Dear Friends,

Cool breezes remind me that fall is coming this month.  I don’t know about you, but this year has flown by for me.  There is something special about the fall with its colorful leaves and crisp nights.  It is a time in Cherokee culture to start getting ready for the winter.  It is a time in life when we typically begin being reflective about our spiritual lives. 

This year I am going to be 65, so I am not in the fall of my life, but in the winter.  It was not that long ago, and I distinctly remember the fall of life with all of its discernment, questions, and new tools for this spiritual journey.  I was in seminary, so gaining new spiritual practices and working on being more reflective happened at what felt like the right time in my life.  

But what do you need to focus on spiritually this fall as far as spirituality goes?  Do you want to sit and read that book that you were considering, maybe some life lessons from someone you admire spiritually, such as Ghandi or Thich Nhat Hanh?  Maybe there is a meditation class or yoga class you have been putting off.  Now that I am in winter, I realize I did a lot of preparing for winter over the last dozen or so years. Sometimes in the fall we realize that the nights are getting longer and colder gradually for the most part.  It is even easy to become so busy with life that you let fall slip up on you.  But maybe a cool breeze is quietly prompting you.  As we watch the leaves turn red and gold, we can, with each one, remind ourselves to take time and reflect, go inward, find that inner strength.  Maybe it means making some changes like going that second mile.  Maybe make preparation to do those volunteer things you have been putting off.  Maybe you need to slow down and stop running through life. It is a great time to slow down and take a beat. What kind of preparation do you need to do for winter?  Is your spirit preparing?  Do you find yourself in more times of discernment than before in life? 

Let’s enjoy this fall.  Hopefully coming to Meeting for  Worship helps you spiritually.  If it doesn’t, please talk with me, or Joe, or Bernie, or Wendy (M&C). Let’s come up with some ideas that fit your interests and better fit your needs.  We are willing to be flexible to make sure everyone who attends gets their spiritual needs met as much as possible.  We are willing to make changes to accommodate your needs.

A few of the upcoming events might also be helpful.  Do you want clarity on this “Quaker thing”? Well, we are starting a book study on September 14 after meeting for worship.  We will meet on the second Sunday of every month.  The book is A Quaker Book of Wisdom: Life Lessons in Simplicity, Service and Common Sense. The author, Robert Lawrence Smith, writes in a simple but reflective manner.  You will also have a good group of people to discuss your questions with as they arise.  There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the entryway of the church.  Or you can just buy the book and see if you want to come.

There are many more opportunities for fellowship whether it is helping to clean the church on September 13 in the morning or coming to the potluck that will be on September 21 after worship.  Maybe you want to serve more.  Peace and Social Concerns is always actively involved in the community at large and there are several places that you can bring your questions about what you can do to live out your faith.  Maybe you just need time in silence to reflect.  Our first Sundays are always unprogrammed, so there is a half hour to forty-five minutes that are spent waiting in silence to speak to you.  Other Sundays, fifteen to twenty minutes are spent in waiting worship.  These can be very prayerful times, centering times, and spiritually renewing times.

Or look at the announcements below and pick a thing or two to start back on the road to renewal.  May this fall be a blessing to you, this year and in your life.

Leigh