This past weekend, 35 City Churchers headed to the Santa Cruz mountains for a weekend of prayer, restoration, and community building. The weekend began with songs, new connections, and the beauty of creation. However, on Saturday evening, concern began to grow as a person did not return from a hike. The campground staff called the local sheriff as City Churchers formed multiple search parties. The sheriff also led a team in searching and also deployed a drone and a California Highway Patrol helicopter to aid in the effort. Eventually, Search and Rescue was called in and, at 3:30am, the lost person was found. While they were cold and tired, they were unharmed. To say that we were relieved is an understatement.

There are many small graces that we could give thanks for along the way, including the tremendously compassionate and competent leadership of Pastor Joshua, Steven, Nikki, and two of our elders, not to mention the many forms of care that community members extended to one another. As your elders and pastors prayed, we asked not only that the lost person would be found unharmed but that the Spirit’s comfort would be felt among the community as they journeyed through the distress of uncertainty and worst-case scenarios. Please join in prayers of gratitude for the infrastructure that could be activated on a moments notice, including the many Search and Rescue volunteers who sacrificed their time and rest, the leadership, and, of course the recovery of the lost person. Pray also for the retreat attenders and the lost person; that they might know the Spirit’s comfort and the peace of Christ as they continue to process this experience. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Pastor Emily.