Considering that later this month we will celebrate Thanksgiving -- perhaps, for many of us, in a fuller way than we were able to last year -- gratitude seems to be in the air.

There is so much to be grateful for! COVID numbers are improving greatly, which means it's safer to do "normal" things again, including gathering together in the sanctuary for worship, with congregational and choral singing this time! (Are you as excited about that as I am?) I've received notes from some of you expressing thankfulness for how UCC was able to nurture community and worship God throughout the trying time of the last 20+ months. Children ages 5-11 have now been approved for the COVID vaccine, and so many parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and other caring adults are rejoicing. It feels good to be able to plan ahead and look forward to things in a less-tentative, more-hopeful fashion.

We are grateful, yes. And we are also simultaneously delighted by the slow emergence from the pandemic and exhausted from quite how slow that emergence has been. People are understandably tired heading into a season that is usually pretty jam-packed with events to attend, food to prepare (and devour), presents to buy, trips to take. There is a lot to do.

So, friends, even as we enjoy and celebrate, let's be gentle with ourselves and others. Let's tend to our empty spirits that might just need some quiet and renewal. Last month, my spiritual director and I spent some time talking about prayer and how easy it can be to skip over intentional time with God. In our conversation, she reminded me that God is generous and kind enough to meet us with what we need in the moment. So, may the peace of God wash over you just when you need it. May you receive opportunities to be refreshed and renewed as gifts, not as burdens. May you, even through the busy, full next few months, experience being held in Love.

Love and peace to you,
Pastor Megan