Shameless Commercialism for a Good Cause

Will you chase me down and put a sprig of holly through my heart if I say that there are only 57 shopping days left until Christmas? After all I was just in The Depot for a leaf blower and had to step around the employees setting up Christmas trees. And I've been getting Christmas related catalogs for some time now.

Well, maybe that doesn't excuse me joining the fray with my "product picks," but shamelessly, I'm going to alert you to some "good deals"--not in the shopper's sense of the word--that being a bargain. But , rather, meaning these items are somehow tied to social purposes. What? Let me explain....

Some are "fair traded" items--the middleman who sucks up the lion's portion of the profits from the sale of coffee and chocolate (for example) from the 2/3 world nations, is eliminated. So the farmers and manufacturers profit more equitably. Some good java under the tree would doubly please a recipient, then, when they know with every sip they are helping someone make a fair living! We have a kiosk with fair traded items for sale in Messiah's narthex.

Last year we had a 2/3 world craft fair. Again the middleman is deep-sixed and the artisans get a fair profit from their labors. This year there are catalogs in the narthex with many unique gift ideas--like the rain stick I got for Lisa last year (that's a musical instrument that sounds like rain when you tilt it side to side). Those of you who are computer-gifted can go to http://www.lwr.org/handcraft/catrequest.asp and get your own catalog! So--way cool gifts--more way cool stewardship and helping!!

Good gifts, the World Hunger, Disaster relief catalog came with your October Lutheran Magazine. It gives tangible items tha you can "buy" as a gift for others. Things like digging a well, feeding a child, and so on. Yes of course it can be accessed by computer. Here's the address.... http://www.elca.org/scriptlib/DS/giving/

Last one--Augusta Victoria Hospital in Bethlehem is a Lutheran organization that provides desperately needed health care to the people there. It is always in need of your support. And worthy of it as well! one way to do that is to sign up for a bottle of olive oil. What?! No not just any bottle of olive oil! It's from the olives on the Mount of Olives. No special powers (except good taste) but again, it will benefit the hospital. And the oil comes in a hand blown glass bottle. The glass is even recycled! Nuff said, it would make a thoughtful gift.

Well I hope you can excuse my stirring the commercial pot this early--but I know that some of you are early shoppers (unlike me who is in Walgreen's on Christmas Eve shopping for Lisa!). And I hope you see that these are gifts that give twice--that's good stewardship. See me for more info on any of the above.


Pastor Tom

Part of the Family

I have three brothers. We are each very different, and don't always agree, but we are joined by the strong ties of family. We got along okay, growing up--most of the time. But sometimes we didn't. For what reasons I can't recall--mostly just natural friction between strong willed individuals (and that's what kids are!)

I remember one time smashing a Devil Dog (remember those?) right in my next older brother's face! Again--I can't remember why I was mad at him--I'm sure it was important at the time. He chased me right out of the house and down the block! Another time, my little brother got so ticked off at me he threw a dart at me and it stuck right in my head! You might say I got the point that he was mad! And I tell you, it was no fun watching an argument between my brothers, even when I wasn't involved. Things were said that hurt near as much as a snack cake in the face. I usually avoided arguments.

Sometimes it seemed as if we'd be mad at one another forever. But then a day or so later, we were right back to walking to school together, goofing around, and being brothers. Of course we were still brothers when we were mad at one another, too. And there were times when we grew closer through such conflicts--learning things about each other. Like your older brother doesn't want you hanging round him when he's trying to talk to his girlfriend!

A church is like a family in some ways. We are, after all, brothers and sisters in Christ. Most of the time we get along as we worship God and work his will in the community. But sometimes we disagree on things and get passionate about issues that are important to us. Not in itself a bad thing. But someone may then smash a criticism into a discussion, or toss pointed barbs at an issue. And a brother gets hurt, or a sister cries, or the rest of the family can't bear to even watch.

Now a regular family has bonds of blood between them--powerful stuff. And most brothers and sisters are able to forgive one another and walk on through life together. (Though some, regrettably, can't.) A church family has a bond of blood too--Jesus' blood poured out for them, freeing them from sin and forging them into a new kind of family where the bonds are a million times stronger than familial ones. Very powerful stuff! So, if human families can disagree and argue with one another, and then forgive wrongs done and love one another still, then surely the family of God can be gracious and loving and walk on down the path God sends them on together!

