Pastoral Message Week of the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost October 20, 2022

Pastoral Message

Week of the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 20, 2022

Dear People of God at Faith/La Fe!

Here’s this week’s pastoral message, which is another potpourri of miscellaneous, but important items in our life together to which I call your attention:

Bishop’s Fall Gathering for Clergy

I am glad to have had the occasion to attend our Bishop’s fall gathering for clergy on Monday through Wednesday of this week. Thank you for giving me the time and making it possible for me to share in this collegial event of our wider church. In addition to excellent presentations on and conversations about the liminal challenges of and opportunities for engaging in public ministry during these days of ongoing crisis along with providing formats for nurturing civil dialogue in our communities, there was time also to build collegial relationships among the pastors and deacons of our synod. I was able to reconnect with some pastors I’ve known for decades from other parts of the country who now live and serve here as well as to meet pastors totally new to me. There was a lovely collegial spirit among us at the Franciscan Renewal Center on Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley, and Bishop Hutterer offers reassuring leadership that is both gentle and strong. Such gatherings are crucial occasions for connecting with our wider church as we are not out in this desert mission field alone!

Congregation Council Retreat

Please pray for our Congregation Council this coming Saturday, October 22, as they gather on our church campus for their annual retreat. I will lead them on a day-long journey that follows the movements of the Sunday liturgy – gathering, word, meal, and sending. The topic is entitled, “Monastic Musings on Our Mission,” and we’ll explore in conversation and bible study, in worship and in a pilgrimage journey of our campus how our facilities are modeled on traditional Christian monasteries and how all of this may inform how we seek to serve Christ in offering ourselves and our spaces for the sake of the world in gospel proclamation in word and deed.

Adult Forums on Worship Begin October 30

After liturgy, beginning on Sunday, October 30, I will lead weekly conversations in the library end of our parish hall, 10:15 – 10:45, on various topics pertaining to worship – why we do what we do and how it is that we experience the stirrings of God’s Holy Spirit in Christ when we are gathered for our weekly Sunday assemblies. These casual presentations and conversations hold promise to enrich both your understanding and experience of Sunday worship. Plan to join us for these occasions!

Ordination and Installation of Veronica on Reformation Sunday

Also on Reformation Sunday, October 30 at 4:00, we will celebrate with joy and thanksgiving the ordination and installation of Veronica Alvarez as our pastor called to oversee the shepherding of our Spanish language ministry and outreach. Bishop Hutterer will again be present with us to preach and preside at this bilingual liturgy, which will be followed by a reception featuring great Mexican food. Come, let us celebrate this milestone in Veronica’s life and calling, and in our life together as Faith/La Fe Church!

Seeking Names for All Saints’ Sunday on November 6

Sunday, November 6 is All Saints’ Sunday during which time we want to honor the names of our beloved ones who have gone before us, those among our congregation and family members and friends who have died in the past year and those whom we still wish to remember even if they had gone to the nearer heart of God in Christ years ago. So that we may collect these names, please send them as soon as possible via email to: worship@faithalive.com.

So, as you can see, there’s plenty to consider and appreciate in our life together as a congregation, and I want you to stay informed as I reach out to you as your pastor in these weekly messages.

With ongoing appreciation in Christ for the opportunity to lead and to serve at Faith/La Fe,

Pastor Jonathan Linman

Pastor’s Office Phone Number: 602-265-5860

Email: pastor@faithalive.com