I used to read this text and wonder, “how can salt lose its saltiness?” That really just does not happen, but the purity of salt can change. If salt is mixed with other elements, like other minerals, or plant life, the taste of the salt becomes diluted, and the salt itself becomes less useful and in the end, useless.
The disciples (and we) risk hanging on to our saltiness when we allow the values of the world (i.e. power authority, position) to suppress the purified saltiness that God has created in us.
Another way to think about this proclamation is to make note that “saltiness” is actually the PURPOSE of salt. It is the defining characteristic of that mineral. If one loses something so central to one’s identity how can it be restored? “Have salt in yourselves” is a reminder of WHO and WHOSE we are. It suggests that as followers of Christ we should see our role in the kin-dom of God as crucial, NOT secondary.
How we treat one another, how we care for one another, how we bring out the better nature of one another, will result in a greater peace around us.
Our ability to bring out the peace in our circles and the best in others is an indicator of the purity of our saltiness. A tribute to who we are as people of God.
How do you stay salty?
Peace, Pastor Erin
Join Us for a Season of Learning and Connection!
Download our schedule to see what's happening at TLC, mark your calendar, and join us for our Fall activities!
Blessing of the Quilts is October 6 Join us this Sunday in a heartfelt blessing of these quilts, crafted with love and care by the TLC Quilters, to bring warmth and comfort to those in need.
Thank You to the Property Committee Thank you to the property committee for a fun-filled evening of gridiron and grub! We enjoyed fellowship and dinner at a tailgate party in the church parking lot, and then wrapped up the evening watching the VC Pirates football team win. It was a great way to spend an evening together!
Join us for the this month's Young at Heart on October 17! The sign-up sheet is available on the welcome desk.
On Saturday, October 19, get ready for a frightfully fun night under the stars! We'll kick off the evening with a pumpkin painting extravaganza at 5:30pm. Bring your own pumpkins and let your creativity run wild with our paint and brushes.
Then, settle in for a screening of the classic Halloween film, Hocus Pocus, at 6:30pm on the TLC lawn. Don't forget to bring your favorite snacks, drinks, cozy blankets, and chairs to make the most of this magical movie experience.
Our annual Book Give-Away will be on October 27, in the fellowship hall between services and after the 11am service. We will be accepting donated books the week of October 21-26. Drop the books off in the garden room, or you may see Leo for assistance. On October 27, donations of food or other items will be taken to Project Understanding or The City Center, and cash donations will go to Trinity’s Neighbor Aid fund to help families in need.
Let's keep our church directory organized and helpful! We will devote the month of October to updating our directory. Please take a moment to review your information. Copies of the current directory will be available for your convenience on the table in the gathering space. An online form will be included in next week's email.
If you would like to update your picture or add a picture, please send an image to office@tlcventura.org or find Anna in between services to have your picture taken.
Irma Tierney is recovering from a broken hip, and a meal train has been set up to support her and Dennis. If you'd like to bring a meal or donate a Grubhub or DoorDash gift card, click on the link below or contact our Faith Community Nurse, Karen Jensen, RN, PhD at 805-644-7474.
Health Connect for October The October Health Connect newsletter highlights osteoporosis prevention , the cause, risk factors, symptoms diagnosis and treatment/prevention. Look for a copy in Sunday’s bulletin or on the welcome desk.
Next Blood Pressure Check: October 6 Blood pressure checks are available the 1st and 3rd Sundays in the prayer room in between services. Our faith community nurse, Karen Jensen, RN, PhD, will be on hand.
Project Understanding is in need of any type of nonperishable food items
City Center is in need of any type of cleaning supplies and size 6 diapers.
Your support is greatly appreciated. Please place items in the baskets located in the gathering space.
October 2 - Tammie Grewe, William Kemble, Allison Nolan October 3 - Sequoia Badillo, Loren Haar October 4 - John Williams October 6 - Lynn Berry October 7 - Steve Berkel, John Hammett October 8 - John Crowley
Please keep the following people in your prayers:
Scott Powers for healing and comfort
Nancy White for healing and comfort
Belinda Olsen for comfort and strength
Irma Tierney for healing and strength
Mike Diaz for comfort and strength
Family and friends of Shawn Faye, friend of Amber Newman (TLC Preschool Office Manger) at his death
