Bridgeport Update

Hey Bridgeporter -

It’s been kind of a rough week for me. My dear friend Carol died on Monday evening, and while she was in her 80’s, her death was very unexpected. Many of you met Carol at one of our 4th of July parties as she ‘held court’ under the pear trees with Joe, her husband of 57 years. Carol was one of the kindest, most gracious and deeply principled people I have ever known. She loved her family and her friends fiercely, had a great sense of humor and was determined to live her life without complaint.

As I reflect on all the things I loved about her and learned from her over the years we had together, it’s clear to me that Carol is one of my ‘saints’.

“Saint” is a French word that comes from sanctus the Latin for sacred. And while in the Christian tradition it is most often used as a title of a person formally recognized or canonized, a person of great faith or virtue - someone who mentors us in a life of faith & goodness - can be embraced as a saint. In that sense, Carol is one indeed.

We all have our saints: people in our lives who exemplify faith, love, grace, justice, commitment, joy and all kinds of other wonderful attributes. They have helped us to become who we are today, and who continue to point us in the way we should grow.

This Sunday, we are celebrating All Saints Day. You are invited to bring a picture of your saint to place on the chancel table and light a candle in their memory before worship begins. It’s also Homecoming Sunday, and everyone who’s ever walked through our doors is invited to come back and visit! If you know someone who used to attend, this is a great Sunday to invite them back with you, so please, spread the word!

It is going to be a wonderful day in worship and I really hope to see you there.

in the Big Love –
susan