Slideshow image

Dear friends,

In 1951, radio journalist Edward R. Murrow began a series of interviews called, “This I Believe.” In his opening words for this new series he said, “This I Believe. By that name, we bring you a new series of radio broadcasts presenting the personal philosophies of thoughtful men and women in all walks of life. In this brief time each night, a banker or a butcher, a painter or a social worker, people of all kinds who need have nothing in common more than integrity — real honesty — will talk out loud about the rules they live by, the things they have found to be the basic values in their lives.” One of the interviews he conducted was with Martha Graham, American modern dancer, teacher and choreographer, whose style reshaped the dance world.

In her interview she spoke these words, “I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing, or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated, precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, the sense of one’s being, the satisfaction of spirit. One becomes in some area an athlete of God. Practice means to perform over and over again, in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.”

Her message about practice, faith, and being an athlete for God is especially relevant as we prepare to honor the saints of our lives this Sunday—those who have shown us what faith, integrity, and honesty mean. We will reflect on how they guided us through life and taught us to pass those lessons along, continuing to practice our faith within the church and beyond. Together we’ll examine the passages of Ephesians 1:15-23 and Luke 6:20-31, allowing these scriptures to inspire familiar or even new steps in our spiritual journey.

This Sunday we will also share Holy Communion and share the names of the saints in our lives, the ones in glory and the ones we are shaping, because saints come in all ages and stages. You are invited to join us in person or online together we will break bread and share the cup of life.

And don’t forget:
This Saturday we end Daylight Savings Time.
Set your clocks back 1 hour.

Peace and grace,
Pastor Jeri