Spice it Up!

October is here: cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, colorful leaves, windy days and the last full month of presidential political ads. God help us. This, too, shall pass.

I write today knowing that there are many things in the air at my church this month. Folks are fall cleaning their closets and preparing for a church rummage sale on Saturday, October 22. Meanwhile, artistic elves have been painting up a storm in our Friendship Hall, adding color to a previously beige gathering space. Our basement youth room has been hit with splotches of turquoise, fish, tropical scenes, palm trees, and life at the beach. An evening youth group is starting to meet there monthly. Other elves have been acquiring “Godly Play” and fun interactive items for young children on Sunday mornings. It is the season to spice things up.

Our adult education class has been studying poverty. We are collecting a pyramid of canned foods beneath our altar. The poverty class emphasizes the need for children to receive healthy food and good education. Beyond food donations, we can respond by promoting and voting for “The California Children’s Education and Health Care Protection Act of 2016.” This ballot measure does not require new taxes, but seeks to protect funding already allocated. We can also support children and our community by voting for “The Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016”; a measure that allows judges rather than prosecutors to decide if a 14 year old should be charged as an adult while actually investing in rehabilitation and education programs. Youth who commit crimes require good education and rehabilitation while imprisoned; they will be our neighbors upon release and they will need jobs to avoid poverty or continued crime. Good, effective, rehabilitation programs benefit everyone.

Meanwhile, in response to global poverty, our church continues to fund Kiva micro-loans around the world and provide compassion and resources to a children’s home in Uganda. These Ugandan kids are bright, talented, amazing, and they just happen to be extremely poor, without parents to provide for them. A few dollars goes a long way toward their care and futures.

Children nearby and around the world need the warmth and love we all have to offer. With the chill of autumn coming, I am especially reminded of a favorite Irish Proverb: “It is in the shelter of each other that people live.” Let us shelter someone. Add some spice to someone’s life - it will spice up your own.

Love, Pastor Nancy

About Tehachapi Congregational Church:

No matter who you are, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here!

The Tehachapi Congregational Church is an open and welcoming community of faith that believes that each person, created in the image of God, holds a piece of the truth. Therefore we respect each person’s unique spiritual journey. We invite you to experience the difference that religious freedom in a caring community can make in that journey.

We are located at 100 East E St., in Tehachapi. Worship and Sunday School are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Please join us for coffee and fellowship at our Friendship Hall after worship (approximately 11:30 a.m.). All are welcome.