School begins and church programming goes into full swing. It interesting over the years how faith communities try to change a few things each fall as member return from summer. Sometimes everything is new; staff, buildings, programs. Sometimes nothing seems new. And more often a few things have changed.

Old and new pieces work side by side in the faith garden. This is an old pine branch from a dead tree that I laid in the garden under an arbor. The annuals on it climb and sneak under the old branch to make a new creation each day. I have to look carefully for how the blooms have changed.

This fall as you return to full programming at your faith community, ask members to look for changes. Put a poster on your door and ask people to write a short description of all the changes they see. It is good for faith communities to look for subtle changes. It is even better for them to realize that change is a constant.

Well, the robin who is the harbinger of Spring is getting ready to crash this party. It is still warm, but those of us in tune with nature know that Fall is here. This robin knows, too and is thinking about the path to somewhere else.

So what does this mean? For those of us with seasonal allergies, it’s leaf mold. For those of us with children it means backpacks or new supplies. For those of us with church affiliation it means signing up and getting back to the choir or education time.

If you are “falling” today, take a moment to think back to Spring. What are the blessings? What are the excitements? How can you transfer those to fall? I guarantee this little robin is hoping he remembers the previous path!