Minister's Moment

All Saints Day is one of my favorite Sundays of the year. I love the idea of a day when we can remember those who have come before us, teaching us about God and how to live lives of faith, loving us, and showing us God’s love in how they live and move and breathe in the world.

Over the past few years, we have read the names and lit candles in honor and memory of those at Bridgeport Christian who have transitioned to life eternal over the past year. It has become a sacred time of remembrance for us, even as we cannot name and light candles for each and every one of the saints in our lives from all times and all places every single year. Even as we name just a few, we still remember all our saints.

In 2021, I was introduced to another tradition at Bridgeport. It is something I have never seen done at any other church before – the memory trees. From what I have been told, these trees, in the back corners of the sanctuary, hold ornaments people have brought to honor and remember loved ones. What a beautiful tradition!

This came up at a recent Membership Committee meeting, and we realized that we had not invited anyone to bring memory ornaments recently. We thought we could revive this tradition, adding the Christmas tree in the choir loft as a third memory tree.

So, we are inviting everyone who wishes to bring a Christmas ornament in honor and memory of one of YOUR saints to our All Saints Day worship service on November 1 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. We will gather and bless and remember. We will look to the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us in all times and all places, giving thanks for all the saints have done to bless us. And, we will add these ornaments to our memory trees this year and for years to come. (We will also have ornaments available for anyone who needs one to honor their saint that day.)

As always, may the memories of all our saints, in all times and places, always be a blessing to each and every one. I look forward to celebrating All Saints Day with you this year.

Blessings and love,

Ann