Greetings,

The Congregational Council convened regular monthly meetings on November 15 and again December 15. At the forefront of those meetings was a review of the financial standing of the church, with an eye toward the 2023 budget. That proposed budget will be recommended by the Finance Committee, reviewed by Council, shared with the congregation in January, and voted upon by the congregation at the February 5 Annual Meeting.

As the annual Stewardship campaign, Gather Us In, enters its final days, we will close 2022 with optimism and momentum as the calendar turns. Thank you, always, for your commitment to Gloria Dei.

And we will hit the ground running in 2023. We are fully staffed at Gloria Dei for the first time in sometime. We will host ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton during the Friday, Jan. 6, Epiphany service. Outreach will continue through our ongoing relationships with ministry partners Loaves and Fishes, Francis Basket and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaboration, to name a few. The Immigrant Justice team will continue our commitment to Room 99 and the Rojas family. We will build reparations into our 2023 budget as we strive to live into our Land Acknowledgement Statement and build meaningful relationships with indigenous communities. And we will dedicate the renewed Sanctuary on January 29. There is much to do and much to look forward to.

If you have not yet returned to Gloria Dei to experience the new organ and space, I encourage you to do so. I sat in awe during the December 11 Advent Lessons and Carols service. The sound from the organ and our wonderful musicians filled the sanctuary, and the warmth and community and sense of sacredness I felt that evening was incredibly moving.

I wish you a peaceful Advent and Christmas season.

Scott Karli

President, Congregational Council