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Dear Covenant Family,
Fall goes by all too quickly, which is why I’m grateful for the chance to take walks in this beautiful season. My husband and I took our dog out to the Rocky River Nature Center in the Cleveland Metroparks last Friday on one of our favorite trails. It includes the 155 Fort Hill stairs, which ascend from the valley floor to stunning clifftop views above the east and west branches of the Rocky River.
This is a popular spot in fair weather for seniors to exercise. I am amazed at their endurance, up and down several times, laughing and talking with each other all along the way. I’m content to go up once and take photos at the top before a slow descent on the other side of the hill. Endurance is a strong theme not just for physical exercise, but for spiritual practice as well. The book of Revelation speaks of “the endurance of the saints” as something to emulate.
On Sunday we will celebrate All Saints Day at the Church of the Covenant, with a reading of the names of members who have died last year and a tolling of the bells. You may have your own names to remember, for we all have grief to bear.
Father Richard Rohr writes with this perspective- “What became All Saints Day and All Souls Day (November 1–2) were already called thin times by the ancient Celts, as were February 1–2 (St. Bridget’s Day and Candlemas Day, when the candles were blessed and lit). The veil between this world and the next world was considered most “thin” and easily traversed during these times. On these days, we are invited to be aware of deep time—that is, past, present, and future time gathered into one especially holy moment. We are reminded that our ancestors are still in us and work with us and through us. We call it the communion of saints.”
Who are you remembering this year? How will you endure your own trials, even when it feels like you are ascending 155 stairs, over and over again?
For all the saints,
Pastor Jessie
Pastor@covenantweb.org
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