The Woodland Fall calendar is filling up. Children’s choirs started back last Sunday. The Youth Sunday Study kicked off their focus on spiritual practices. The parents’ book study (open to anyone interested) started last Sunday, too. They are discussing Meredith Miller’s book Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn't Have to Heal From. 

 Do you have plans for Wednesday nights this fall? Join us for Serendipity at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays starting September 18. Mike Massar will lead a series called “The Gospel According to Armand Ganache.” This will be an introductory theology class guided by the excellent detective series by Louise Penny. You don’t have to have read the books to participate or get something out of it. Come enjoy good discussion and a few hors d’eourves.   

 October 6 is Woodland’s 35th Anniversary. We will celebrate with an anniversary potluck picnic that night at 5 p.m. Put the potato salad on ice, bake the brownies, and meet me in the courtyard. It’s going to be another wonderful time hosted by our deacons. 

 Speaking of— this Sunday we will vote on a slate of new deacons during a called business meeting after worship. Also after worship, the outreach committee will host a guest reception in the gathering place. This is an opportunity to connect with people who have recently begun attending worship. If you have a friend you have been thinking about inviting to worship, this is a good Sunday to do so. 

 At the end of the month is also our annual church retreat. We are going back to T Bar M Camp in New Braunfels. It’s a great location— a short drive from San Antonio. All the rooms are booked, but you can still come on Saturday for the day at a significantly reduced price. This is how we build the blessed ties that bind. 

Grace and peace, 
Garrett Vickrey