April 1, 2026

Dear Friends of Grace in Action,

Late on the day of resurrection, two of Jesus’ disciples were going down the road to Emmaus when he started walking with them. You can imagine their surprise to have this stranger appear, especially one who seemed so clueless about the events of the last few days in Jerusalem. The story of the walk to Emmaus (Luke 23) is one of my favorites in scripture because it teaches us three key things:

Jesus often appears as a stranger, in the guise of someone we don’t recognize. So often we dismiss people we don’t know as “strange,” but look at what can happen if we walk with them even for a few miles on life’s journey.
Jesus gives us heartburn. Not acid reflux. Heartburn. Heartburn happens when we listen to another’s story and begin to recognize its deep resonance with the stories of scripture. I often say, “Everybody looks like somebody in scripture.” It may be hard to recognize the resemblance, though, unless we spend enough time with them and listen closely to their stories.
Jesus is made known in the breaking of the bread.

Grace in Action is a living embodiment of the Emmaus story. Every week, we meet new people, we listen to their stories, and we break bread together. And every week, Jesus shows up. Sometimes I catch a glimpse, other times I’m too distracted by the task at hand to recognize him, but he’s always there. Always.

In this Easter season, I want to thank you for your faithful support of Grace in Action. Your generosity creates space for everyday interactions where people who are often lost, alone, or overlooked feel seen, known, and loved. And it creates space for a mystical communion in which we, all of us together, sheltered and unsheltered, hungry and well-fed, find companionship with one another and with Jesus, who is always walking with us, whether we recognize him or not.

You’ll find below this letter a summary of our annual report for 2025. I invite you to read it and celebrate the good work we have been able to accomplish together. I also invite you to continue supporting Grace in Action in whatever ways you can through 2026. I’d like to highlight our most pressing need: we are looking for an accountant who can maintain the excellent transparency we’ve had over the years. If you know (or are) someone who might be interested in this 5-hour a month role, please send me an email. Once again, thank you for your partnership in the gospel and for the ways Christ’s love is made known through you.

Peace,

Rev. Tom Rand, Executive Director

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