|
A Reconciling in Christ community
2006 NW 65th STREET SEATTLE, WA 98117 (206) 784-1306 ALL ARE WELCOME. |
|
|
|
|
A new service will be posted each Sunday by 10:00 a.m.
Join us for online worship here:
Join us for online worship here:
Previous services:
For now, in-person activities and worship services at Ballard First Lutheran are canceled. That includes:
We invite you to watch worship services here on our website (above); new services will be posted each Sunday by 10:00 a.m.
Please remember that you may still support Ballard First Lutheran with your regular giving by clicking the GIVE NOW button below. Offerings can be made through ACH, debit or credit cards.
- Sunday morning worship, both 8:00 am and 10:00 am
- Coffee Hour
- Wednesday evening Lenten worship and Soup Suppers
- Sunday School, including Adult Forum
- Choir Rehearsal
- Wednesday Bible Study
We invite you to watch worship services here on our website (above); new services will be posted each Sunday by 10:00 a.m.
Please remember that you may still support Ballard First Lutheran with your regular giving by clicking the GIVE NOW button below. Offerings can be made through ACH, debit or credit cards.
Letter from Pastor Erik regarding COVID-19 updates:
March 13, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
Earlier this week, I sent word to our weekly Bible Study group that we would be going on hiatus indefinitely. Given what we know, the decision should have been a no-brainer. But it was a really wrenching one. As I said to the group, in these recent weeks Pastor Elise and I have found ourselves trying to honor two important pastoral instincts when those instincts seem at cross purposes with one another. On the one hand, we want you to be physically safe... and we know that social interactions at church can put you at risk of being exposed to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus). On the other hand, we do not want for you to become isolated... and we know that social interactions at church are very life-giving for you (we also know that some of you have already expressed feelings of isolation as you have endeavored to stay physically healthy).
Here is a sampling of the things I heard from some Bible participants that day.
“I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to come right now."
“I would really like to have Bible study.”
“I have been complying with all of the health regulations, but I really feel like I need community, too. If there is Bible study, I will come.”
“I’m in the at-risk group, but I keep myself healthy. I know how to take precautions.”
“I’m not sure if I would come or not. I have been thinking about it all morning.”
“If it is offered, I will be there."
“I don’t like feeling so isolated!"
“I could go either way.” (This was the most popular response.)
“I could go either way, but I don’t know if I could be carrying the virus. I don’t want to put others at risk."
It was that last comment (“I could go either way, but I don’t know if I could be carrying the virus. I don’t want to put others at risk”) that most gave me pause. It has now become clear that asking you to come to church and worship is asking you to put yourselves at unnecessary risk. And, while it goes against my nature to cancel events, it goes against my nature even more to put people at risk unnecessarily. And I know that Pastor Elise feels the same way.
And so, for the time being, our public, on-site worship at Ballard First Lutheran, including Wednesday Lenten services, and our Sunday school and other classes are on hiatus.
Pastor Elise, Molly Barnes, David Lepse, and I are making every effort to move forward with an alternative worship opportunity online. We plan to have something ready for this Sunday morning. We ask your patience and prayers as we navigate this strange new set of circumstances.
Our church council will meet electronically this coming Tuesday. I’m looking forward to it! During this health crisis, it is especially important that we take every measure to keep people safe. In like manner, during this time of social distancing, it is also important that we see to it that people not become isolated. Please pray for all of your leaders as they wrestle with how we shall faithfully manifest ourselves as the Body of Christ during this unusual time.
Our ministry continues. As of this writing, groups who are able to maintain safe social distances continue to meet here. Our child care center is still open for the time being. Pastor Elise and I continue to serve. If you need pastoral care, please contact us. I have managed to visit pastorally with people these recent weeks while maintaining the prescribed safe social distance. We are a phone call away.
Please know that we will continue to be in touch with you as events unfold. I am aware that your inboxes are overwhelmed these days and do not want to add to your burden. During these initial days, however, I prefer to err on the side of transparency.
