A Message from Pastor Kaji

Dear Church, 

At our Annual Meeting, I shared how ready we are for what comes next. It was a difficult meeting but an important one. 

Meanwhile, our space is coming to life. As of Monday, our kitchen is open for service! Thanks to Chefs Jasmin Renee, Leticia Young Mohan and Ray Mohan, members of the church who have donated so much sweat equity and equipment, for the first time in over a decade, we have a functioning kitchen! Chef Jasmin opened the kitchen, and Chefs Ray and Leticia have donated so much kitchen equipment. Of course, abundant thanks to Stephanie Wilson and David Sookai for the incredible work they have done to support this volunteer ministry. We raised thousands of dollars, from both legacy and new donors. Special thanks to Peter Heltzel for donating the fees for our Kitchen License with the City! If you have donated, please hear my gratitude. Everything beyond the costs of today will go towards the meals we will serve at Christmas. The Park has Set the Table!

This Sunday, after church, we will assemble the meal boxes which will be distributed on Monday at our member, Rebecca Stanton’s school. (You may recall that we distributed meals prepared at the manse there several months ago.) Please stay for a few minutes after church to help us assemble the meal baskets. If you are available to help distribute the Thanksgiving meal kits Monday afternoon (the school is in The Heights) please let Stephanie Wilson know. More information on how you can plug in (and give) is below.  

As you can see, the church shows incredible signs of life. Our faithful members are showing us the way. New people are joining us and stepping into the work. We are organizing our leadership with clarity so our ministries can grow with strength and joy.

This is a season of rising. A season of connection. A season of service. God is preparing us for deeper worship, bold outreach, and a renewed sense of who we are becoming.

We are moving Ahead with hope. I am grateful to walk this with you. 

Looking ahead to Sunday’s worship, our text and some study guide questions are below. 

As the Gospel closes, Jesus gathers his disciples one more time and gives them a gift that is both promise and calling. He opens their minds. He anchors them in scripture. He names them as witnesses. He blesses them as he rises. Then he tells them to wait, because power is coming. Not the power of position. Not the power of the empire. The power that comes from God. Their task in that waiting is simple. Stay rooted. Stay together. Stay expectant. The next chapter of their faith is about to begin.

As you prepare for worship, spend time with this moment. The disciples hold a mix of awe, joy, clarity, and anticipation. They are stepping into something holy and unknown. So are we.

⸻

Questions for Reflection

1. Jesus opened their minds.

Where in your life is God inviting you to open yourself to deeper understanding or new insight right now?

2. Jesus names them as witnesses.

What have you witnessed in your own faith that still shapes you today?

3. Jesus asks them to stay in the city and wait for power.

Where is God calling you to pause rather than push? What kind of power are you preparing to receive?

4. The disciples return to Jerusalem with great joy.

What is bringing you joy in this season? How can you cultivate it with intention?

5. They remain in the temple blessing God every day.

What daily practice helps you stay connected to God even when you are in a time of waiting?

6. Jesus blesses them as he rises.

What blessing are you holding onto as you step into your own next chapter?

Pax Christi,
Pastor Kaji