17th Sunday after Pentecost - Habitat Sunday

Don't forget that tomorrow we will be worshiping with St. Andrew's at SOV! Their choir has invited anyone who wants to sing to join them for a 9am rehearsal. Curt Logee, board chair from Habitat for Humanity will be preaching and Rev. Mia Kano is presiding. I get to just be in worship with everyone! Afterwards, we have a potluck lunch and then 10 people at a time can do some work down at the Habitat House. I'm grateful for this creative exploration of partnership!

Please read the Letter from Synod Bishops to the ELCA that Bishop Pipho encourages everyone in the synod's congregations to receive. It was signed by 49 synod bishops (including him and 75% of all synod bishops) which speaks to our Christian witness in this political moment in time. Some have asked if I would be making a statement about Christian Nationalism. This letter speaks our clear opposition to Christian Nationalism as a distortion of the Christian faith along with a strong call to insist on love. The bishops directly call on all members of the ELCA to join them in prayer, advocacy, and action:

• Pray for those who are vulnerable and for all who work for justice.

• Advocate in your communities, legislatures, and Congress for laws that protect migrants, advance racial justice, and safeguard LGBTQIA+ people.

• Engage in the holy work of hospitality, creating spaces of safety, affirmation, and belonging for all God’s children.

• Model respectful dialogue in a polarized world, seeking understanding rooted in love.

• Hold fast to hope, trusting that the Spirit is still at work renewing creation and reconciling the world to God.

I add my own "amen"!

Peace,

Pastor Gaeta 

 Local Opportunities To Serve

Household Goods

We continue the towel drive for Household Goods. There is a large box in the sanctuary to collect any donations you bring in person.  Used items are fine as long as they are clean, with no stains or rips. If you would like to order online and have the items shipped directly to them, shop their wish lists:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/8JMJW30SKMRX?ref_=wl_share

Target: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift-giver?registryId=6689eac0-6247-11f0-8918-43da993488c9&type=CHARITY

Household Goods is located at 530 Main Street (Rt. 27) in Acton.  If you have furniture (No office or gaming desks, and no office chairs), kitchen goods, bathroom goods, clean usable sheets, any household items that are in decent condition and usable, they will take them. You can check their donation schedule on the site, and what items they are accepting.  This link lists their donation guidelines.

Donation Drop-Off Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9am to noon

Neighbor to Neighbor

Thursday mornings Karen and Janet will be working at the Lowell location of the IINE - International Institute of New England (IINE). . They are working on food security and ESL. Please email Janet at jkvesper@comcast.net; or Karen at Karen.Sheldon217@gmail.com if you're interested.

Timeline:

October - December: One Semester Pilot Project begins, includes monthly team gatherings

January: Evaluation

February - April: Continuation of Project

May: Evaluation and Next Steps

Ayer Holiday Giving Tree

Kim Duhamel will be leading the SOV tradition of giving holiday gifts to the children of Ayer - Shirley Regional School District (ASRSD) families. Thank you to Kim for stepping foward.