Dear Friday with Friends,

Today is a normal Friday in many ways.  I know I hear from people that they are depressed, scared, or angry about the cultural environment during these times.  There were times when Jesus was frustrated with the decisions made in his day as well.   We can choose a path that leads us to have faith and keep the light of joy alive in our lives.  When all else fails, choose life or the most life-giving choice available at the time. Sometimes I will read something, hear something, or see something on television that makes me question our abilities to be compassionate or responsible.  Then I remind myself that people are all a mixture of good and bad qualities, and my job isn’t to fix the bad. It is to help them to magnify the good.  That can be good in a moment even if it is a hurtful moment.  Yes, feel those feelings, all of them.  But choose to see, hear or read things that are life-giving and encouraging for your soul.  Breathe life into your decisions. There are good choices. There are very good people.  There is a lot we can do if we do it together. But let the good and normal things happening all about you into your consciousness.  Remind yourself that there is joy to be had in the moment.  As an example, last night’s sunset was so very beautiful.  Streaks of tangerine and lavender created a beautiful backdrop for the mountain scenery.  Fall sunsets are my favorite. It reminded me that there is beautiful, there is virtuous, there are people who almost automatically choose good over bad and joy over despair.  They live in love and live in goodness.  If it isn’t there, they make it, invent it, create the good that needs to be happening.  Surround yourself with these people to help you to see what they see and hear what they hear.

Another good thing this fall is all the activities going on in town.  For instance, tonight at the Ross Ragland there will be a movie, Elements, shown that features people from the Klamath Tribe. It is associated with the Nature Conservancy as well.  There is going to be a question-and-answer session to follow.  I hope you can come.  It starts at 6:00 with a period of discussion before the film as well. I hope to see some of you there.

If you are looking to be of help in other ways to the local tribe, please help us in feeding the people in transitional housing on October 9, 2025. 

Our meeting for business is this Sunday.  There will be a shortened service and the business meeting will start at 11:00.  There are lots of fun things on the horizon.  One is the upcoming Training on Reconciliation that will be at the church from 2-4 on October 25.  There will be food, fellowship, and lively discussion as we talk about what it means to seek reconciliation in a church or a group of people. A flier with more information is attached.

Sincerely,

Leigh