At the March Congregation Council Meeting, the Council produced the first draft of a Statement of Immigrants' Rights. This statement was seen as the first step in response to the immigration crisis facing our nation. On Sunday, May 4, the Council hosted a Congregation Forum inviting input and feedback on the statement from the congregation. Based on the positive response from the congregation, the Council approved the statement at its May 13 meeting. Here is the approved statement:

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.

At the May 4 Congregation Forum, there were two specific questions: 1) What might our next step be in supporting immigrants? and 2) What does it mean that our denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is a "Sanctuary Church?" Regarding the first question, please see the article elsewhere in this newsletter for the next Congregation Forum scheduled for June 29. And regarding the second question, please see the Sanctuary Church article.

Rosamaria will lead a forum to identify ways we can help support immigrants. The forum will take place on, Sunday, June 29, following Fellowship Time, around 11:30, in the Friendship Room.

At the May 4 Congregation Forum on Immigrants’ Rights, a question was raised about what it means that the ELCA is a "Sanctuary Denomination." Below is information from the ELCA website.

HIGHLIGHTS of the 2025 NW Washington Synod Assembly

The 2025 NW Washington Synod Assembly was held May 16-17 at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett. Our theme of WOVEN INTO GOD'S STORY, based on Gal. 3:26-29, was apparent throughout the agenda and the assembly hall. Beautiful table runners created by artisans from around our synod adorned our tables. Our worship, with the familiar fibers of our liturgy – gathering, word, meal, and sending, unfolded across the entire assembly, reminding us that every moment we share is sacred.

On the first Sunday in June, we come to the end of the joyful season of Easter. June 8 is the Day of Pentecost when we celebrate the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus’ first disciples. We then begin the long season of the Sundays after Pentecost which will take us into the middle of November.

• June 1 - Acts 16:16-34; John 17:20-26
• June 8 - Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17
• June 15 - Psalms 8; John 16:12-15
• June 22 - Galatians 3:23-29; Luke 8:26-39
• June 29 - 1 Kings 19:15-16 & 19-21; Luke 9:51-62

The Killough family invites you to celebrate Pastor Jim's 35^th Anniversary of Ordination after worship during the Fellowship Time, Sunday, June 8. Pastor Jim was ordained on June 16, 1990. 

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.

“One thinks of idols only in terms of wooden or stone statues, but the gods that compete with the one true God are far more subtle and are familiar to us all. How about patriotism, or career, sex or power; but above all, how about money! Nothing is as likely to challenge God for supreme devotion in our culture. [Jesus’ statement that] ‘You cannot serve God and Mammon,’ does not mean that one cannot have money and serve God, but that one cannot serve money and serve God.

“Archbishop Helda Camerea working among the poor of Brazil, seeking justice and fair play in a jungle of self-seeking, concludes, ‘I used to think when I was a young priest that Christ had exaggerated when he warned about the dangers of wealth. Today I know better. I know how hard it is to be rich and still possess the milk of human kindness. Money has a dangerous way of putting scales on our eyes, a dangerous way of freezing our hands, eyes, lips and hearts.’

“Most of us in North America do not need more things to enjoy, but more time to enjoy what we have. We need even more to find the depth of joy in sharing what we have. When giving yields more pain than pleasure then we are in trouble spiritually.  [56 Devotions On Short Notice, Robert A. Wallace]

Finance Update through April 2025

Beginning Balance         (5,661)
Monthly Expenses       (21,800)
Monthly Income             18,327
Deficit                                   (9,1334)   

Our projected budget for April was a $3,073 defict, therefore we are $6,097 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 June birthdays!  

Nora Ramirez, June 6

Scott Haines, June 6

Oliver Haines, June 8

Peggy Kurtz, June 8

Debbie Killough, June 15

Betsy Haines, June 16

 Happy Anniversary to those celebrating June anniversaries!

Chris & Meagan Semore, June 20

Ben & Carol Krause, June 25

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.