Expansion. Change. Vision. Foundation.
Elder Board Moderator Kari McGrath
These are a few of the words that capture 2025 at LaSalle Street Church. Last weekend’s congregational meeting was our annual opportunity to both review the past year and to vote on our budget for the next. In preparing for the meeting, we spend much of our time focused on what’s ahead and how to responsibly plan for it financially. Where we sometimes fall a bit short is in the celebration of all that God has been doing and the ways our church has flourished in the previous year. Today I want to invite you to join me in paying attention to a few spaces that are worthy of celebration.
Our membership numbers are growing, and our body is evolving to truly represent a “multi” congregation. This is what making room looks like.
We have increased youth participation in LSC events at a variety of ages. I was personally moved to see some of the tweens and teens leading our younger kids in song during Advent this year. This is what it looks like when seeds start growing.
Our community is active. We have more gatherings for different age groups, additional programming after services on Sunday, folks engaging with volunteer opportunities, and an outreach program to our neighbors in need that remains strong. This is what thriving looks like.
Our music team continues to bring joy and spiritual nourishment to our worship. From Spanish language songs, brass instrumentals, traditional hymns and gifted leaders we are stretched in the ways we experience worship in our services. This is what it looks like to embrace change.
Our commitment to justice is rooted in our history. As our new Hall of History display reminds us, LaSalle’s faith has expanded many times over to meet the needs of our community and our world. This reflects our foundation.
If you haven’t had time to read the 2025 Annual Report in its entirety, I encourage you to spend some time reading it here. I promise you’ll find some joy in reflecting on our year.
To continue our growth and the goodness we’ve experienced this year, it will take all of us. It takes the vision and leadership of our senior pastor and staff who pour into us each week--in both visible and invisible ways. It takes the commitment of our lay leaders who volunteer their time and talents to help the vision take shape. It takes each person who shows up in the sanctuary, in Leslie Hall, in the gatherings during the week--in places we are comfortable and in the places that are stretching us into discomfort. It takes a belief in God’s plans for LaSalle Street Church and a faith that is expansive.
2026 will continue to bring new challenges and opportunities. We shared that our budget is still operating at a deficit next year and we are grateful for the continued support of the congregation as we diligently work to balance our income and expenses. Your votes in support of the budget are not only about supporting the numbers. They are votes to support the commitments and vision of our church. Our world continues to need us to pay attention, to be a light, to live into our expanded faith and to be a generous community invested in God’s justice.
With gratitude.