October is the month of painted leaves.
Their rich glow now flashes round the world.
As fruits and leaves and the day itself
acquire a bright tint just before they fall,
so the year near its setting.
October is its sunset sky;
November the later twilight.
~Henry David Thoreau, “Autumnal Tints”
October in Connecticut can be simply spectacular. Neill and I explored the Howard D. Brooks Wepawaug Conservation Area on a bright sunny day here in Orange just recently. We had the whole place to ourselves as we meandered in the woods, enjoying the peaceful sounds of the Wepawaug River. As Thoreau so beautifully wrote, “October is the month of painted leaves.” I hope that you are feeling settled into the routines that autumn often brings and enjoying the special moments of the season.
As we look ahead to October and November happenings here at Orange Congregational Church, we look forward to Reformation Sunday and Bible Sunday on October 25th. We will contemplate the saints in our church and in our lives whom we have lost over the past year and will honor them on All Saints Sunday on November 1st. We will consider all good gifts around us and what we treasure in our hearts as we hear stories of what OCC means to members of our faith community during this season of stewardship. It is a good time to praise God with thankful hearts.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Lauren
The Orange Peal Pastor’s Note 10/14/26.
Photos by Rev. Lauren Ostrout.
