Pastoral note, from Garrett

Sunday was a really special day for my family (and the Baers and Shannons, too).My daughter Sloane was baptized alongside Myra and Ellison Baer. Then at the end of the service we dedicated my nephew Jasper Shannon, and another nephew, River Shannon, made his profession of faith. I’m really thankful to get to share these moments with you all. 

As part of the baptisms, we started what I hope will be a new tradition. Each baptismal candidate picked out a verse for us to read during the baptism while their “crowd of witnesses” (people who have taught, guided, or befriended them) stood. These “words of life” are similar to what a lot of other denominations do for confirmation. 

This Wednesday night is our first Compassion & Justice Night, where we will discuss hunger. We’ll begin with a simple meal of soup and bread at 5:30 p.m. ($5/person), followed by our program at 6 p.m. in Maresh Hall. This program will tie in with the “Every Living Thing” curriculum we used over the summer during the Family Fun Nights, but we will expand on that to hear from Kelly King of the San Antonio Food Bank. 

The evening will conclude with an opportunity to put compassion into action. We’ll write letters to elected officials advocating for policies that address hunger and food insecurity as part of Bread for the World’s “Offering of Letters,” a nationwide effort that equips churches to advocate for an end to hunger by writing to their congressional representatives. Sample letters will be provided, so you can simply sign one or add your own words, and children will have a creative way to participate as well. 

Afterward, our Woodland Justice Group will deliver the letters to our U.S. Representatives’ offices. Come learn, pray, and add your voice to the work of creating a community where everyone has enough. The Woodland Justice Group is a new ministry started this year that exists to help the church live out the wholeness of the gospel in our community and the world. Recognizing that there is no personal righteousness apart from the pursuit of justice, the group pursues educational activities, as well as opportunities for ministry, community building, and prophetic witness.

We have a few more rooms available for the church retreat. We now have 90 people signed up. You can come for the day on Saturday, stay all weekend, or some combination of the two. Just talk to Lisa Shinkins and figure out your plans. The last day to sign up is this Wednesday (August 26).  

Grace and peace, 
Garrett Vickrey