The ofrenda is an art installation that includes photos, objects, special foods, and/or other means for remembering and honoring those who have died. So look around this week and then bring items this Sunday that remind you of your beloveds who have passed away. During the service, we will bring forth our items and create our ofrenda in the midst of worship. I also invite you to simply make a list of those whom you would like to honor and bring that with you, too. There will also be opportunities for prayer and contemplation that are more like what happens in our monthly prayer services.
The purpose of the ofrenda is two-fold: it helps us to grieve when we honor our dead AND it reminds us of the ways that they live on in us.
For this special service, we will also have great jazz music from our musical guests: Tom Dambly and friends.
This service is also a great multicultural way to mark Reformation Day in our congregation because we owe much to those particular ancestors for creating and shaping the so much of our faith. (I will definitely bring a photo of Jean Calvin and some other lesser know heros/heroines of the Reformation for our ofrenda) We will also sing “For All the Saints” with the organ to honor and remember that tradition!