Last Sunday
One by one, pausing to hold someone on their hearts, folks lighted a candle. Naming a name silently. If not a “big S” Saint at least somebody who had moments that were in some way saint-like, loving and caring in the remembered times of the person lighting the candle. It was our celebration of All Saints’ Day this past Sunday at North Farnham and St. John’s. We mentioned some of the “big S” Saints like St. Francis and St. Clare when at St. John’s Brother Mark Jenkins renewed his commitment to the religious order in their name. We highlighted, as we usually do at the end of our prayers, the inspiring prayer attributed to St. Francis that begins with “Lord, make us instruments of thy peace.” We sang “a song for the saints of God” and maybe wondered if we could be what might be called “little s” saint-like folks from time to time. What little s saints can offer is love, kindness, faithfulness and generosity of spirit. Something to ponder. The world really needs more of all those things.
This coming Sunday
Another “remembering” Sunday as we celebrate our Veterans, past and present. The flags that have waved over graves in our parish cemeteries since Memorial Day have made it through the summer celebration of Fourth of July will stand guard over our veterans’ burial sites through Veterans Day. Then retire to rest out of the way of winter winds, rains and storms till they are brought out again before Memorial Day next year. At our Sunday service honoring our veterans we will offer special prayers, giving thanks for the faithfulness of our veterans and praying for peace. The world really needs more of it.
Thanksgiving
Another special day to remember. A time to give thanks as we remember the year past, the harvest it has brought into our lives and the One from whom all good gifts have come. Thanksgiving is a time when families gather to be with one another and give thanks. For those who want to share some “sanctuary” time together with some of our church family, we will gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing in the side chapel of North Farnham church on Thanksgiving morning at 9 a.m. Come as you are to feel the grace and give thanks to God. A simple service in an old, old sanctuary which has weathered the years. And if you open the eyes of your heart, I believe you may sense and feel the presence of those who have come there with thankful hearts for almost three hundred years. A cloud of witnesses blessing those of us who have come after them.
The harvest waits: love, kindness, faithfulness, generosity of spirit, peace and blessings. This month offers such richness for gathering and remembering. Let’s give thanks for the abundance!
