Grace's Blog 2025
April 17, 2025
Easter at Grace: A Personal Invitation
A Letter received…
If your thinking
about coming
to Grace, you can
grab a member sheet.
If your not, you really should give us a chance.
It brings so much of us joy. 
GOD loves you
*transcribed to make it easier to read
Pastor Maria and I received this screenshot this past week – a note written by one of the children here at Grace. This child often writes wonderful notes to us like “Pastors are the best.” Her notes are the pick-me-up I need after a long day at work.
More importantly, they’re inspirational. I love that one of our kids feels the love and care of the Grace community so abundantly that she wants others to experience this joy too. She’s actively inviting people to join in the fun!
This weekend is perfect for inviting someone to church. We have a wonderful Easter celebration planned:
- Beautiful music prepared by our choir
- Special decorations from our liturgical arts team
- Fresh flowers arriving soon
- A meaningful message
But beyond our preparations, I know God’s Spirit will be present. The Spirit will be with us through the solemnity of Good Friday, the waiting of Holy Saturday, and the joy of Easter morning when we proclaim together: “He is risen. He is risen indeed!”
This week, consider sharing this adorable note from one of our second graders with a friend who doesn’t have a church home. Share your story of joy at Grace, and most importantly, share the abundant love of our God.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
April 10, 2025
Asking Questions and Advocating
My oldest daughter, Helena, was a preemie—born 9 weeks early with health concerns. The first four months of parenthood were unbelievably stressful. We were in and out of hospitals, dealing with IV antibiotics for cellulitis, and navigating a diagnosis of “failure to thrive.” I was just 26 when I became a mother, and I felt completely out of my element.
But I remember one moment clearly: a home nurse told me to do something that didn’t feel right. Another time, I caught a mistake a doctor had made. In those moments, I realized something important—medical professionals, as skilled and dedicated as they are, are still human. And I had to be the one to ask questions and advocate for my daughter.
That realization changed everything. I hadn’t gone to medical school, but I had been there—present, every day, in the NICU. I wasn’t trained in nursing, but I had learned how to administer IV drugs, taken notes, and paid attention. I knew my daughter, and I had to trust what I knew. I had to speak up.
Let me be clear: I have deep respect for our medical professionals. My daughter wouldn’t be alive today without a gifted surgeon and a diligent care team. But they’re not always right—and that’s okay. Now, I look for doctors who are willing to say, “I don’t know,” or “I’ll need to investigate that,” or “I’m going to refer you to a specialist.” Honesty matters. And so does listening.
I share this story because part of my calling is to visit people in hospitals and walk with you through difficult health journeys. Having experienced this with my own parents and daughter, I know how overwhelming it can be to process medical information. Sometimes you need extra ears and minds—someone to ask questions you haven’t thought of.
I pray regularly for those of you going through medical treatments, and I will continue to do so. I also want to encourage you: speak up. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t understand,” or “How will this affect my quality of life?” Our physical health is just one part of what it means to live fully. Our relationships, mental and spiritual well-being—they matter too. And our care teams should be thinking about how all of these things work together.
This may feel like an unusual reflection the week before Holy Week. But when I think about Jesus’ final days—how quickly things turned from celebration to suffering—I’m reminded that God knows what it’s like when life shifts suddenly. God is present, even in the hardest moments.
God, our healer, meets us in our vulnerability—not just to hear our concerns, but to offer wisdom, guidance, and love. And I want you to know: if you’re going through something hard, our church is here. We’re here to pray, to walk with you, to ask questions, and to advocate alongside you. You are not alone.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
March 20, 2025
Church Together
This past Saturday, Pastor Joanna, Will Weikle (CYF director), members of our Vision Board and I attended the Minneapolis Area Synod’s Toolkit. This is an event the synod hosts yearly to help support congregations and congregational leaders for ministry. I am a little embarrassed to say, this was the first toolkit I have attended. Being ordained in the midst of COVID we didn’t meet for toolkit in person my first year. And other years, I have no excuse other than it simply wasn’t a priority.
