Tables of Gratitude

Several years ago, in my college town of Macon, Georgia, the leaders of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Temple Beth Israel, and Mulberry Street United Methodist Church got together to organize an Interfaith Thanksgiving service. Even though this community had its differences, they quickly found that they shared more in common than they originally thought. They all served the same God, and they were all called by the spirit of Love... so, they kept meeting:)

After its initial success, the interfaith group planned more services and opportunities to connect. Churches, synagogues, and temples from all over Macon began to join, and soon, Thanksgiving became a time for members to gather, celebrate, give thanks, and remember the expansive family of God.

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I've been going to this service for about four years now (I'm old!). My freshman year, after a meaningful worship service, I helped pack sandwiches for Macon's large homeless population. My sophomore year, after the violence on October 7th, I grieved with my Jewish siblings and wondered how Palestine could fit into the grief.

My junior year, after a difficult election season, I listened to the pastor proclaim to disappointed and grateful citizens alike, "Life goes on, and God is present." And finally, this year, my senior year, I sat at a table with a Catholic priest, a Jewish Rabbi, and two Baptist pastors (one male, one female). And here, I listened to different community members share their testimonies of gratitude.

Thanksgiving's Call

There's a lot to be grateful for... There's a lot to be grateful for.

Each year, these services have looked a little different—different host churches or synagogues. Different speakers. Different languages. Different global events that overwhelm its congregants.

And yet, in all of the change (internal, national, and global), there is also a sense of stability and tradition. It's a good reminder: The sun will rise again. Spring will turn into Summer, Fall, and Winter. Thanksgiving will arrive. Christmas will follow. And people will continue to gather.

I won't pretend that Thanksgiving is a perfect holiday (because... it definitely is not), but, as we end a difficult year—difficult for our world, country, and communities—I am reminded of the importance of gratitude. I am reminded that gratitude is a form of resistance. I am reminded that gratitude is a spiritual discipline. And, most of all, I am reminded that gratitude is best shared in community.

...But what happens when our community is full of conflict?

One Long Table

Tomorrow, I leave for Alabama to join my family, grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins in the beautiful Mentone mountains. After a full day and a half of cooking, we will set the table for lunch. We will get out the china, glasses, silverware, and napkins. We will take drink "orders." And then, we will extend the table.

Each year, 13+ people cram into my grandparents' dining room. Sometimes, three people share two seats. Other times, we just shove the younger kids at the end... It's my favorite time of the year:)

At my family's table, we are deeply divided over religion, politics, and lifestyle. We go to different churches. We vote in entirely different ways. But... we also love each other fiercely, and we take time to build relationships.

In a lot of ways, my family has come to shape the way I think about the family of God.

After all, we are called to love the people whom Jesus would have loved. We are called to sit at the table with those whom Jesus would have sat with. We are called to break bread with those whom Jesus would have broken bread with... and sometimes—most of the time—that is someone unlike ourselves.

So, this Thanksgiving, my challenge for us is this: How is God calling you to extend your table? And how might this extend your heart and mind?

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It's been a long, hard, good year, Advent People. My heart is heavy. But I am also deeply grateful. As we enter the holiday season, may we remember that the table of God is bigger than we can imagine. May we practice gratitude, even when it feels absurd. And may we extend our table on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen:)