I am so excited to see you and meet those of you I haven’t yet met this weekend at church. On Saturday we will gather and party! In celebration of the 200 year presence of Allen Ave Church in Portland. There will be opportunities for fellowship, fun, and reconnection. I will be there, joined by my partner Laura. Since Laura and I are a two minister household, we don’t get to spend much time at each other’s churches. So I’m thrilled to have an opportunity for you to meet her! 

And, of course, on Sunday we come together in worship in person and online to celebrate Ingathering with the Water Communion ritual. Emily Jones and I will lead this all-ages worship service together. Don’t forget to bring your small container of water to add to our common basin! If you’ll be Zooming into church on Sunday and would like to bring your water to the church on Saturday for the party, please do! I’ll be sure to add it to our bowl. 

We won’t be sharing where our water is from in worship, but I invite you to think about what it symbolizes for you. What do you carry with you as we re-gather, reconnect, and reimagine our life together as a church? Is it renewed energy? A commitment of time? Curiosity? A willingness to be changed? Or perhaps it is exhaustion, or grief, or fear that you know will be a lighter load if shared in community. Whatever it is you bring, you are welcome. You belong in this community. And I, for one, am so glad you are here. 

If you’d like to connect, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to make time for you. My email is a2u2minister@gmail.com. Be well, and see you in church!

In faith,

Rev. Tara