Psychologists tell us that conflict is normal, and even desirable in a relationship--handled well. It seems then that the lesson of this tale of two families is to stick together, talk things out, forgive one another, keep on being brothers and sisters in Christ, and learn something about each other in the process, putting it to good use.

Let us pray: Father, we squabble and disagree as we live together as your church. Help us even as we do, to do so seeing Christ in each other. In Jesus' name, amen.

Cool Stuff I Heard Today

I'm still down here in Worcester at the Bishop's Convo. That's a gathering of all rostered leaders in the synod (pastors, and associates in ministry, and deaconesses) where we network, swap stories, hear from the bishop, and have some continuing education. Here's a smattering of the things I heard today that made me say, "Hey--that's cool."

A healthy snack to have is a Kashi (spelling?) cookie. They are made of whole grains and use natural alternative sweeteners--not the fake stuff or the white stuff. And you know what? They taste good too! (leave it to me to comment on food first!) This I learned in a workshop on living a healthy lifestyle.

Our speaker Dr. Diane Jacobson, talked about "Ten Biblical Portraits of Creation and our Human Role." She asked how many days it took God to create in Genesis 1. No, not six--seven. Because on the seventh day God created the Sabbath. Cool.

I heard about a movement among churches to do something concrete to help stop the genocide in Darfur. Writing letters to officials, protesting, etc. That's seriously cool.

ELCA Gift planner Knute Ogren spoke about leaving a legacy for the church in one's will. What was cool was that we had a fun time discussing such a gloomy, scary subject. He may just visit with Messiah one Sunday, and you'll see how for yourselves.

Pastor Tim from CTK Nashua talked about his upcoming trip to the Holy Land in 2008. The cool thing is you and I can go with him. (See details in narthex)

Pastor Dave Rinas in neighboring Chelmsford, MA told us about a World Hunger event to be held soon that includes a prominent speaker. That's cool as it is--but even cooler - it's to be held in Chelmsford. We can take a whole crew there!

Tonight is a Eucharist service and a reception. I always look forward to the worship here--it's good to take note of the songs used , the decor, and the discipline of the daily office (regimen of worship morning, noon, and night is strengthening.


That's all for now. Keep me in your prayers as I travel tomorrow. And I'll keep you in mine!

From Worcester,
Pastor Tom

The Gospel according to New Hampshire

The Bishop's Convo is an opportunity to meet new people from all over New England. So of course, me being me, I usually stick around people I already know. Like tonight - we filed into the Commonwealth room here at the Crown Plaza, Worcester, and I sat with...two other NH pastors--Joan from Prince of Peace, Claremont, and Pat from Community Lutheran, Enfield. We had a little New Hampshire section going.

"Live free or die," said I, quoting my license plates. Then I commented glibly about how New Hampshire-ites are stubborn and maybe with the example given of no helmet laws for motorcyclists, the slogan is more realistically Live free and die!

Joan added, "Jesus said, 'Die and live free.'" (She's a gem)

Jesus bids us die--to sin and self--and to live free--free from guilt and from the need to justify our own existence before God. We're free to be caring and loving of others in an authentic, not-for-brownie points kind of way. There's no worry that God won't love and forgive us. The old self dies. (but he has a knack for reappearing like a killed off soap star. Has to die daily. So remember you are baptized!) We're free!!

And that's the gospel according to New Hampshire!

From Worcester,
Pastor

Remote Control

I'll be down in Worcester at the NE Bishop's Convocation until Wednesday, but I'll be blogging from the hotel room, so stay tuned. The speaker at the Convo will talk about the new bible reading and interpretation initiative for the ELCA. So that's something to blog about.

This Sunday is Reformation Sunday and for us, Confirmation Sunday as well. Three students will profess their faith in the presence of God, in the congregation. Wear something red, cut your hair in a tonsure, hide in a barrel of herring, or whatever puts you in a reformation mood and meet at church the Sunday to celebrate God's grace, freely given!

Pastor

Stories to Tell, Gifts to Share

Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you. Luke 8:39

For we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

We all have stories to tell: funny experiences, learning experiences, news about our families, triumphs and tragedies, and plans for the future. And as the people of God, we have stories to tell about what God has done for us and about how God’s grace has changed our lives. Sometimes we are not really aware of these stories until they are coaxed out of us—but they are there, part of who we are.

