Grace Waves

Friends:
This Sunday we celebrate All Saints Day honoring those saints who have loved us and gone before us.
From Rilke’s “Duino Eliegies”
Of course, it is strange to inhabit the earth no longer,
to give up customs one barely had time to learn,
not to see roses and other promising things
in terms of a human future; no longer to be
what one was in infinitely anxious hands; to leave
even one’s own first name behind, forgetting it
as easily as a child abandons a broken toy.
It is strange to no longer desire one’s desire.
Strange to see meanings that once clung together floating away in every direction.
And being dead is hard work and full of retrieval
before one can gradually feel a trace of eternity –
Though the living are wrong to believe in the too sharp distinctions
they themselves have created.
 Angels (they say) don’t know whether it is the living
They are moving among or the dead.  The eternal torrent
whirls all ages along in it, through both realms
forever, and their voices are drowned out in its thunderous roar.
In the end those who are carried off no longer need us:
they are weaned from earth’s sorrows and joys as gently as children
Outgrow the soft breasts of their mothers.
But we who do need such great mysteries,
we for whom grief so often is the source of our spirit’s growth –
could we exist without them?
Forum for All Saints Sunday:  Hospice and Palliative Care presented by Bev Harms.
Ending Extreme Poverty:  Experts in this field now say it is possible to end extreme poverty.  Economic growth by itself is not enough – growth must be aimed at ending poverty.  As World Bank President Jim Kim said in his video address to the Parliament of World Religions:   We and the UN (through the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals) now have “evidence” of what does and doesn’t work to end extreme poverty, but we don’t have the moral authorityor constituencies to generate the political will to make this crucial and moral goal happen – but the faith communities do!  We are asking religious communities to issue a call to commitment and act with us.
Quilt Exhibit at Peace:  Two people have volunteered to assist Bill in preparing/hanging Margaret’s quilts.  If you wish to assist that will be appreciated.  Talk to Bill.
Xanthi and Brock’s Wedding – Saturday, November 7 at 3:00 pm.  Come celebrate their love and see the beautiful Wedding Bands which Peace Members helped to create.
Family Worship – November 15!  Peace Parents asked at the Pizza Party that one Sunday a month be designated a “Family Service” which may incorporate or be designed for children.  The cool element – all the kids will know  their friends will be present too!
Drought and Hunger in Laurel Galan, Nicaragua:  Our partnership friends in Nicaragua are suffering.  If you wish to donate toward meeting their Food Needs, please write a check to Peace with a notation LAUREL GALAN.  (The yellow fliers will have additional information.)
Donate Backpacks for the Homeless:  Trinity Center in Walnut Creek will gather and distribute backpacks for homeless friends in our area.  We at Peace are invited to participate.   Standard backpacks in neutral colors, e.g. black, gray, or brown are ideal. (Colors can be problematic.)   Please bring backpacks to Peace any time between November 15 and December 6.  We will collect the backpacks at Peace and take them to the Trinity Center.  Speak with Ron and Linda about details.
Please keep in your prayers:  Jody Larson, Karl on the death of his father, Fran, Debassa Guyo, Xanthia and Brock, Ken’s mom, Kathy’s dad, Julia, refugees, those who are trafficked, those living with addictions, the Saints who we love and miss.
In Faith Community Foundation – A Thrivent Workshop:  Saturday, November 14 from 10:30 – 12:30 Barb Kline and Greg Jahnke will present a workshop on Expanding Resources for Peace Ministries.
The Sabbath Class continues on Tuesdays at 7:30 at Beth Chaim.  Learn how to rest, relax and pamper your soul.
Thanksgiving Eve Interfaith Service:  Welcoming the Stranger – This wonderful annual tradition is hosted by Beth Chaim this year.  The service will be on Nov. 25 at 7:30 pm.  Care to bring cookies or goodies?  Let the office know.
Jazz Church West -All Nite Soul:  Hear the Gerry Grosz Jazz Kitchen at 5 pm and the A Train (Athenian High School Jazz Band) at 6:45 pm Sunday November 1!
Honey, honey?  Yes, your favorite honey on the planet has arrived.  So tasty and so good for you.
Time Change this Sunday – Fall Back!
Blessings, Pr. Steve