With newly elected Bishop Jen at the helm and her vision for our synod -Church Together, I wanted to make this a priority. And I know we cannot be church together if we don’t show up. If we don’t support each other. This is true of what I felt at the event too. We entered and checked in. We received name tags and role identification stickers (pastor, deacon, lay member, council member, congregation president, youth leader, etc.) This help all who gathered know who was there, and how they are currently serving in their context. The learning sessions meant to offer tools for our ministry were as diverse as the body of Christ in attendance. Sessions on generosity and treasurers, church council and presidents, faith practices, neighboring practices, faith formation, intergenerational ministry and the upcoming 2027 youth gathering and family needs. All was covered in this event!
As I reflect on the success of the event, I am filled with gratitude for the leadership at Grace! We brought the most people with us than any other church in attendance (don’t quote me on that, but if not, we were really close). And actually, it wasn’t about numbers but the quality of those who came, who gave their Saturday to LISTEN, GROW, and SERVE in the name of Grace! Because we had so many with us from Grace, we were able to attend most if not all of the breakout sessions. We met after the event for lunch and to share all that we learned. We really are stronger when we are church TOGETHER.
Thank you to our vision board. To our faithful volunteers in all of our ministries at Grace. YOU make a difference! We are better TOGETHER because of YOU!
Often on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings at Grace members of our Vision Board stand by the welcome desk to say hello and to receive your questions. Feel free to ask them if they attended toolkit and if they did what did they learn? Feel free to ask me too! I’d love to share!
Blessings,
Pastor Maria Markman
March 13, 2025
Planning Ahead and Living in the Present
When I do yoga, my online instructor invites us to set an intention. My intention is almost always the same: “Be present.” “Be present.” This is hard for me. I am a planner. I like to plan. I’m good at planning. I need to know what’s next. And when I know what we need to do, I can usually get us there (us being my family or my church, of my staff). Being present is something that God invites us into. Slowing down. Not rushing. Breathing. Seeing. Hearing. Responding. Something amazing happens when we are in the present- we notice things, we show up for people in authentic ways, we REALLY listen.
Unfortunately, our world is made for planners. Just yesterday, I registered for my first summer open water swim event that takes place on May 31st. Only 100 spots left, the website said. Register before it’s too late. If we don’t plan ahead, flights go up, hotels are booked, and we can’t get away. Our culture makes it really hard to just be present. As much as I want to show up and just swim, I know the race organizers need me to plan ahead. I do this to all of you in the church as well. Register for summer activities. Register for VBS. We do this because we need to find teachers, order supplies and have enough.
And so, I wonder. In a world that invites us to plan ahead, how we can be present? How can we stop each day and really be present in our bodies? How can we put down the distractions and live in the moment? Maybe we can’t do it all the time, but can we take half hour each day and live in the moment and allow God’s abundant life to fill us and breathe life into us and our relationships. I hope so.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
March 6, 2025
Turning Toward
In Luke 9:51, Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem This is the beginning of the end of his journey on earth. This is where he will lead his disciples. Yes, Jerusalem is the center of worship life, and where the temple is located. But for Jesus at this moment, it is not about affirming the temple and the religious practice of the day, in fact, when he is in Jerusalem, he will actually argue with the religious leaders, questioning their piety over compassion. Turning toward Jerusalem is a turn toward suffering. Jesus has now predicted in the Gospel of Luke two times now that he must go to Jerusalem where he will be handed over to authorities, suffer and be killed. I am pretty sure if I knew that’s what Jerusalem meant for me, I would run the other direction. I would turn AWAY. But this is my humanness, this is the difference between God and me. I want to protect myself; I want to lift myself up, but God always invites me to see beyond myself and to see my neighbor. This is why faith is so hard. It is about choosing what is best for the world and for your neighbor over yourself. I don’t know many people who do this, even people of faith. But this is where Jesus leads us not away from pain, division, and suffering but toward it.
