Dear Ones of St. Columba's,

I am writing this from Atlanta, Georgia, where I am attending a huge gathering of Episcopalians from all over the country called Rooted in Jesus. This past Wednesday night I went to an Episcopalian Revival (yes, this is a real thing) where there were 1500 people in attendance, and more watching via livestream. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what this event would be like. As a child growing up in an evangelical tradition, I attended multiple revivals, some with thousands upon thousands of people in attendance. The revivals of my youth were focused on convicting people to give their lives to Jesus, and always ended with dramatic altar calls and high emotions. 

This is not what happened at the Rooted in Jesus revival, at least not the altar call. What did happen was prayer, singing, testimony, and preaching. We heard about the ministries happening in the Diocese of Atlanta for youth, veterans, prisoners, and refugees. I found myself feeling both moved and proud to be in the room, at times, with all these people who also belong to what our presiding bishop likes to call "The Episcopal Branch of the Jesus Movement," our way of following Jesus that is based on love, community, and seeking the healing and wholeness of the world. This way is rooted in the words and life of Jesus, who told us to abide in his love, and who gathered a community of disciples and friends around himself to witness his life and carry on his church after his death, resurrection, and ascension. 

This Sunday is our Annual Meeting, the time when as a congregation we gather to do our business together. This is also a moment for us to celebrate this community, and all the people who keep it so vibrant and alive. Which is all of us, really. This Sunday we get to reflect on our rootedness - in Jesus, in St. C's, in this way of going deeper in relationship with God together here on the West Hill of Kent, Washington. I hope you will join us. I am deeply grateful for this community of faith, in which I am rooted, the place where I find deep invitation to follow Jesus, and for you, the people who I am called to follow Jesus with. 

with care and gratitude,

Alissa