Nearly every Thanksgiving will be different this year.

Many will give up large family gatherings to protect the safety of those they love. Some may pare down the meal or skip the mad dash to the big box stores on Friday. Several congregations that were meeting in person have changed their plans for celebrating Advent and Christmas seasons. The Band-Aids we had applied to systemic racism were ripped off exposing the pressing need for change and finding out part in making justice happen. A divided nation contends with a still contested election and at the same time considers possibilities ahead. Those who have lost jobs or businesses face painful choices while the stock market reached yet another record high.

2020 has tested the faith, hope and love of each disciple of Jesus and every expression of the Church. How have you experienced that? For our part, we saw a wide mix of responses and we were privileged to witness and affirm many examples of courage, innovation, and sacrifice.

For the congregations that turned disruption to advantage; connecting. serving, and leading creatively, we thank God.

For those who suffered great loss and while yet grieving praised God for small blessings, we thank God.

For the prophets among us who pointed out painful truth in love and called us to change our attitudes and actions to be more like those of Christ, we thank God.

For those among us who care for the sick and injured, working overtime under great stress, we thank God.

For KC Disciples of Jesus who fix the plumbing, stock grocery shelves, and serve the take out meals while exposed to the careful and the careless, we thank God.

For everyone who masked up, hunkered down, and worked from home while overseeing their children's online education, we thank God

For poets, musicians, and cellphone photographers who infused beauty into challenging days, we thank God.

For everyone who practiced faithful stewardship of time, talent and resources, we thank God.

For the unsung champions of prayer who remembered us all daily, we thank God.

We have so many reasons to be grateful. We are thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratefully,

Your Regional Staff