We will be taking down and putting away our Advent decorations after the service on January 5. If you can stay and would like to help, please join us.

On Sunday, December 29, we will have a simple service of Taizé music prayers and silence. We have found that this quiet, contemplative service in the midst of these busy, hectic holidays to be a valued gift.

The Taizé service is designed to help one enter into the mystery of God's presence. The service has no formal leadership, no sermon and few words are spoken. The music is a unique form of musical prayer, which are not meant to be sung as hymns, but rather as a series of prayers. In the midst of the stillness and silence we are aware of an inviting reverent space; a space for people to find the quiet place within, and in their own way, God.

Please join us on the Worship zoom link as we discuss The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride, by Joe Siple.

This year has been challenging for many of us. We have lost loved ones, experienced broken relationships, and experienced disappointment and devastation. You are not alone. We are here together. As 2024 ends and 2025 begins, let us share in a worship service for endings and beginnings. This simple worship service is a way to make space for difficult emotions during the holiday season, particularly grief around endings and anxiety around new beginnings. We will have music, readings, times for reflection, and prayers. We will have communion for those who want to share in that sacred meal.

This service will be available in person and on Zoom.

Let's go caroling!

Come join us for an old fashioned caroling party after church on December 15th! We'll have song sheets for everyone, and we'll organize carpools that day - you just need to bring a joyful spirit and a willingness to sing with a crowd. If you have any questions, please contact Scott Sumner Moore or the church office.

The Worship Ministry Team will lead the decorating of our worship space for Advent after worship on Sunday, Nov. 24. If you would like to help make the sanctuary beautiful during this special season, please plan on joining us. The Fellowship Team will provide lunch.

Please join us on the Worship zoom link as we discuss The Briar Club, by Kate Quinn.

Oscar-nominated "American Fiction" is a comedy-drama that tells the story of a frustrated African-American novelist-professor who writes an outlandish satire of stereotypical "Black" books, only for it to be mistaken for serious literature and published to high sales and critical praise.

It was named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the American Film Institute. It also received five nominations at the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Jeffrey Wright, with Cord Jefferson winning Best Adapted Screenplay. The film is rated R for language throughout, some drug use, sexual references and brief violence.

The Social Justice group will discuss "American Fiction" when we meet online at 7 pm on Thursday, Nov. 21st. Participants are encouraged to watch the movie before the meeting — but everyone is welcome whether they've seen the film or not. The movie is available on several streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video.

If you need access to the film, please contact Pastor Leslie. Funds are available to help pay fees if needed. Social Justice meetings begin at 7 pm, using the worship Zoom link. Contact Meg Sumowiec or Pastor Leslie for more info.

Join us for our Harvest Potluck after worship on Nov. 17 — Brook Buck will be serving up prime rib!

This is going to be great! Start planning now for a potluck after worship on Sunday, Nov. 17, in our Fellowship Hall. So many options for what to bring to complement the delicious prime rib... Please let us know what you will bring by contacting the church office.

Lucky Letters returns

It's been a few years since we've done this, so here's the scoop: We will hang letters spelling out a phrase, you buy a letter for $25, and you get a gift card worth that much or more.

Donations needed: If you have a gift card that's been hanging around your house for awhile and you don't plan to use it, please consider donating it to the church for the Lucky Letters wall. Contact Inverleith for details. If you have cards, please drop them at off in the office.

Join the fun at this community event

It's time to get into the spirit of Halloween! Our church will host Trunk or Treat for our own kids plus the community again this year.

We’re looking for participants who can decorate their trunks and hand out candy to our costumed guests. It's even more fun when you dress in costume. Please arrive by 12:15 pm on Saturday, October 26, to allow time to decorate. Trunks often are decorated with a theme, such as spooky, superheroes, Disney, or another childhood favorite theme.

The easiest way to distribute candy is to keep your candy in the bag and hand it to children as they come to your trunk. A creative way would be to place the candy in a big bowl and make the candy part of your trunk's theme and display... maybe a candy slide?

To sign up or for more info, please contact Chris Gabe by October 21 so we have an accurate count for planning. Help build excitement for this event by bringing a pumpkin to put on the chancel in front of the communion table after you sign up.

Please join us on the Worship zoom link as we discuss James by Percival Everett.

The House and Grounds Committee wishes to invite you to our annual fall "All Hands Work Party" from 8 am to Noon on October 19. This is your opportunity to join with the members of the House and Grounds Committee to prepare our church home for fall and winter as well as the holiday season. It is also a time to see old friends and share a donut and a cup of coffee as you join in to maintain and make repairs all around the campus.

In order to encourage participation, House and Grounds has elected to waive the $10 customary participation fee. The first 50 people to sign-up for this very important event will be admitted at no charge, with the added bonus of morning refreshments and a pizza and salad lunch.

If you can't make it on the 19th but want to help, contact Bill Bush and he will set you up with a solo or team job that you may undertake at a day and time that you find convenient. The same goes if you have some spare time on your hands, just contact Bill.

