I always miss ISD when I am away, as I have been for the last couple of weeks, but do love knowing that the magic of ISD just keeps on manifesting, thanks to the love and dedication of our wonderful ISD Family. 

Sunday was a day of just such magic!

Congratulations go to Rev. Diana Friedell, whom we welcomed into the ISD ministerial family. Rev. Diana is the sister of Rev. Sue Landon, so we really ARE keeping it "all in the family!" 

And our halls are officially decked! A small and mighty crew lent a joyfully-offered hand to accomplish a huge amount of delightful holiday decorating. Thanks goes to Rev. James De Biasio, Rev. Patricia Makin, Rev. Nancy Pollock Carroll, Lucan Carroll, Rod Hill, Lilya DeBoer-Wilcox, Ted Turner & Martha Saenz, Candace & Lanel Ford, Rev. Fran Wright, Sylvia Wrate, Maribel Torres, Michelle Loy, Jan Keifer, Jan Vinicomb, Rev. Steve Eveland, Susan Lusi, Tony Campanella, and Kermit Kiah for helping to trim our tree and adorn our Spiritual Home with Christmas Cheer.

And as you know by now, December's delightful events are in full seasonal swing!

Tuesday December 8, we'll hold class two of "The Faith by Which We Live," led by Rev. James De Biasio and yours truly. The course, which also runs December 15 and 22, explores the Perennial Philosophy that unites all faith traditions, that reveals to us why WE believe what we believe. 

On Saturday December 12, we'll have a very special Message Circle featuring blindfold billet readings by Rev. James De Biasio, who will demonstrate this amazing psychic tool for the first hour. During the second hour we will hold our traditional message circle so everyone who comes is assured a message during one of the hours. This is a real treat you won't want to miss!

And join us to celebrate the ordination of Deacon Martha Saenz on December 13! Martha has been working lifetimes to get to this amazing milestone in her life, and we are joyously with her as she makes this transition into a new life of serving our Spiritual Home. 

And December 20th is another big day you'll want to make time for! First we will host our annual   Children and Young Adult Service for the youth members of our ISD family -- which even features their participation in the service! Then we'll follow it up with our fabulous holiday party immediately afterwards. 

We'll honor the Winter Solstice with our special service on Monday, December 21. And of course, we will celebrate a very metaphysical Christmas on Christmas Eve, December 24 with our beautiful Candlelight Service.

And, even though it IS December, now is the time to make plans for our 2015 Retreat in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, taking place Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-30, 2016! Watch your mail for the brand new beautiful brochure, and watch for more information on the ISD website in the coming weeks. The payment plan starts January 3, and using that plan you can make five monthly payments of $84 (shared room) or $118 (single room). See Rev. Patricia Makin for more information. 

December, you are indeed a dandy month! 

In joy, peace and wonder - 

Rev. Rob Banaszak

Pastor