 Health, justice and hope found a home in the hearts of 142 guests gathered at the North Puget Sound Celebration Brunch on April 19th in Lynnwood. Ambassadors for hope included featured speaker, Jim Bergquist, an adoptive father of two "miracle children"; Roberta Nestaas, Lutheran Community Services President/CEO, who spoke of carrying burdens and finding new ways to support each other as we're woven together throughout life's journey; and Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church, the Ruben Spannaus Award recipient, where volunteers nurture hope through their enthusiastic volunteer activity and ongoing financial support of the Port Angeles Family Center.
Following a blessing and invocation by Reverend Katy McCallum Sachse of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in Kirkland, guests were energized by Mill Creek Music Company's Latin and smooth jazz music. Area Director Janet St. Clair directed the program as Master of Ceremonies, adding a special, welcoming touch.
Special music was provided by award-winning high school soloist, John McCormick, who performed a beautiful opera aria and then was also the lucky raffle winner of a hand-made quilt that was lovingly crafted and given by Faith Lutheran Church.
The afternoon concluded with a special blessing spoken in four languages,
"In our hungering for meaning,
In our aching for friendship,
In our yearning for justice,
In our heart's remembering of finer days,
May we look deep within the mystery of things
and gather our strength.
May each of us proclaim, as one of God's ambassadors,
the graceful power of life and love
and so may we live in hope. Amen."
Jim Bergquist expressed our theme, Woven Together, best when he said he is very close to his adopted children, "because he chose them".
The success of the celebration was overwhelming. We raised over $15,000 to support Lutheran Community Services' programs - Permanency Planning Foster Care, Refugee & Immigrant Children's Programs, Families for Kids, Family Support Centers, International Counseling & Community Services, Parent Line and Divorce Lifeline.
If you missed the brunch, your support is still needed and appreciated throughout the year Your gifts enable us to help people access basic needs, to strengthen parenting skills, to empower families to become self-sufficient, to help individuals overcome loss and trauma and to bring communities together.
You can make a secure online donation by clicking here. Use the pull-down menu to designate your gift to the Seattle / Everett Office.
Thanks so much to our generous sponsors and gracious givers for helping make our brunch such a success! |
