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Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving
A cornucopia overflowing with pumpkin, squash potatoes and other vegetables; image courtesy of Sabrina Ripke via Pixabay.

Thanksgiving provides the perfect opportunity to combat the concerns and fears of what is happening in the world with gratitude and love.

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No one can argue that the world is often a scary place. Yet, there are also times of love and joy and wonder. Sunday night’s Trans Day of Remembrance Service was one of those moments of wonder and love with a bit of joy shining through. It was particularly poignant in the wake of the Colorado Springs Club Q shootings.

More than 75 people gathered in the room and on Zoom to remember the 33 trans people who were murdered in the U.S. in the past year. We read the names and brief bios of those who’d died and lit candles. We will remember them.

We also shared a moment of gratitude for Barbara Satin and her ministry and leadership, particularly of this service for the last 22 years. We also thanked Marcie Mayer for accepting leadership at the last minute this year. 

Then there was a time of sharing from those gathered. One day, if we all commit to the work of Love, calling out and confronting hatred when we encounter it, we will not need this service of remembrance. In the meantime, we continue to remember and honor those who were murdered for living, as Marcie named it, “their authentic lives.”

You might be wondering where the joy was. It was in the very fact that so many folx took time out of their evenings to gather and support the trans community. It was in the moments of gratitude. It was in the moments of sharing.

As you gather for Thanksgiving this week, express your gratitude for the abundance you have. And don’t forget to look for those moments of joy and love so that your gratitude may be deepened and hope can shine brighter in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving!

About Rachael Keefe

Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.

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2 thoughts on “Happy Thanksgiving!”

  1. I regret having missed TDOR this year. I appreciate Living Table’s commitment to sustaining this important service of remembrance, and for being a sanctuary.

    Reply
    • Thanks, Erika. It is an important and meaningful service. Living Table is committed to it and to welcome and support of the trans community.

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