Celebrate milestones with Community this fall

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Leading with love: a pastoral word for this season

Dear Beloved Community,

As we step into a new season, one filled with both storms on the outside and stillness on the inside, I find myself in deep reflection, prayer, and a little truth-telling.

Because here’s the truth: ministry is hard. Not just the work of it, but the deeply personal, soul-baring act of showing up fully as oneself in a space that often wants you to be… someone else.

Especially when you’re working hard to nurture growth in a community by urging healthy change. Things like power sharing. Spiritual maturity. Turning outward instead of inward. Moving from cliques to true community. These are essential for the life of the Church but growth, by its very nature, is rarely comfortable.

I’ve served as a pastor for 38 years in and out of uniform as a military chaplain and civilian pastor. I bring with me deep experience, mental health training, and a call to show up in life’s most difficult moments. And still, even in just the past 2.5 years, I’ve been called a “terrorist” for challenging systems that needed to change. I’ve had my credentials questioned with a flippant, “Why can’t I question your experience?”

I’ve been told subtly and directly that I am “too much” for some people.

But this is not new. I was the first ordained woman in a Swedish downtown congregation during my first call—when only 1 in 10 graduates from Luther Seminary were women. Simply standing in the pulpit was “too political.” Just existing as an empowered woman with Native American ancestors, with a direct, truth-speaking way of communicating, has often been seen as disruptive.

I’ve been labeled “all about women’s rights” or “too LGBTQIA+” as if the gospel of Jesus Christ were not precisely about liberation for all people.

And yet through it all I keep showing up.

Because I believe in Jesus.
And yes, like a crazy girl sometimes, I still believe in the ELCA.
I believe in you.
I believe in what happens when we gather to worship, to pray, to grow, to cry, and even to disagree… together.

Recently I came across a blog post titled “So You Don’t Like Your Pastor…” I thought it would be the article I’d been mentally composing for years. It wasn’t. It was glaringly male in tone but it did make an important point: pastors are human. Fully. Imperfectly. Human.

We are not always going to be everyone’s cup of tea.
And that’s OK.

So let me say it plainly, because I’ve learned not to sugarcoat what’s real:

I am not everyone’s cup of tea.

And guess what? Neither is Pastor Carla.

I would be lying if I didn’t say I’ve been disappointed to hear that some among us have already started stirring the pot, trying to set people against a pastor they haven’t even come to truly know yet. Others have even attempted to play pastors against each other.

Let me save you the trouble: that won’t work.
We communicate. We trust one another.
We are one voice and one Spirit.

Yes, I am let down by a few of you. But I am, at my core, a pastor of grace. So please hear this in love:

Some of you will feel deeply connected to a pastor. Others may not. That’s human.

But please remember this:
The Church is so much more than any one pastor.

The Church is the voice singing next to you in the pew (soon to be chairs!).
The casserole that shows up after a diagnosis.
The echo of your grandchild’s laughter after the kids’ sermon.
The quiet hug at a graveside.
The candlelit sanctuary on Christmas Eve.
The Body of Christ, broken and shared.

If you find yourself thinking, “I don’t like the pastor…” know that it happens. And it’s OK.

But leaving the Church over that? That’s a deeper loss than you might realize. Because you don’t just walk away from a sermon style or a personality, you walk away from a community that wants you to belong, and from a God who continues to work through imperfect vessels like me and like you.

And here’s what I’ve seen time and time again:

When someone leaves because they can’t accept the person in the pulpit…
God’s abundance still shows up.

One person walks out, and ten more walk in.
People who are open. People who are ready.
People hungry for the gospel, for authentic community, and for new images of God’s presence in our world.

And yes, some will certainly like Pastor Carla even more than they like Pastor Karis.

So may we move forward with grace.
With love.
With honesty.
Because not everyone will be for everyone.

But everyone belongs in God’s wide, wide family.

Peace and courage,
Pastor Karis

Exciting news during this time of transition!

We are thrilled to announce that Pastor Carla will be moving into the area during the first week of October and will be leading worship for the first time on Sunday, October 12, 2025. This marks an exciting new chapter for Community, and we are all beyond eager to see where the Spirit leads Community next!

If you have any pastoral emergencies beginning October 3, 2025 and onward, Pastor Carla can be reached at:
cchristopher@demdsynod.org
717-875-7723

Before Pastor Carla begins, we are blessed to have Pastor Ed Middleton leading worship on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Pastor Ed has been a steady and faithful presence in the life of Community, offering a different voice and perspective that continues to enrich our worship and spiritual life. We are deeply grateful for his leadership.

For pastoral needs while Pastor Carla transitions into her role, Pastor Ed can also be reached at:
revmiddleton@gmail.com

Please note:

• Pastor Earl will be unavailable for much of October.
• Pastor Karis will be on vacation from October 3–17, 2025.