That’s not all. Whether we know it or not, we also have stories to tell about what God has done through us—stories about how God has used us to make a difference in the lives of others. Getting to know those stories makes us even more aware of God’s grace.

God has given us so much—and the gifts of God are for sharing.

The Bible is a collection of stories about people with gifts to share—stories about people whose lives were so changed by God that they were able to make a difference in the lives of others. In Adult Forum starting this week we will look at four of those stories and try to connect them with the stories of our own lives.

For the next year the congregation will be focusing in on storytelling and on giving—so that all can see that both storytelling and giving are part of our grateful responses to the grace of God.

Stories to Tell & Gifts to Share, Copyright © 2007 Augsburg Fortress.

Slavery in the Bible - A Worldview

Slavery was an accepted institution in biblical times. Although careful reading of the biblical laws concerning the relationship between master and slave reveals a more "humane" form of this practice (Exodus prohibits punishment that results in death, Leviticus names slaves as part of the master's household, and Deuteronomy allows slaves to rest on the Sabbath--Harper's Bible Dictionary p959), and Paul's letter to Philemon is a stealthy argument for freeing Onesimus, a recently converted slave --the fact remains that slavery existed and was tolerated.

That was the worldview of the authors of the bible. And while the truth and promise in the bible is never "time sensitive," certain aspects of the bible's worldview are, in my opinion. There are underlying factors that went into the texts that must be taken into consideration when interpreting them for today. We must put on the eyes and ears of those people who first heard the stories--walk in their shoes--to best understand what the texts are trying to communicate.

Sometimes that involves acknowledging that there are different worldviews operating--worldviews that are locked in history. Some are irrelevant today (not that the truth of the text is), some are simply outdated, some are just downright wrong.

Slavery is a case in point. Okay back then--abhorrent now. The truths contained in passages that include slavery are still true--you just have to boil away the outdated references to get at them. The image of the steward is one such reference. What lies behind this image that is the basis for our tending of the earth and our use of what God entrusts us with?

NEXT: Boiling down the image of the steward.

Can the Bible be Outdated? Part 1

Everyone, everywhere has a "worldview." The way they see the world and interpret meaning. the ways they derive order--that's worldview. It has many dimensions - location, location, location (sorry--I'm still on a real estate high!). But also: social grouping, time period, gender, ethnicity, religion, and many others.

When I write or talk about a subject--say, pickles--that subject is imbued with my worldview--I can not separate myself from it and write totally objectively. It's impossible. Pickles come in a jar from the supermarket--my worldview is revealed--I am a non-farmer, non-canner, who understands pickles only as they are seen by me in my era. (The pickles I get at the Old Country Store in Moultonboro are a different story altogether!)

Someday however, a pickle might be delivered via food replicators, like in Star Trek (tea--Earl Grey--hot!) and my understanding of them floating in jars may become quaint and outdated.

NEXT: Slavery in the Bible--a worldview

Where Have You Been?

What happened to Pastor Tom? It's like he left in mid sentence! What gives?

Well, we had a little piece of property (namely our former home) in Maine for sale for the past 14 months. That's been a drain emotionally (a link to the past), financially (mortgage oil electric), physically (upkeep, the great kitchen debacle of 07), and every other way. Then quite suddenly, the house sold last week. We were busy tracking down paperwork, faxing documents, and cleaning out the house of the things we left behind when we moved to Amherst. we closed Friday. It went smoothly.

So I was preoccupied and hadn't the time or concentration to blog. Sorry to leave you hanging! The pantry will be stocked this week, I promise--starting with the conclusion to the stewardship piece from last week!


In the meantime -thanks for your patience, and we thank God that a new family is now enjoying our house. It was a very, very, very fine house!


Pastor Tom

Steward is Apt, but Problematic?

Right about this time each year we talk about stewardship in earnest. Coincidentally, that's about the time we're building a budget as a congregation (because it's not just the council's budget--it's all of ours'). But stewardship doesn't end with a trip to the wallet and volunteering to be an usher. Stewardship is a lifestyle, and as an activity it's supposed to be joyous as well as obligatory!

Why isn't it then, at least not for many of us? (I'm sure there are some already cheerful givers out there, just you skip to the last paragraph and hush for now)

Possibly because the traditional way of illustrating that lifestyle is with the image of the steward. That comes from the bible. And now I'm gonna mess with it a bit so if that tweaks you out--perhaps you better not read anymore. (Or make a comment if you'd like!) I know scripture is the norm for our teaching, but in this case I think the analogy of the steward, though apt--is problematic, and possibly even unhelpful.