Join our Social Justice group as we do a deep dive into Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy beginning July 18, This online book study will look at how we can restore civil discourse, focus on shared values, and reach understanding despite our differences.

Palmer urges us to resist the policies of divide and conquer and writes about how to hold elected officials accountable. We hope to learn how to have respectful conversations about difficult topics and be in community with those we disagree with.

Each session will cover one chapter and feature short videos as well.

We will use the 2024 edition of Healing the Heart of Democracy and book scholarships are available. Contact Pastor Leslie for book funds.

• July 18: Intro, Prelude, Chapter 1: Democracy’s Ecosystem

• August 1: Chapter 2: Confessions of an Accidental Citizen

• August 15: Chapter 3: The Heart of Politics

• August 29: Chapter 4: The Loom of Democracy

• September 5: Chapter 5: Life in the Company of Strangers

• September 19: Chapter 6: Classrooms and Congregations

• October 3: Chapter 7: Safe Space for Deep Democracy

• October 17: Chapter 8: The Unwritten History of the Heart

All sessions will use the worship Zoom link. Contact Meg Sumowiec or Pastor Leslie for more information.

We hope you'll join us on Sunday, October 6th at 3pm for an outdoor Blessing of the Animals & Service of Remembrance. You can also join us on Zoom using the normal worship link.

It's a wonderful chance to give thanks for the special animals in your life. Our cats and dogs, reptiles and horses, fish and birds that grace our homes are among God's greatest gifts in our lives.

Come join us as we celebrate God's creation of animals as we gather together to bless, and remember our favorite furry and feathered friends!

We are asking everyone to bring their own folding chair and we will meet in the courtyard where we will be able to be together with our animals. We will have a memorial table as well as a time during the blessing to speak the names of pets who have crossed the rainbow

Join our Social Justice group as we do a deep dive into Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy beginning July 18, This online book study will look at how we can restore civil discourse, focus on shared values, and reach understanding despite our differences.

Palmer urges us to resist the policies of divide and conquer and writes about how to hold elected officials accountable. We hope to learn how to have respectful conversations about difficult topics and be in community with those we disagree with.

Each session will cover one chapter and feature short videos as well.

We will use the 2024 edition of Healing the Heart of Democracy and book scholarships are available. Contact Pastor Leslie for book funds.

• July 18: Intro, Prelude, Chapter 1: Democracy’s Ecosystem

• August 1: Chapter 2: Confessions of an Accidental Citizen

• August 15: Chapter 3: The Heart of Politics

• August 29: Chapter 4: The Loom of Democracy

• September 5: Chapter 5: Life in the Company of Strangers

• September 19: Chapter 6: Classrooms and Congregations

• October 3: Chapter 7: Safe Space for Deep Democracy

• October 17: Chapter 8: The Unwritten History of the Heart

All sessions will use the worship Zoom link. Contact Meg Sumowiec or Pastor Leslie for more information.

Please join us on the Worship zoom link as we discuss Weyward, by Emilia Hart.

Join our Social Justice group as we do a deep dive into Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy beginning July 18, This online book study will look at how we can restore civil discourse, focus on shared values, and reach understanding despite our differences.

Palmer urges us to resist the policies of divide and conquer and writes about how to hold elected officials accountable. We hope to learn how to have respectful conversations about difficult topics and be in community with those we disagree with.

Each session will cover one chapter and feature short videos as well.

We will use the 2024 edition of Healing the Heart of Democracy and book scholarships are available. Contact Pastor Leslie for book funds.

• July 18: Intro, Prelude, Chapter 1: Democracy’s Ecosystem

• August 1: Chapter 2: Confessions of an Accidental Citizen

• August 15: Chapter 3: The Heart of Politics

• August 29: Chapter 4: The Loom of Democracy

• September 5: Chapter 5: Life in the Company of Strangers

• September 19: Chapter 6: Classrooms and Congregations

• October 3: Chapter 7: Safe Space for Deep Democracy

• October 17: Chapter 8: The Unwritten History of the Heart

All sessions will use the worship Zoom link. Contact Meg Sumowiec or Pastor Leslie for more information.

Join our Social Justice group as we do a deep dive into Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy beginning July 18, This online book study will look at how we can restore civil discourse, focus on shared values, and reach understanding despite our differences.

Palmer urges us to resist the policies of divide and conquer and writes about how to hold elected officials accountable. We hope to learn how to have respectful conversations about difficult topics and be in community with those we disagree with.

Each session will cover one chapter and feature short videos as well.

We will use the 2024 edition of Healing the Heart of Democracy and book scholarships are available. Contact Pastor Leslie for book funds.

• July 18: Intro, Prelude, Chapter 1: Democracy’s Ecosystem

• August 1: Chapter 2: Confessions of an Accidental Citizen

• August 15: Chapter 3: The Heart of Politics

• August 29: Chapter 4: The Loom of Democracy

• September 5: Chapter 5: Life in the Company of Strangers

• September 19: Chapter 6: Classrooms and Congregations

• October 3: Chapter 7: Safe Space for Deep Democracy

• October 17: Chapter 8: The Unwritten History of the Heart

All sessions will use the worship Zoom link. Contact Meg Sumowiec or Pastor Leslie for more information.