And so, I wonder, how will you turn toward those who are suffering today? How will you turn toward God, putting God’s invitation to see those who are crying out for help ahead of your own security? How will you follow Jesus’ example and follow him even when it is hard?
I confess, I understand this and see it and every year I struggle to follow. But this is the path that God leads us on. And year after year, I am thankful for another chance to follow where God leads, knowing that even when I fail (and I often do and so do Jesus’ disciples by the way) and that Jesus will come to us again and again with an invitation to try once more.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
February 27, 2025
Overflowing in a Wealth of Generosity
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul shares the stories of the churches in Macedonia, who despite difficulty have given beyond his expectations and have been rich in generosity. He goes on to invite the church in Corinth to live out their faith in a similar fashion recognizing that a commitment to God transforms our hearts, our lives, and our willingness to share what God has given us (2 Corinthians 8).
This scripture passage caught my attention because I am constantly sharing the story of the abundant generosity I have experienced here at Grace. Not only have you faithfully supported the mission and ministry of Grace but have stepped out in faith to support our building project AND on top of that committed to our partners so that we actively feed the hungry, house the homeless, and support our local schools. My heart is overflowing because of your wealth of generosity!
March 1st marks the end of our Transforming Inside and Out Campaign. A campaign that had the goal of receiving $1.2 million dollars in pledges. From day 1 you have filled out your faith in a generous commitment to building the church and transforming our community. Pledges equaled $1.56 million coming in $300,000 above our anticipated goal! Thank you for being rich in generosity.
As of today, we have not only met our goal of $1.56 million but exceeded it by over $68,000. Our total giving to the Transformation of our building is $1,631,635 and you are still giving from a place of faith. I am beyond grateful.
Thank you for leading the way in expanding our outreach, our building, and our daycare, and for the ways you have shown up in faith. While I am actively naming the financial contributes that have been given, please know they are not the only ways you have given. People have given of their time, energy, their prayers for this project and all of this together makes a difference. We couldn’t have done it without your faithful giving in all ways! Thank you for being rich in generosity.
So, what happens now. If you have not fulfilled your pledge and still intended to do so… good news you can. Please know all money that you give to Transforming our Capital will be used to pay our mortgage and interest and also for additional building projects: like fellowship hall lighting, exterior signs, the renovation of the sacristy, and to pay down our mortgage faster. We are receiving quotes on all of these projects right now and plan to move forward on them soon. Another option for fulfillment of your pledge is to continue to give the same amount to our Ministry Operations. This supports all of the ministry at Grace: our programming for all ages, our staff, our utilities AND it can be used to pay for our building as well. Giving to Ministry Operations gives us the most versatility when it comes to your financial support. If you have questions about this, please reach out. I’d be happy to walk you through this.
People of Grace, we have walked some tough roads together. The last 5 years have been ones of challenge but more than that one of faithfulness and growth. My heart is overflowing because you have been rich in generosity. Thank you!
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
February 20, 2025
Retreat
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am ready to retreat to somewhere warmer. I am ready for winter to be over and for spring to come. I am ready for the busy-ness of the season to slow down a bit and to get some rest.
While I realize that is an unrealistc expectation in February, I am thankful for the upcoming retreat this weekend. Once a year the women of Grace get a way retreating to Luther Park in Grantsburg, Wisconsin. Our “Own Your Faith” youth are retreating as well to Camp Wapo outside of Amery, Wisconsin. While I don’t sleep the best away from home, I do know that my spirit will be restored. There will be a chance to listen to God’s word, to ask deep questions, to breathe, to walk, to laugh, and to connect.
Even those of you who are not getting away this weekend, I wonder how you might experience some respite and care. Could you turn everything off for an hour or so? Could you put down your phone and put on some music and allow the melody to fill your spirit? And since the temperature is going to be 50 degrees warmer than earlier this week, could you take a long walk outside and breathe the winter air and allow creation to speak?