So over the next few days, I'm going to tell you why I think that, and what I would suggest as a replacement for it. All kidding aside--I encourage you to read and think and decide upon your own understanding of biblical stewardship.


First off - why do I have a problem with the image of the Steward? It's time-tested after all! Yes, the steward in Jesus' time was in charge of someone else's possessions and household, just as we caretake everything because it all belongs to God, who created heaven and earth. (Small Catechism) And while that fits--one other aspect of stewardship doesn't in today's world.

The steward was a slave.

In these days of the Jena Six and Imus, of the ghosts of racial tension still simmering and the wounds of racism still festering--we shouldn't hold up slavery as a good thing. Not even as an analogy. Not even if the bible does, metaphorically speaking. That's my opinion anyway. I'll defend it tomorrow.

Now for those who were cheerful givers and skipped down to this paragraph (first of all thanks for being so) and I might not be able to post after Thursday this week--because we sold our house in Maine that's been on the market since I accepted the call to Amherst. (Hurrah!) We may need to go up there for a closing! I'll keep you "posted.

Pastor Tom

Sermon Draft October 7th

My Name is Earl Jesus

You ever watch the television show My Name is Earl? For those of you who haven’t, let me give a brief synopsis:

Earl, an unkempt n’er-do-well, for whom nothing seems to go right, is taken by surprise one day when the scratch ticket he buys at the local Gas and Gulp turns out to be a million dollar winner. Earl is so jubilant over this seeming reversal of fortune, that he runs outside into the street, rejoicing. Where he is run over by a car.

Lying in the hospital, bandaged and high on pain meds, Earl watches a documentary on Buddhism that talks about karma. The notion that past wrongs done to people cause problems for one in the present—but that these problems can be erased by good deeds done. In his drug-induced state of enlightenment, Earl takes this teaching to heart, mangling it to mean that, in order to reclaim the right path for his life, he must first go back and un-do all the wrongs he has ever done to anyone. He immediately makes a list, and once released from the hospital, embarks on a program to do just that. Hilarity ensues! And that’s My Name is Earl.

I mention it because, in a way, our name is Earl, too. Not that we are losers trying to make things right. But that we sometimes share Earl’s new ethical worldview—simply stated, that what goes around, comes around—that the bad will get their just desserts and the good will receive their reward; and that evil done can be erased by good done. The Buddhist concept of karma, which is quite a bit more complex, has been co-opted by our modern American society, stripping it of its spiritual roots and accoutrements, and rendering it a clichéd maxim of a moralistic theology. And yet, it is an extremely seductive concept. For one big reason—it affords us the chance to redeem ourselves.

For instance, if we take karma as a given in this way, we can withstand the wicked (or avoid being wicked), because the wicked will eventually reap what they sow and come to a wicked demise. Conversely, if we are good—do good things, say good things, give money to the poor and champion the oppressed, then, karmaically speaking, it’ll be let the good times roll for us. Our good deeds done will be rewarded with good things done for us in the end. Or, if you’re like Earl and you have a list (which you gotta admit, we all do,) then balancing out the karma by righting the past wrong wins you cosmic forgiveness. Kind of salvation feng shui.

The psalmist seems to suggest just this. “Do good yourselves,” he writes, “and as for those who do wrong—they will soon wither and fade away, so don't be jealous of them or be provoked to anger by them. (It's bad karma.) Just you wait—instant karma's gonna get them. But there's a striking difference between what Earl thinks and what the Bible says.

For, if we believe in our hearts that the bad people in the world will all come to just and satisfying ends—we’re mistaken. Just look at the Soprano’s! (That was another television reference—I had to set that straight because I saw some of you looking at the choir with new interest.) Seriously though—the evil in this world often prospers and wins—one need only look at the situations in Myanmar and Darfur to see that first hand. Where's the karma in that?

And conversely, it seems like no matter how good some people are, terrible things befall them. Disease, violence, disaster, financial ruin—all in payment for clean living, gentleness, prudence, and good stewardship. Where's the karma in that?

The prophet Habakkuk lamented to the Lord about the same kind of thing. He said, “Why, O Lord, do you make me look at this world of woe, these troubled, oppressed people, this strife torn creation of yours that you said was good. All is death and doom, all is squabbling and fighting, and the wicked hover around the righteous, like jackals waiting for the kill. Why don't you do something?”

