Tonight I'm handing out candy at the door as Trick-or-Treaters come by dressed in scary and funny costumes! All Hallow's Eve. Tomorrow we celebrate All Saints Day. This is the day we remember those who have died and celebrate the ways they touched our lives. The word saint, though, often makes us think of perfect people or people who lived exemplary lives. Yet we need look no further than our New Testaments to see that saints are most often regular people with plenty of flaws. Peter, James and John were by no means perfect. Yet even in their imperfections, they did amazing things. They are the saints of our faith.

On All Saints Day I will give thanks for many saints of my life, including my grandmother. My Gram was by no means perfect, yet she lived her faith and taught me by example. Who will you give thanks for this All Saints Day? Who are the saints of your life?

Last weekend was my first "Harvest Weekend" here at Faith UMC. It started with the Harvest Dinner on Saturday night. People from the church and community shared a delicious pork roast dinner. Harvest weekend concluded on Sunday with Leaf-a-Palooza and the annual Harvest Party. It was fun to be part of these events that have a long tradition in our congregation. Stories were told about Harvest Dinners past and hopes for the future were expressed!

Then, Sunday evening, we celebrated the launch of our new Youth Group. Parents and youth gathered for information, prayer, games and food. This was, we hope, the first of many such gatherings! It was a wonderful beginning.

It strikes me that the balance we experienced last weekend ~ long time traditions along with brand new programs ~ is essential to any healthy congregation. We must find the balance between honoring time honored programs that work while being open to trying new things. We worship God who promises to make all things new. Honoring the past, living in the present, and anticipating the future with hope, let us seek to follow God's leading in everything we do!

That was the question Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus in this Sunday's Gospel lesson. (You can find the story at Mark 10:46-52.) Bartimaeus was a road side beggar on the outskirts of Jericho. When he heard that Jesus arrived, he could barely contain himself. "Son of David," he cried, "have mercy on me!" The crowd, embarrassed by Bartimaeus' outburst, tried to shush him. Jesus, however, would have none of that. Stopped in his tracks, Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

I think we can learn a lot from Bartimaeus. Despite his blindness, he could see who Jesus really was. Despite his place at the bottom of society, he claimed Jesus love for himself. He wasn't afraid to speak up and proclaim his faith. After Jesus healed Bartimaeus from his blindness, we might expect him to go in search of his family or pursue some other dream. Jesus had given him his life back, after all! He would no longer have to sit on his cloak by the road side. What Bartimaeus does, though, is follow. The Gospel tells us, "Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way."

In reflecting on this passage, we may want to ask ourselves: Do we speak up or keep silent in the presence of Jesus? Where are we blinded to the truth right in front of us? Are we just sitting by the road side? Have we heard the call to join Jesus on the journey?

One of the questions I've been most frequently asked these past three months is: "How do you like South Burlington?" My most frequent (and honest) response is: "It's great!" Really, what is there not to like about South Burlington? It is an active, community conscious, environmentally minded place with lots of recreational opportunities. No wonder we get lots of tourists up here!

I feel grateful to have fallen in love with this place, my new home. Yet, there is more to living in a community than simply liking it. Truly being part of a community requires getting to know its needs as well as its benefits. Over the past few weeks I've met with several community leaders to ask the questions, "What is the biggest need you see in South Burlington?" After speaking with the City Manager, Police Chief, Library Director, and Superintendent of Schools, it seems to me that connection is the biggest need. We live in an isolating society and isolation breeds disconnection, depression and despair. How do we get connected? How do we stay connected? As a Faith Community, how can we help people get and stay connected?

Families are often so busy with work and school obligations that they don't have time to get to know their neighbors. The elderly are often unable to get out on their own and, as a result, suffer from loneliness and depression. Youth are often so over-scheduled that they miss opportunities to cultivate positive social interactions. The question that keeps coming to my mind is: What can we do?

I invite you to ponder this question with me. If you have insights, please respond in the comments. How can we bless our wonderful community to be a place of true connection?

This week's Gospel story is great. (You can read it in Mark 10:35-45.) In it James and John make a request of Jesus saying, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory."

