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Dear friends and members,

In coming up with this season’s stewardship theme, the chair of the committee, Sandy Bennett, and I were talking about all the things that have been going on this fall beginning with the Sept 11 events and continuing through the financial struggles of our nation and even to the Anthrax attacks. Suddenly both of us nearly simultaneously came up with the idea: We need to give thanks.
Why should we be giving thanks in the midst of all the crises? Why should we be giving thanks when thousands are dead and many more are living in harm’s way? Or as I was asked me in the days following the attack, "Where was God on Sept 11?" My answer is that because God loves us so much, we are given freedom which implies the possibility of disasters. And that through events such as this, God is with us to sustain and comfort us. For this, we need to give thanks.
After our meeting that day, I was walking home. It was sunny, the air was crisp, the trees were at their peak of color, the lake shimmered reflecting their colors and the colors of the sky. I thought, "How could I not give thanks for this?"
And then I reflected on the birth of my new grandson Blaine, and the wonderful day we had just had with his older brother, Rhett and the day we had spent with our granddaughter Molly and grandson Cody. I thought that being a grandparent is a wonderful gift and I was so thankful for the opportunity.
Of course there are times when life is tough. There are days, weeks and even months when we suffer through various trials. Norman Vincent Peale wrote recently:
"Have you had sorrow? Bereavement? Through your tears, give thanks even for that, for it is through painful circumstances that souls grow." Remember, the bible says "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Well, anyway, we are going to do this during our stewardship drive this year. We will be giving thanks in many ways and to many people. I hope that as you reflect on the goodness of God, you will find it in your heart to be generous to your church.

Shalom

Rev Tom