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DEAR FRIENDS,

A friend reported on Facebook the other day that her husband had purchased a large quantity of Halloween candy.  I guess it was on sale.  Another friend responded that the candy would go stale by the time Halloween came, so he’d have to eat it.  This is, of course, what happens to an awful lot of the Halloween candy we buy.  Even if it’s not stale.  Fall is underway and the Halloween displays are up in stores!

We’re going to do a lot of celebrating in October, and it begins on Sunday, October 1 as we lift up the very goodness of creation with the Blessing of the Animals in the 9:30 worship service. It is one of St. Mark’s most joy-filled Sundays, as we welcome singles and families from the community and their animal companions.  St. Francis (Adam DiProfio) and Jake invite all!  See below.

You may have heard that this year is the 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation.  October 29 is Reformation Sunday, and we will celebrate with special music to remember Martin Luther’s courage in calling out how the church had strayed from its mission and become corrupted.  We will also dedicate our new organ console.

Remember that this Sunday, September 24, we’ll have an hour-long after-church discussion to continue to talk about the events in Charlottesville and the reaction since.  All are invited.  Some of the general topics
  • It is important that each of us be self-aware of our world view, and to accept that others—especially those from  different circumstances than ours—see the world quite differently than we do.
  • The church is being called to moral and ethical leadership--not just the leaders of the church, but everyone in the church.  It is time to step up and be heard.
  • What should we do, as individuals, and as a church?  First, renounce violence, indifference, and hate--to call it out and reject it in personal conversations and wherever else it is encountered.  Second, "counter with the positive"--to speak up and take initiative for the very-goodness of the created order, and the biblical call to social justice.
  • Though we have various political views, we all share the same goal of a more-peaceful, more-just world. When we disagree, can we still be friends?  Can we work together still?
See you in church!
Craig
September 17, 2017
Sermon Video from Sunday, September 17 - Bill Galante
Copyright © 2017 St. Mark's United Methodist Church, San Diego, All rights reserved.


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