From our perspective, we recognize that they had no idea what they were asking! They pictured Jesus coming to political power with them as his 'cabinet.' Instead Jesus would be tortured and killed and the seat of glory would be in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus counters their question asking, "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They assured Jesus that they were able, but Jesus still wouldn't promise them the places of honor.

Our inclination is to be hard on James and John. Who do they think they are anyway? But, at times like these, it may help to recognize that we may not be all that different from these early disciples. We like to be recognized as special. Serving God by serving others doesn't always come naturally.

As we prepare for Sunday, we can ask ourselves: Where are we doing good for others and for the community? What forms of greatness do we see around us? Can we drink the cup?

Last Sunday we kicked off our mini-Stewardship Campaign for the fall. I say 'mini' because we have decided to celebrate our major Stewardship focus in the Spring. That, however, doesn't mean we miss out on talking about money this fall. In fact, we will have the opportunity not only to look at our church finances, but our personal finances as well!

Sunday's sermon ~ which you can find on the 'Pastor's Message' page ~ looked at two 'illnesses.' These illnesses are affluenza and credit-itis. They affect us personally, socially and environmentally as we acquire more and more stuff. (Read the sermon to learn more!)

In Sunday's bulletin there were also reflection questions. I am posting them here and you are welcome to comment or respond. How we deal with our money is not just a personal matter, but is a spiritual matter as well.

~ There is a balance between making the acquisition of money and possessions your focus and not doing enough to provide for yourself. Read Proverbs 30:7-7. How well do you maintain this balance? What might help you to stay in balance?

~ What does the word covet mean? Read Exodus 20:17 and Ephesians 5:5. How are covetousness and greed cousins? Why does Paul say that greed is idolatry? In what ways do you experience covetousness? How is greed evidenced in your life?

~ Pray and invite God to speak to you through the words of Jesus. Read Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. What happens to the gospel in our lives when we are consumed with the desire for wealth?

~ Read and reflect on Ecclesiastes 5:10; Matthew 16:26; and 1 Timothy 6:10b. What is God saying to you through these verses?

~ Are there signs of affluenza and credi-itis in your life? What most effectively fuels your desire for more?

(Adapted from Adam Hamilton’s Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity)

.... or is it a nightmare? Adam Hamilton shares the following story in his stewardship resource, Enough:

Several years ago the Royal Bank of Scotland sent an offer for a Gold Master Card to Monty Slater. The card came with a $20,000 credit limit - quite impressive for his first credit card, particularly when you consider that Monty is a Shih Tzu dog. Raymond, the owner, thought about using the card for some of Monty's favorite treats but reconsidered, recognizing that his pup was not in a position to pay the balance when it came due - and that might negatively affect Monty's credit rating!

This Sunday we will be talking about being good stewards of the resources God gives us, especially in relation to our use of money. We can't be good stewards, however, until we recognize what fuels our spending, how 'affluenza' motivates us, and how our culture encourages us to over-spend. The above story is amusing, yet it shows us how 'credit-itis' fuels our economy and our lives. The American dream is, in fact, turning into a nightmare.

Yet this is not what God wants for us. God wants us to have life ~ not stuff ~ and have it abundantly. So, in preparation for Sunday, I invite you to consider your relationship with money. If your bank statement reflects your priorities, what is it saying? Where is the abundance in your life?

One of the blessings of the United Methodist Church, in my opinion, is our Connectional system. As a Connectional church, we are part of something much larger than our individual local congregations. We are connected to other United Methodist Churches through Clusters, Districts, Conferences, Jurisdictions, and the World-Wide General Conference. Together we celebrate missions, education and worship around the world. We are not alone, but surrounded by others who support, pray for, and share gifts with us.... and us with them!

Yesterday we saw the Connectional system at work when attending the Installation Service for our new Green Mountain District Superintendent. Rev. Brigid Farrell was appointed as our "D.S." July 1st. This service was a celebration of her appointment and opportunity for the District members to support her in prayer. United Methodist from around Vermont ~ and even some from New York ~ were in attendance.

The service also acknowledged that Brigid is not alone in her new role as District Superintendent. While it is her responsibility and call to lead us in the administration of the District, it is all of our responsibility and call to support her in that task. What could be better than the affirmation that we are not alone? For me, this is what it means to be the Body of Christ.