Hello there,
Irish poet, William Allingham once wrote, “Autumn’s the mellow time.” Officially, autumn begins at around 2:00 tomorrow afternoon, although it does not feel like it with the warm weather we are having this week. And certainly it is not a mellow time around our church. There is plenty going on.
This week the Chancel choir will be singing at the first service. I will be preaching on Matthew 20:1-16, the parable of the workers in the vineyard. My sermon title is “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere… For Someone.”
Between services at around 10:15 in the chapel, Cal and Joy Schacht will give a presentation they have entitled “Two Stories Which Are Worth Telling.” The stories are about recent events in the African country of Rwanda. Cal and Joy have had a special connection with the Presbyterian church in that country. Everyone is invited to come and hear these wonderful stories.
Our 175th celebration continues, first off with our participation in the Swamp Fox parade on Saturday, September 30th. We are trying to get as many as we can to join us in the parade. If you would be willing, let Pastor Beth of me know.
The next day, October 1st, will be our annual Celtic Heritage Sunday. Invite a friend, wear something plaid, come and listen to the bagpipes, sing Celtic hymns and enjoy Celtic prayers and music. There will only be one service at 9:00.
Autumn is a time when we can be generous and help those in need. Once again we are launching our Socktober campaign where we collect socks for the Marion Cares. As you probably know, Marion Cares is a ministry we are very involved in that works with needy children here in Marion. Each year we collect socks for children and teens that are passed out at a Halloween Trunk or Treat event, so that these kids will have warm toes as the weather gets colder. So the next time you are out shopping pick up a pack of socks and bring them to church before October 15th. Our goal is to collect 175 pairs of socks. (Hmm… I wonder where that number came from?)
While you are out shopping and buying socks, we would also like you to consider picking up some items for the hygiene kits we are assembling. These are items packed in a Ziploc bag and sent to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance helping folks trying to pull their lives back together after the hurricanes. Here at the items that each kit contains:
1 — hand towel (approximately 16″ x 28″, no fingertip or bath towels)
1 — washcloth
1 — wide-tooth comb
1 — nail clipper
1 — bar of soap
1 — toothbrush
10 — Band-Aids® or other adhesive bandage strip
Finally, the October First Press is out. If you would like to download a copy click here.
Stay in One Peace,
Howard