Dear Friends,
Our Fall theme: sharing our faith stories has been wonderful, as many of you have heard through the testimonies of Dave Sanguinetti and Lucy Gowan.  We will continue this, in addition to preaching and Holy Communion, on most Sundays this fall.  I hope it encourages all of us to share our spiritual journey stories with those around us.  Remember that your doubts, uncertainties, and 'twists and turns', are all part of our journey.  Biblical people have messy lives - we are all in very good company.  As we share with others, we not only encourage them in their struggles, but also perceive our own strengths and blessings more clearly.
October will bring on the first weekend a Bishop's Committee Diocesan Training on Saturday and an Acolyte Training and Swim Party on Sunday.  (Thank you to Tamah and Eric Swenson for leading our Acolyte Ministry.  All youth 4^th grade and up are invited to help lead worship as Acolytes.)
The second weekend, Saturday, October 11, there will be a diocesan discussion about the General Convention, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. George's, Salinas.  (I will be one of the presenters - let me know if you want to car-pool.)
The third weekend, on Saturday, October 18, we have our second annual Harvest Festival and Craft Fair.  Many folks are working very hard on this, and everyone is needed to sign up on Sundays to help with a shift doing something.  This fair is both a fund-raiser and an outreach and witness of God's love and hospitality.
The fourth weekend we will observe Children's Sabbath on Sunday October 26, with special prayers and activities for our children and the community. 
I want to remind you of our Alpha class discussions, Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., on various topics of faith and spirituality such as prayer, God's guidance, the Bible and other Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit (these are the October topics).  This is an open conversation to which non-believers, skeptics, and those who want to learn more about Christianity are all welcome.  Also, our Sunday 9 am and Monday 11 am Bible classes, our Wednesday 7 pm Compline and Centering Prayer, and other meetings all are available to enrich your spiritual journey and strengthen ministry and family life.
Last Sunday, we offered our thanks and our farewell to Shelley Phillips, who has been our Music Director for the past 3 ½ years.  Shelley and Barry are off to Europe to promote a new recording, then back to St. John's.  The Music Committee is looking for candidates to accompany our 10 am worship 2-3 Sundays per month.  Pass the word.
Finally, we are still seeking a tenant for the 1,870 sq. feet of office space upstairs.  (Pass the word!)  Good responses are beginning to come in about the letter from the Bishop's Committee and me regarding our budget shortfall.  I am confident that God's power, working through us as we are willing, can do more than we can ask or imagine  (Ephesians 3:20).
Finally, I am attaching a meditation I wrote recently for the Scotts Valley Banner about taking time to rest and reflect on our lives and our many blessings.  May God's peace bless you even through our many activities. 

See you in Church!
The Reverend Martin Yabroff, Vicar