Our Faith UMC Holiday Bazaar was a great success and fun as well! There were delicious baked goods, handmade crafts, books, candy, and 'White Elephant' items. As you can see from the picture, I really enjoyed the cookie table ~ perhaps a little too much!

Thanks to everyone who volunteered, baked, organized and shopped!

This is Part II of our Stewardship Reflections. These questions go along with the sermon preached on November 15. (Read or listen on the 'Pastor's Message' page.) You are invited to share your thoughts in the comments!

According to Hebrews 13:5-6, what is both our motivation and empowerment for being content with what we have? What effect does contentment have on our outlook and attitude?

Read Luke 12:15. How are these words of Jesus contrary to the message of the world? What steps can you take to "be on guard" against materialism and greed in your everyday life?

Read Ecclesiastes 2:10-11. What things and pleasures to which you devote your time, energy, and money are "vanity and a chasing after wind?" Pray, asking God to reveal any changes you need to make in these areas.

Review the four keys to cultivating contentment. Which one is most challenging for you?

Make a list of all the things you are grateful for, and offer your thanks to God. Keep this list handy and refer to it often. Add additional blessings as you think of them.

What are some practical ways you can reduce your personal consumption and the production of waste in your life? What are three tangible goals you can set?

Are there major changes you can make related to your activities, job, home, car, or other possessions that would allow you to simplify your life? What is one significant change you will strive to make in the coming year?

What do you and your family enjoy doing for entertainment? How much money do you generally spend on these activities? What are some simple, low-cost entertainment ideas you might try instead? Choose one and make plans to try it in the next week or two.

Have you ever had one of those weeks when it just didn't seem like you could catch up? The past TWO weeks have been like that for me! Last week I was busy preparing for the New England Conference School of Congregational Development ACT2:42 event. As the head of the Worship Team, I enjoyed working with preachers, planning liturgy and designing worship with my Team. After returning last Saturday, I had the joy of attending Sunday School while Bonnie Machia gave the inspiring message. (Read or listen to it on the Message Archive page.)

This past week, I'm not sure what happened. Perhaps it was recovering from my previous busy week. Perhaps it was the mid-fall slump when the days seem so short and the nights so long. Whatever the case, life just seemed to pass me by so quickly. In spite of it all, though, I praise God for the many blessings of each day.... Good Friends.... Nourishing Food.... An Active and Vital Community of Faith.

When your days get busy, don't forget to give thanks even for the little things. In fact, I'd love to hear about some of those things you are thankful for right here! Share in the comments!

Tonight I'm handing out candy at the door as Trick-or-Treaters come by dressed in scary and funny costumes! All Hallow's Eve. Tomorrow we celebrate All Saints Day. This is the day we remember those who have died and celebrate the ways they touched our lives. The word saint, though, often makes us think of perfect people or people who lived exemplary lives. Yet we need look no further than our New Testaments to see that saints are most often regular people with plenty of flaws. Peter, James and John were by no means perfect. Yet even in their imperfections, they did amazing things. They are the saints of our faith.

On All Saints Day I will give thanks for many saints of my life, including my grandmother. My Gram was by no means perfect, yet she lived her faith and taught me by example. Who will you give thanks for this All Saints Day? Who are the saints of your life?

Last weekend was my first "Harvest Weekend" here at Faith UMC. It started with the Harvest Dinner on Saturday night. People from the church and community shared a delicious pork roast dinner. Harvest weekend concluded on Sunday with Leaf-a-Palooza and the annual Harvest Party. It was fun to be part of these events that have a long tradition in our congregation. Stories were told about Harvest Dinners past and hopes for the future were expressed!

Then, Sunday evening, we celebrated the launch of our new Youth Group. Parents and youth gathered for information, prayer, games and food. This was, we hope, the first of many such gatherings! It was a wonderful beginning.

It strikes me that the balance we experienced last weekend ~ long time traditions along with brand new programs ~ is essential to any healthy congregation. We must find the balance between honoring time honored programs that work while being open to trying new things. We worship God who promises to make all things new. Honoring the past, living in the present, and anticipating the future with hope, let us seek to follow God's leading in everything we do!

That was the question Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus in this Sunday's Gospel lesson. (You can find the story at Mark 10:46-52.) Bartimaeus was a road side beggar on the outskirts of Jericho. When he heard that Jesus arrived, he could barely contain himself. "Son of David," he cried, "have mercy on me!" The crowd, embarrassed by Bartimaeus' outburst, tried to shush him. Jesus, however, would have none of that. Stopped in his tracks, Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

I think we can learn a lot from Bartimaeus. Despite his blindness, he could see who Jesus really was. Despite his place at the bottom of society, he claimed Jesus love for himself. He wasn't afraid to speak up and proclaim his faith. After Jesus healed Bartimaeus from his blindness, we might expect him to go in search of his family or pursue some other dream. Jesus had given him his life back, after all! He would no longer have to sit on his cloak by the road side. What Bartimaeus does, though, is follow. The Gospel tells us, "Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way."

In reflecting on this passage, we may want to ask ourselves: Do we speak up or keep silent in the presence of Jesus? Where are we blinded to the truth right in front of us? Are we just sitting by the road side? Have we heard the call to join Jesus on the journey?

One of the questions I've been most frequently asked these past three months is: "How do you like South Burlington?" My most frequent (and honest) response is: "It's great!" Really, what is there not to like about South Burlington? It is an active, community conscious, environmentally minded place with lots of recreational opportunities. No wonder we get lots of tourists up here!

I feel grateful to have fallen in love with this place, my new home. Yet, there is more to living in a community than simply liking it. Truly being part of a community requires getting to know its needs as well as its benefits. Over the past few weeks I've met with several community leaders to ask the questions, "What is the biggest need you see in South Burlington?" After speaking with the City Manager, Police Chief, Library Director, and Superintendent of Schools, it seems to me that connection is the biggest need. We live in an isolating society and isolation breeds disconnection, depression and despair. How do we get connected? How do we stay connected? As a Faith Community, how can we help people get and stay connected?

Families are often so busy with work and school obligations that they don't have time to get to know their neighbors. The elderly are often unable to get out on their own and, as a result, suffer from loneliness and depression. Youth are often so over-scheduled that they miss opportunities to cultivate positive social interactions. The question that keeps coming to my mind is: What can we do?

I invite you to ponder this question with me. If you have insights, please respond in the comments. How can we bless our wonderful community to be a place of true connection?