One of the most beloved Christian hymns is John Rutter’s, “For the Beauty of the Earth”. It is a lovely reminder of the divine magnificence available to us at all times if we are willing to step outside and lift our gaze beyond our mundane tasks. People of all faiths can appreciate the simple lyrics which give pause to the exquisite beauty found everywhere in nature: For the beauty of the earth For the beauty of the skies For the love which from our birth Over and around us

We share the planet with 8.7 million species of animals on land and in water Europe, Friends of the Earth, and this month we formally recognize, appreciate, and celebrate their magnificence and the ways they enrich our lives. “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” - Anatole France Internationally, we recognize World Animal Day on October 4 which coincides with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of birds and animals. Firs

For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the earth turns to winter this month and we tend to turn away from our activities and perhaps even from each other as we nestle in our warm homes. As we near the shortest day of the year (which is not a true measure of time but an appearance of light or the lack thereof), life can feel harsh, cold and dark; the antithesis of what most of us strive to feel in our daily experience. Intellectually, we know there is no place that God