I am sure you noticed the wonderful harvest decorations that adorn the outside grounds of both the Church and the rectory: pumpkins, gourds, cabbages, and beautiful mums – and so artisti-cally placed among the plantings of our parish.

I want to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to Barbara Hopkins and Terry Longo for the time and talent they gave in making this happen. Their work is an expression of God’s beauty in more ways than one.

Barbara and Terry worked very hard for a number of days both in purchasing the plantings and fall accents at local nurseries and also in some very labor intensive, good ole fashioned hard work (I made them tea!) as they readied the rectory grounds and the Church proper. I am indebted to them for their time and talent! It is because of folks like Terry and Barbara who give of their talent and very valuable time that our parish is alive and vibrant. Without their ownership of this parish, we would be much less the image and likeness of God.

A rather large number of people—parishioners and non-parishioners—stopped me this weekend to tell me how beautiful the property looks. As I have said of late about our Religious Education program and our Youth Ministry—and the same holds true for our volunteer ministries including this outdoor work—I just show up and accept the compliments.

Thank you, Barbara and Terry!