Jesus is intentional in his ministry in getting away. Even though he is as busy as they come, he gets up early in the morning, he goes up the mountain, he rests in the boat, reminding us that if Jesus can do it, so can we. So how will you find rest, how can you retreat from the news and all of the chaos of the world and let God fill your soul.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
February 13, 2025
Jesus is revealed in the breaking of the bread…or tamales
People of Grace-
This is my first full week back to Grace after our week long mission trip to Maya Mopan, Belize. It is an adjustment coming back after any trip but especially, I find, after mission trips. Mission trips are week set aside to look for God, trips where you are extra present and in the moment, trips where because of the nature of the trip you look at EVERYONE you meet as if you are looking into the eyes of God. Returning, it is back to life as usual, deadlines and headlines and you cannot help but wonder what is it all for? Can’t I just return to Belize, to my mission? Everything seemed so clear there. Jesus and what he calls me to do and be was so clear there! But maybe I need a perspective shift, to pause for just a moment and reorient my days. Sure it is cold here, but I can serve here, I can care here, I can look into the eyes of my neighbor and stranger here. God is here too.
On our trip, my favorite work day, was Saturday. The church we partner with was planning to host 5-7 different area churches, over 200 youth for a youth event. So the women and girls of the congregation met starting before 9 am to make tamales. Tamales are a traditional mesoamerican dish of corn/masa, filled with meat and steamed in banana leaf or corn husks. We were invited to help! It was a wonderful day of cooking in their church kitchen. Cooking happened by mixing by hand, heat by open fire, meat prep outside before continuing the recipe inside. There was no thermometer or oven temperature. There was no timer. And spices were added by hand or spoonful (not measuring spoons) and then tasted. But more than all of this, cooking took all day. And it was an intergenerational task. The elders taught and looked on often firing us Minnesotans because we hadn’t gotten the hang of it. Only to be quickly hired again. Laughter and stories filled the kitchen and warmed our spirits. Children played outside as other preparations continued around the church.
In Luke after Jesus is crucified and risen he appears to disciples while they are journeying to Emmaus. They do not recognize him as he asks what they are discussing. They of course were shocked saying, “are you the only one who doesn’t know the things that have happened.” As they journey it gets late and Jesus plans to depart but the disciples invite him to dinner and it is in the breaking of the bread they recognize Jesus! Jesus is revealed in the breaking of the bread! Jesus was revealed to us in the everyday mundane task of making tamales. These women have been doing this for years. So much so there is no timer or recipe to follow it is just what they do. And yet, we experienced God’s presence working alongside one another.
So now that I am back to my ordinary everyday life, might I expect to experience God in my everyday too, not just on mission, but working alongside all of you at Grace, greeting my neighbors, being with family and friends? I think so!
Blessings,
Pastor Maria Markman
February 6, 2025
Praying for our Team Members
In Luke 6:12-16, Jesus goes away by himself to pray. He spends time listening to God and in conversation before he comes down the mountain and then calls 12 men to be his team for the remainder of his ministry. The 12 are all listed by name and next to a few a description, Andrew is Simon’s brother, Simon who is called the Zealot and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.
This ragtag team of people that Jesus ends up in ministry with is interesting. They have unique gifts and skills. Some are fishermen, one is a tax collector, one is a fanatic. I would imagine the conversations got heated at times as they wrestled and debated both how to follow God and also what to do in the face of the religious and political oppression that was being experienced at their time. I doubt they agreed on everything. The very fact that Judas eventually would betray Jesus is evidence of this truth. Judas wanted Jesus to do something different. And yet, Jesus, both divine and human choose to pick this diverse team. He didn’t choose people who all agreed with him, or people who all got along. But faithful people who were willing to follow, to listen, learn, ask questions and most of all be on the journey.
