September 22, 2025 newsletter

 

Good morning friends! Tonight starts Rosh Hashanah (literally the “head of the year”). It begins the period of the High Holy Days, which is a time of self-reflection and prayer, culminating in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It's traditional to eat things that are round and sweet for Rosh Hashanah, like apples with honey, figs, dates, and roasted chicken :-) Alright, chicken isn't exactly round, but with a honey glaze, it's found on our table each year!

Before I can start to cook today, I have so many things to tell you about. I'll start with the wonderful Harmony + Hope Concert that our friends Margaret Phillips and Rebecca Strauss performed for us yesterday afternoon. It was an amazing event, with Margaret and Rebecca sharing stories about their instruments, the music, and themselves, encouraging everyone to ask questions and to interact with what they were playing. We can't thank them enough for giving us so much of their time and talents! There are some pictures attached.

Backing up in time slightly, yesterday morning I was invited to visit the Congregational Church of Harvard to meet with any parishioners who might be interested in getting more involved with us. This is a very community-minded church which has been supporting us since the first year of covid when we expanded our pantry program. I enjoyed meeting the folks that have been behind this support. If you live nearby them, you might enjoy a visit with them as well!

For those who aren't aware, there are several volunteers besides me who enjoy coming out and meeting you all at your workplaces, clubs, and houses of worship. Please reach out if you'd like us to come and visit with you. We can do a basic introduction, or can get into more details and specifics for those who've heard us speak before.

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One Small Thing
Our friend Mich shared this One Small Thing this week:
I mailed a check directly to a friend and donated to a fund for her elderly Mom, who lost her house to a fire. She’s remaining positive because her life was saved by some nearby angels that saw the fire (before she did) and rushed in to save her. Her life as she knew it has forever changed, and although she’s got to start over she remains positive.

I’m not up in Maine so I couldn’t rush in to save her mom, but I did what I could from here to help her move forward and sometimes that is just as important. Giving a small hand up allows folks struggling to get to the next step and push forward. I was the recipient of such a kindness a long time ago for a fire and giving back is my way of ‘paying it forward.’ I know this isn’t the typical ‘one small thing’ but I wanted to send it along because I think everyone should take a minute to do what they can AND reflect after doing a kindness. It not only helps the folks in need, it also helps you appreciate the good things in your life too. Being grateful is a very powerful thing!
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We are back to being able to receive food donations at the pantry, although it is probably still easiest for you all to drop them off at Ayer Shop 'n Save. The rescheduled parking lot paving is supposed to be done this week, so the upper parking lot will not be available. If you're coming to the pantry, please contact me first so that I can explain to you where the temporary entrance is. If you drop off at Shop 'n Save, please do put a note in your bag so I know who it's from...we love to be able to thank you properly!

Wishing you all a wonderful week of great weather...I love you all!