A Message from Rev. Telos
Dear ones,
Yes, together we can do so much. I hope that each of you has found moments of inspiration, relaxation, reunion with friends or family, adventure, peace during these days of summertime. Birthdays we celebrated this summer including Walter Schwarz, who turned 100 years young! Some of us are recovering from surgeries or procedures, illness or loss. We hold each other in celebration and challenge. Many of us have been attending Sunday worship services (what an inspiring variety of services there have been – Gratitude to our Worship Team!) I hope that many of us were able to witness the moving Follow the Rainbow art exhibit – Kay Curtis’ healing vision becoming a reality. Some of us were able to attend our Picnic, others supported the I-91 fundraiser and our Tagless Sale; and others continued on with the work that it takes to manage our church! So it is that we embark on a new year together as a congregation and gather again.
This Fall we will be forming a Memorial Team to share ideas about how we want to honor our members. Perhaps a memorial garden or path outdoors, a quilt or display inside with names, a way to honor and remember the dear ones who loved All Souls. I am inspired to be a part of this process as a way to honor our history and legacy as a congregation. We follow in the path of the ones who came before us whose ideas and dedication, sweat and work have led us to our vibrant congregation of today.
So, let us come together in person or on zoom in September when we support the Windham County Humane Society (love our dear animal friends!) and looking ahead, come together on Saturday, Sept. 19 for a Fall Equinox concert and dance offered by Daniel K. and Sharon L.. If the skies are clear, we might gather outdoors in the grass to welcome in a new season!
Our Ingathering Service on Sunday, September 13th marks the beginning of our church year when we participate in our water ceremony and hear each other’s voices and experiences. I find it to be a moving and meaningful ritual that is unique to UU congregations, and links us to communities across the country who are also pouring water in a common bowl, singing and sharing their way into the beginning of their church year, too.
I hope to see many of you soon as we embark on a new year together. I am honored and inspired to serve the inspiring community that is All Souls Church. Together, we reach out to support each other, care for our building and lands, and offer our support to our community through Share the Plate and so much more!
Blessings,
Rev. Telos
Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much.
– Helen Keller