Beginning in February our newsletters have included articles on “Statements on Immigration” from ELCA Region One Bishops (which includes our Bishop, Shelley Bryan Wee), and the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Elizabeth Eaton. (These statements are attached.) These statements from our Synod and Churchwide leaders are important and helpful. But what do we as a single congregation here in Everett have to say?

During the February and March Congregation Council Meetings the Council has been discussing how we as a congregation should respond to the immigration crisis facing our nation. Responding to this crisis has brought up feelings similar to what I felt at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic: “This is completely new to me and I’m not even sure how or where to begin!” There are all kinds of recommendations for what churches should do. Unfortunately, as often happens, some of these recommendations contradict each other, making it that much more difficult to know what to do.

Unsure of what lies ahead, and somewhat overwhelmed by all the recommendations, the Council decide a good first step would be to develop our own statement that helps defines our beliefs and values regarding immigrant rights. Here is the Council’s first draft:

Statement of Immigrants’ Rights

As a community of faith, Central Lutheran Church believes that all people are created in the image of God and have inherent dignity and worth. As disciples of Christ, and following his example, we are called to love our neighbors. We live this out by welcoming the stranger, standing in solidarity with, supporting, and protecting those who are marginalized, oppressed, or in need. This includes immigrants who seek refuge, safety, and opportunity. Thus, we affirm:

• • Immigrants, regardless of their status or nationality, are beloved children of God and deserve to be treated with justice and compassion.
  • Every person has the right to live with dignity, to seek a better life, and be treated fairly in society.
  • Immigrants’ rights to family unity, access to education, and a fair legal process should be  protected.
  • Policies that dehumanize or discriminate against immigrants should be opposed.

 As people of God, we will strive to reflect God’s love by working towards a society where all people regardless of origins can flourish with equality and respect.

The Council believes it is important that this statement comes not just from the Council but represents the beliefs and values of the larger congregation. In order to receive input and feedback, the Council invites the congregation to a forum to be held Sunday, May 4, following the Fellowship Time, sometime around 11:20 am.

Please plan to attend this important Congregation Forum so that together as a congregation we can develop a meaningful statement that will give guidance and direction as we face these unsure and challenging times.

Peace,

Pastor Jim

There is a well-known parable where Jesus talks about seeds thrown in wild abandon. Seeds thrown randomly, haphazardly, you could almost say carelessly … some seeds tossed upon a path, some seeds on rocky ground, some seeds among thorns and other seeds on so-called “good soil.” (To read the whole parable, go to Matthew 13:1-9, Mark 4:2-9, Luke 8:4-8.)

Throughout May and the first week in June we continue in the joyful season of Easter.

• May 4      Acts 9:1-20  and John 21:1a,15b-19
• May 11    Acts 9:36-43 and John 10:22-30
• May 18    Revelation 21:1-6  and John 13:31-35
• May 25    Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5 and John 14:23-29

Academia Latina is the largest Latino nonprofit in Snohomish County.  Its Director, Rosamaría Graziani, a member here at Central, teaches classes in our building. Academia Latina is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to help immigrants have access to better job opportunities through education including English as a Second Language, GED, Math and accounting for small businesses. Academia Latina also provides fresh produce as part of our health and wellness program. 

The quilters here at Central Lutheran Church make quilts for people around the world, through Lutheran World Relief.  Click below for more information on how you can help.  

The homeless, under-resourced, or just plain hungry are all welcome! Anyone in need can get a meal at Central Lutheran Church each Sunday night. Sunday Suppers are at 5:00 pm. These meals are provided by volunteers from  different congregations representing a variety of denominations in Snohomish County.

You are invited to serve in this vital ministry. Volunteers can arrive at 4:30 to help with set up and the meal will be served at 5:00. We stop serving meals at 6:00 and usually can be cleaned up and done by 6:30.   As the saying goes, many hands make light work. 

Thank you as always for your support in time, food, and prayers.

“In banking circles the term ‘dead money’ is used to describe the forgotten money on deposit in national banks. You would think that people who deposit money in the bank would certainly remember it, but that is not the case. National banks alone hold fifty million dollars in 2,329,678 accounts whose owners are never heard from….

“That is not the only kind of dead money. Excavations in the Mediterranean have turned up another tragic kind of money that has been ‘dead’ for centuries. In the fascinating book, Gods, Graves and Scholars, it tells of bodies uncovered at Pompeii with bony fingers still clutching gold and silver coins. Money that had been dead since the lava of Mt. Vesuvius covered it.

“In the religious view of life, there is another sort of dead money—that which is never invested in human life. The Parable of the Talents speaks to this, of how one servant hid his money (made it dead), so to speak, and how two other wiser servants made their money come alive through investing it and were rewarded for their stewardship.” [The Christian Ministry, James Langley]

Finance Update through March 2025

Beginning Balance         (3,318)
Monthly Expenses       (22,535)
Monthly Income             19,409
Deficit                                   (6,444)   

Our projected budget for March was a $6,075 defict, therefore we are only $369 behind our projected budget.

CLICK HERE to make a financial donation to Central Lutheran Church.

We use YouTube to live stream and record our worship services.  In each weekly Worship Invitation email, we include a link  to that Sunday's worship service.  Past worship services can be viewed by going to our YouTube page by searching for "Central Lutheran Church Everett Washington" or by CLICKING HERE.

We are working to get recordings of our worship services on our website. 

 Happy Birthday to those celebrating May birthdays!  

Chris Anderson, May 1

Peter VanderWeyst, May 4

Chris Eastin, May 8

Jim Killough, May 8

Dylan Villalba, May 8

Lindsay Kendall, May 9

Joanne Koehler, May 12

Kathy Burgoyne, May 13

Bob Lee, May 15

Yaretzi Ramirez, May 16

Karen Fox, May 22

Laurie VanderWeyst, May 23

Dexter Yates, May 26

Nicholas Yates, May 26

Greta LeWarne, May 29

Central Lutheran Church Office Hours are:

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

Pastor Jim works in the office Tuesday through Friday, times vary.