Familia,
We look forward with excitement and expectation at the mystery of walking together to the cross and being attentive to the community around us making the same pilgrimage. Sandy deposited a beautiful word last week onto us and I’m still holding on to God’s extravagant love as a foundation for heaven. A place where all bodies will be loved and their dignity restored!
As we prepare our hearts and our bodies for Holy Week, we pray that you will hear God’s invitation to the many opportunities below and lean into the ones the Spirit is leading you to. May we see the mystery of the Messiah in the presence of people around us. May you be present at the breaking of the bread in small and unexpected tables. May you know that Jesus is well acquainted with your grief and stands in solidarity with the grief of those around us. May the invitations below provide spiritual + social bread to your body.
Holy Week services
We will begin Holy Week by setting a special and expansive table the day before Palm Sunday to integrate Lent + Ramadan as an act of solidarity with our Palestinian local familia. What a way to enter with our bodies as we stand with other bodies in defiant hope!
Saturday, March 23rd, 6-8:30 PM – TODAY last day to RSVP
Pasadena Mennonite Church is hosting an “Aid Not Bombs” Fundraiser Event with other local churches like ours included. The aim is to raise money to help families in Gaza relocate to Egypt safe from the violent terror they are enduring. We will engage in a brief educational time about Gaza, break fast with our Palestinian Muslim siblings, practice inter-faith prayer, and break bread together in mutual love, compassion, and care.
RSVP here to attend (suggested donation $20 adults, $10 kids). You can bring cash, check, or use PayPal on-site at the event.
If you would like to volunteer, PMC needs help with clean-up and restoring the fellowship hall back to its original way.
If you cannot attend but would like to financially contribute, the RSVP link has instructions on how you can safely donate via PayPal. Our church has joyfully committed to giving from our Shalom & Justice community partnership fund to help cover the costs of the catered meal. Please do not let finances keep you from attending, let Pastora Inés know if you need assistance with the suggested donation.
Sunday, March 24th, Palm Sunday service, 4 PM
All 3 churches within Casa Grande during our normal gathering time. We will offer children’s ministries as normal. Please warmly welcome our guests into our familia and scoot over a bit in the pew to make room for all!
Good Friday Observance, March 29, 6-7 PM
Join us for a contemplative liturgy of sight, sound, and solidarity as we center a table of remembrance and regard the cross of Christ.
Small Group Book Study coming up!
Meleca Consultado is facilitating an 8-week book study starting on April 10 at 6:30pm that meets on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at Sarah O and Sarah D’s home in Sunland. The group is open to anyone! Please join them as they discuss Efrem Smith and Dan Kreiss’s book Church for Everyone: Building Multi-Inclusive Community for Emerging Generations. You may find more info and sign up for this community group via our Church Center app here.
Friends, I leave you with this benediction from my Benedictine friend, Sister Macrina, “God help me believe the truth about myself, no matter how beautiful it is.” May you lean into this truth as you step into Holy Week!
We look forward to seeing you this coming Palm Sunday!
Gracia y paz,
Inés