And therein lies the key to why karma just doesn't fly for Christians. Because for all our earnest attempts at righting the wrongs in our lives and our world—we know deep down that we can't fix things—not ourselves, and not the world. Only God can redeem us from our sins because only Christ died for their remission. Only God can bring about God's peaceable kingdom—in which there is no more suffering, because only God is master of all things. We know that only God can help us. And so, we expect God to do something.

And God does do something. In ancient times he sent his prophets to speak his word and bring the people back to faithfulness. He kept his covenant with Israel and when they returned to his care, he took them in, no matter how wicked they had been. He provided enough for all to share and live (though quite often the people did not share). And God provided one whose mission it was to take all the bad karma on himself and destroy it through his selfless death on the cross, and by his resurrection transferring the power of his good karma onto us (what Luther called the “happy exchange”--though Luther would probably be doing backflips in his coffin if he heard me compare it to karma.) God sent one whose very name means he saves. His name was not Earl. His name is Jesus.

His name is Jesus. And he doesn't keep track of good deeds, tallying them up like greenstamps towards the purchase of salvation. (Oh, for you young'uns—greenstamps you got at the supermarket and you saved them, pasted them in little books and then traded them in on merchandise. Like 500 books for a transistor radio. Oh, a transistor radio was like a huge ipod that only played music other people wanted you to hear. Well, just watch some Brady Bunch reruns and you'll catch on ) Jesus isn't Santa Claus with a naughty and nice list. Jesus' list has everyone's name on it and it's entitled TO BE SAVED.

The second half of today's gospel speaks directly to Jesus' stance in the face of our Earl-ness . When we do good and expect something for it, karma-like—Jesus confronts us with the truth. We are doing only what we are supposed to be doing—we shouldn't think that we're advancing our cause one iota. Instead we should joyfully do good in thanksgiving for the abundant love God has shown us. In this way our works are our “duty and delight,” our obligation and our joy, as it says in our communion liturgy, and, incidentally, in the new stewardship emphasis that Dean will introduce to you after worship (shameless commercial over now). We love because God first loved us. Our good deeds are not selfishly directed, but selflessly directed.

So we don't keep lists of prior sins to atone for one by one until we're free and clear and good comes our way. (Indeed Luther recommended that one not agonize over individual sins—racking one's brains for the inclusion of each and every misspoken word and unintended offense-so that each and every one be erased through penance. He advocated a general attitude of repentance.) We don't do that—we repent and confess and we expect God will wipe away that debt and restore balance. We expect God to do it.

Why? One word. Faith. It is God's gift, passed down from generation to generation. And it's powerful stuff. It kept the Israelites going as they endured Babylonian exile and Egyptian enslavement. Faith It was what made it possible for the psalmist to stand firm in the face of those wicked ones who mocked God and the law. Faith. It kept Timothy going—though he was a young leader of an irascible bunch of church-goers. Faith. The disciples wanted more of it, but Jesus said a little goes a long way brother.

And when it boils down to it, you can either go with Earl's concept of karma, or you can rest in faith. Which means you can either trust yourself with your eternal salvation—or you can trust Jesus. As for me........trust Jesus. (checks off this one item on “my list.”) Amen

Give Way

Life in Bermuda is different than here in the states. For one thing--they drive on the opposite side of the street ("Right is wrong!" is how I heard the scooter rental guy caution novice riders). For another, their streets are curvy and narrow and filled with--how shall I put it? Exuberant drivers. They make Boston drivers look like little old ladies! Horns beeping (they have such cute little "beeps"), the cars and buses and trucks and scooters all careen through the streets, brushing back the thick vegetation and chance pedestrian on the road's edge!

In some ways the Bermudians are more genteel than us Americans, however. One notable difference in signage was that there were no YIELD signs. In Bermuda, it is a more compromising GIVE WAY. Yield has unmistakable connotations of complete and unconditional surrender of rights, privileges and roadways. "Give way" sounds to me more like sharing.


Quite often we're told that we must YIELD to God--surrender totally. And I can understand that logically. We should trust and fear God so that God may take our lives and transform them into lives for Christ. We can't do that on our own--not by what we either do or say.

But I'd like to think that God can work that transformation in us without totally wiping away our self. I'd like to say we "give way" to God (with the help of the Spirit--of course, for we can't do this on our own). We make room in our hearts for God and God fills them with forgiveness and love for each other (so that we might give way to one another as well). You are still you once you give way--you've simply stopped leading and now instead, follow.

