A season of remembrance and belonging

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Honoring saints, souls, and traditions around the world

We began a season of remembrance and celebration last week with the Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi and reflections on Reformation Day, shared by our Food Pantry and Creation Care 2026 Visioning Teams. This coming Sunday, we complete our observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

In Austria and Bavaria, it is customary on All Saints’ Day for godfathers to give their godchildren Allerheiligenstriezel, a braided yeast pastry. In Guatemala, families fly kites to help unite the dead with the living. In the Philippines, it is traditional to visit family graves, clean and repair the tombs, and offer prayers for the dead. Common offerings include flowers, candles, and food. In Portugal, children celebrate Pão-por-Deus by going door-to-door to receive cakes, nuts, dried fruits, sweets, and candies.

We all grieve, remember, learn, grow, and heal in different ways. There is no single timetable and no particular right or wrong way to embrace this journey of understanding, purpose, and faith. At Community, we seek to create places that meet each person where they are, honor our many cultures and traditions, and support learning as the Holy Spirit calls us.

Whatever the beginning of this holiday season means for you, please know you are not alone. You are treasured, beloved, included, and honored, whatever that looks like. I look forward to experiencing this season with you. May the cloud of saints and ancestors surround us in love and prayer as we journey together.

Pastor Carla

Meet the 2026 Council Election Slate

Several council vacancies occurred throughout 2025 as several members relinquished their positions due to personal reasons. New members were appointed by Pastor Karis and approved by the Council. Their appointed terms end on 12/31/2025. All have a desire to continue serving the congregation and are up for 1st-time election by the congregation. These individuals comprise the proposed slate. Additional nominations from the floor are welcome. Voting will take place at the annual meeting on November 9th after the 10:30 service. There will be only one service that day.

Slate for 2026 Elections to Council for a 3-year Term

Mari Satterlee- Seeking Election for President

Mari Satterlee has been acting Council President for the 2025 year. She joined Community Church in the Fall of 2024 after she and her husband moved to Frankford in July of 2024. In December of 2024, Pastor Karis appointed her to the council and then became Acting President. This past year, she has co-led the ESL program and has been a liaison to the Spanish-speaking community who are food pantry participants and to the ELIM church that shares our space. Mari is a lifelong protestant whose father was a Presbyterian Navy Chaplain. She has served as a Session member of Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore and York Presbyterian Church in York, Pennsylvania. Additionally, she was a Worship Commission member at the Riverside Church in New York City. She is a semi-retired educator who currently teaches and tutors math.

Deb Wittle- Seeking Election for Vice President

Deb has been acting Council Vice President for the 2025 year. She has been attending regularly since the spring of 2024 and became a member in the fall of 2024. In January of 2025, Pastor Karis appointed her as Acting Vice President. This past year, she took a lead role in working with the Grant, Facilities, and Security Teams to install a security and access control system utilizing the funds awarded in a DEMA grant. She participates in our ESL program and helps to facilitate the Food Pantry Team’s communications with Council. She is a registered landscape architect with a background in planning for low-income and senior housing and military communities. Since retiring, along with her work at Community, she is enjoying golfing, kayaking, hiking, and reading.

Dayna Feher, Seeking Election for Council Member

Dayna and her husband, Bill, visited CLC for the first time in December of 2024, and she knew she was home. Community Lutheran stands for AND takes action on what Christianity means to her. In June 2025, Pastor Karis appointed Dayna to the Church Council to fill a vacancy, which she happily accepted. Dayna has been a lifelong Lutheran, born and raised in Idaho. When she and Bill moved to Delaware in 1996, Dayna became the leader of the Praise Band at St. Peter’s Lutheran in OC, and she resigned after 16 ½ years, needed a rest! Dayna has been on the Worship and Music Team at more than one church and has served on the Church Council as well. Dayna has been a Realtor since 2000, and prior to that, she was in Medical Administration.

Mary Radatovich, Seeking Election for Council Member

Mary Radatovich stumbled into Community Lutheran Church during the fall of 2024 and immediately felt right at home. She was appointed to the church council in order to fill a vacant seat and has become an active member of the church. Mary is a clinical social worker who specializes in grief counseling. She is also the devoted mom of 3 young adults.

Mark Zahner, Seeking Election for Council Member

Mark and his wife, Katy, moved to Delaware in 2020 and joined Community Lutheran Church in early 2025. Mark is a retired military veteran and served for in the U.S. Army for 27 years. Mark previously served as the Council President for St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbia, MD, and on several outreach committees. Mark and Katy have two wonderful puppies, Sonny and Chief, and live in Millsboro, DE.

Community joins World AIDS Day worship service

World AIDS Day, recognized on Dec. 1, is a time to remember all who have died of AIDS. CAMP Rehoboth, in partnership with Sussex Pride, will co-host a community worship service with multiple area congregations, including Community Lutheran Church. Pastor Carla will serve as one of the worship leaders.

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach

Our ministry is always moving through worship, service, and care. Here’s what’s coming up at Community:

• November 9: Annual Congregational Meeting
  One service only at 10:30 a.m., followed by the meeting. Please attend as we vote on our ministry plan.
• November 11: A “Long Advent” Journey Towards Justice Zoom 6-week study begins
  12:15 – 1 p.m. via Zoom. Register Here.
• November 19: DAV Veterans Benefits Seminar
  9 a.m.–1 p.m. in Luther Hall. Open to all veterans and families seeking guidance on benefits.
• November 22: Thanksgiving Food Distribution
  Drive-thru turkey and food box pickup. Volunteers are needed! Time to be announced.

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

• 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!

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