Every member and friend should have received the letter from the Board announcing the “Let’s Get Settled” appeal for funds. If you attended the Zoom meeting on September 12, you understand that we need to improve our financial position to attract our next settled minister, thus the need for the appeal. As the letter stated, anonymous members stepped up and issued a match challenge, and I have faith we will meet that challenge with everyone’s help. If you have not yet contacted the bookkeeper with your pledge increase or gift (no matter how big or small) please do so soon, since the deadline is October 15. Thank you to those members and friends who have already contributed or increased their pledge.

In keeping with our “what shall we keep, what should we leave behind” thoughts (as we reinvent ourselves), at the very root of our congregation is the feeling of community. On every survey we’ve completed, when asked what is most important to us, community is always in the top three. Peggy called it “finding her tribe” the very first service she attended. In the book, “Dreaming the Dark” by Starhawk, an excerpt from one of his readings goes like this:

“Community. Somewhere there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free.”

I think Starhawk nailed it!

It doesn’t matter whether we are in the sanctuary, in the yard or on Zoom, as long as we are together, we have our community.