LETTER FROM KATIE • April 29, 2026

Jean-Claude Atzori Examen. 2015, Acrylic on canvas, 11.8 x 11.8

Dear Holy Comforter,

On Sunday we’ll have our very first parish meeting, a chance to look back on the past four months since we began offering weekly services, to give thanks for God’s gifts to us, and to look ahead to where God is calling us.

In preparation for our time together I’d like you to be pondering two questions which we’ll have a chance to respond to at the start of the parish meeting:

What is one word that describes Church of the Holy Comforter?

What is your one word prayer for Holy Comforter? 

At the close of our parish meeting, I’ll be handing out an Examen for Holy Comforter and inviting us to pray it—both individually and together—throughout the summer as a way of continually listening to God speaking to and through us.

We’ll have opportunities to share what we’re hearing by writing on note cards during the Offertory on Sunday nights. You can find the Examen below as well.

1. Ask God for light. Become aware of God’s presence in our church at this particular time and place. Invite the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to bring clarity and understanding.

2. Give thanks. Reflect on Holy Comforter and your experience in this church. (Possible things to consider: Sunday worship, Lent and Easter, children, small groups, volunteering, community life, music, financial giving, personal spiritual growth, prayer, etc.) What gifts has God given our church? What gifts has he given you through our church? Give thanks for every good gift.

3. Reflect on your experiences. Notice your emotions as you reflect on your experience at Holy Comforter. Where have you experienced consolation (God’s closeness; an increase of faith, hope, and love; inner peace; a desire for transparency)? Where have you experienced desolation (God’s distance, a lack of faith, hope, and love, discontent, agitation, boredom, fear, worry, or a desire for secrecy)? What patterns do you notice?

4. Pray from your reflections. Choose one aspect of your experience at Holy Comforter and pray about it, seeking God’s guidance and insight. Keeping all of this in mind, prayerfully consider:

• What hopes do you have for Holy Comforter?

• What hopes do you have for your own participation in Comforter?

• How do you sense God is calling Comforter in this particular time and place?

• Is there anything that might need to change?

5. Look toward tomorrow. What do we need to face the days ahead? Ask God to provide.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday night for our potluck (sign up here) and parish meeting.

Please reach out if you want to talk or pray about anything that is being stirred up in you these days.

May grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Katie