For neighbors and friends you know well:
"I think your kids will love this! - Your Name"
"We're going. Come hang out with us! - Your Name"

For neighbors you haven't met yet:
"Stop by and say hello. We'll be the ones by the grill. - Your Name, Phone Number"

This Sunday, September 27, we will collect donations for the Rising Hope Mission Church Food Market. Beginning this month, Washington Farm is focusing its Food Market donations on one ongoing need identified by Rising Hope. Their request is simple: pasta and sauce.

Please bring boxes of spaghetti or penne, two Food Market favorites, along with plastic jars of spaghetti sauce. Plastic containers are lighter to carry, and a single broken glass jar can create a difficult cleanup and disrupt the Food Market. Donations may be placed in the basket in the narthex.

Want to see where your donations go? Join Pastor Keiko for a tour of Rising Hope on Wednesday, September 30, at 11:00 a.m. If you're interested, please speak with Pastor Keiko.

Something new is taking shape in the back corner of the church property. Treavor, Rachel, and Dillon are all working toward the rank of Eagle Scout.

An Eagle Scout project is a major undertaking. Each Scout must plan, organize, lead, and complete a meaningful service project that benefits others. The work is entirely Scout-led, giving each Scout valuable leadership experience from start to finish.

Together, their projects will transform an unused stretch of the property into a Serenity Area. Treavor's stone fire pit, pictured above, is already complete. Dillon is building a lending library, and Rachel is creating a small sitting area with a custom prayer box where anyone can leave a prayer or prayer request. All three projects will be finished before the snow falls.

The next time you're at church, take a walk out back and see the Serenity Area for yourself. And if you see Treavor, Dillon, or Rachel, be sure to thank them for their hard work.

Adult Sunday School is off to a great start, and there's still room for you. Stop by at 8:45 a.m. for breakfast and fellowship, then stay for a study on becoming disciples who Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously.

This denomination-wide United Methodist study continues through October 11.

October gives us another chance to celebrate some wonderful people in our church family. This month, we're wishing a happy birthday to Andy and Billy Barnes, Beth Evans, Karen Olmstead, and Migel Pineda-Cruz.

If you see them at worship, around town, or out running errands, take a moment to wish them a happy birthday. A quick greeting, a text message, or a note in the mail can brighten someone's day and remind them they're part of a caring community.

Want your birthday included in future newsletters? Email Sam at communications@washingtonfarmumc.org. We'd love to celebrate you, too.