Grace and Peace to our Alpine community and neighbors!
We have had a wonderful start to the 2026 year so far! Pastor Josh Ebner from the Northern Illinois Synod joined us early in the month to walk us through the vitality survey you did last year. I understand the results of that survey probably do not adequately represent where we are today, but it was wonderful to have guided conversation. This conversation gave me a starting point to better understand where we are and where we want to go. I intend on continuing these conversations throughout the year. Thank you for your participation and honest feedback!
I have many ideas of things that I want to try throughout the year, but I am needing your help. If you have any suggestions on things you would like to see us participate in as a congregation, I would love to hear it! If you have any ideas on ministries you would like to see us try, please let me know! I would love to brainstorm ways to connect to our immediate community and neighbors and be more actively present in our surrounding area.
We are still in conversation with Our Saviors Lutheran Church about ways that we can connect our youth with theirs outside of confirmation classes. Please get in touch with me if your youth would like to participate in a summer service trip!
Our annual meeting is going to be March 1st. We will have one service that day and you are encouraged to stay after for our meeting.
I want to acknowledge the weight of suffering that is happening in our country and around the world. This is a time of deep sadness and concern for all of God’s children. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the constant influx of bad news and trauma, I would like to encourage you to take a break. We all need to find ways to reconnect with ourselves and with God. If you enjoy knitting, knit for an hour each day. If you enjoy getting outside, take a walk and feel the cold air around you. Try new things if what used to sustain you isn’t working anymore. Turn the tv off and put your phones down. Sit in silence. Sit in the truth that God is with us, today and everyday. We are called to love God’s children and to uplift the voices of the oppressed. We cannot do what we are called to do if we are not taking care of ourselves.
God, be with us in moments of silence. Be with us when we are scared and worried and overwhelmed with the suffering of your children. Be with us as we learn to listen to our bodies and care for ourselves. We trust in your overflowing love and unending grace. Amen.
Pastor Rachel