Dear Eastside,
Thank you for the joyful potluck last weekend in celebration of my ordination, as well as the generous gift and the beautiful memory book. It was such a delightful surprise, and I’m deeply grateful!
This past Sunday I witnessed some things that reminded me of what an absolute joy it is to pastor Eastside Covenant. I witnessed our church rally around those in crisis. I saw individuals make space - physically and relationally - for visitors and new brothers and sisters in our congregation. I saw many hands coming together to make light work. I heard prayers lifted for those in our community, workplaces, and around the world who are in need. And I listened in on raw, honest conversations around the tables in our sanctuary about hope and heaven, as you wrestled with the scriptures.
Spoiler alert: following Jesus is not easy. But it is full of joy, freedom, and fellowship when we walk together towards fullness and maturity in Christ.
This weekend, we’ll hear from a teacher who will speak both pastorally and prophetically into some of the scariest, hardest, and most vulnerable parts of our humanity: death and grief. I know we'll welcome her with warmth and attentiveness, and receive her words with open hearts.
Love,
Pastor Kirsten
Thank you for the joyful potluck last weekend in celebration of my ordination, as well as the generous gift and the beautiful memory book. It was such a delightful surprise, and I’m deeply grateful!
This past Sunday I witnessed some things that reminded me of what an absolute joy it is to pastor Eastside Covenant. I witnessed our church rally around those in crisis. I saw individuals make space - physically and relationally - for visitors and new brothers and sisters in our congregation. I saw many hands coming together to make light work. I heard prayers lifted for those in our community, workplaces, and around the world who are in need. And I listened in on raw, honest conversations around the tables in our sanctuary about hope and heaven, as you wrestled with the scriptures.
Spoiler alert: following Jesus is not easy. But it is full of joy, freedom, and fellowship when we walk together towards fullness and maturity in Christ.
This weekend, we’ll hear from a teacher who will speak both pastorally and prophetically into some of the scariest, hardest, and most vulnerable parts of our humanity: death and grief. I know we'll welcome her with warmth and attentiveness, and receive her words with open hearts.
Love,
Pastor Kirsten
Going Deeper
- Following where God leads
Baptism Are you ready to make a public declaration of God's covenant in Christ through baptism? We will hold a baptism on August 17th. - Serving We are an 'all hands on deck' kind of church! If you aren't already - consider serving in hospitality, a/v and worship, and children's ministry.
- Membership Being a covenant member of ECC allows you to vote, to become a member of the Leadership team, and in general acknowledges that Eastside is your church home. The next membership class is Sunday August 10th. RSVP here. https://subspla.sh/qnqsj7z
For all these, reach out to a member of the ECC leadership team or Pastor Kirsten
**For all these, reach out to a member of the ECC leadership team or Pastor Kirsten**
Consecrated Spiritual Formation
One of our ministry priorities is to devote ourselves to being formed deeper in Christ and deeper in community.
One way we will practice that this fall is through short term small groups. These are groups that will meet 4-6 times over the fall season to grow in our love for God, his purposes, and one another. More information will be coming at the end of the month, but prayerfully consider which group is right for you! (days and timed TBD)
- A Crazy Holy Grace: The Healing Power of Pain and Memory - (Women only)
- Mental Health: Experiencing God's care for our Mind, Body, and Spirit - a 6 week interactive Bible study. (co-ed)
- Migration: Experiencing God's Care for Immigrants - a 6 week interactive study (co-ed)
Sunday August 17th, 6-8pm
Fall Kick off!
Our youth group is a place where middle and high school students are known, encouraged in their faith, and invited to walk with Jesus in community. We have fun, dig into the Bible, and practice rhythms like prayer, worship, and service—and yes, we do our part to keep the Eegee’s on Camino Seco and Broadway thriving.
We meet on the first and third Sundays of each month from 6–8pm at the church, along with occasional social events and service projects throughout the year.
If you have -or know of- a student who might want to get connected, reach out to someone on our youth team: Pastor Kirsten, Jon Phillips, Payton Gandee, or Pastor Dan Johnson. We’d love to welcome them in!
Our youth group is a place where middle and high school students are known, encouraged in their faith, and invited to walk with Jesus in community. We have fun, dig into the Bible, and practice rhythms like prayer, worship, and service—and yes, we do our part to keep the Eegee’s on Camino Seco and Broadway thriving.
We meet on the first and third Sundays of each month from 6–8pm at the church, along with occasional social events and service projects throughout the year.
If you have -or know of- a student who might want to get connected, reach out to someone on our youth team: Pastor Kirsten, Jon Phillips, Payton Gandee, or Pastor Dan Johnson. We’d love to welcome them in!
At our last congregational meeting, I shared four values that were shaping three areas of ministry focus for our church over the next three years. One of those was Pilgrimage - a journey that we walk together towards a shared destination. There are opportunities to experience formation through specific pilgrimages, like for example El Camino de Santiago in Spain.
But there is another opportunity much closer to home! Our own Aria Quinn helps to lead these pilgrimages and is guiding the Camino de Sonoma in California this fall.
But there is another opportunity much closer to home! Our own Aria Quinn helps to lead these pilgrimages and is guiding the Camino de Sonoma in California this fall.
- This 75 mile walk over six days from the historic Mission San Francisco Solano to the Russian Orthodox Chapel in Fort Ross State Historic Park offers travelers an experience that is physical, spiritual, historical, environmental, communal, and cultural.
- October 12-20
- 1400.00 - includes six days of guided walks, one day of debrief, all meals and lodging
- Contact Aria at aria.levin@intervasrsity.org for more information
Connect Online
Don't forget to download our app and sign in to message with ECC and stay up to date. There are are groups for mens and women's ministries, youth group, prayer requests and more.
Click here to find out out to get the app on your phone
Click here to learn how to log-in to begin using group messaging
Click here to find out out to get the app on your phone
Click here to learn how to log-in to begin using group messaging
