In the twinkling of an eye, I have returned from vacation back east and fall is about to begin. As early as last month, if observant, one could detect the gradual passing of summer by the way the sun fell across the street in the afternoon and from its position in the evening. Now it is unmistakable.

During the whole time I was in the Midwest, summer still reigned. It was hot and humid. The temperature remained in the low 70s overnight and climbed into the 90s every day. The temperature of Lake Michigan was somewhere close to 80, warm enough to swim in quite comfortably.

Then a front moved through overnight. It only reached 75 that day with a steady wind. The roiled waters of Lake Michigan were suddenly quite cold – somewhere around 60 – and dangerous to swim in for more than a few minutes near shore. I went out for about twenty minutes and that was plenty.

Upon landing in Washington the next day, summer reigned supreme once again – 80s and humid. But the days of 90+ were over and I led walking tours under clear skies, temperatures in the 80s, and relatively low humidity.

At this changing time of year, our Jewish neighbors have just finished celebrating the new year and the day of atonement, two major holidays in a row as days grow shorter, the harvest ripens and the rains begin. Here is a prayer appropriate for these two holidays:

Fall certainly is a time for new beginnings. After summer vacation, adults and children return to work and school with spirits renewed. And it is a time for churches to introduce new programs.

Our fundamental work as the Community Church of San Carlos is to love God and our neighbors through our weekly Sunday morning worship. All of our workflows from worship.

I am thinking of adding two activities to our church life this fall:

1. An afternoon yoga class open to all and timed to include parents picking up children from pre-school.
2. An adult study group with a focus on how the stories in the Bible relate to our lives today; call it a “Sacred Story Group.”

Please let me know if you are interested and at what time.