Dear Aldersgate Family and Friends,
Our neighbors are experiencing displacement and disruption from Suicide Basin draining rapidly and flooding the Mendenhall Lake and River. The power of water to rapidly wash away tens of feet of shoreline with large trees and homes has left us all in a bit of shock. We will keep you posted as we hear of needs in our community now that the waters have retreated and clean-up has begun. It is an opportunity for us to pray with our feet and love with our resources.
We concluded July’s Worship Theme of Rest with an amazing Rest & Connect Retreat at ERUMC Camp! It was a blessed time to walk, cook, rest, play, and begin new relationships with our neighbors. Our thanks to indigenous plant expert Vivian Mork for leading the plant walk and cooking homemade gooseberry tarts to share! We had 30 adults and 16 children and youth attend, with almost everyone being local to Juneau. Many had not experienced the camp. It was a joy to break bread and to connect with creation while resting in the beautiful sunshine with many of you.
We hosted a group of 8 youth and 2 adults with Pastor Nora from St Luke in Minnesota. I’m very proud of Aldersgate for the radical hospitality in hosting this group. We served 65 people at the Glory Hall, introduced these new friends to Aak’w Kwáan territory, and they blessed us by cleaning up the front playground. It looks amazing!
National Night Out on Tuesday, August 1st was a great start to our worship them of Connection. We had over 60 children and family members enjoy our sanctuary (overtaken by 2 bouncy houses, switch games, music, and faceprinting), interact with police, fire, Seadogs rescue, Assembly members, judges, and other community leaders. The fire pit made a lot of s’mores and our neighbors across the street left with smiles, new school backpacks filled with supplies, and full bellies. We had reporters from KINY radio and the Juneau Empire attend, and they showed up for worship on Sunday! Thank you to everyone who served & participated!
With Hope and Peace,
Pastor Kristi