The temperatures may not reflect it yet, but fall is nearly upon us. Autumnal Equinox would be the proper term. The beginning of spring and autumn are equinoxes, while summer and winter begin with solstices. There are only two times of the year (in March and September) when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a “nearly” equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes. These events are referred to as equinoxes, derived from two Latin words – aequus (equal) and nox (night)…(Thank you National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Describing it as “fall” isn’t nearly as complex or scientific…think leaves cascading down.

Most folks prefer spring and autumn because the temperatures are mild. But when we consider what else happens in spring and autumn, they also represent an opportunity for hope. In the spring we plant…seeds, flowers, and crops in gardens, beds, and fields. Spring is a chance for new growth, and anticipation of food, beauty, and resources. Autumn is about harvesting the bounty of our labor and care during the heat of summer. It is also about cleaning up (raking leaves) and estimating if our resources will get us through the winter. If we are good stewards of our yield, we will be able to persevere.

Thus, in the Church autumn is about stewardship. We focus on God’s good gifts. We count our blessings. We listen for what God is calling us to do as people of faith. We strive to put ourselves in the path of the Spirit as it moves in us, around us, and through us. We preach gratitude, generosity, and the greatness of our Creator…and in the midst of it all we have a chance to create an equinox of kindness, mercy, and grace with our each other.

Winter and summer can be intense. Extreme heat and cold can really cause people to struggle, even just to survive. Spring and autumn, with near equal light and night, can be a time for us to reconnect and renew our commitment to our One God and to one another. It is a time to reflect on God’s ability to love us all (Light) and to acknowledge our failure to do the same (Night). Instead of scorching each other with the heat of our opinions or giving someone the coldest of shoulders because we differ in some way, this is a time to evaluate our place and purpose on God’s canvas of creation.

Stewardship this time of the year may be about money, but it is also about responsibility and willingness. As you plan to initiate the labor of creating budgets, emphasizing tithing, and receiving commitments, let us give equal light to our call to love one another as God first loved us. How will the mission and ministries of our churches shine as much Christ Light in the darkness outside as we do inside our walls? How will we demonstrate that we aren’t proudly standing on the promises of God, but also boldly sharing what they can offer our communities and world? How might our stewardship bring a harvest of hope as we are bringing in the sheaves?

May God’s Light meet our night…and bring forth the Kingdom of God.

Serving you, serving with you,

Rev. Dr. David Weatherly