Is anybody else astounded that it is already September? I’ll miss summer but I have to admit, I’m looking forward to cozy fires in the fireplace and less traffic on Ludington Avenue. I’m looking forward to vegetable soup, chili, and beef stew, sweaters, football games, snow, and not having to wait for a table at our favorite restaurants.

It’s time to shift gears into fall and begin another church year. We are going to have a full and rich year! We’ll kick off our year with the traditional water communion service on September 9. Come prepared to share a memory and bring a vial of water that has meaning for you from a trip, a river, or a kitchen sink.

Following the service on September 9, the Our Whole Lives (OWL) orientation for parents of 10-12 graders will be held from 1-3 p.m. The OWL Program is a comprehensive sexuality education curricula for five age groups. I hope to offer an additional training in the spring for grades 7-9. The Our Whole Lives curricula values are self-worth, sexual health, responsibility, and justice and inclusivity. The series of 12 OWL classes will begin on September 16 and end on December 9.

The first meeting of the Real Wealth of Nations book study group will be on September 6 at 7 p.m. The group will meet for at least 11 sessions.

The candlelight Peace Vespers will resume on September 26 at 7 p.m. We will meet for a simple meal of soup and bread at 6 p.m.. Volunteers are needed to provide soup. I’ll make the bread.

A new family worship service will be held monthly on Saturday evening beginning on September 29. It will be similar to the Evensong for Families with a relaxed atmosphere and a meal. Volunteers are needed to help with the meal. Please consider contributing to this new outreach of People’s Church by donating some time to welcome new families into our church community.

Two Bits will resume at 5 p.m. on Sunday evenings beginning on September 9. The First Friday film series for September, Through the Eyes of Tammy Faye, will be lots of fun. In case you’re wondering if David Nixon has lost his mind, you can blame me for that selection. I reluctantly saw the documentary about Tammy Faye Messner a few years ago in Berkeley and had a total shift in attitude. Believe it or not, I fell in love with her! It was a wonderful opportunity to confront my own prejudices.

Lou will be teaching a class on the history of Christianity on Monday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m., and there are lots of other new things in the works for winter.

There should be something for everyone and lots of opportunities to get involved, share your talents, expand your minds, and enrich your soul.

Ah, I love this time of year! I think I won’t even mind the snirt. You know, snow/dirt.

Well, maybe……….

In faith and love,
Cathy