Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith . . . so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Some days it can feel as if our feet are fixed in granite, as if no mat-ter how hard we try, they can not be moved. Have you ever felt that way? No matter what you do to move forward you seem stuck in one place. You wonder if anything you do makes a difference or will matter after you are gone. I’ve certainly felt that way and wondered those things.

I recently had the privilege of seeing the newly dedicated monument in Washington D.C., honoring the person and work of the Rev. Dr. Mar-tin Luther King, Jr. At the entrance two huge stones are parted and a single wedge is pushed forward; the missing piece of what was once a single granite boulder. Facing the horizon, on the front of the single stone is the carved likeness of Dr. King. On one side of the boulder is inscribed words suggested by Dr. King himself when describing how he would like to be remembered, "I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.” On the other side these words are inscribed: “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.”

Strolling around this giant monument, I paused at this “stone of hope”, watching as a young man posed for a picture with a young boy of 6 or 7 sitting atop his shoulders. The words “out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope” appeared just behind them, as if whispering in the child’s ear. This scene instantly became a frozen moment in time, a metaphor of what All Saints Day means to me.

Because of the work of Dr. King and those who stood or marched or prayed along side him, our world is a better place. Because of Continued on Page 2 (Pastor’s Corner, continued) . Dr. King and all those in our lives who have borne witness to God’s love and justice, and the grace and peace of Jesus Christ, the vision of this father, standing at this mountain of a man with his young son perched atop his shoulders, filled me with thanksgiving for those who have gone before us, as well as hope for those who will come after. We too, stand on the shoulders of the saints before us, as we continue the work they began in Christ Jesus. to sustain and nourish you.

On November 6 we will recognize All Saints Day in worship by reading the names of our family and friends who died in the past calendar year. For us they have become members of the great cloud of witnesses that surround us each day, reminding us that what we do and say, and how we live our lives does make a difference in this world. God is calling us to continue taking faith-ful steps toward the future. The work of the saints and the strength and encouragement of God calls us to keep moving our feet forward, even when they feel fixed in granite. Even in those events and experiences of life that cause us to feel stuck, we are not. We were created by the God who formed the rock from nothing; we are called by God who is the Rock and our Redeemer, and we are being sent to walk by faith. May the hope of Jesus Christ and the blessings of God through the saints continue to sustain and nourish you.

Yours in faith, hope and love.

Pastor Sue