A Word From Our Pastor
The change of seasons is here, bringing cooler weather and a new slate of classes - some new and some familiar favorites. One of our most popular Sunday morning classes is the multi-generational Sunday school, where we've been exploring different ways of marking time as a recurring theme. A key subtopic has been the Christian liturgical calendar. This system reminds us of the traditional seasons, such as Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter, encouraging us to reflect and grow as we encounter each season throughout the year. According to the liturgical calendar, the next Christian liturgical year begins on November 30th, the first Sunday of Advent - just a few weeks away.
Between now and Christmas, there are numerous
exciting opportunities to celebrate our faith and deepen our spiritual growth in various ways. On the first Sunday of October, we will celebrate the founding of St.Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, as well as the church's namesake, Saint Francis of Assisi. In the weeks that follow, we will highlight the ministries of the church, the diversity of our congregation, and the memories of those who have gone before us, all with a theme of hope for what is to come in the year ahead.
Additionally, several seminars, classes and presentations are planned for the remainder of the year. We will discuss the book titled "The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently;" we are planning another star party where we can view the night sky using telescopes set up by members of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association; and our own Shannon Sullivan will offer a presentation titles "Transforming Grief with the Spiritual Companionship of Trees through Meditation, Poetry and Movement." These are just a few of the exciting opportunities to grow and learn this fall.
I hope you take advantage of these opportunities and engage with other community members this fall. As the seasons change, so do we. Let's make a point of harvesting the growth opportunities this fall as we celebrate the hope that comes with engaging in mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual development.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Mike