Generosity Reflection: Sue Carlson

As part of Trinity's 2025 generosity initiative, "Living Generously, Loving Boldly," members were asked to reflect on what it means to live generously.

Galatians 5:6: “The only thing that counts is faith working through love.”

I have been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1980. What a lot of changes have happened over those 45 years. My husband and I had come from our active Lutheran church

when we moved to north Edmonds. We were looking for a church that was somewhat spiritually the same as our last one. Amazingly, Trinity was close to our home and former members of our old church were here and some new ones were called! So we settled in, joined the choir and then we were invited to a bible study group for couples our own age at Bruce and Nancy Sutherland’s home. That was a great time of study and fellowship.

Since I am a “cradle to grave Lutheran," I have always served the church in different ways. God has given me talents that I express through organization and participating in leadership and

fellowship. Through this participation, I have met and made lifetime friends here at Trinity. Even when my financial times were tough, and my kids had activities, I always found ways to give my time—that was my form of generosity.

My faith has evolved over time, and I realize that God has sent us to love the world. It is very hard right now to do that as our time is bombarded with all kinds of activities. Work, children,

even keeping up with the news exhausts us. And yet, we are called to tell the Gospel for the next generation. The book of Galatians is hard to read. The Apostle Paul really is disgusted with the Galatians as they have turned from the message of the Gospel, back to everyday life of the

world.

What can we do? I see other (smaller churches) doing amazing things and I wonder why Trinity members hold back their talents. As I am getting older, I want to see this church bust out of its seams and grow to be a beacon for the neighborhood and the world. I challenge you to let the Love of Christ stir you in ways that Love the world. Let us pray for those that may visit our

church. Let us find ways to use our talents and be the Light of the World in our corner of Lynnwood. Faith working through love is what matters!

Sue Carlson