A Book of Grace

The word Halloween is derived from the Old English "All Hallow's Eve." Which is to say it is the evening before All Saints Day, which occurs on the Christian calendar every November 1st. All Saints Day is important, for it is the time that we recall the saints of the church who have held us, loved us, taught us, inspired us and, by God's grace, changed us. Spiritual writers consider All Saints Day a "thin time," when the barrier that separates the known and the unknown worlds is less firm than usual.

We will observe All Saints Day on Sunday November 6th. We need this observance so that we may name our griefs, which are many. We carry grief and loss from years past. I will remember Bill Shaw, a leader in my childhood church. I will also remember my mother who died in 2002. We also mourn more recent losses. As difficult as it is we will remember Charlie Negus, whose death has not only affected his family but also our congregation and community. It is important that we acknowledge that impact on All Saints. It helps us with the long, ongoing healing process.

I am touched and inspired by Carl & Elizabeth's list of "Charlie-isms," one for each month of his life (see page 6 of the newsletter). This pretty much defines faith--to look for and find grace in the midst of pain. This is what saints inspire us to do, to create a book of grace that gives significance to our loss. I encourage you to write down your own "isms," perhaps a handful of ways that you have found grace in your own life. Create your own book of grace. In doing so, you will be living out Jesus' words when he said, "blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). You will be joining your voices with the saints of all time and places who together worship and sing: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen" (Rev 7:12).

David