I hope everyone had a blessed Halloween, Samhain, Día de Los Muertos, and All Souls’ Day. Pagans believe that on Samhain night, the veil between the two worlds, the living and the dead, is the thinnest. Our two worlds are the closest at this time of year. On Samhain night, I lit a candle in remembrance and prayer for my grandfather, whom I lost earlier this year, and for others I miss. Even if you don’t believe in an afterlife or a soul, this is a good time of year to remember, especially as the light fades, the days grow shorter, and the nights colder. I am grateful that we have a time of year for remembrance.
I read this prayer on Samhain eve: This is the night when the gateway between our world and the spirit world is thinnest. Tonight is a night to call out those who came before. Tonight, I honor my ancestors. Spirits of my fathers and mothers, I call to you and welcome you to join me for this night. You watch over me always, protecting and guiding me, and tonight I thank you. Your blood runs in my veins; your spirit is in my heart; your memories are in my soul, with the gift of remembrance. I remember all of you. You are dead but never forgotten, and you live on within me and within those who are yet to come. (from Andrew Sutcliffe)
We have a religious education coordinator who has accepted our offer. We are waiting for a background check to clear before introducing her to the congregation! I’m so excited to start working with her.
Thank you to those who participated in our mission/vision service. The top five words for who Pacific Unitarian wants to be as a congregation are Welcoming, Loving, Inclusive, Service-Oriented, and Kind. To me, this spoke to our sense of community—a welcome, inclusive community that treats people with kindness and love and is driven to serve the world. These words are great food for thought for our transition team and the board.
I’m looking forward to this next month. I am planning a service on gratitude for Thanksgiving Sunday, with opportunities to participate in various spiritual/contemplative gratitude practices. I will also tell the story of the South Asian holiday of Diwali on November 12th and then will celebrate with my spouse and friends. I hope you all will join me for a November filled with remembrance, light, joy, and gratitude.
Sending love and peace,
Rev. Chloë
