Interim Minister’s Colum

Words of Joy

 

Thanksgiving Graces

As you gather with loved ones over the Thanksgiving holiday, you may wish to offer a few words of gratitude for the many gifts of life. Here are a few Thanksgiving graces as suggestions. (I have also found that going around the table and having each person, child or adult, mention one or two things that he/she is thankful for makes for a warm grace of its own.)

May your lives be blessed in this season of giving and gratitude.      Joy

 

May the Four Winds of Heaven blow gently upon you

And upon those with whom you share your heart and home.

From the Coahuila Indians

 

For the rest and renewal of the nighttime and the freshness of morning; for the ever-changing loveliness of earth and sky; for the love of friends, and kindness and compassion when we need them; for the joy of human fellowship, and work to do; for all the ventures and endeavors in which we depend upon each other; for the greatness of our heritage and the inspiration of so many who have gone before us; for so much goodness in our common daily life—for all this, we are thankful.       A. Powell Davies (adapted)

 

The warm sun and the liberating rain fall upon a cold and barren earth, and there springs from its depths unsuspected living things. So also, at the radiant touch of love and understanding, may kindred life spring up in us. Thus, we shall consecrate these kindly fruits of the earth, which we now take into ourselves.               Walter Royal Jones

 

For this new day with its light, For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends, for everything Thy goodness sends:

We are thankful.                         Ralph Waldo Emerson (adapted)

 

Spirit of Life, our family here assembled is abidingly grateful

For the beauty of this place in which we dwell.

We are thankful also for good food to eat

And the health to enjoy it,

And for the love that binds our lives and sustains our spirits.

May this awareness strengthen us for whatever comes our way.

May we always be loyal and loving toward one another,

and sensitive, caring and generous toward those in need.

May our lives be channels of healing grace.

 

 

 

 

 

We give-away our thanks to the earth which gives us our home.

We give-away our thanks to the rivers and lakes which give-away their water

We give-away our thanks to the trees which give-away fruit and nuts

We give-away out thanks to the sun who gives-away warmth and light.

We give-away our promise to learn how to stay in balance with all the earth.

Plains Indians

 

We give thanks for being; We give thanks for being here; We give thanks for being here now; We give thanks for being here together.         Anonymous