Cross of Christ Lutheran Church

06/13/2026

Final Day on the Camino and the best day. 260km from Porto Portugal to Santiago Spain. We walked with brothers and sisters from around the world and now it is time to take the Camino with us. The Camino is not just a place it is the kindness, peace, compassion, and love that is shown to the stranger. We all can be a part of the Camino for it is about following the way of Christ. Buen Camino.

06/13/2026

Final Day on the Camino and the best day. What we learned is that is that we travel with brother and sisters from all over the world and when we are done walking we take the kindness, peace, joy and love with us into the world. The Camino is not just the miles walked it is how we live when we go home. The Camino is now with is always. Buen Camino.

06/13/2026

We made it! Thanks for all your prayers. Buen Camino!!!

06/12/2026

Day 12 on the Camino, the third stage of the spiritual variant from Vilanova de Arousa to Padron. This day did not turn out as expected. But what we have found out about the Camino is that everyday is different than you expect. Not bad just different. Today was about focusing on the Joy in the Journey. It started off Joyful as we took a boat up the Rio Ulla to Ponteceres. This is the same journey that legend says the friends of James sent his body in a stone ship after he was martyred in Jerusalem. It was beautiful along the River seeing 17 stone crosses on the shores to make up the way of the cross. We even had a pilgrim play his ukulele and sing. When we got off the boat we traveled only about 3km to our hotel. It was an extremely hot day already so we stayed in until it cooled off and then explored the city.

We saw the Santiaguino do Monte: A rocky sanctuary on a hill where St. James is said to have regularly preached. There is a spring that he supposedly created by striking the rock with his staff.

We visited the Igrexa de Santiago Apostolo de Padrón, dedicated to St James. When his body was brought back to Spain by boat it was moored to a Roman altar stone called a pedron which, not only gave Padrón its name, but is now located under the main altar of the church. We had mass there and that was a sacred moment as they were celebrating Sacred Heart of Jesus festival. The priest talked about what it means to follow the heart of Jesus, a heart of infinite love. It was thoughtful moment as often I think we focus on all the things that go wrong or aren’t perfect rather than looking for the joy in those moments. As we make our last push to Santiago our focus won’t be on the heat or the distance or the pains in our bodies but rather the infinite love of Christ that is carried with us on our journey.
What keeps you from joy in your everyday life and how can you nurture joy moving forward?

06/11/2026

Day 11 on the Camino. The second stage of the spiritual variant from Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa (24km). It was both the most beautiful part of the Camino and one of the hardest. We started walking the first 12 km in a wonderful peaceful and serene forest hiking along the River. It was called the Ruta da Pedra e da Agua (the trail of water and stone). The second half was in the hot sun moving our way toward the coast. It was a day of grace and forgiveness. It felt like the first half full of quietness and shade was full of grace and the second half was very unforgiving with the heat. But as we turned the corner there was a sacred moment…the beach and after a long day a chance to cool our feet in the water. Grace and forgiveness can turn so quickly from one moment to another. But we find our sabbath, our rest, our renewal, and God grace in the water that gives us new life through our baptism. What wounds still need healing for you?

06/10/2026

Day 10 on the Camino. “Do not fear, for I am with you.” Isaiah 41:10. (21km). Today we started the Spiritual Variant part of our journey. Many pilgrims start from Redondela as that is the 100km start point to get the Compostela (certificate) on Santiago. To get the certificate you have to walk 100km straight on Spain. So the Camino can get quite busy with many groups. We took an offshoot form the main road out of Pontevedra called the spiritual variant. It is very quiet and serene and a road less traveled. It is is three stages and is a bit longer journey. The Spiritual Variant is often referred to as the origin of the Camino de Santiago. Legend has it that after St James’s beheading in Jerusalem, his body was stolen by his disciples and placed on a stone boat which eventually reached the Rio Ulla where it travelled upriver to Iria Flavia. Today’s journey was about facing fear. Fear can hold us back from doing what we want or what we need to do. The Camino has many challenges along the way and those challenges can be facing fears. But each day you gain confidence and what seemed impossible at one point becomes possible. Our fears are met with courage and the compassion of others and all those who have gone before. Today our sacred moment was meeting a couple who turned their backyard into a little cafe. It came just at the right moment before starting our 8km steady ascent up the mountain. It was a a simple rustic place that offered a refreshing rest just when we needed it. Sometimes it is the simple things that help us face our fears. As we get closer each day to Santiago we feel the fears pass and the excitement stir. What helps you move forward despite your fear?

06/09/2026

Day 9 on the Camino from Redondela to Pontevedra was a tough day. Not for the distance (14 miles) But because of the terrain. It was long walks through woods and up steep elevation. But there was beautiful scenery and amazing people. Even met a retired pastor who served in Colorado for 20 years. Today was about having compassion for yourself. As we dealt with blisters and hard climbs we recognize that we all need grace. We need to give ourselves what our bodies and spirit need in that moment. And not be hard on ourselves for not moving fast enough or having to rest more often. And sometimes that means allowing the journey to provide what we need. A helpful smile or just the quiet shade of a tree. When are you most hard on yourself? What would your journey look like to allow yourself grace?

06/08/2026

Day 8 on the Camino. Yesterday was our rest day. We enjoyed exploring the city of Baiona, seeing the glass beach, the Pinta Museum, and celebrating the Festival of Corpus Cristi where they parade the consecrated host throughout town. Today was a long day from Baiona to Vigo. (24km). Traveling the coast thinking about how and when we listen to God. We often think about listening to God we need to be still and quiet. That is not always possible on the Camino. You need to walk many hours and a long way to get where you need to be so you have to keep moving and today we ended in Vigo and had to walk through the city filled with the noise of dock workers, motorcycles and construction. But we believe that God’s voice can come through even through the loudest noises. God’s voice comes through even when you feel like you are always moving. What distractions keep you from listening to God?

06/07/2026

We hope you will join us for worship this morning at 9:30, either in person or online.

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06/06/2026

Day 6 on the Camino was a lighter day (21 km) going from Oia to Baiona. It was a day reflecting on community and companionship. “Love one another with mutual affection.” Romans 12:10. They say on the Camino that no one walks alone. As I stare down on my walking shoes full of dust, dirt, mud, and sand I think about all the pilgrims that have gone before me walking this same path. With every step the dirt my shoes collect and carry from one town to the next is the dirt that other travelers have left behind. We were created to be in relationship with one another. Maybe on the Camino you don’t alway walk with someone but all pilgrims are with you on your journey. Just as the saints before us have walked before us to guide our way in faith. Who have been the people in your life that have guided you on your journey? Buen Camino!