I think this is a good example to us about our own teams and who we are called to be as a community of people at Grace. I am thankful for the community that God has given us. I know before I came to Grace my prayer was that God would call the pastor that you needed. I never prayed that I would get the call, but that God would put the right person in place. I know that our community of faith is diverse in opinions, in careers, in strengths and in a variety of ways. And yet, God has brought us together to walk this journey of faith and I am so thankful. I am thankful for the diversity of voices at our church. I am thankful for the ways you challenge me. I am thankful that we can have hard conversations.
Last week at Bible study a member brought up that a friend was told by their pastor that we don’t talk about things like immigration. This individual wondered “why? Why would a pastor say we can’t talk about this?” There is a lot of news coming at us every day. Some of it has to do with immigration, some of it is about who is getting power and access to power, financial cuts to non-profits and even plans for the Gaza strip. While these conversations definitely are political, they also are important. Our faith does have something to say about how we treat the immigrant, the widow and the orphan (Exodus 22 Psalm 146:9). We are supposed to remember we were once strangers. Our faith does have something to say about how to use power and it is to lift people up. Our faith does have something to say about how we converse; we do so with respect, curiosity and a willingness to learn. I recognize that not everyone will agree with me and that’s okay. I believe we have been united to be in conversation with each other. I don’t want to use my position to say this is how it has to be- but to listen, to learn, and to be faithful. I need all of you to help me do that. I continue to pray and give thanks to God for making all of you members of the team at Grace, called to follow Jesus and share God’s love with the world. How we do that together is in being in relationship, sitting down at the table together, having uncomfortable and faithful conversations at times and remember that we are all uniquely made as a child of God.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
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January 23, 2025
Leaving Our Baggage Behind
Dear Grace Friends,
It is good to be back with you all. While I had an incredible time on my trip to Greece and Turkey, it still is great to be surrounded by all of you and to sleep in my own bed (even if the temperatures outside are less than desirable!).
Many of you know that my baggage was delayed while I was in Greece. We landed on Tuesday, January 7th and I didn’t receive my luggage 9pm on Saturday January 11th, the night before we left for Turkey. Our guides had given us a devotional question early on in the week asking us “what baggage do you need to leave behind to be truly present on this trip?” I will admit that I found this questions humorous given I didn’t receive my bag for so long. But, there was power in not having my suitcase. I had overpacked. Probably too many sweaters and clothes in general, and not having my luggage reminded me of how little I actually need. Thankfully I had extra undergarments and socks. I could buy the things that matter like a toothbrush. But after that I was free to not worry about things. It was easy to get dressed in the morning, I didn’t have many choices. People also shared readily with me, which was another great indication of God’s generosity poured out through people. In some ways I felt slowed down once I had my luggage back. I had to pack up again and choose what to wear. And now everyone was paying attention to my wardrobe because I had gone so long without it.
I kind of liked having to be resourceful and dependent on others in this way. It built connections, it also reminded me of how little we actually need. The question remains, what baggage do you need to leave behind. I hope it’s not your actual luggage, but might we all be freed to let go of the things we carry in abundance or out of fear. Are there things we can leave behind and realize we didn’t need them in the first place. I pray that you might be freed to let go of whatever heavy burdens you are carrying today and trust in God’s provision and others to be there for you as you let go.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
January 16, 2025
Good News
Gospel means “good news.” The gospels tell the good news. Mark’s gospel opens “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God” (Mark 1:1). This week in worship we will read the story of Jesus teaching in the synagogue in his hometown reading from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim a year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).
But it seems everywhere we look there is bad news. Violence, fighting, division, war, hunger, fire, illness, grief, you name it. Our world is full of bad news.
This is why I am grateful to this community. I lead many educational groups at Grace and this week Graceful Seniors and WOW met as large groups. Leaders worried if anyone would show up and if it was safe to meet all together, especially with cold and flu season rearing its ugly head. I am grateful for their thoughtfulness and sensitivity to one another. Overall we decided to meet. It is good for us to be together in community rather than in isolation. But with precautions. And so if you aren’t feeling well, we ask that you think of the vulnerable in our midst and stay home until you are better. If you are feeling well, continue to wash your hands and get the rest you need to remain healthy.
