All Saints Day is one of my favorite celebrations in the Christian calendar. Interestingly, I recently discovered that it was also one of John Wesley’s favorites! In his journal, Wesley described it as “a festival I dearly love.” I smiled when I read that. Apparently, Wesley and I share at least one favorite day of the church year!
This past weekend gave us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate All Saints Day at Groveville and Crosswicks United Methodist Churches, with the added joy of Halloween the day before.
I find this combination particularly interesting because Halloween remains a controversial celebration among some Christians, who associate it with darkness or even evil. I understand that people have different perspectives on its meaning. However, when I see the tenderness of children approaching our church in their costumes, carefully taking one or two pieces of candy from a tray, and then, encouraged by their parents, offering an innocent and sometimes shy “Thank you!”, I cannot help but smile. There is something profoundly beautiful about those little encounters.
I wonder how often we miss opportunities to experience God’s love because we are too concerned about where we might encounter it.
On Saturday, Groveville UMC had the opportunity to welcome children and families from our neighborhood, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who helped make that possible. I believe these encounters matter, especially as we continue asking ourselves what it means to be the Church in our communities.
Then, on Sunday, we gathered for two beautiful All Saints Day services, first at Crosswicks and then at Groveville. It was a particularly meaningful occasion for me, as we remembered those who have gone before us and reflected on the mystery of life, death, and the Communion of Saints. In my sermon, based on John 12:24–26, we explored Jesus’ image of a grain of wheat that falls into the earth and dies.
Jesus tells us that unless the grain dies, it remains alone, but when it dies, it bears much fruit. I have been thinking a great deal about that word: alone.
We usually approach All Saints Day thinking about death and remembering those we have lost. Yet, Jesus’ words invite us to consider something else.
What does it mean to live in communion with others? How does the love we share become part of lives beyond our own? And how can we make sure that, while we are still here, no one among us has to face life alone?
Perhaps this is why I enjoy All Saints Day so much. It reminds me that our faith is deeply communal and that the Church extends beyond the people we see sitting in the pews on Sunday morning. In the mystery of Holy Communion, we are united in Christ with those who have preceded us in faith, while also being called to care for those who are walking beside us today.
As I think about this past weekend, I also want to give thanks for the many living saints at Groveville and Crosswicks, especially those who faithfully dedicate their time and energy to our churches and communities. Your presence and commitment are blessings that I never want to take for granted.
I also want to offer a special prayer for those who could not join us on Sunday because of illness, pain, or other difficult circumstances. May our loving God bring healing to those who are sick, comfort to those who are suffering, and peace to those carrying burdens that others may not see. Please know that you were missed and that you remain in our prayers.
Finally, thank you to both congregations for such a meaningful weekend. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to walk alongside you, to share in your joys and sorrows, and to continue discovering together what it means to follow Jesus in our communities.
And perhaps there is a connection between those children receiving candy on Saturday and the saints we remembered on Sunday. Both remind us, in different ways, that our lives are shaped by the love we receive and the love we share.
May God help us continue bearing that fruit.
