Dear Friends,

Labor Day Weekend has always seemed like a misnomer for me. We celebrate labor and laborers by relaxing, by taking an extra day off, by spending one last long weekend of summer before another year—another school year; another church year; in Jewish tradition, THE new year—begins. But the time of extended rest marking a shift in our energies (and of course in the weather!) is relevant for our religious community, too. William Blake wrote a lovely, simple aphorism that works well in this moment: “Rest before Labor,” he said. And it is said that Martin Luther once described an anticipated day of work like this: “Work, work, from early until late. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” That pause is important—the pause to regain strength, to reflect and center, to eat a hardy meal before digging into tough work. It’s all about the preparation for endurance and for resilience.

This Sunday, we take a pause, a rest before the coming labor, to celebrate our religious community with a Potluck Brunch organized by Lee and Linda Ganske. Service begins at 10:30 am in the Fellowship Hall, accessible by both stair and lift. After a brief program to rejoice in the bounty of our community and our desire to share time together, we will eat! Child-care will be available. If you have not been at the Fellowship all summer, check out the new CFD Room [formerly the Planet Room], Meeting Room (for committee and team meetings, classes, and quiet hospitality) [formerly the Arc or the Ship Room], Library [formerly the Black and White or Youth Room, and Youth Room [formerly the Minister’s Study or just storage!]. Staff, in consultation with the Board and congregants, have been making changes to meet the growing needs of our whole Fellowship.

And on September 8, we “ingather” and celebrate together our new beginning with the Water Communion. I so look forward to our streams meeting and merging once more. Until then, and in all times in between, may you remember, today and every day, that you are loved, you are worthy, you are welcome, and you are needed. May you feel it so. And “Amen.”

Blessings and best wishes, Rev. Rita