Additionally, I am sure you have heard about the fires in California. My social media feeds have been full of former performing friends living in California who have needed to evacuate. In particular a young family with twin baby boys. And pastor friends from when I was on internship whose homes or churches are in evacuation zones and yet others who have marked themselves as safe. The truth is there are many who have been effected by the fires. The fire doesn’t choose based on income level or race. And they are all in need of help. Which is why I am glad to share we will be taking a noisy offering to be sent to Lutheran Disaster Response who is coordinating with Southwest California Synod and Pacifica Synods to assess the needs of those impacted by the wildfires. Details below on how you can give. Please pray for California residents effected and fire response teams.
After reading the scroll, Jesus sat down and said, “Today the scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
The good news is when we are aware of bad news around us, when we are aware of those in our midst who are vulnerable, we can become helpers and healers. We can become the hands and feet of Jesus. We can become good news fulfilled. Let it be so!
Blessings,
Pastor Maria Markman
January 9, 2025
Epiphany
Happy New Year! And Happy Epiphany-tide! The church is currently in the season of Epiphany. A season that begins with Epiphanies feast day on January 6th and ends Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten Season. Epiphany is my favorite feast day of the whole year and is usually forgotten or missed in the chaos and let down of Christmas and New Years.
The feast day marks the arrival of the kings to baby king Jesus. A king who we know will not be an earthly kind of king but a different king all together! The season of Epiphany then marks the revealing of who Jesus is! Epiphany literally meaning to appear. This year, Epiphany is long! We have many weeks to gather together to wonder about who this Jesus is. And what that means for us in our lives of faith.
In staff meeting this week, we read a devotion from one of my favorite books, Emily Carson’s “Holy Everything.” This devotion was titled “Unboxing” and begged us to think again about how we describe Jesus. The question shouldn’t be “do we put Jesus in a box”, but rather “what box have we put Jesus in?” Emily reminded us that Jesus is Savior, healer, storyteller and comforter, but also rebel and antagonist, disrupter of social and religious norms of his day, who often taught using questions and not certainties. This is the Jesus we get to discover again, who is revealed each year during the season of Epiphany. In worship we read stories from the Gospels. This year we will be focusing in on Luke’s Gospel.
Emily’s devotion didn’t stop at Jesus though, she invited us to think of others we have put into boxes- how might we extend the same grace and understanding to them? How might our neighbors or loved ones be revealed to us anew in this season of life? Do we allow them to grow and even surprise us? Do we allow them to be bearers of Christ’s image for us?
Blessings,
Pastor Maria Markman
January 2, 2025
New Years Blessings and Other News
Happy New Year people of Grace. Together we enter 2025. For some of you this calendar change is the welcome reset after a hard year, for others this year holds new possibilities and excitement. I know in our household, we have a child graduating from high school, which makes for a memorable year.
I will be away the on a trip to Greece and Turkey following the footsteps of Paul with other pastors and their spouses from January 6th-16th. Pastor Maria will be holding down the fort along with the rest of the Grace staff. This is a trip that has been several years in the making and changed from a trip to Israel and the Holy Land after the war broke out in Gaza. I ask for your prayers for our travel. This is a trip that hopefully we can share together one day. Designed to help pastors prepare to take with their congregation members. I look forward to sharing some of my learnings with you all when I return.
In this new year, I pray that your eyes would stay open to seeing God’s presence within and around you, that you would slow down and recognize the steady rhythm of the world beating all around us every day. I pray that you might hear messages of love and belonging and share them with others. I pray you will forgive abundantly and receive with open arms. I pray you will allow your true self to shine through bringing you connection and compassion. May God’s love fill you and bless you in this new year.
Blessings,
Pastor Joanna Mitchell
