CELEBRATE THE HARVEST

by Alice Valdal

 Thanksgiving is one of my favourite holidays.  No presents to buy.  No cards to write.  No concerts to prepare.
   The garden supplies most of the food.  The decorations are easy and simple, a potted flower, a couple of pumpkins, a basket of home-made jam.  
   And turkey leftovers to last the rest of the week.  What's not to like?

   This year, with our streak of incredible weather, a surprise second crop in the strawberry patch and an autumn coloured maple tree outside my back door, the holiday is even better.
  I am aware that there are those with little to celebrate this weekend, no groaning table, no family gathering, no treasured friendships.  But even the lonely and disposessed can find a welcoming hand and a smiling face in a church congregation -- especially the congregation of SPPC.
   In Bible Study this week we looked at the calling of the first disciples.  When Nathaniel scoffed "can anything good come out of Nazareth," the answer was "come and see."  

   We invite everyone to come and see what's happening in the little church on the corner of E. Saanich Rd. and Willingdon.  Come and see the harvest heaped around the table.  Come and see the boxes of donations for the food bank.  Come and see the piles of socks for Our Place.  Come and see a friend at Fellowship Coffee.  Come and see our youth in the Christmas musical.  Come and see our joyful celebration of the Lord's Supper.  Come and see what it means to be "church" at SPPC.

Thanks to Jean Strong, Pat Aumonier and all who donated produce and helped to decorate the sanctuary.  It looks beautiful.