Our Season of Joy! November will carry forward the celebrations of
October in wonderful ways. The first Sunday brings our annual All
Saints commemoration, as we give thanks for church members and all
dear to us who now dwell in God’s everlasting care and pray for us as
we journey forward through this earthly life.

Our annual Giving Campaign brings the opportunity to celebrate all
that God is doing through the mission and ministries of First UMC
thanks our generous giving, giving that grows each of us in faith as
a disciple of Christ Jesus. We will consecrate our gifts on November
19 in worship, and then move into Simkins Hall for lunch together
and our annual Church Charge Conference with our new District
Superintendent, Pastor Siosaia Tu’itahi, presiding. This wonderful time
together is an exciting opportunity to hold up all the work of First UMC
through the year, giving thanks for God’s faithfulness and opening our
hearts and minds to all that awaits in God’s future.

November 22 brings us to the 70th Anniversary of our Sanctuary, a
momentous accomplishment made possible by the deep generosity
and far-sighted vision of faithful church members. How grateful we are
for this beautiful sacred space, precious not only to our congregation
but to so many across our community who have experienced here the
power of worship, the beauty of music, and the presence of God’s
living Spirit.

To top it all off, Thanksgiving Day comes ‘round the following week,
opening our hearts to deep gratitude, grounding us in love and joy as
we give thanks for family, friends, neighbors, church community, and
the creation itself.

This is indeed Our Season of Joy! May God grant us grateful hearts
and hope-filled spirits. We give thanks!

Rev. Patricia Farris
Senior Minister