Dear Friends,

              As the crisp air and morning fog remind us that it is fall, it is important to change our attitudes into that of gratitude as we head into Thanksgiving month.  As we remember to seek things to be grateful for, let us be appreciative for everyone, even our enemies, not that they are our enemies, but that they have that of God within them and the capability to be Lights of Love as well.  Let’s be thankful for everyone in this world, for their talents and hearts of gold with the potential for all to be full of Love and full of Light.  The only person we can control is us, so we can all ask how we can recognize more things for which to be grateful.  May we, with an attitude of gratitude, experience more goodness in life. May we reflect on all that is around us and in us, for those around us, for the many examples of support structures holding our spirits up, for our families, our friends, and our coworkers in this life together. May we be thankful for the good and bad in our lives, praying that we will use all experiences for the betterment of the Universe and use all to make this world a better place because we are in it.  May we search for more ways to show this gratitude to Spirit, to ourselves, and to all others around us. May we be a shining Light as days get shorter.  May we be someone’s reminder of goodness today.

              This Sunday is the next to the last Book Study Group on Richard Rohr’s Naked Now.  We will be covering chapters 19 and 20 at the end of Meeting for Worship at 11:00.  We will be discussing those two chapters from each person’s perspective.  While the questions can seem “churchy,” the discussions are always deep and reassuring as we delve into what it means to live a life of Love in this day and age.  The questions are on the back page of the bulletin.

              Next Sunday (November 15) is our Thanksgiving Potluck!!  It is always a great time as we show  our thanks to each other for all that the other members have, pastors have, or the church has meant to them this year.  It’s been a time of growth and renewal, so we have much to celebrate.  Even if you haven’t come in a long time, know that you are invited and wanted around the table with us as we fellowship and share the good feelings that come with being together.   There is a sign-up list on the entry table for food items we plan on bringing to reduce duplication.  But regardless, if you bring a dish to share or not, come and share the fellowship.  There will be much for which to be thankful.

              Founded in 1999 by advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor Rita Hester, a transgender woman killed in Massachusetts in 1998, Transgender Day of Remembrance  will be held on November 21 at 2:00 at the Klamath Lutheran Church on Crescent Ave.  Thankfully, we have not seen any transgender people killed through violence in the state of Oregon this year.  But there have been 56 that have been reported nationwide as either dying by violence or by suicide between October of last year and September 30 of this year.  Come worship with us as we hold their families and friends in the Light.

              After the Transgender Day of Remembrance there will be a gathering to support our LGBTQ+ community in Klamath Falls.  This is at 3:00. We have been asked to bring vegetarian salads from our church.  Please come and show support in our community for all people in our community and bring your favorite salad.

The message this week is on following Jesus’ example of having a refuge for spiritual renewal.  The queries are: What provides a sanctuary for you? How can your life be a better sanctuary? How can our church provide sanctuary for you? How can our church provide sanctuary for others?  Prepare your heart to hear about ways to deepen your spiritual walk.  Come sit with us in Open Worship as we wait on the renewing power of the Divine.

Sincerely,

Leigh

Announcements

• November 8 -11:00 Book Group, Chapters 19 &20
• November 10 – 5:30 PM –Ministry and Care
• November 11 – 5:30 Music Committee Meeting
• November 14 – 9:00 AM Church Cleaning
• November 13 – 6:00 Game Night @ Klamath Lutheran Church HAS BEEN CANCELED
• November 15 – 11:00 AM Thanksgiving Church Potluck at the rise of meeting
• November 17 – 5:00 PM Food Pantry – If you want to volunteer, please contact Alicia Pinkerton
• November 18 – 5:30 Music Committee Meeting
• November 21 – 2:00 PM Trans day of Remembrance and 3:00 PM Friendsgiving Potluck at Klamath Lutheran Church. To show support of the Klamath LGBTQ community we have been asked to come, and we have been asked to bring vegetarian salads.
• November 22 – 9 AM – Peace and Social Concerns
• November 23 – Committee Reports Due in the Office
• November 24 – 5:00 PM- Food Pantry – If you want to volunteer, please contact Alicia Pinketon
• November 25 – 5:30 Music Committee Meeting