There is no “best” month on the calendar. Every month has its blessings and benefits as well as its drawbacks and downsides. July can be wonderfully warm and also dangerously prone to outbreaks of fire at large scale. December is seasonally bright with Christmas cheer and dreadfully dark with 4:30 sunsets and 8:00 a.m. sunrises. There is no perfect month on the calendar, or age, or circumstance. Each season—of life or otherwise—is best when cherished for its own merits and in its own time. However, one might be wise to bet on October if they were running a raffle to determine the top dog on the calendar.

The cozy feeling you sense deep within you as fall rolls in, the leaves letting loose with their colors and tumbling to the ground, the humble pumpkin showing up everywhere, the jack-o-lanterns lighting up porches, and the pumpkin spice lattes on offer at every coffee kiosk across the land all contribute to that amazing feeling of being wrapped in a warm blanket. The feeling that the Scandinavians call “hygge” (pronounced hoo-gah). But there are other reasons to love October. One of them has to do with a certain beloved saint of the 13th century. He lived a simple life without worldly goods, delighted in every living creature, and was even known to “preach to the birds”. Francis captures everyone’s hearts and imaginations because we too know how God can and does show up in simple things and humble creatures. The love we experience from our pets is not something separate from God’s love and life, but an extension of it. The rainforest, mountains, oceans, lakes, rives, and plains of the natural world are not outside of God but within God’s kingdom, evidence of his ongoing presence and grace. In this light, coming together on St Francis’ Day (Oct. 4) for a blessing of the animals is one of the most natural things we could do (pardon the pun). And a joyous one too.

In “Episcopal world” October brings with it the Diocesan Convention of our Diocese of Olympia. It’s hard to believe that one year ago at Convention we were made a full-fledged parish church. My oh my time flies. This year less exciting business is queued up for Convention, but it is always wonderful to connect with other parishes and their ministries, do the work of electing representatives to diocesan leadership positions, and pass a reasonable budget to fund mission and ministry. This year St Aidan’s very own Kevin King will be running for Standing Committee, which is kind of a big deal. It’s like the “vestry” of the Diocese responsible for advising the bishop, approving candidates for ordination, running the diocese in the bishop’s absence, and much more. I am certainly very proud that Kevin will be representing St Aidan’s at this level. Thank you Kevin!

There is nothing particularly “October” about having an “Instructed Eucharist”, but one is happening on October 18th. It’s a special kind of Sunday service where the liturgy is paused at different points and its meaning and significance is unpacked. It’s not something we’ve done at St Aidan’s in last ten years, so it seems like the time is right. This is perfect for folks who may have come into the Episcopal Church from different traditions. Much of the service may feel familiar to many, but there are some features that might feel less well known to some. An Instructed Eucharist can be an enriching way to connect more deeply to the worship we share. All are welcome and encouraged to come and see what it’s all about.

How ever you may come to the month of October I pray you are blessed by the love and grace of God in all that you do, see, and experience.

Yours in Christ,
Drew+