Sarah Satre

"I refuse to feel hopeless. By volunteering, I can make a difference and get to know people in the process.  What could be  better?"

Social Justice

God calls us to stand with people who are imprisoned, excluded, or oppressed. We listen, learn, and act for justice—showing up for our neighbors and working together for a more compassionate world.

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  • CTS has joined with churches across the country in this program that supports Palestinians who have been illegally detained in Israeli military prisons without charges, are tortured, and not allowed contact with their families. Our congregation supports a young Palestinian man who is illegally imprisoned. through prayer and communication with his family as well as advocating for human rights of all Palestinians in Israeli prisons, and educating our faith community about the needs of Palestinian detainees. This Justice Seekers program is based on Hebrews 13:3.

  • CTS is a member of WFCIS, a group of over 30 diverse faith communities across Whatcom County that work to support, celebrate, and defend our immigrant neighbors. WFCIS faith communities donate food, diapers, essential household goods, and money to support families, (from infants to grandparents) who have been negatively affected by detainments and deportations. Further, WFCIS prepares distribution boxes and delivers food to immigrants not able to leave their home due to mobility or safety reasons. WFCIS members also participate in fundraising events and collaborate with other regional organizations working to support immigrants.

    “When an immigrant lives among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The immigrant living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love them as yourself…” Leviticus 19:33-34

  • This program pairs congregations with an individual who is releasing to their community from prison. It has been guiding CTS’s OPOP team through a several-year journey of relationship-building, release planning and holistic reentry support together.

  • Facilitates discussions, educates, equips, and inspires members of CTS to live out our call to “do justice” (Micah 6:8). Working together toward social, environmental, and economic justice, and to support peacemaking and reconciliation efforts –locally, nationally, and in our world.

Serving Globally

Deep Waters Global Missions: Partnering with our Honduran neighbors, to install water filtration systems in areas where source water is contaminated and a threat to human health and life.

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Serving Locally

Loving our neighbors starts right here. Through meals, support, and everyday acts of care, we help meet local needs and build relationships.

Watch for announcements and volunteer opportunities in weekly notes and the newsletter.

Get involved

  • Twice a month, a CTS team repackages food into family-sized portions. In addition, CTS provides regular financial support.

    The Bellingham Food Bank provides free food to households in Whatcom County.

  • We provide cooked meals twice a month and restock the community’s pantry twice a year.

    Gardenview Village is a 35-bed tiny home community that primarily serves people experiencing homelessness who are 55+ and/or medically fragile.

  • We collect and donate coats for Interfaith’s Winter Coat Drive — and provide gifts for struggling families via the Holiday Joy program.

    Interfaith is a coalition of faith communities in Whatcom County.

  • We make crafts and pack quarterly gifts for isolated seniors in our community via LCSNW’s Santa for Seniors program. In addition, CTS provides regular financial support for the organization.

  • We participate in work parties to maintain the facilities and grounds. In addition, CTS provides regular financial support for Lutherwood.

Serving our Congregation

Need loads of volunteers

Expand section to get involved —>

  • Worship is where we share our faith and seek a closer relationship with God. It takes a team of people, Worship Servers, to fill a variety of roles before, during and after the Worship Service each week

    Get Involved

    Assistant Minister/Reader, Cantor, Communion Server, Communion Care (set-up & clean-up), Greeter, Live Stream Coordinator, Prayer Partner, Reminder Calls, Sound Board, Usher, Altar Linens Laundering

    Are you a musician? See Music page link

  • Sweet treats, healthy snacks, gluten free options, coffee/tea/cocoa/water are offered every Sunday after the worship service. Opportunities to support our Connections Cafe include providing home baked or store bought goodies, setting-up the coffee pot and serving table, or cleaning-up afterward.

    Get Involved

    Or see the Sign Up Genius link in the Weekly Note.

