LETTER FROM KATIE • September 30, 2026

Dear Holy Comforter,

Thank you for such a wonderful beginning to the fall. It has been lovely to hear about the rich conversations happening in our four small groups and in Life with God, and to see and hear how much our 3–7 year olds are enjoying the Atrium.

I’m also really enjoying hearing your thoughts on our sermon series on Philippians—this encouraging letter from Paul to a church he helped plant, and the ways it is encouraging you in your own lives and in your prayers for Holy Comforter. It has been particularly moving to hear how Paul’s invitation to allow Christ to be formed in us is resonating in some of the harder places in your lives. I’m praying for each of you—that you would be open to the Spirit’s work in and through you, and that you would discover deep joy even in those places where your life is taking the shape of the life of our humble, self-giving shepherd, Jesus.

And thank you so much for the warm welcome you extended to the University of Maryland students who visited us on Sunday. I really enjoyed having them join us in Life with God before the service as we talked together about how we seek and know God. Please keep praying for our growing relationship with InterVarsity staff and students at UMD—that God would use us to nurture and encourage those who are curious about Christianity, those who are discouraged or in need of support in their faith, and those who are looking for a local church during their college years.

Finally, I’m looking forward to being on retreat with our friends at Incarnation this weekend. I’m praying for rest and renewal, for a deepening of our commitment to the work God has given us in and around Hyattsville, and for the strengthening of our ties with our mother church. We have so much to be thankful for as a church, and I think this weekend will be a chance to take “a long, loving look at what is real”—in our own lives and in the life of Holy Comforter.

For those who won’t be able to join us on retreat, we look forward to seeing you next Sunday, when we’ll gather for worship, followed by a potluck and our fall parish meeting. You can sign up for the potluck here.

Grace and peace,

Katie