Dear Friends,

              How can we be a voice of peace at a time when the military is being told to be harsher and are being placed in our cities?  How can we be the voice of hope? We all see the effects of the administrative regime on the economy now and through many years of not caring for the poor.  But the worst won’t happen to economic help like food and medicine until the end of the year, because the BB Bill won’t go into full effect until after the November elections.  Still, we see the effects now and know worse is on its way. There are more houseless individuals and families.  There are higher prices they cannot afford.  Many of the people of Klamath Falls have a house, but are not making ends meet, and are only one paycheck away from joining the others on the street.  This includes their children.  How can you help?

              If you aren’t a regular part of the community of KFFC, show up, get support, be a support to others.  This is not a time for being alone. People need people in stressful times, and I know you love other people, so watching and hearing about this must make you at least a little off kilter.  So come back to church. Be an active part of the community. Let us be there for you.

I work as a volunteer for the Interfaith Food Pantry.  It is directed by Linda Warner, and of course, she does an excellent job.  The people are always upbeat, helpful to one another, and genuinely caring for other people.  It is a great group of folks.  But let me tell you what happened at the first pantry of this month.  I do intake.  Not the computer kind.  I could really mess that up! But just greeting people as they come in and helping them get the information written down that the shoppers are going to need to help them select food.  Until recently, we had an average of about 30 to 40 families.  We are seeing that number rising dramatically. Last Tuesday there were more cars on the street than parking places, and we hadn’t opened up yet.  I came in early to prepare.  But there was no way to prepare for what happened. In two hours, we served seventy-two families.  There were many families that this was the first time coming to a food pantry. To say the least, our supplies were depleted.  We desperately need items that the pantry does not officially offer, such as hygiene items and laundry items. Good brand laundry  detergent and dish detergent are always welcome. But we need extra food too.  Please give cans of soup or stew, especially if the top pops off without a can opener. Let’s collect more food for those who cannot provide for themselves and their children. The food pantry is held the last two Tuesdays of each month at the Klamath Lutheran on Crescent Ave, near the bridge.  We regularly need volunteers.  But with the average number of families rising, we need your help even more. To volunteer, please call Linda @ 541-281-5535.  We are also taking laundered blankets and laundered coats for the winter.  The food pantry is a coordinated effort between Klamath Lutheran, Klamath Falls Unitarian Universalists, Hope Lutheran and KFFC.

We can be a well of goodness and kindness that nurtures this world.  It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even angry with how people are being treated and what is happening to our country.  Yet we can decide if we are going to allow it to demolish our spirits. We can still choose to be the decency that is needed in this world.  Help us help each other.  Encourage someone today. Allow yourself to be encouraged as well. Let your light brighten these darker days to come. Let’s let our lights inspire one another.

There are several other opportunities coming up soon. On October 23 at 5:30 there will be a town hall held at OIT, sponsored by the Klamath Falls Faith Communities, and the town hall will focus on the houseless issues that Klamath Falls is facing.  There will be resources available.  Come see how you can be a help in this crisis.

On October 25 from 2-4 we will be gathering at KFFC to be led by Laura Simmons in a presentation on Reconciliation.  This will focus on how a group of people, especially churches, can come back together after a traumatic time or huge change in their congregation.  This will give a chance to gain insight and learn new skills for dealing with group dynamics and change.  Many churches have weathered traumatic times, and this presentation is open to the public and interdenominational and interfaith in its focus.  A flier with more information is attached. Please come and invite your neighbors and friends.

The minutes from last week’s meeting for business are attached with supporting documents.  And there is, of course, the bulletin for this Sunday.  This Sunday is unprogrammed worship since it is the first Sunday.  Bible Study is from James 5 and will be at 9:00 AM.

I hope you find encouragement and knowledge that we are here for you at KFFC.  We want to be a part of the solution.

Sincerely,

Leigh