NOVEMBER 2026

Dear Kind and Gentle People,

OH, MY SOUL! We have made it through October and the Full Hunter’s Moon. This year was especially glorious with Petah’s howling resounding over the mill pond and a pack of local coyotes creating their own tribute. Enjoy this amazing sound captured by Nee Nee. (Turn your volume up!)

In addition, this year’s supply of quinces is almost ripened enough to be transformed into mouthwatering jelly. Do enjoy this kitchen bouquet of Quinces with a washtub of quinces behind it. Picking them requires long suede welding gloves as the thorns on the bushes are quite naughty; however, the prize-winning Lamborghini of jelly is worth it.

One of the most meaningful worship gatherings at the Newfield Community Church is the celebration of All Saints Sunday complete with an “All Saints Sing-A-Long” and meaningful observance of those who have gone before us. Jesus stands with us in our reflecting. Jesus sees so much pain in his lifetime -- the suffering of souls under Roman rule, the cry of the hungry and poor on a hillside and people tormented by all manner of emotional, physical and spiritual sickness -- yet Jesus does not cry. He cares for them and metaphorically howls the source of light and love into and around each situation. Let’s be brave like Jesus and care for others.

As you reflect what being brave like Jesus looks like, perhaps this portion of the liturgy from the Newfield Community Church would be helpful with some of our contemporary saints.

We give thanks for contemporary saints among us, including Father Mychal Judge, who ministered on 9/11; human rights champion Marsha P. Johnson; codebreaker Alan Turing, whose work saved millions of lives; Matthew Shepard, martyred by hatred; Harvey Milk, a pioneering voice of hope; and artist Dolly Parton, whose generosity has touched countless lives. God in your mercy, hear our prayer.

So, be brave like Jesus and care for others. Honor nature and the cycle of life. Howl at a full moon whenever possible and listen to the cries of all creatures that share the earth’s resources with us. Finally, remember who you are, what you value and to whom you belong. The world needs every bit of the Saint you were born to be and you have everything you need!

As always,

Gobs of Blessings and Heaps of Happiness,

Rev. Dr. Peter Stickney

— Photo by Petah Stickney