A "Welcome to Fall" Friday Five

As this vivid season begins, tell us five favorite things about fall: I love EVERYTHING about fall!!!

1) A fragrance: I love to get out the fall candles... apple cider, cinnamon stick, spiced pumpkin and more.

2) A color: My favorite colors are orange and brown, and I have already decorated for fall using both of them.

3) An item of clothing: I bought a brown button-down sweater and a brown fleece pullover. I'm not sure which one I'm most excited about wearing. I also plan to get some orange pullovers. Yum! :)

4) An activity: I love to take walks and feel the breezes, commune with the trees, but during the stifling heat of summer, can hardly stand to be outside! Same thing with hanging out on the balcony. So as the temps cool, I am looking forward to both fave activities.

5) A special day: Well, I guess that would be Thanksgiving. Sweet potato casserole, anyone? :)

Wade in the Water

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children
Wade in the water
God's gonna trouble the water

Sigh. What an awesome, super-duper fantastic service we had today!

The themes were sacred circle, water and inclusion.

My cutie-patootie son joined the other Creative Kids to sing the introit.

There was a baby baptism and a memory jogger for the grown-ups. While we sang "Wade in the Water", there was a "remembering your baptism" experience. Our pastor and other ministers dipped feathers into water and reminded us of God's love, and grace, and forgiveness.

The sermon was about letting go of the past.

He talked about forgiveness and said...

1) Refusing to forgive is like taking poison and hoping someone else dies. I'd heard that before, but what a powerful reminder!

2) It's not the offense you forgive, it's the person! Well... I'd never quite thought of it that way before.

After the sermon, and before we actually sang the song ourselves, liturgical dancers waded into my soul with a very funky version of the song.

I loved the whole service today and even though I am feeling just a wee bit under the weather, I am so glad I went!