Mid-week News 10-31-12

Dear Family of faith, Happy All Saints’ Eve (i.e. Halloween). Did you know that the day is a Christian holiday, one which we will observe next Sunday? It’s interesting, isn’t it, how religious holidays can be co-opted by the secular world. I mean, think about Christmas! It’s hard to find anything in the stores to do with Jesus; mostly it’s just Santa Claus (and the stuff is already out!). So it has been with All Hallow’s Eve. I read that the holiday is becoming more popular than even Christmas. This year stores expect to do $8 BILLION in business. Think of what good that could do in the world! Greenwich Village in New York was scheduled to host a party tonight for up to 2 million people and generate $90 million. That won’t be taking place, as you know. Speaking of such things, our hearts go out to the people who were devastated by Hurricane Sandy and the super storm that destroyed so much of New Jersey and New York City. NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is quoted as saying, “Nature is an awful lot more powerful than we are.” That’s quite a statement from the leader of the nation’s largest city and the hub of world finances, not to mention Bloomberg’s own personal wealth. It certainly puts our lives in perspective in this world. We aren’t as clever and invincible as we think! One storm can wipe us out, no matter who we are or how many material things we possess. At any rate, for those caught in the storm, there are a lot of hard times ahead. We pray for them. More than that, we are offering a chance to help the victims with physical needs. In your church offering envelope box is an envelope for the “Feast of All Saints.” I know that we have our own bills to pay as a church, but I encourage those of you who can to make an extra gift, using that envelope for a Special Offering for Disaster Relief for the victims of Sandy, which we will receive this Sunday on All Saints’ Sunday. The people hurt by the storm are our people—if not our family and friends, then part of our human family. When the storms of life come, remember that it is faith that helps us go on in confidence and hope. Don’t be afraid of life; delight in life while you can! With affection, Pastor Carlan