Please join us on the worship zoom link as we discuss “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters.

Join our Social Justice group as we do a deep dive into Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy beginning July 18, This online book study will look at how we can restore civil discourse, focus on shared values, and reach understanding despite our differences.

Palmer urges us to resist the policies of divide and conquer and writes about how to hold elected officials accountable. We hope to learn how to have respectful conversations about difficult topics and be in community with those we disagree with.

Each session will cover one chapter and feature short videos as well.

We will use the 2024 edition of Healing the Heart of Democracy and book scholarships are available. Contact Pastor Leslie for book funds.

• July 18: Intro, Prelude, Chapter 1: Democracy’s Ecosystem

• August 1: Chapter 2: Confessions of an Accidental Citizen

• August 15: Chapter 3: The Heart of Politics

• August 29: Chapter 4: The Loom of Democracy

• September 5: Chapter 5: Life in the Company of Strangers

• September 19: Chapter 6: Classrooms and Congregations

• October 3: Chapter 7: Safe Space for Deep Democracy

• October 17: Chapter 8: The Unwritten History of the Heart

All sessions will use the worship Zoom link. Contact Meg Sumowiec or Pastor Leslie for more information.

Join our Social Justice group as we do a deep dive into Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy beginning July 18, This online book study will look at how we can restore civil discourse, focus on shared values, and reach understanding despite our differences.

Palmer urges us to resist the policies of divide and conquer and writes about how to hold elected officials accountable. We hope to learn how to have respectful conversations about difficult topics and be in community with those we disagree with.

Each session will cover one chapter and feature short videos as well.

We will use the 2024 edition of Healing the Heart of Democracy and book scholarships are available. Contact Pastor Leslie for book funds.

• July 18: Intro, Prelude, Chapter 1: Democracy’s Ecosystem

• August 1: Chapter 2: Confessions of an Accidental Citizen

• August 15: Chapter 3: The Heart of Politics

• August 29: Chapter 4: The Loom of Democracy

• September 5: Chapter 5: Life in the Company of Strangers

• September 19: Chapter 6: Classrooms and Congregations

• October 3: Chapter 7: Safe Space for Deep Democracy

• October 17: Chapter 8: The Unwritten History of the Heart

All sessions will use the worship Zoom link. Contact Meg Sumowiec or Pastor Leslie for more information.

Join our Social Justice group as we do a deep dive into Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy beginning July 18, This online book study will look at how we can restore civil discourse, focus on shared values, and reach understanding despite our differences.

Palmer urges us to resist the policies of divide and conquer and writes about how to hold elected officials accountable. We hope to learn how to have respectful conversations about difficult topics and be in community with those we disagree with.

Each session will cover one chapter and feature short videos as well.

We will use the 2024 edition of Healing the Heart of Democracy and book scholarships are available. Contact Pastor Leslie for book funds.

• July 18: Intro, Prelude, Chapter 1: Democracy’s Ecosystem

• August 1: Chapter 2: Confessions of an Accidental Citizen

• August 15: Chapter 3: The Heart of Politics

• August 29: Chapter 4: The Loom of Democracy

• September 5: Chapter 5: Life in the Company of Strangers

• September 19: Chapter 6: Classrooms and Congregations

• October 3: Chapter 7: Safe Space for Deep Democracy

• October 17: Chapter 8: The Unwritten History of the Heart

All sessions will use the worship Zoom link. Contact Meg Sumowiec or Pastor Leslie for more information.

Please join us on the worship zoom link as we discuss “The Women” by Kristin Hannah.

Join our Social Justice group as we do a deep dive into Parker Palmer’s Healing the Heart of Democracy beginning July 18, This online book study will look at how we can restore civil discourse, focus on shared values, and reach understanding despite our differences.

Palmer urges us to resist the policies of divide and conquer and writes about how to hold elected officials accountable. We hope to learn how to have respectful conversations about difficult topics and be in community with those we disagree with.

Each session will cover one chapter and feature short videos as well.

We will use the 2024 edition of Healing the Heart of Democracy and book scholarships are available. Contact Pastor Leslie for book funds.

• July 18: Intro, Prelude, Chapter 1: Democracy’s Ecosystem

• August 1: Chapter 2: Confessions of an Accidental Citizen

• August 15: Chapter 3: The Heart of Politics

• August 29: Chapter 4: The Loom of Democracy

• September 5: Chapter 5: Life in the Company of Strangers

• September 19: Chapter 6: Classrooms and Congregations

• October 3: Chapter 7: Safe Space for Deep Democracy

• October 17: Chapter 8: The Unwritten History of the Heart

All sessions will use the worship Zoom link. Contact Meg Sumowiec or Pastor Leslie for more information.

Please join us on the worship zoom link as we discuss “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt.