Faces on Faith

We have consistently been told how warm the people are and how many remarkable natural sites there are to see there All good But apparently, those sites have nothing on the ones in Iceland's airports

It seems that a couple of years ago, a m a n t r y i n g t o f l y f r o m K e f l a v i k I n t e r n a t i o n a l A i r p o r t i n I c e l a n d t o England was denied a seat because, in an attempt to avoid paying baggage fees, he simply wore everything he wanted to bring with him layer upon layer of clothing He attempted to wear his baggage because he didn't want to pay for it

If only that option was available in terms of our emotional and spiritual baggage the mistakes, shortcomings, regrets and resentments we so often insist on holding tight to; the stuff we can't let go of wearing layer after layer when it comes to our self-image and our relationships with others

But it's not In fact, the opposite is true The more we insist on wearing that kind of baggage, the more we end up paying for it too Paying for it with the belief of never being enough or at least good enough Paying for it with a feeling of hopelessness about tomorrow or the possibility of reconciling a broken relationship Paying for it with an increasing sense of despair something that psychologists and social scientists claim has been on a significant rise in our society for some time now

Instead, we must be willing to let others other people and God help us with our baggage Be willing to open up and let others and God see and lend us a hand with our struggles, fears and disappointments Allow others and God to serve as our emotional and spiritual “baggage handlers ”

Yes, there is a cost to that the cost of making ourselves vulnerable in a society that still far too often considers that to be a sign of weakness But it will end up being a much smaller “baggage fee” to pay than the alternative

Because God promises that if we do, God will help carry those bags Or send us someone who will

The Rev Dr Mark Boyea is senior minister at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ and semi-sweet chocolate, whisking occasionally, until chocolate is melted Remove from heat and cool completely

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, salt and cinnamon In another bowl, whisk together eggs, granulated and brown sugars, buttermilk and vanilla paste Slowly whisk egg mixture into cool chocolate mixture Add dry ingredients and whisk to combine

Pour batter into prepared pan Transfer to oven and bake until firm in the center when lightly pressed and toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45-55 minutes. Let the cake cool on a wire rack until room temperature, about one hour. Dust with powdered sugar before serving or ice with chocolate frosting

Creamy chocolate fudge frosting: (makes 4 1/2 cups)

12 ounces milk chocolate, chopped

1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon espresso powder

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Sift or sieve the cocoa, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, salt and espresso powder into a small bowl Bring the cream to a simmer on the stove, add milk chocolate Let it sit for a few minutes and stir with a spatula until completely melted; whisk into the cocoa mixture and vanilla extract

Place chocolate mixture into a stand-up electric mixer and beat with the wire whisk; slowly add the butter one piece at the time Beat until the mixture is smooth and fluffy Beat in the vanilla

With the mixer running on low speed, add the confectioners’ sugar a spoonful at a time until it is all incorporated. Scrape the bowl, then beat at medium speed for one minute more Use to frost cake as needed

Island Worship

∫ Bat Yam Temple of the Islands

2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel (Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ), https://www batyam org/, https://www facebook com/batyamsanibel/

Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer

Sabbath service on Friday at 7 p m at the Jewish Federation of Lee & Charlotte Counties, at 9701 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, and via Zoom For Zoom links, email batyamsanibel@gmail com

∫ Captiva Chapel by the Sea

11580 Chapin Lane, Captiva, 239-472-1646, https://www captivachapel com/, www.facebook.com/Captiva-Chapel-By-The-Sea

Rev Dr Doug Dortch

Services will return for season in November Videos of services from the past season can be found on the chapel's website and Facebook page

∫ Chavurat Shalom of Southwest Florida www chavuratshalomofsouthwestflorida org

Classes and discussion on Thursday at 11 a m via Zoom Torah Talk on the third Thursday of each month at 11 a m via Zoom Friday Shabbat service at 7:30 p m via Zoom Len Minsky Current Events discussion on Saturday at 11 a m via Zoom

An informal “schmooze” session on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p m via Zoom For Zoom links, email ChavuratShalom@gmail com

∫ Sanibel Community Church

1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2684, https://sanibelchurch.com/, https://www facebook com/sanibelchurch/

Pastor Jeramie Rinne

Sunday service at 10 a m in the SCC Sanctuary Sunday service at 4 p m at the Fort Myers Community Church, at 8440 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers Services will be recorded and posted on the SCC's YouTube channel on Monday

∫ Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ

2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0497, https://www sanibelucc org/, https://www facebook com/sanibelucc/

Senior Minister Rev Dr Mark Boyea

Sunday service at 10 a m at The Refuge Church, at 1901 Brantley Road, Fort Myers

∫ St. Isabel Catholic Church

3559 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2763, https://www saintisabel org/, https://www facebook com/stisabelcatholicchurch/

Father Edward Martin

Friday Mass at 9 a m Weekend Masses on Saturday at 4 p m and Sunday at 10 a m

∫ St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2173, https://www saintmichaelssanibel org/, https://www facebook com/saintmichaelssanibel/

Rev William “Bill” Van Oss

Saturday service at 5 p m with a social to follow Sunday service at 9:30 a m with a coffee hour to follow Services take place at The Gathering Place @ St Michael's at the church; enter off of Dunlop Road.