I had the privilege of participating in the Neighborhoods USA conference dinner hosted here in Hillyard at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church. I was an “Ambassador,” one of two at my table, and we had people from Alabama, Arkansas and Colorado. One person attending the conference came all the way from Cambodia. It was interesting to find out some of the things happening in other areas of the country and to hear how impressed they were with what we have done here in Hillyard to improve the quality of life for our residents.

As we listened to the presentations of the past, present and future of Hillyard, I was proud to be a part of this place. And I am proud that St. Peter is firmly rooted here. Our poster was placed right at the registration table so people had a few moments to see what we are doing in our ministry of healing and hope.

Hillyard won second place in the running for the best neighborhood in the USA. (A neighborhood in Texas won first - go figure.) One of the reasons Hillyard placed so highly is that many different groups have been working together toward the common goal of making Hillyard a better place to live. At the steering committee level we work with representatives from different departments in the city, with Spokane Transit*, with WSU and Eastern and many other people. Cooperation has paid off!
*We have a beautiful new bus shelter, “Hillyard Station,” thanks to Mike Brewer whom I met through the Hillyard Community Development Council. Thank Mike when you see him!

That cooperation has been so beneficial for us at St. Peter as well. Many congregations around Spokane have held food drives for our Helping Hands Food Pantry. We have joint confirmation classes with Messiah. And we have not always been receiving. We have been able to help raise funds for Camperships at Lutherhaven that the Valley Churches collect. Our kids attend Confirmation Camp with kids from our synod and even as far away as Hermiston, Oregon. St. Peter has been a strong supporter of our synod as well and that links us not only to congregations in our synod, but through the national church to congregations all over the nation and the world. We have recently learned about our companion synod in Tanzania and how the synod is helping them keep a clinic and a school running. And we learn from them as well. Hopefully, the bishop of our companion synod will be at the next synod assembly meeting and we can strengthen those ties that bind us together.

One of the things we have been focusing on for the past few years in the synod is that we are one church with many outposts of ministry. Cooperation is the key for all of these ministries to take place and a wonderful way that we can respond to God’s gracious invitation to join in God’s ministry to heal and bless the world.

In Christ,

Pastor Betty