2026 October Newsletter Deacons Message

From Our Reverend Deacon Dottie

Here we are another month already!
Well, first, a little catch-up on the Ash Creek School Supplies delivery. Thanks to all the generous donations from everyone, we managed to deliver many different items to the students. As I mentioned before, there are only 28 students in the whole school. It is a far-out, really remote location, tucked away in lovely farmland where the 4 buildings are located. On September 14, the drive there with the Cochise County School Superintendent, Dr. Jackie Clay, was quite the journey, passing by large and small ranches. When we arrived, we were greeted by the Principal, Sue Shepherd, who was absolutely delighted to see how packed full the county van was with all the supplies. She and her staff helped us to unload the boxes into her office for later distribution. We were then taken to the building which also housed the 3^rd–5^th grade class and the 6^th–8^th grade class. Pictures were taken of each room, and we chatted with the students and their teacher for a while. A short walk to the building housing the K–2^nd graders through a shaded grassy lawn, was welcome on a hot sunny day. The little ones were the most animated when we walked in. They wanted us to play with them, so we sang a few songs and then, again, pictures taken. I am hoping to be able to send some of the photos to Mark for the Websites. The fourth building was a cafeteria and kitchen area but we did not enter there. After saying our good byes we travelled back to Sierra Vista in time to enjoy a truly hard downpour. I am grateful that Ash Creek was the choice for this year’s visit. The experience was both grounding and deeply moving. Seeing the resilience and joy in those children was truly a blessing.
This month is full of activities: Oct.12^th is our Stewardship Luncheon with guest speaker David Chavez. The following weekend is the annual Diocese Convention our clergy and delegates across Arizona will meet and conduct business for the upcoming year. No worries—we will still have Saturday and Sunday services.
We honor Joan Strom on Oct. 19^th with a memorial service followed by a reception in the Education Building. She was head of our Altar Guild for many years and a faithful servant to our parish. When later, as the month fades to more fall-like scenery, Halloween will be upon us again. Don’t forget to stock up on goodies for all the little trick or treaters who will surely be knocking on the doors on the 31^st.  But also, bring a picture of whomever you would like to have remembered during the All Saints Day services on Saturday, Oct. 31^st  and Sunday Nov. 1^st The photos will be placed on a table near the altar for the duration of the weekend so we can collectively hold them in our prayers.

Peace and blessings to all, Reverend Dottie, Deacon