Hi,

I’m hoping I don’t need an introduction, so I’ll go right to the business at hand. 

I’m going back to a Thrivent build in El Salvador this summer, and would like to 

fundraise in my congregation (I’m not on social media!). I will have a pouch under 

last year’s pictures on the narthex bulletin board for anyone to use (make all 

checks payable to Zion Lutheran, and specify for Jeff Miller’s Thrivent trip on the 

remarks line). 

Why go? I think there’s a more important question, but I’ll try and answer that 

one first. Read the article on repatriated, unaccompanied minors in March’s 

LUTHERAN, p.36-37. I have 5 grandsons, the oldest is 12, and I’m going for him. 

To give thanks he doesn’t have to travel the length of Mexico on top of a railroad 

car to find a life...because he doesn’t have to run the gauntlet of the drug cartel’s 

‘coyotes’ that charge a life’s savings to cross a river in his pursuit of 

happiness...and that he didn’t face a 50/50 chance of violence, sexual assault, or 

worse for liberty, only to be sent back by a country whose front door bears the 

words:

 “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe 

free...Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me...”

6 out of 10 people in El Salvador live in below poverty level housing! All I can do is 

to help one family at a time have a safe place to live in their country for their 

children, while the never ending partisan debate continues in our nation’s capital 

on immigration reform. But perhaps the question is not why I’m going...maybe it 

should be “why aren’t you?” Call me anytime for more information.

“Whom shall I send? I’m here, Lord, send me!”

Yours in faith,

Jeff Miller

Greetings of Peace and Joy in this time of Our Lord’s Eastertide! Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! 

I can’t tell you how wonderful our Easter Celebrations were this year both at the Inlet and at Zion as well. My appreciation for all who helped out at the inlet with setting up our space for worship. If you haven’t ever been there for that early morning celebration, mark your calendars for next year. What moves me as we worship there is that people come from all over to worship together. People are coming from all the Christian denominations and people who don’t belong to any particular denomination as well. The variety of faiths gathered into one is exactly in keeping with Jesus’ Maundy Thursday prayer at the Last Supper. “That they may all be one. As you, Father are in me and I am in You, may they be one in us, so that the world may believe that you sent me!” (John 17:21). There is a special gift of God’s presence at that service that’s hard to describe. Being outside at the water’s edge, early Easter morning, bundled in blankets on beach chairs! Worshipping the Lord in gratitude, joy and thanksgiving! The Lord is with us! 

Back at Zion later that morning, we gave thanks too for Eleanor Crane sitting at the organ bench! Our appreciation to the Reynolds for hosting and teaching all 16 of our children who were at worship on Easter Morning at Zion! The boys and girls found their Sunday School time just what they were looking for! And for all of you! It’s just great to be a part of your faithfulness to Our Lord and to Zion’s mission! Joan and I are so grateful for this time of our lives and the pleasure to share our days with you! May God’s blessings be with you and your family in this new season! 

Winter is over! Spring is with us! You can feel the Island coming to life as more of our stores are reopening after their winter closures. The bicycles are out on the pavements again just waiting for someone to take them for a ride! The traffic lights are still blinking but not for long! Zion is gearing up too for another summer season of new faces, summer worship and lots of opportunities to be together as God’s Holy People in Christ at Zion Lutheran Church! Let’s have a great spring and get ready to welcome our extended Zion Church family back home again! I can’t wait to see the rich new blessings that God has in store for us all! 

God’s peace to you! 

Pastor Bill