Pastor’s Corner – October 28, 2021
Dear Friends,
As a teenager, All Saints Day became an important holy day for me. In order to tell children about the day, I remember looking up the definition of saints. The definition that I found said that a saint was a person who shared the good news of God’s love. The children and I talked about how that means that anyone who shares God’s love is a saint, and then we took time to give thanks for the saints who had brought the messages of God’s love to each of us.
This year it feels like it resonates even more deeply. With a heart of gratitude, I praise God for the people of faith who have gone before us and set examples for us. Their leadership, courage, prayers, energy, gifts, and generosity are blessings. This year, I've also been thinking about all our ancestors who lived or continue to live in ways of peacemaking, justice-doing, and shalom (comprehensive wellness and wholeness for all). I'm grateful for author Layla Saad who helps me give thanks for my ancestors and raises the question for me, "What kind of ancestor do I want to be?" How will we remember and give thanks for the saints in our individual and collective lives this All Saints Day? Are there ways we can continue to share the love of Jesus they reflected each day? May you know you are a loved and loving child of God. You are a blessing. By the power of the Creator, the compassion of Jesus, and the direction of the Holy Spirit, may we live in Jesus' ways of blessing. Thanks be to God!
With gratitude, care, and prayers for you,
Sarah
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger
who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Isaiah 52:7
