August 12, 2023
Dear All,
Time is passing quickly, and we will soon be back to the beginning of our “church year” on September 17th. I hope all of you are able to join us for worship and our potluck lunch afterwards. It will be a great time to re-connect; to share “what I did on my summer vacation”, and to enjoy a rousing game of Family Feud. Sign-up for both the potluck and to be on a team for the Feud. I’m looking forward to the famous peas & peanuts. (If you don’t know what I am talking about, you need to attend one of our potlucks.)
One of the events we are pondering is having a monthly potluck with conversation centered around a particular issue. We can eat and have facilitated group conversations on such issues as: mental health first aid training or how to be a welcoming place for those with autism; or how about the role of God/religion in sports; or how about what are the needs in our area and how should we be addressing them; Christian Nationalism or bringing in speakers on a specific topic. We could have folks from other Episcopal churches visit and share with us what they are doing such as St. John’s Plymouth who is turning their rectory into a home for refugee families? The ideas are endless! You will be asked for your thoughts and suggestions on the possibility of doing this on a monthly basis.
God & the Movies is back starting September 29th. My thanks to Libby & Barb Richardson, Nancy & Mark Rudd, Carol Thomas, Barb Heany and Steven Kandow who are facilitating this ministry for 2023-2024. We have a great line-up of movies: Holes, Moby Dick, The Christmas Candle, Fly Away Home, Chariots of Fire, The Quiet Man and Wall-E. Note that four of these films are family-oriented and we hope those with children will join us for snacks and viewing.
Now I want to spend a few moments talking about funerals and memorial services: I urge you to give your family the gift of pre-planning your service. We don’t like to talk about death in our society which is unique to the United States. For some reason we feel as if we ignore death, it won’t happen to us. Most doctors go to great lengths to extend life as long as possible. We all know death is going to happen. By pre-planning your service, you will give your family the gift of not having to make such decisions immediately following your death. This is also a way to discuss death with your family if you sit down together and do the pre-planning. We can provide you with paperwork that will help you make these decisions.
I hope you are getting your rest and building your reserve up for whatever demands you will next have to face. Whether it be moving, returning to school, preparing to retire or facing health issues, one is more able to face the challenge when well-rested.
Please continue your prayers: for the folks in Hawaii facing the wildfires; for health and wellness in all families; for those struggling with mental health issues and for yourselves.
Blessings to you and yours,
Karen+