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From Intern Beth…

As November is approaching, I look back on all that has happened here in Seymour over the last few months, and I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to learn and grow throughout this year surrounded by such a giving and loving community in Christ. Thank you all for the warm welcome and hospitality that you have shown me and have extended to the friends and family that have joined me in the past few weeks. A thank you to Luther League for allowing me to tag along to the Huber family farm day. A big thank you to Donald Schnitker for taking me out harvesting and answering all of my questions. And thank you to Olga and company for the invitation to join euchre night. 

While I have joined various people in the congregation for different gatherings, I enjoyed stepping beyond the walls of the church to attend Oktoberfest in Seymour. While one other church that I have attended throughout seminary hosted an Oktoberfest, it was not a tradition or festival that I grew up with. As I researched the festival I learned that it started in Munich, Germany in 1810 as a celebration of the marriage between Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. On that day citizens were invited to join in days of feasting, music, and dancing. The celebration turned into such a joyful event that it became an annual festival in Munich. Throughout many generations as the celebration and festivities continue, Oktoberfest today carries on a spirit of warmth, friendliness, belonging, and good cheer among those who celebrate. Many have also tied the festival into a harvest thanksgiving blending gratitude to God with community celebration. 

As I walked the streets smelling the food from various vendors and churches, watched children and adults gather to share meals and stories in the chaos of it all, strolled the crafts that showcased unique talents and gifts of the community, experienced the fascination and excitement of watching the hot air balloons, and gathered to celebrate the community in the parade, I felt Seymour embodying a spirit of belonging, warmth, and good cheer. As we celebrate times together in this community God remains at work through and among us, Oktoberfest was a time when we gathered in fellowship, gratitude, and unity. As we enter into seasons of gathering with family, friends, and community, let us be intentional about finding joy in the community to break bread together and praise God for all the warmth, friendliness, belonging, and good cheer in our lives.