All Hallows' Eve - Halloween.  All Saints Day.  All Souls Day.  Dia de los Muertos.  Oh, and the end of Daylight Savings Time.  There is a lot happening this weekend!  All of these occasions deal with transition - from life to death, from death to new life, from more light in the evening to less light.  

Now that we have grandchildren, Halloween has become more than an occasion to contribute to the tooth decay of the (usually) two hundred or so kids that come to our door looking for candy.  It's now a chance to show off pictures of the world's most adorable grandchildren in the world's most adorable costumes!  And no, I don't have a costume I'll be wearing this year, although I think the Mauve Crayola Crayon costume Debbi made years ago is around if needed...

All Saints Day continues to be for many a time when we remember with thanksgiving the lives of loved ones and friends whose influence in our lives has not been diminished by death.  Many of our congregations have special ways of marking the deaths of members and friends who have died in the last year by reading off their names in the prayers and perhaps tolling a bell.  Others create memorials - places for people to write the names of friends and loved ones who have died, who they are remembering with gratitude and prayer.  May you be blessed as you take time to remember the saints God has placed in your life.  

With growing numbers of Latinos in our communities, Dia de los Muertos has become a more prominent part of gatherings this weekend.  Dia de los Muertos focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey.*  Many of our congregations across the ELCA are "making room" for celebrations of Dia de los Muertos alongside of their celebrations of All Saints Day.

I will be spending this weekend celebrating the 50th Anniversary of my home congregation, Calvary Lutheran of Solana Beach.  It is the place where I first "caught" the faith, and grew to understand God's grace in a way that has been life changing.  It is the place that was my second home for much of my growing up years.  It is the church where my mother was supported through her journey with cancer, and where her memorial service was held.  Calvary is a church where many saints who have served in ministry during their 50 years together.  I'm looking forward to being "home" and celebrating their anniversary and All Saints Day with them, in spite of Jesus' warning about prophets in their own hometowns...  You prayers will be appreciated, as always.

Peace,
Bp. Mark

PS -- Be sure and set your clocks back one hour this Saturday night - or you will be wondering why everyone else isn't at the early service!

*Thanks, Wikipedia!