Ahh, October. This is my favorite month. There is something about the brilliant foliage, the crispness in the air, the crunch of Honeycrisp apples, the excitement of breaking out the corduroys, and the softness of flannel sheets that speaks to my soul. Having grown up in New England, I cannot imagine an autumn without all these things. Yet there are millions of people around the nation and the world who never (or at least rarely) get to experience the sights, scents, tastes, and tactile sensations that so feed my spirit.

Every so often, this fact comes to the forefront of my consciousness and manages to (re-) surprise me. Residents of semi-arid and arid climates in Arizona and Southern California must travel up into the mountains to see deciduous trees that change color with the season. People living in hot climates never get to experience the wonders of flannel. And would you believe that Jesus himself never tasted a Honeycrisp or saw a gorgeous Red Maple?

Some days, I grieve for these folks and all that they are missing. But then I realize that they have their own natural wonders and witness their own autumnal changes. (Perhaps they even grieve for me, because I do not have access to so much of what they love.) Sure, their seasonal transitions might not look like mine…but the changes they experience are beautiful, nonetheless. Regardless of where one lives—or the vantage point one enjoys—Mother Nature always has a transition in store. Nothing ever stays the same.

Knowledge that time is passing, and that nature always is changing, can provoke a sense of the bittersweet. But it also provides hope for me. We are living in days that can be dispiriting and upsetting. The quality and tenor of national discourse is painful (to me, at least). I dread the next few months. Political rhetoric between now and the election is only going to become more heated. And who knows what will happen on and after Election Day? Pundits are warning that we might not know who the president will be for weeks.

It all can feel so overwhelming—until I remember that Mother Nature is going to keep doing her thing, regardless of what we humans are up to. Here in New England, leaves are going to fall, whether we want them to or not. The air is going to become cold, and the first flurries will land on our eyelashes, whether we welcome them or not. Seasons will inevitably change, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Most importantly, the sun is going to keep on rising; it really could care less about who wins political races. Somehow, the fact that Mother Nature—and the Divine Force that undergirds everything in the Universe—will resiliently keep on keepin’ on, even as we fight over politics, brings me great comfort. I encourage all of us to make time to get out into the natural world over the next weeks and months, so that we can witness the amazing stability of change. May the Holy be with us in our exploration. Peace be with you.

In faith,

This month, Woodfords is collaborating with State Street Church UCC and Williston-Immanuel United Church to sponsor a Blessing of the Animals ritual. Animal lovers everywhere know that our furry (or feathered or scaly) friends are a blessing. But when do we have an opportunity to bless them? Join us for a worship service to celebrate and bless the creatures who love or have loved us. Bring your dog, cat, gerbil, snake, parakeet, ferret or any other creature you share your home with. Or, if you have lost an animal you loved, bring a picture for the altar and light a candle in remembrance. This event is for animal fans of all ages.

Non-aggressive pets of all species will be welcomed, as long as they pose no threat to others and are on a leash, in a baby carrier or an animal backpack, crated/caged, or otherwise contained and controllable. (We don’t want any people or pet friends being hurt, escaping, flying away, and/or running into busy streets.) COVID-19 safety precautions will be observed. Please wear layers and your mask for this outside group experience.

Come sing along with folk singer/historian/educator, Dee Mehl Ban, as she explores the complicated history of voting rights and elections in the U.S.A. Through primary source music, we will celebrate the right and privilege we have at the ballot box. Dee has autoharp, will travel to you. So put on your red, white, and blue, and take your zoom square. It promises to be an all-ages evening of information and fun! Find more information at this link.

This four-part workshop will explore the dynamics of intimate relationships (romantic, familial, deep friendships). How can we better understand ourselves and our beloved in ways that enrich our connections and help us to navigate conflict. This workshop is perfect for married couples or any other close connection. So, grab a loved one and sign up!

This workshop will help people understand their Enneagram type’s emotional triggers, mental distortions when under stress, the ways in which they abandon themselves and their relationships, and will provide clarity on how to stay present to self and others. This creates a bridge to intimacy and loving connection. Individuals will experience deeper compassion for the psychological and emotional mechanisms that challenge each type, gain better understanding for the ways in which they defend themselves from hurt, and what assists them in coming forth with their genuine heart. The wake-up call of each type will be addressed, along with the core fear patterns of each type, and what each type needs to feel loved, seen, and held. The importance of our instinctual bias will also shed light on the natural survival strategies that each type employs when afraid or insecure. In addition, the object relations patterns of each type will be illuminated, pointing to powerful unconscious patterns that underlie much of what unwittingly frustrates or derails our relationships.

Participants will be guided to use the Enneagram as a profound and immensely practical way to understand their relationships with others, both intimate and professional. We will feature exercises as well as music, meditations, and practices that will help bring greater presence to our inquiry.

As always, lunch is on us! Keep an eye out for lunch order forms (which will be available closer to the fair), so you can sign up for some homemade chowder, a lobster roll, etc. This year the meal will be a parking lot drive through event. So make your order and drive in for your favorite holiday taste!

October: Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family by Mitch Albom (Suzanne)

If you would like to be added to emails regarding book group activities, or if you have any questions, contact Suzanne D’Bourget at suzannedb@me.com or 329-1444.

November: The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict (Martha)

December: The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg (Cindy, this is a change in book selection for her)

January: Cover of Snow by Jenny Milchman (Lana)

February: Themes of Race and Racism (articles to be copied by Barbara Thompson)

March: Gilead by Marilynne Robinson (Charlotte)

April: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield (Connie)

May: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and The Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmer (Lorraine)

Woodfords’ racial justice conversation group invites everyone to participate in its upcoming dialogues about racial justice in America. Participation in prior conversations is not necessary; there are no prerequisites for joining us other than an interest in getting together with other learners and conversation partners.

Woodfords Church is continuing to hold its gatherings and meetings via Zoom. If you have not yet participated in a Zoom meeting, this is an online platform for video- and audio-conferencing. If you are new to Zoom, here are some helpful notes: