Dear Friends,

              It seems fitting that the colors for Halloween are mostly purple, gold, yellow and orange. I wish there were a way to wish you all a happy “All Hallows Eve” while you see the colors of the sunsets from our porch. They are also gold, purple, yellow and orange in color.  It is a beautiful time of year. As we prepare to fall back in time this Sunday, we do so knowing the daylight is getting shorter no matter where we cut the blanket or where we sew the piece on.  There will be another hour of sleep on Saturday night, so I hope you all come to church on Sunday.  It is the first Sunday, so it is an unprogrammed meeting for worship.  Come and pray with us in silence as we consider what gives us tranquility.

              “Happy Halloween”, or Hallows Eve, a night to remember those who have passed away, particularly who died during the year before, and on Hallows Day or all saints day, we reminisce about how our lives have been affected by these people whom we miss.  I hope you have fond memories and can use this time to return to the good in someone’s life.  We are all so very interconnected. Losing someone can better be held sacred when we dedicate our lives to making all times sacred, little times and big in our lives, making them “hallow”. As we reflect, I hope you smile, laugh, remember fondly, and speak of those who no longer walk on this realm. May tomorrow bring you a sense of wholeness and inviolability as you walk forward with the memory of their spirit and their life.

              Life is precious but unfortunately it does come to an earthly end.  And spending that time with these loved ones before they die is important and valuable. Our Friend James is near to the end of his life, and some of his loved ones went to see him in Santa Barbara.  On Sunday we are going to have a special love offering taken up to help with gas expenses for those from the meeting who traveled to bid him farewell.   You can bring your contribution on Sunday and give it to Annette who has been kind enough to oversee this project. 

              There is great love in this meeting, church. Those connections between one another are cherished and nurtured. We have a big heart, and right now is a time to show a big heart for our Interfaith Food Pantry. People are hungry with no way to get food except the food pantry. There is a white table up in the entry of the church, and we need you to bring canned goods and other nonperishables to this table and FILL IT UP!  The first load of goods will go to the food pantry to be distributed on November 18.  Then please bring foods that are good for Thanksgiving to be given the following week such as sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, dried onions and mushroom soup, and pie shells and pie fillings to help celebrate Thanksgiving with those who have no other way to put Thanksgiving  Dinner on their tables except through you.  The Food Bank is not receiving as much produce as before and the demand has almost doubled.  You can read more about this in the Pantry Newsletter that is attached to this Friday with Friends.

Please open your hearts to others and don’t forget to fall back an hour on Saturday night.

Blessings,

Leigh