• Worship in the Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Pastoral ponderings . . .                                                                                                                                                                                          
  
Epiphany is the season of enlightenment.  The Magi carry the good news of “the Light no darkness overcomes” home with them, and the work of Christmas begins.
 
All of us are called to the work of Christmas. And each of us is a prism through which the light of God’s love can shine.  In our own way, just as we are, we share the light with some act of kindness, compassion, and inclusivity in the broad spectrum of God’s love. The rainbow shines through us, and in us, for everyone to see.
    
For over two decades, Mount Tabor has celebrated the diversity of God’s creation by intentionally welcoming and advocating for the full participation and leadership of our LGBTQ+ siblings in the life of the Church and society.  
 
When we became a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation of the ELCA in 1993, Mount Tabor chose to take a stand with all who are ostracized, marginalized, and bullied in our culture for the sake of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  We chose to state openly and clearly that we are a church that values inclusivity, dignity, hospitality to all, and compassion.  We marched for Marriage Equality, and celebrated it’s arrival!
 
Every year, on the last Sunday in January, the over 500 RIC congregations and ministry settings in the ELCA celebrate Reconciling in Christ Sunday.  On this day, we join other welcoming congregations from various denominations in celebrating the witness to God’s love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.  I am proud to serve a church in Salt Lake City that has declared itself to be a safe and affirming place for all God’s people to celebrate the reconciling grace of God.
 
As we celebrate RIC Sunday on January 26th, our guest speaker will be Nellie Arrieta from the Women’s Resource Center at the U.  Invite your friends and neighbors!                                                                               
 
Pastor David
 
“All this is from God who reconciled us through Jesus Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”  
                                                                                                          (2 Cor 5:18)