November 28, 2018

Thank you.

Last week on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I wrote about being at the HARC Thanksgiving service and, especially, the opening remarks by Buddhist monk, Temm Bikle and his litany of thanksgiving for things which we would not normally think as a places to give thanks.

This week on the Wednesday following Thanksgiving, I want to be more specific about things for which I am thankful.

I am thankful for having the opportunity to serve this amazing community of believers.

I am thankful for Mark and his skill and dedication to the overall liturgy and to the music program.

I am thankful for all those in the choir who give of their time and talent that helps make our worship the beautiful experience it is.

I am thankful for the acolytes and LEM's who allow the liturgy to flow seamlessly so that the congregation can worship without distraction.

I am thankful for Joyce and the altar guild who do all the hard, behind the scenes work in preparing for worship.

I am thankful for all those who participate in the liturgy, whether vested or not, who offer their thanks and praise as we worship God together.

I am thankful to the members of the Vestry who give of their time to do the business of the church.

I am thankful to the members of the Service and Outreach Commission who work to find ways to benefit the community around us.

I am thankful for all those who organize, prepare, serve, and clean up at Community Cafe.

I am thankful for difficult and lighthearted conversations that remind us we are all trying to do our level-headed best as we walk this journey.

I am thankful for Melonie's hard work in the office and everything she does, seen and unseen, that keeps us from being a paperwork disaster and, maybe, being arrested.

I am thankful to all those who work with our younger parishioners in so many ways.

I am thankful to all those who look for ways to be the face, hands, and feet of Christ in the world today.

I am thankful to Joelene and Cece who have put up with me and shaped me in so many ways.

I am thankful for where we have been, and hopeful for where we are going.

For all this and much more, I am thankful.

Blessings,