Finally, we will not see one another as often as we normally do in these coming weeks. Know that your presence is missed. We are a church that is united in our care for others. But I ask you, during these tender days, to remember to take good care of yourselves.
In Christ’s Abiding Love,
Pastor Erik W2
Dear Friends in Christ,
Earlier this week, I sent word to our weekly Bible Study group that we would be going on hiatus indefinitely. Given what we know, the decision should have been a no-brainer. But it was a really wrenching one. As I said to the group, in these recent weeks Pastor Elise and I have found ourselves trying to honor two important pastoral instincts when those instincts seem at cross purposes with one another. On the one hand, we want you to be physically safe... and we know that social interactions at church can put you at risk of being exposed to COVID-19 (the Coronavirus). On the other hand, we do not want for you to become isolated... and we know that social interactions at church are very life-giving for you (we also know that some of you have already expressed feelings of isolation as you have endeavored to stay physically healthy).
Here is a sampling of the things I heard from some Bible participants that day.
“I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to come right now."
“I would really like to have Bible study.”
“I have been complying with all of the health regulations, but I really feel like I need community, too. If there is Bible study, I will come.”
“I’m in the at-risk group, but I keep myself healthy. I know how to take precautions.”
“I’m not sure if I would come or not. I have been thinking about it all morning.”
“If it is offered, I will be there."
“I don’t like feeling so isolated!"
“I could go either way.” (This was the most popular response.)
“I could go either way, but I don’t know if I could be carrying the virus. I don’t want to put others at risk."
It was that last comment (“I could go either way, but I don’t know if I could be carrying the virus. I don’t want to put others at risk”) that most gave me pause. It has now become clear that asking you to come to church and worship is asking you to put yourselves at unnecessary risk. And, while it goes against my nature to cancel events, it goes against my nature even more to put people at risk unnecessarily. And I know that Pastor Elise feels the same way.
And so, for the time being, our public, on-site worship at Ballard First Lutheran, including Wednesday Lenten services, and our Sunday school and other classes are on hiatus.
Pastor Elise, Molly Barnes, David Lepse, and I are making every effort to move forward with an alternative worship opportunity online. We plan to have something ready for this Sunday morning. We ask your patience and prayers as we navigate this strange new set of circumstances.
Our church council will meet electronically this coming Tuesday. I’m looking forward to it! During this health crisis, it is especially important that we take every measure to keep people safe. In like manner, during this time of social distancing, it is also important that we see to it that people not become isolated. Please pray for all of your leaders as they wrestle with how we shall faithfully manifest ourselves as the Body of Christ during this unusual time.
Our ministry continues. As of this writing, groups who are able to maintain safe social distances continue to meet here. Our child care center is still open for the time being. Pastor Elise and I continue to serve. If you need pastoral care, please contact us. I have managed to visit pastorally with people these recent weeks while maintaining the prescribed safe social distance. We are a phone call away.
Please know that we will continue to be in touch with you as events unfold. I am aware that your inboxes are overwhelmed these days and do not want to add to your burden. During these initial days, however, I prefer to err on the side of transparency.
Finally, we will not see one another as often as we normally do in these coming weeks. Know that your presence is missed. We are a church that is united in our care for others. But I ask you, during these tender days, to remember to take good care of yourselves.
In Christ’s Abiding Love,
Pastor Erik W2
Classes are canceled at this time.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL: Sundays at 9:00-9:50 a.m. Haavik Hall CONFIRMATION CLASSES: 6th-8th Grade Sundays from 9:00-9:45 a.m. Church Office KIDS SUNDAY SCHOOL: Ages 3 - 5th Grade Sundays from 9:15-9:45 a.m. Kangaroo Room in the Childcare Building |
"Following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, we at Ballard First Lutheran affirm the dignity and worth of all people...."
|
Pastor Erik R. Wilson Weiberg
|
FAN features events about justice, peace and care for the environment across the state of Washington.
See FAN website for more info.
See FAN website for more info.
|
We are a Greening Congregation. Collectively, we can make our planet better. Learn more at earthministry.org
|
