Friday, Nov. 4 -- NO Amistad gathering this evening!  So have another evening off... 

Friday, Nov. 11 --  Veterans' Day:  we'll remember those who served and consider how we serve.  We'll also have conversation about the "Occupy Wall Street" movement and its relation to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  (See the attached pastoral statement from the national leadership of the United Church of Christ.)  AND we'll have a belated celebration of both Meiling's and Katrina's recent birthdays!  Full evening...

Friday, Nov. 18 -- a simple meal together on the Friday before Thanksgiving, just to give Thanks for our many blessings.  The menu includes 3 Sisters Stew!

Friday, Nov. 25 -- We'll consider the consumerist culture of the "Black Friday" mall-storming phenomenon and ask ourselves whether there is a Christian alternative to preparing for the advent of Jesus in our lives.

And a few November notes:

• The Balikbayan Box is on its way to Cebu filled with notebooks, school supplies, rice and canned meat, a sturdy bag, a pile of beautiful tie-dyed t-shirts and a box of Jelly Bellys!  It should arrive right before Christmas.  Many blessings on our friends there!
  

• As per our earlier online conversations, I've now sent off $100 checks to the Jubilee USA Network and the local Disabled American Vets chapter for the Veterans' Hall community Thanksgiving dinner.  Once we build up the bank account a bit, we'll send $100 to the St. Paul's Food Pantry here in Vacaville. 
  

• And during November I'll have a big box in the living room to receive non-perishable food for Mission Solano in Fairfield.  Their Community Outreach Center on Travis Blvd. has weekly food giveaways, but today's Daily Republic reports that "Mission Solano also faces the start of the holiday season with a food pantry that is nearly empty ...  As of Monday, Mission Solano had enough food to feed the growing population of homeless and needy for that day, but that was expected to deplete the pantry."   Best food is canned soup, vegetables, beans, chili or tuna, plus unopened boxes or bags of cereal, rice or beans.