For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die . . .
a time to mourn . . . and a time to heal.
from Ecclesiastes 3

This season of social distancing and mask wearing has promoted our physical wellbeing; but it has also served to isolate us spiritually from those with whom we cherish sharing times of joy and sorrow. A further consequence has been a hand-wringing focus on ourselves, with little time for remembering those who were comforted by God’s provision as they planted the seeds of faith in our hearts.

On November 1st, All Saints’ Day, I will be opening the Historic Church at 5:00 pm to host “A Time for Remembering . . .” We’ll sing; we’ll pray; we’ll hear a reading from John’s Gospel after which I’ll reprise a favorite sermon (I Believe in Heaven); we’ll light votive candles in memory of our dear ones, placing them on the altar; we’ll receive the Lord’s Supper; and, by God’s grace, we’ll depart inspired to meet the days to come with steadfast faith and courage.

Preregister and come . . . come if you’re mourning a recent death or one that’s still as real as yesterday . . . come to remember and honor a Spiritual mentor . . . come to be a friend to someone who is hurting . . . come with an open heart to receive a blessing from the One who holds time in His hands.