Thanksgiving traditions

As I am working on preparations for our Thanksgiving meal memories flood my head of family and friends. Growing up we had the “traditional” food - at least, what my family felt was traditional. Over the years we gathered in different homes with different groups of people, but we always had the same sweet potato casserole. After Scott and I were married I tried to replicate the memory from my childhood with little success. I had moved 3000 miles away from the Pacific Northwest and the variety of sweet potatoes I was accustomed to. It seems like a tiny thing, but I so wanted to continue the tradition I knew. In the early years of our marriage I tried different combinations, and varieties, until I worked out ingredients for our sweet potato casserole. I do not recall what the potatoes of my youth tasted like anymore, but the memory opened an opportunity to try new things, until finally a new recipe emerged. Finding a new thing took time and risk, but where the recipe has evolved fits where we are, and who we are today.

May your holiday be a time of connection.

Peace and blessings,
Amy

Last Sunday we reached the pinnacle of our stewardship program with a brunch after worship. The “It’s Coming” signs have come down but the spirit of unity and fellowship continue. This coming Saturday we have another occasion for which to gather, it will be “Apple Pie Day” hosted by the women’s fellowship. So many groups and gatherings: today I will gather with family to mark my daughter’s birthday, last week I was privileged to join others in study of the Bible at a parishoners home, and yesterday I gathered with other parents as we waited to pick up our kids from school. We gather as a community on Sunday morning for worship but there are so many other communities of which we are a part. I am left wondering about the expanse of groups/communities that we are integrated into. How many communities are you a part of? How can we help others feel welcome in this community of faith? May we know and share the welcome that says you can come as you are. We are welcome when we feel strong and when we feel weak.

Rocky Roads

This morning as I headed up to church I first noticed the brisk morning air and the thick frost on the grass. Not long after that I was struck by the dramatic lack of leaves on the trees about a mile north of my home. The drive continued to be marked by moments with trees full of colorful leaves while others were barren. The thought of leaves and changes of seasons suddenly shifted as traffic slowed to a snail’s pace. With lights flashing ahead the vehicles inched along closer to the reason for our slow speed. All at once it became clear what the reason was, as my car began to feel like I was driving down the road to Camp Wightman; I saw and felt the rocks scattered all over the highway. The road was bumpy with rocks. The rocks on the surface that were forcing us to slow down contrasted with the rocks interwoven into the composite pavement that only a few minutes ago provided a smooth surface to drive on. One might suggest that the rocks, our rough places, can be made smooth when we work together to fill the gaps and support one another through their bumpy places. May God continue to help us fill the gaps even when the rough places still exist.

You are special today!

Earlier this week I was out and about and came across something I had not seen since I was a child. It was a red plate with the words "you are special today" written on it. Maybe you have seen plates like this, maybe you have one, or maybe you have another ritual which accomplishes the same thing. As a child the red "special" plate came out not at set times, but whenever someone in the family determined that was the day a family member should receive it. The person with the task of setting the table would replace the standard plate with the "special" red plate. It seems like such a simple thing and simple message, but the message spoke to me once again that day. I wondered how I could share with others and let them know that they deserve to feel "special" and valued. Today I wish each of us could find the message "you are special today" and really know it. May you know that you are special not just today, but always.