Is it the power of suggestion on my part owing to our country’s financial hard times, or am I simply noticing for-sale house signs in mid November for the first time in my 18 years of traveling these roads to UUCW on Sundays?  This past Sunday, I counted 4 such signs on my way to church, and a Holden friend of mine noticed the same phenomena on her way in.

We are all very much aware of the cost of food in our grocery stores and restaurants.  Many more people are visiting our pantry, people have difficulty finding good-paying jobs and senior high-school and college students do not harbor high hopes for their immediate futures; many will continue to live at home because of the cost of renting.  Even postage is outlandishly expensive, so  people will no longer be snail-mailing holiday cards to their friends and loved ones.

Owing to all of these reasons, instead of our annual Shoebox Project this December, I encourage you to give to the UUCW Emergency Fund. I know this is a change for some who look forward to trying to find the perfect gift for a child in our community.  I, too, have always appreciated this challenge and joy. Hopefully, we can resume this next year.  This year, however, it is more important than ever that we continue to provide resources so that families do not go hungry, homeless, or heatless this winter.  Please give as generously as you can. 

Thank you for being the loving and friendly community I am so happy to belong to.

Pauline Courchesne