So, where are all these cats coming from? Since I returned from my trip to Washington, I’ve been seeing cats in the backyard outside my window. There’s a gray one, a black one, this morning I had a stare down with a black and white one who crept out of the bush, turned his head to the window, and froze when he met my eyes.

We must have stayed that way for a good minute: his emerald eyes gazing into mine. He’s quite beautiful, with a blaze of white fur down his nose and covering his chin and chest and paws. He’s smaller than the other two cats so I wonder if he’s still growing. Maybe he’s part of this year’s litter.

None of these cats have a collar and I’m wondering if any of them have a home to go to. Many years ago, I lived in a parsonage where there were numerous homeless cats in the neighborhood. We ended up taking two of them into our home. Both were females so we immediately took them to the vet to have them spayed. They took to the cat box straight away. They were affectionate, loved to cuddle, and remained happy, inside cats for the rest of their long lives.

But I’m not tempted to bring in one of these cats: even the one with the emerald eyes. Yet I do find myself worrying about how they’ll survive the winter (if they are indeed homeless). I’m also wondering if these darn cats might be the reason why there haven’t been any furry or feathered friends in the back yard this week. That would be upsetting.
Cats are hunters. It’s in their DNA. But I’d rather prefer to believe that my backyard is like the Peaceable Kingdom the prophet Isaiah foresaw – a time to come when:

The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
The calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11: 6-9)

 

That time has not yet come but it has been promised to us one day. Until then, I’m gonna start shooing those darn cats away.

 

Yours in the journey,
Pastor Kristen

 

                                              Announcements:

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We extend the opportunity for Greeters. The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board.

Prayer Chain: On the bulletin board is a sign-up sheet for the new prayer chain.

Bells rehearsals are tonight, Wednesday, October 09, at 6:30p.

The next Church Council Meeting will be November 3rd after service in the Sanctuary. All are welcome to attend.

All Saints Day: On Sunday, November 3rd, during our 10:00 a.m. Worship Service, we will be celebrating All Saints Day. We will pause to remember those who have joined the Church Triumphant in the last 12 months. As we remember, we thank God for the wonderful and positive memories that comfort and sustain us in our loss.

Daylight Savings Time: November 3rd at 2a. Clocks fall back an hour at this time.

The next United Methodist Women’s Club meeting will be held on Monday, November 04, at 1:30p, in the Narthex. All are welcome to attend.

Penny-Pantry Sunday: Every fourth Sunday of the month, we as a church collect for what we refer to as Penny-Pantry Sunday. These funds are divided quarterly into four separate charities: Bishop Appeal, Crete Food Pantry, PADS Ministry and the Helping Hands Ministry. From October to December of this year, 2024, the Penny-Pantry funds will go to the Helping Hands Ministry, helping those in our community in need. Sunday, October 26th will be the next Penny-Pantry Sunday. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

The Thrift Shop is open Saturdays from 9-3p. It’s a great place to purchase awesome stuff at low discount prices. They have an assortment of items.

The Church Conference will be on Sunday, December 1st, 2024, after church service. Please save the date and mark your calendars. All are welcome to attend.

Save the Date: Saturday, December 07th, from 9-3p.

During Crete Country Christmas we will be having our Annual Crafts and Artists’ Market in the Narthex. A lot of vendors have already signed-up, so like last year, it should be a very fun day where one can purchase unique Christmas presents for yourself or a loved one. Applications for being a vendor are available on-line from our website.

Save the Date: Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 8th, by our church pianist, Paul Blievernicht. The concert will begin at three. Popular Christmas songs and hymns will be played. Concert will be about an hour. Light refreshments will be served.