Redeemer’s Thanksgiving 2013

Redeemer will gather this evening to celebrate Thanksgiving.

We often celebrated together as many of our members were immigrants new to the holiday and others lived alone.

We have no church in which to gather to worship and celebrate, but we will gather around the bread and wine—and the turkey.

  • We are thankful for our community and the unique ministry that our circumstances nurtured.
  • We are thankful that none of our members lost their homes as was a very real possibility during the legal battles this year.
  • We are thankful that our neighborhood continues to recognize our community despite every attempt to eliminate our heritage for synodical gain.
  • We are thankful for the support of our friends (none of them ELCA) who stood with us in court and bore some of the financial burden even though they had no horse in the race. There are some incredible stories we will share someday. They are recorded for now in our hearts.
  • We are thankful for the blessings of our spiritual community that our members continue to foster, each in his or her own way. Some members share devotional booklets. Some care for the infirm. Some lead Bible studies. Some maintain a presence within the ELCA, however unwelcome. Some build bridges in the community. Some raise funds. Some facilitate charitable work. Some preach and teach. Each supports the others.
  • We are thankful for the life of one of our most stalwart members whose faithful support and quiet encouragement is sorely missed this Thanksgiving as she has joined the saints in heaven.

We are thankful to a God who has given us these blessings. We pray that the message of love he sent to us through his Son is never neglected and that one day His Church will practice inclusion, diversity, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace—not just preach it.

It’s that swords into plowshares time of year!