This will be the first full week of a return to fall routines in our home - but it is different this year - the nest is empty! Two of our six children are off making their way in the work-a-day world and four are in University, The house is strangely quiet. But it is a good quiet - a quiet rooted in gratitude for the life we share and the meaningful work that keeps us engaged - albeit sometimes too much so, for too long, either too early in the morning or too late at night working on one project or another.
One of my projects over the next 30 days is #30daysofgratitude - intentionally expressing gratitude to fall that makes the community we are a part of such an amazing place to live.
You are invited to take part! Consider the list below and submit a photo that captures what you are grateful for. A collage and prayer will be created for each of the 30 Days of Gratitude and onThanksgiving Sunday the prayers and images will be shared as part of our liturgy.
Send your image to lloydabruce@icloud.com
30 Days of Gratitude
Date Day Focus
09/09 01 Public Houses (Pubs)
09/10 02 Sacred Gathering Places
09/11 03 Places of Learning
09/12 04 Public Institutions and Public Servants
09/13 05 Parks and other Outdoor Public Places
09/14 06 Libraries
09/15 07 Farmers Market
09/16 08 Automotive Repair Shops
09/17 09 Day Care Centres
09/18 10 Restaurants & Cafes
09/19 11 Sport Facilities
09/20 12 Motels
09/21 13 Gas Stations
09/22 14 Home Builders, Realtors and Landlords
09/23 15 Barbers, Hair Dressers and Aestheticians
09/24 16 Pharmacies
09/25 17 Hardware Store
09/26 18 Service Groups: Lions, Rotary, Legion etc.
07/27 19 Grocery Stores
09/28 20 Art Galleries
09/29 21 Verternarians
09/30 22 Historical Buildings and Cemeteries
10/01 23 Medical Clinics and Hospital
10/02 24 Roads and Highways
10/03 25 Businesses and Employers
10/04 26 Seniors Homes
10/05 27 Book Stores
10/06 28 Convience Stores
10/07 29 Place We Call Home
10/08 30 Thanksgiving Sunday
Looking Ahead
My time in the office this morning will include two meetings. As I am out this evening for two pastoral visits I will be home this afternoon (I am working to create better balance in my schedule).
Tuesday morning I will again be in the office and at 10:30AM and I am excited to be gathering again with the Lectionary Study Group. In the afternoon, along with Gary MacDonald, on your behalf, we will present your donations toward school supplies to the Dorchester, Port Elgin and Sackville elementary schools.
Wednesday is wide open at the moment and I will be making some calls later today to schedule pastoral visits for Wednesday. If you'd like to see me, please call and we can set something up. On Wednesday Evening I will be attending the meeting of the Drew Nursing Home Board.
On Thursday I will work from home to craft the liturgy and reflection for Sunday and in the afternoon I plan to gather with many of you and the larger community at 4PM in front of the Mount Allison Chapel for the raising of the PRIDE flag to kick off PRIDE Week 2023! At 7PM you are invited to join with others for a time of silent prayer (20 minutes) in the sanctuary as we hold others in love and care.
Friday will be my one day off this week as on Saturday I will be offering leadership at a graveside funeral service in Taymouth, NB - unfortunately this means I will not be present for the PRIDE Parade but I am confident that many of you will carry the banner of Sackville United Church with love, care and excitement!
And on Sunday as part of the Sackville / Mount Allison PRIDE Week festivities, at 11AM we will gather to mark the anniversary of Sackville United Church being recognized as an Affirming Ministry of the United Church of Canada! Wear your PRIDE colours! Be loud! Be proud!
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