Celebrating the Saints – St. Nick’s News Oct. 31, 2025

Full St. Nick’s News for October 31, 2025

Dear Friends,

It’s been so nice that the weather has felt like fall – the air has cooled and we actually pulled out sweaters in the mornings. I don’t know about you – but when Halloween is a little bit chilly – it is so much fun! And, of course, I love the three days that begin with All Hallow’s Eve – Halloween.

The Church keeps three beautiful days that hold together mystery, memory, and hope: All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day. Each one invites us to look at life and death through the lens of resurrection—to remember that nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

All Hallows’ Eve (October 31)
Long before pumpkins and costumes, All Hallows’ Eve was the night before the Feast of All Saints—a “holy evening” when the veil between heaven and earth feels thin. It’s the Church’s way of saying that God’s story is bigger than the one we can see. At St. Nick’s, we bless costumes, share laughter, and celebrate the holy playfulness of a God who delights in joy. Even in the midst of spooky fun, we’re proclaiming something profound: that love is stronger than fear, and everlasting life stronger than death.

All Saints’ Day (November 1)
On this feast, we remember the great cloud of witnesses—the saints whose faith lit the way for us. Some have names we know: Francis, Julian, Nicholas. Others are those whose holiness has quietly shaped our own lives—grandmothers who prayed for us, teachers who believed in us, friends who showed us grace. At St. Nick’s, All Saints’ reminds us that sainthood isn’t about perfection; it’s about belonging to God. Every time we baptize someone into the Body of Christ, we are welcoming a new saint into that ever-growing communion.

All Souls’ Day (November 2)
This day draws our hearts toward those we love but see no longer. We name them, light candles for them, and entrust them again to God’s mercy. It’s a tender act of remembrance and hope. In the Episcopal tradition, we don’t try to explain death away; we hold it in the light of resurrection. All Souls’ Day gives us permission to grieve honestly and to trust that our beloved friends and family that we see no longer are at rest with all the saints in heaven.

Together, these three days are a kind of holy hinge between what has been and what will be—a sacred time of remembering and rejoicing. They teach us that in God’s time, all the saints, all the souls, and all of us are woven together in one communion in and through the everlasting love of Jesus Christ.

You are invited, as always, to join us at St. Nick’s. Saturday at 8am we will have our workday and lift up prayers for All Saints’. On Sunday you are invited to bring a picture of a loved one who has passed and place them on our altar/our ofrenda. We will say prayers for those we love and see no longer and give God thanks for the beautiful and faithful people who have formed us. You may have a friend or family member who needs the warmth of our community – please invite them.

As we play, pray, and work this weekend, I hope we can all give thanks for this wide, wondrous family of God: saints above, saints beside, saints yet to come.

God we thank You and praise You. God, blessed are those who have gone before us, blessed are we who walk together now, and blessed are those whose faith is still forming. We thank You God and we praise You. Amen.

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Beth+