Thank you for your prayers and support during this time of movement and renewal. Let us continue walking forward in faith and love together.

DAV seminar to assist veterans and families

A free information seminar for veterans and their families will be held Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Luther Hall.

Mark Dunberger, a national service officer with Disabled American Veterans (DAV), will lead the seminar and answer questions about veterans’ benefits and services. Additional service officers will be on hand to help file initial claims.

This seminar is open to all veterans and their families. DAV membership is not required, and all services are offered at no cost.

Study group explores spiritual literacy

Thadine Coyne and Mary Ann Trueheart are co-leading a six-week study on Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat.

The group meets on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Luther Hall, beginning Oct. 1. Each week, participants will explore a different section of the book through reflection and discussion.

All are welcome to join this time of contemplation, connection, and discovery of the Divine in everyday life.

Community celebrates ministry milestones and meets fundraising goal

Last Sunday was a joyful day at Community Lutheran Church as the congregation celebrated two important milestones.

First, the church introduced its 2026 Signature Ministries, developed through a months-long discernment process. After receiving congregational feedback through a random survey, Pastor Eric Johnson of Thrive Solutions led a one-day retreat with ministry team leaders and council members to help clarify Community’s future direction.

The three Signature Ministries are:

• Creation Care
• Food Security and Pantry Expansion
• Dismantling Racism, Building Equity, and Empowering Inclusion in Sussex County

The congregation also celebrated reaching its $50,000 General Fund challenge goal with a special “Yay” cake during fellowship hour.

Together, these moments marked a strong step forward in faith, stewardship, and shared purpose.

Community Lutheran’s fall Empowerment Campaign: a season of growth and vision

Community Lutheran is embarking on an exciting new chapter as we continue to grow in faith, service, and impact. This fall, we’re launching our Empowerment Campaign, a time to celebrate where we’ve been, cast vision for where we’re going, and invite everyone to play a vital role in sustaining and strengthening our shared ministry.

At the heart of this campaign is the introduction of our three Signature Ministries, which will help guide our mission through 2026 and beyond. These ministries reflect our deepest values and the unique call God has placed on this congregation.

Below is the timeline for this fall’s Empowerment Campaign:

Empowerment Campaign Timeline

• October 5 – Vision Session (via Zoom): Introducing Signature Ministries (time TBA)
• October 12 – First Appeal Letter mailed
• October 19 – Appeal Kickoff Sunday + First Temple Talk highlighting one of the Signature Ministries
• October 26 – Second Temple Talk highlighting a Signature Ministry and the call to “Sustain Ministry Excellence”
• November 2 – Third Temple Talk + Mailing of second letter and Commitment Card
• November 9 – Appeal Articulation Sunday: Summarizing the vision, need, and invitation to respond
• November 16 – Commitment Sunday: A sacred moment to offer our pledges and prayers
• December 7 – Celebrate! Announce campaign results and give thanks!

Community Lutheran Returns to the Rehoboth Block Party!

Community Lutheran is excited to once again take part in the CAMP Rehoboth Block Party with our very own booth! This beloved annual event is more than just a celebration—it’s an opportunity for us to show up as a reminder of God’s loving presence in a hurting world.

This year’s Block Party will take place on Sunday, October 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second block of Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Hosted by CAMP Rehoboth, the event is free and open to all, though donations are encouraged to support their important work.

Started in 2015 to celebrate CAMP Rehoboth’s 25th anniversary, the Block Party has grown into a vibrant tradition that brings the entire community together. Attendees can expect live performances, dozens of local vendors, and a festive atmosphere filled with joy, creativity, and connection. You’ll find everything from sea glass art, ceramics, and photography to handmade body care products and information about local non-profits and businesses.

Throughout the day, performances will take place at the CAMP Rehoboth stage, located mid-block. Please note that parking on the second block of Baltimore Avenue will be closed during the event, but parking nearby is free, and the event is accessible via several entrances:

• First St. & Baltimore Ave.
• Second St. & Baltimore Ave.
• Rehoboth Mews or Village by the Sea (from Rehoboth Avenue)

We hope you’ll stop by our booth, say hello, and share in this celebration of diversity, community, and love. Your presence matters. Let’s show Rehoboth that Community Lutheran is here with open arms and an open heart.

Donations needed for Blessing of the Animals

Community Lutheran is partnering with Playtime Doggie Day Camp in Frankford to host this year’s Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m.

In preparation, we will be collecting the following items for assembly on Sunday, October 19 for sharing with every four-legged friend who attends. Donations can be dropped off at the church.

• dog treats
• cat treats
• pet toys

All are welcome to join us for this joyful celebration of creation and companionship.

What’s Happening at Community