It’s not uncommon for people at this time of the year, in addition to making resolutions, to compose a mental wish list. As we turn the page of the calendar and think about what the future may hold, we have some, often specific, ways that we would like for it to unfold.

Gratitude can enhance our moods, decrease stress and drastically improve our overall level of health and well-being. November is truly a time of giving thanks in which we want to reflect on the gratitude we can express towards those involved in our lives.

October is upon us with the several remembrances that the Fall season brings. This first Sunday is a celebration of World Wide Communion – the transnational citizenship we share with the global Kingdom of God.

The Summer season is about to end. Vacationers will leave our communities to return to their occupations. Some of us will miss the activity of summer and others will sigh in relief. Beaches will allow parking and roads will be less crowded – we hope.

As in many church events, I passed the conversational time at a table with another retired United Methodist pastor so that our small talk was about churches we had served. He had been the Senior Pastor of First UMC Meriden, CT a church of 1200 people for 22 years until 2016!

As I write this message, I am fast forwarding thru the last 10 days before Thanksgiving, and I am living into the beginning of Advent 2020 on November 29th.

November is a time for being especially conscious of what we are Grateful for. The month begins with gratitude for our goodly heritage as we celebrate All Saints Sunday and the contributions of Christians who have in their journeys instructed and bequeathed to us our faith and how to be faithful. It is the time of the ingathering of the harvest in these New England states.

I am looking forward to getting to know each of you this summer. This new normal will be an adventure for all of us together. I am also looking forward to being in ministry with you to our Cape Cod and global community.