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March 2025

 Friends of Shalom,

Have you ever had a moment where you feel and see the kindness of God in a profound way? Most of life is a grind. But sometimes in small and big ways we get to experience God's kindness in a way we aren't soon to forget. 

This last July, Beth and I celebrated our 25th anniversary! Around this time some friends of ours who

Placencia, Belize!

own a home in Belize offered it to us as a free place to stay and we decided to take them up on the offer. They encouraged us to wait until March 2025 and so we began planning. A few weeks ago we flew out to Placencia, Belize for a 10 day trip! We had never done anything like this before nor for this length of time. Everyday we would share memories from 25 years together. Taking time away to reflect as well as enjoy the sunshine, beaches, food, and rich culture of Belize was a true gift! 

These past few weeks I've seen and felt the kindness of God in a profound way.

Updates:

  • We got to visit a small Anglican Church..
    There may be opportunities for future partnership!
    We had our second baptism! This time a young adult got baptized. 
  • We had our first "after church" potluck. We basically had 100% participation and lots of amazing food. It continues to bring me great encouragement to see the community being formed. We were able to host our Canon for Church Planting Fr Ryan Brotherton who came and preached as well.
  • While we were in Belize our team of leaders and our lay preacher led morning prayer.
  • Recently I heard of a young middle schooler tell someone how much they love our church! This came about as she is meeting with a young woman in a new mentoring relationship.
  • We have a new family coming who came through an invitation by another one of our core members and we had a two new women come on Sunday one of whom was also through a personal invite! 
  • We have a new young man who's been coming consistently for the past month.
  • We made budget in February!
  • We had a good turn out for our first Ash Wednesday service. 
  • I began participating in a monthly zoom call with about 8 other priests/church planters in our diocese that has been an encouragement to me. 

Prayer Requests:

  • Please pray for our Lenten season. May this be a time of deep repentance and drawing near to Jesus. 
  • Pray for wisdom in regards to our next steps as a new church. I have several ideas, but just want God's wisdom! 
  • Pray that we would continue to build for the Kingdom of God in Kitsap! 

Thanks again for your support and prayers!

For the Shalom of Kitsap,

Fr Rob Steinbach

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