LETTER FROM KATIE • August 26, 2026

Corita Kent (American, 1918–1986), the word pitched his tent, 1962, Serigraph, 30"h x 36"w © The Corita Art Center, The Immaculate Heart Community, Los Angeles.

Dear Holy Comforter,

As I announced our Saturday, September 12 Welcome to the Atrium event (10–12:30 at HMC) on Sunday, I wanted to introduce our Sunday spiritual formation offerings for children and adults, which begin Sunday, September 20 at 4 pm.

As I’ve thought about how we want to grow together as a church, I’ve been thinking about what it really means to be formed as Christians and why we need one another in that process.

Christian formation is about more than learning what Christians believe. Of course, we need to know the story of our faith and to grow in our understanding of Scripture and Christian teaching. But knowing what is true does not automatically change the way we live.

We need a more fundamental transformation. We need God to reorient what we love, because what we love shapes what we desire, and our desires shape our choices and the lives we lead. Formation, then, is about allowing God to gradually reshape our hearts—to teach us to love God, our neighbors, and the things God loves.

And we learn to love through a lifetime of practice and imitation, encouragement and correction. Scripture, prayer, worship, beauty, the stories of those who have gone before us, and the people with whom we share our lives all help to shape our hearts. We become more like Jesus not simply by learning about him, but by practicing his way of life and learning from those who are practicing it alongside us.

Sometimes being shaped through our relationships with others is hard. Living alongside people who see things differently from us, challenge us, or even disappoint us can be uncomfortable. But these relationships can also become places where God grows forgiveness, gentleness, compassion, patience, and perseverance in us. And the difficulties we encounter, individually and collectively, can become opportunities to support and care for one another, deepening our unity and strengthening our commitment to life together.

This is one reason I am especially excited that our formation offerings this year will bring different generations of Holy Comforter together. We need one another to become more like Jesus. Children learn what it looks like to follow Jesus by being surrounded by adults who pray, worship, serve, persevere, and trust God. And adults can be renewed in wonder, joy, and trust by spending time with children. In this way, we encourage one another in faithfulness and grow together into the household of God.

4 pm, Good Shepherd Atrium (Ages 3–7)
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based approach to faith formation, will begin at 4 pm in the HMC lobby and continue during the service until the Peace. In the Atrium, children encounter Scripture, prayer, beauty, and hands-on materials that invite them to slow down, wonder, pray, and discover their relationship with the Good Shepherd.

4 pm, Life with God (Ages 8+)
Life with God for children ages 8 and up, their caregivers (godparents and grandparents are welcome too), and other adults will begin at 4 pm in the basement Fellowship Hall and end just before the 5 pm service. Through an interactive exploration of the Apostles' Creed, the Sacraments, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer, we will seek to be formed as lovers of God—not simply by learning what Christians believe, but by practicing the way of life Jesus calls us to.

We ask adults to register for Life with God so that we can make sure we have enough materials for everyone. You can register here.

5 pm, Worship & Nursery (Ages 0–2)
A parent-led nursery will be available at the back of the sanctuary throughout the service for children ages 0–2.

We also have a worship nook at the front of the sanctuary available from the beginning of the service until the Peace, when children join their families for Communion.

If you'd like to learn more about the Good Shepherd Atrium or Life with God, join us for Welcome to the Atrium on Saturday, September 12, from 10–12:30 at HMC. Please contact Matt to register. We hope at least one parent from each family will be able to attend.

I hope you'll join us!

Love,
Katie