Oct. 25th: Immigration + God With Us

About the header artwork: Kenjiro Nomura (Japanese American, 1896–1956), Gymnasium, 1945. Oil on canvas, 24 × 30 inches. Tacoma Art Museum, Museum purchase, 2013.6. _ Artwork and exhibition information

Hey everybody —

We’re back this Sunday, October 25, 10:00 a.m., at the Foster Theater. We welcome our first guest speaker in the new room, and she comes with a word we need.

Meet Gaby Viesca

Gaby's sermon for this Sunday is titled “Immigration + God With Us.” Gaby was born and raised in Mexico and has lived in the United States for the past 15 years. She created and directs Familias Unidas, a program that partners with Latina/o churches across the U.S. to nurture the spiritual journeys of children and families while celebrating the gifts and traditions of their heritage.

Having done pastoral work in Israel, Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest, Gaby delights in building bridges of understanding and love between those who might find themselves at odds with one another. She holds a master's degree in Biblical Studies and currently serves as Associate Director of Spiritual Formation at SoulFormation and Director of Programs at Missio Alliance.

Pastor Joel has known Gaby since early 2020 and has been encouraged by her preaching and her theological vision ever since. We are grateful and more than a little excited that she's coming to us.

A word about the timing

Here's something worth noticing. The Revised Common Lectionary — the schedule of readings a huge share of the global church works through on the same Sunday — was set long before anyone knew who would be preaching at Access on October 25.

This week's Old Testament reading is Deuteronomy 34. Moses climbs Mount Nebo at the end of his life, and God shows him the whole land. And then:

“I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.”

Deuteronomy 34:4 (NRSV)

Moses dies on the wrong side of a border, within sight of a home he will never enter.

So a man who died at a border he wasn't allowed to cross. And a guest preacher arriving to talk with us about immigration and God with us. Nobody on our staff planned that. But God is present in the liturgical calendar. Come see what Gaby does with it.

Help us welcome newcomers

Speaking of coming… here's a question:

Do you know who gets to worship right at 10:00 a.m.? First timers, that’s who. In spite of doing zero outreach in our new location, first timers have been turning up at least every other week. And we know for certain we'll have at least two with us this Sunday — our guest speaker and a friend of hers.

Our greeting team does a great job of welcoming them, but it also helps a lot when you're there too. We're not trying to add pressure to anybody's life. That said, if you're able to be in the room at 10:00, you can help us welcome people who are hungry for what God is doing in this church. You don't have to carry a whole conversation with a stranger. You can just introduce yourself and say, “Thanks for coming today! How did you find out about this little church?” Or if you’re the introverted type, a wave and a smile can go a long way.

In welcoming them, you welcome Christ. _

Don’t look now but the forum is poppin'

Okay, I take it back. Go look now. Seriously. There are multiple gathering opportunities — a cider press, a Halloween hangout, watch parties and various comments from folks around Access. It is starting to do what we hoped it would. All it’s missing is you. :)

So if you've been meaning to get on there but couldn't work out how, we made you something: accesscov.com/forum/howto walks you through it step by step. If you still get stuck after that, email Jelani at jelani@accesscov.com and we'll get you sorted.

Reminders

• Wednesday book group— 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at First Tongan United Methodist Church. Questions, or need a copy of the book? Reach out to James Lopez Ericksen at jvjs88@gmail.com.

• Sunday, November 1— Community Meal at First Tongan United Methodist Church (by Pardee St), not the theater. First Sunday, so bring something to share. 12pm (not 10am).

One final thought

If immigration is about who gets to come, live, and thrive, and the work of shalom is about mutual flourishing for all, it's worth pondering the question... "whose safety and welfare is intertwined with my own?"

See you Sunday.

Onward in the love and grace of Jesus, who as always, gives us Access to God.