in anger to kill the one who preaches love and belonging... then this week is for you. Come join us at GLC for worship Thursday, Friday and Sunday as we carry the story of love through anger, fear, deception, betrayal and death. And then.... we rise in love and light together.

On a weekend that felt heavy with history and the anxiety of our futures, Pr. Sara and some youth from East County headed to Camp Lutherwood for Together Lab's Youth Solidarity Retreat. We made friends across denominations and regions of the state, played Gaga Ball in 28 degree cold and dark (that's what headlamps are for, I'm told!), hiked to the stargazing platform in that same cold and dark to see more stars than we could ever see in the city, drank hot chocolate, ritually burned the lies that we get told about ourselves and our limits, heard stories of other youth collaboratives advocating for their needs and their families (SE PDX youth helped prevent the shutdown of a needed community resource!) and made plans for what it means to band together, create solidarity and belonging and build a collaborative youth movement that brings us towards an Oregon where every youth is noticed, named, known and loved. Y'all.... the kids are alright. I've seen it. And they're ready for making change in our world.

Don't forget! Annual meeting this Sunday!