  • Join us at our semi-annual work parties, held in the fall and spring! Activities include weeding and cleaning up landscaping around the property as well as some indoor maintenance projects. Donuts and coffee always provided! Interested in lending a hand?

    Get Involved

  • Creates connections and companionship for our homebound seniors.

    Get Involved

    Team Senior to Senior: Matches a mobile senior to make visits to a senior who is homebound.

    Team Family and Youth to Senior: Matches families & youth to make visits to a senior who is homebound.

Committees

Real teamwork happens in committees. They’re a chance to use your skills, help shape the life of the church, and make a practical difference alongside others. Whether you have a little time or a lot, you’re invited to jump in, share your voice, and help move our mission forward.

Get involved

Standing Committees

  • Develops and supports learning opportunities for adults to grow in faith. Programs include Sunday Adult Forum; house groups; weekly and Sunday Bible studies, book studies, and other groups; the library; leadership training; and annual retreats for adults. 

  • Provides care and support for members of the congregation including visits with shut-ins and those facing health or life-challenges; providing care baskets, cards, and food; prayer shawl ministry; prayer requests; prayer station during worship; blood pressure checks; and more.

  • Supports and works with the Children, Youth & Family Minister to develop and provide Christian education programs, events, and service opportunities. We serve children and youth, from birth through high school, as well as families.

  • Supports and encourages congregation involvement in programs that move our faith into action as God’s hand within our community. Our advocacy includes an annual community coat drive; Christmas toys and gift cards are collected for low-income families; twice a month a team prepares a hot meal in our kitchen and delivers to a tiny home community serving low-income seniors; and much more!

  • Offers opportunities for members to make connections, grow relationships, and share their lives through congregation and small group social and recreational events.

  • Develop and oversee financial policies and procedures. Ensure that offerings are counted, income is recorded, and salaries and expenditures properly disbursed within budget guidelines.

  • Engages the congregation in global ministry, educating and leading our congregation in ways to partner with local communities in other communities around the world. CTS participates in Deep Waters Global Missions — partnering with communities in Honduras to install water filtration systems.

  • Facilitates discussions, educates, equips, and inspires members of CTS to work toward social, environmental, and economic justice, and to support peacemaking and reconciliation efforts – locally, nationally, and in our world.


  • Oversees the cleaning, painting, and maintenance of buildings, grounds, and equipment. Organizes opportunities for the congregation to caring for our church and grounds through work parties throughout the year.

  • Identifies members’ gifts and the utilization of those gifts in worship and congregation life; interprets and supports the larger mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; educates and motivates on the Christian sharing of the gifts of money, time and talents; celebrates and supports people’s weekday ministries; and cares for creation.

  • Works with pastor(s) and musicians to plan and implement vital and diverse worship services. This includes a variety of litergies, music, and visual art. Involving and encouraging adults, youth and children to take part in various roles during worship.

Administrative Committees

  • Performs annual reviews of the financial practices and books of the congregation.


  • Recommends new council members and committee chairs.

  • Scans the life and health of the congregation; strengthens the ministry and mission of the congregation as well as the pastor and other staff; provides confidential support and feedback to the pastor, council, and other leaders; and provides resources and support when there is conflict among staff or between staff and members of the congregation.


  • Conduct annual reviews of all staff and maintain personnel records; Compile and maintain a Personnel Handbook detailing personnel policies; Convene and oversee search committees during the hiring process for new employees; Work with the Finance Committee on salary and benefit packages for pastor(s) and employees; Conduct and maintain records of background checks for staff and volunteers; Ensure appropriate orientation and training for all staff; Work with the Executive Committee and/or Mutual Ministry Committee to resolve employee concerns.

  • Advise, oversee, and implement the use of technology hardware, software, and systems to enhance ministry, increase access, improve operational efficiency, and safeguard church records. It will use funds as provided by the council, or approved in the church’s annual budget. It will collaborate with staff and ministerial committees to assess needs and provide solution options and will take the lead on technical implementation if needed.