Happy Thanksgiving!

 

A blessing for all in our parish who serve to keep the services, the fund-raising and our parish outreach going. For all who pray for and/or visit others. For those whose making is served in times of fellowship or goes out into the community in the form of prayer shawls, comfort quilts, cookies and more. For those who pick up and take home parishioners no longer able to drive. For those who tend the lawn and shrubbery in season. For those who clean the sanctuary, the hall and the washrooms. For those who ensure we have flowers and candles on the alter, and set up the vestments and appropriate items for Eucharist (Communion). For those who read the readings or play the music or prepare the Prayers of the People. For those in leadership who meet to discuss parish concerns, or who ensure our bank account is balanced and our bills are paid.

Blessings to you all this Thanksgiving -- and every day.

A Blessing for You Who Serve Others

So bless you all in these

beautiful, terrible contradictions.

You who serve others,

knowing it comes at a steep cost.

That time you’ll never get back.

Those people who won’t ever

be as grateful as you hope.

The paycheck or PTO or benefits

that will never add up to enough.

May you be reminded

that maybe you were called

for such a time as this.

To pour out your great,

great gifts for the sake of the other.

To work toward this beautiful,

terrible interdependence.

(Even if community is much easier

in theory than in practice.)

And on the days where you feel

like your work is just a drop in the ocean.

Or you want to throw in the towel

Because you are far beyond burnout.

May joy and delight be yours, my dears,

and may it fuel the hard, beautiful work you do.

And hey, if you are just beginning

a move toward service,

may you have the eyes to see

the needs in front of you,

the places where your gifts

and passions and resources

meet your community’s deep needs.

Or if you’re just starting to

ask for help yourself, bless you.

May your courage be met with kindness.

You are all my favorite kinds of people

and I love you.

Bless you.

                       -- Kate Bowler