Think today about where God might lead you, were you to give way. What journey? What mission? What ministry? What change in your life? Think about it. And then "GIVE WAY."

Lament (conclusion)

In Habakkuk, the prophet wails, "How long shall I cry for help, Lord, and you will not listen?" He wonders why a good God would allow such violence and trouble in the world. And that's the way I feel sometimes too--especially when I turn on the news and hear of more death and destruction, or feel my own pain and aches from a body that is slowly headed for the ground (wow--that's a dark thought!).

The psalm's lament is more subtle, and therefore is more like us, perhaps. ""Don't get upset over the prosperous who made their fortunes with evil." Because they'll get theirs in the end! It may be comforting to think that way.

So lament is an important piece of our liturgical vocabulary. Still in a fog about the nature of lament.? My colleague from Nashua likens laments to old time country music--the kind that's so sad it makes you bawl even when you're feeling good. It is cathartic, and it is theologically sound. We should offer up our sadness to God, just as easily as our praise.

So the next time life has got you down--lament to the Lord--God hears those mournful cries. And reacts to them.

But that's tomorrow's post....

Agape,
Pastor Tom

Lament

Have you noticed in the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymn book there's a section not in its predecessor (old greenie)? Actually there's several, but I'm only interested in one today--Lament. This is a collection of hymns that express sadness.

That's something new--and not new--all at the same time. New because in our "feel good" society we tend to discount pain and suffering even in religion, unless it comes as a result of witnessing. We'd rather sing upbeat songs with catchy titles ("It had a good beat and was easy to clap along to--I'd give it a 9, Mr. Clark."), than depressing wails to an unfeeling or inactive God.

That's too bad because you need to be able to let those feelings out sometimes. And music (combined with poetic lyrics) is a great way to do that. Unwitting theologian and Beatle Ringo Starr sang it like this, "You gotta pay your dues if you want to sing the blues--you know it don't come easy." We connect to this type of music because it strikes an underused chord in our hearts.

So having "Laments" is a well conceived return to the roots of our faith. I say roots because laments are rife in the prophets and the psalms--so it's not so new after all. The first reading and psalm for this coming Sunday are good examples. MORE TO COME....

I'm Baaaaaack!

Last week Lisa and I went on a cruise to Bermuda. It was relaxing and fun--we were pampered and well-fed, and we went to a great little country. I was inspired many times by what we saw and heard, and so you'll hear about or trip more than a few times in the coming weeks. I hope you don't think me pretentious or worse yet boring!

Probably the main perk about cruising is the food. It's available round the clock in epic proportions. Lisa and I enjoyed four course meals each night, as well as a snack before bedtime (I had pizza every time!). I think I gained about seven pounds. It was opulent. It was decadent. It made me feel a little guilty--especially when I thought of people starving in Africa, and our own food pantry existing at an all time low of supplies.

It really hit home for me when, at the end of the week, the cruise director had a wide cross-section of the staff come on stage to be recognized and sing a song. Ironically, they sang "We Are the World", the intent being to show how diverse they were ethnically. But that song was originally written to help those children who were starving. So it hit me in the guilt spot, to think how much I threw out off my plate that week--because I had no room! There's something wrong with that picture.

Not to say we shouldn't eat well and enjoy life and travel. But to remember that there is inequity in the world and we are on the heavy end of the scale. And that it is up to us to share.
How best to do this? Perplexing...

Then today I received my Lutheran magazine--bundled this time with a gift giving guide. This catalog doesn't list CD's or gadgets or clothing--it offers you the opportunity to give to World Hunger, Disaster Relief, as well as mission work and Lutheran institutions. Great gifts that give more than once. I hope you take a look at yours and do some of your holiday shopping from it--oh, and don't forget the Fair Trade Coffee Project that brings great java to you without a middleman to swallow all the farmer's profits! (Available at kiosk in narthex.) We also seem to be collecting for the food pantry--judging from the baskets of dry and canned goods I saw in the church on my first trip over there after vacation. (here's a idea though--buy something for the pantry each time you shop!)

We are the world--we should never forget that, and we should share the abundance of God's good gifts. As for us, Lisa and I will be contributing to WH this coming Sunday. What will you do?

Stuffed and home again,
Pastor Tom