A Message from Pastor Kaji

We had an incredible worship experience on Sunday, baptizing sweet baby Josie and welcoming her family and supporters in this covenantal journey. Thank you for joining us in this beautiful moment! Josie’s family also inaugurated the use of our new banquet hall. It’s an incredible space and they taught us so much about the possibilities of its use. We are truly blessed as a community.

This Sunday, we will celebrate Jesus’ transfiguration before the disciples. I will share a reflection on “mountaintop experiences” and what they do with and for us, while the Elders lead worship. As always, Transfiguration Sunday is the last before we move into Lent (can you believe we’re already there?!) so please join us online for our (online only!) Ash Wednesday prayer service Wednesday evening. Elders will be imposing ashes to our neighbors outside, so if you’re able to come, please do contact Rev. Richard to learn more about when they’ll be there. As for me, this week I will be offering a number of workshops related to reproductive justice, both Sunday morning in Berkeley, CA, and Monday afternoon in Atlanta at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, where Black clergy from around the globe will have an opportunity to reflect on where God is calling us to serve in the struggle for liberation. We will also have the chance to honor the Rev. Dr. Senator Raphael Warnock and Stacy Abrams, and will even worship at Ebeneezer Baptist Church. This promises to be a fruitful, spirit-filled week!

We can’t wait to see you.

Pax Christi,
Pastor Kaji

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9 (Year A, p. 147):

1 Six days [after Jesus told his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and biblical scholars, and be killed], Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother and brought them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 Then, look! Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. 4 Peter responded saying to Jesus, “Teacher, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will pitch three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when look! A cloud full of light overshadowed them! And then . . . ! A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell upon the ground and were very much afraid. 7 Then Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8 They looked up and they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them saying, “Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Woman from the dead has been raised.”