Friends and Neighbors, 

Opportunities abound this weekend for connection and community, The Pumpkin Patch continues, there will be pancakes, and you can invite friends and strangers to the ECW Rummage Sale. In the middle of all that, you can have some quiet and walk the nave labyrinth between 10:00 am - 2 pm. Don't forget to prayerfully consider your pledge and have your pledge card ready for our Sunday worship time where we will collect and bless pledge cards. Join us after the 10:30 service on Sunday for our annual meeting where we will select new vestry members, look at the past year, and consider the future. 

We always have opportunities to connect through prayer, service, and study. I hope you check these emails and will consider trying something out. I recently heard of a study that indicated that positive changes where more likely to be followed on through when chosen in the Fall rather than the typical New Year's resolution. Now is the time to join a class or check out Evening Prayer. You could also try out the 'special' events like Eucharist at 6:00 on All Saint's Day (November 1), watching the investiture of the presiding bishop (November 2), or walking the labyrinth on election day (November 5). Throughout all of that, we will be feeding people, doing justice ministry, and making friends. 

I don't present those options to overwhelm you. I hope you see how much happens around St. James. It is many of you who make those things possible. You welcome folks into prayerful moments, energetic service, and real conversations. These are all ways that we walk in love and share love with others. The buzz in the news and social media is that people are feeling lonely and isolated. You make a community that meets people not just with something to do, but with the love of God in word and deed. I have been welcomed and I love to share that welcome. 

Peace,

Fr. John Mark