It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

No. I’m not singing about Christmas. I’m singing about this time of year when the tomatoes are ripe on the vine.

One of the great things about living in Crete is that there’s a couple in our church who plant a garden in their backyard every year. And because they know how much I love garden grown tomatoes they share their bounty with me!

Starting around the middle of August I will find a bag of vine ripened tomatoes hanging on the front door. And they will keep coming.

It’s my favorite treat. You can take your candy and cakes. For me, the taste of a homegrown tomato is the sweetest taste there is.

The first bag of the season always contains some cherry tomatoes. They’re the first to ripen. This year my friends planted a new type that is known for its sweetness. Those sweet puppies were gone before day was done.

And the tomatoes! I do try to space out my consumption. The husband of this generous duo told me to sprinkle just a little bit of sugar on them. I’ve been eating them plain, but wow was he right. You don’t actually know the sugar is even there but that tiny bit of sugar just makes the flavor pop!

Last Sunday they left a jar of tomato jelly on the door along with some more tomatoes. I’d never heard of tomato jelly before but the husband said he’d grown up on it; it was his mother’s recipe. He told me to eat it on a piece of buttered toast. I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical, but do you know what. It is delicious. It doesn’t taste at all like a tomato. I can’t tell you what it tastes like but it has a bright, lovely flavor. Will wonders never cease to exist.

I am so very grateful for these two who share their tomatoes with me. It’s the highlight of these dog days of summer.

Today, I thank God for these two who take the time every year to leave tomatoes on the parsonage door simply because they know how much I enjoy them. I doubt they’d want me to make a big deal about it. I bet for them it’s just the neighborly thing to do.

But it’s this kind of thoughtful, openhearted generosity that being a community of faith is about and it’s one of great things about living in Crete.

Yours in the journey,
Pastor Kristen

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                                                               Announcements:

This Sunday, September 08 is Dedication Sunday. This event is being hosted by the United Methodist Women's Club. We, in June of 1999 worshiped for the first time in our new Sanctuary. You’re invited. Light refreshments will be served after service.

The next United Methodist Women’s Club meeting will be held on Monday, September 09th, at 1:30p, in the Narthex. All are welcome to attend.

The Crete Woman’s Club Annual Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, September 14th, from 9- 12p, in the church’s parking lot.

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