These are our Family Promise weeks. Hours and hours are spent by the coordinators before, during and after these weeks. From what I hear from them, it’s joyful service for Kim and Kim, Mary Ann, Libby and the other coordinators. Members of Peace give their time all through the week. The wider community comes into our building. It makes me happy to see them all. Yesterday I met new folks from the Islamic Center and from Temple Shir Tikva who were here cleaning and setting up under the direction of the coordinators. Neighbors who live across the street from Kirsten and me in Sudbury came to help with the set-up; they are members of Shir Tikva. This morning the Wayland Building Inspector was here. Kim Canning had been in contact with him. He took time to think about the human dimensions of the program as he inspected the building. The building feels different in these Family Promise weeks. It feels like a church all week long.

Leah and Nicole participated in the baptism service for Diane and Harry last Sunday. They read the list of responsibilities that describe an adult Christian life. Parents and sponsors promise to be responsible for these things on behalf of a child. The congregation provides the community for support. Confirmation is the way the church says to a young person: you are now an adult member of the church. Confirmation is the student publicly affirming 1.) the “belonging” of baptism and the 2.) responsibility of a Christian life.

Parents, a number of you signed up for the Beehive Art project during the Sunday school hour. The project will be Advent Wreaths to take home. If you have not signed up for the project let Kim Canning know.

An adult forum on campus ministry follows the service. Kari Jo will help us think about the place of faith development in the lives of students.

In November we turn to messages of stewardship. Your Christian commitment makes claims on the use of your time and resources and offers you guidance and support for the same. The stewardship of your life (how you choose to live)  has a direct effect on the church. Time spent and money given by all of you creates our church community. As important as the time you give and the money you offer is the spirit in which you give them. If you give of yourself and of your money begrudgingly or with resentment, that will be noticed. If you give of yourself happily, and give your money thankfully, that spirit is infectious. Other people are helped by your cheerfulness.

This long-running program of Lutheran World Relief is the Eagle project for Sudbury Boy Scout Thomas Brennan. Thanks to all of you for bringing in soap, towels, toothbrushes and nail clippers. The collection box will be there for a few weeks.