Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Musings at St. Andrew's

Andrew Hight | Family Ministries Coordinator

I’m someone who is very dependent on the seasons feeling like what they’re supposed to be. So as we come to the week of Thanksgiving, I’m relieved to see more seasonal temperatures in our future. Don’t get me wrong—the sun and warmth are always welcome, but maybe not that kind of warmth in October.

As soon as autumn arrives, I want to hear Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack to It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown playing in the background, go apple picking, and maybe take a trek to a pumpkin patch. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year. I love the warm days, but I don’t want to lose the magic of October weather and activities. After all, as L. M. Montgomery wrote in Anne of Green Gables, “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers...”

This past Sunday, nine members of our youth group volunteered their time to help prepare meals for the Victoria Street Encampment. Through the Sunday Supper Project—funded by St. Peter’s and St. John’s—our youth helped cook and prepare 104 hot dogs, 60 cups of pasta salad, 50 Rice Krispie squares, 8 jars of peanut butter split into 100 portion cups, and 75 snack bags filled with crackers, a banana, an energy bar, and pepperette sticks. A huge round of applause to them! This is what it means to be the church together—to be a community of care and compassion.

As we move through October, we also approach the fourth annual Candy Jam on October 26. Four years ago, I had the privilege of starting this free community Halloween event, and each year it just keeps growing and growing. As of today, we are already at 424 registered attendees—wow! With that growth comes a growing need for donations of chocolate, chips, and candy. This congregation and community have always responded so generously, and I know you will again. If you’re able, please consider dropping off some Halloween treats at the main office over the next few weeks. Your support makes this event possible—and it’s so appreciated.

As we approach Thanksgiving weekend, I want to say—corny as it may sound—that I am thankful for all of you. This is a beautiful church, made up of beautiful stories. However you spend your weekend, I hope you do so knowing that the grace and love of God surround you throughout these golden October days.

It truly is a beautiful time of year—let’s not forget the magic of autumn. 

Best wishes,

Andrew Hight