Pastor’s Corner: All Saints

October 12, 2022

We are coming up to our annual observance of All Saints Day on October 30. For the first time in three years, we will be able to gather and light the candles and hear the bell.

One of the things the pandemic has done is to interrupt our grieving. We have been fortunate to lose very few of our church members and friends to COVID-19, but others have died since the pandemic began. The risk of transmitting serious illness restricted the size of funeral services and the means by which we might share our sympathy. That has burdened a lot of hearts.

If you or your family has suffered a loss over the last three years, we invite you to write a brief memorial – no more than two or three minutes to read – that we will share during the All Saints service on October 30. It will not replace a Thanksgiving of Life with everyone present, but it will be a sign that you – and that we – have not forgotten these precious people with whom we shared a portion of our life’s journey.

Please send them via email to esanderson.ucc@gmail.com or to the Church office at 440 W. Lanikaula St., Hilo, HI, 96720.

We will also have candles to light in memory of those who died in other years, recently or long ago. In the growing candlelight we can remember how they brightened our lives.

Please send your remembrances as soon as you can. We can include those we receive before October 27.

Blessings to you,

Pastor Eric