Pastoral note, from Garrett

$173.16. 

That’s the amount of coins given to the noisy offering on Sunday. I’m sorry that I don’t have the decibel level to report. It was a lot of coins gathered in metal tins. And it was a lot of fun. Mark Welch and Daniel Zamora’s offertory had people (almost) dancing. For a Baptist church, I saw a lot of foot-tapping. Thank you to our Interim Minister to Children, Katie Wilke, for organizing.

The proposed 2026 budget was made available on Sunday. You can click the link below to review it. We will hold a budget hearing on Monday, October 20, at 6 p.m., in person and online. If you have questions, please email them to Lisa Shinkins (finance@woodlandsa.org). 

October 22, we have Serendipity and Fall Family Fellowship at 6 p.m. in Maresh Hall and the Atrium. Serendipity will discuss the new Louis Penny novel. The Fall Family Fellowship will explore all the beautiful ways we can pray.  We’ll do a brief yoga practice with Krystal Richmond (so bring your mat if you have one or a blanket), read some picture books, and do a craft. 

November 2 will be one of those Sundays on the church calendar where multiple celebrations, commemorations, and projects intersect. That Sunday, we will celebrate Randy’s 20th Anniversary as Woodland’s Minister of Music & Worship. 

It is also All Saints Sunday. On All Saints Sunday, we will remember and give thanks for those in our congregation who have died this past year. The Connections Class will host an All Saints Breakfast in the conference room that morning to honor their memory and care for their families. Invitations will be sent to the families of members we’ve lost this year.

Grace and peace, 

Garrett Vickrey