Pastoral note, from Garrett

Today is the first day of school for many of the school districts in San Antonio. Northside and Northeast ISDs are both starting today. That encompasses the majority of our Woodland students and teachers. To you who are starting a new school year, we see you and love you. You are in our prayers. May this be the best one yet.  

Make plans now to get away for the weekend on September 26-28 with your Woodland community. It’s time to sign up for the church retreat. We will talk about how we can be peacemakers. Carrie Graham of The Church Lab (in Austin) will be our guest speaker. 

Our interims started on Sunday. Katie Wilke, Interim Minister to Children and Families, and Hannah Riley, Interim Minister to Students, helped corral kids during the blessing of the backpacks and got oriented to the flow and vibe of Sunday School classes in their respective areas. 

Sunday at noon is a popular time for committee and ministry team meetings. The finance committee will meet this Sunday at noon to continue preparing the 2026 budget. At 2 p.m. this Sunday, the ordination council for Ari Juarez will meet. There will be a Deacons' meeting on August 24 after the 11 a.m. worship service. The next Church Business meeting is scheduled for August 25, both on Zoom and in the Travelers' Class. 

Grace and peace, 

Garrett Vickrey