Let Us Give Thanks
This past Sunday, St. John’s, Duncan hosted a joint Harvest Dinner with St. Peter’s, Quamichan.
A member of St. John’s remarked how the experience was just like his memory of annual “Fall Suppers,” of prairie communities. Those suppers were times when communities came together to share in joy, to give thanks for the bounty of a harvest. One community would host, while other communities would come to join in the celebrations. One to serve, with many served.
There were many small communities in any regional area. The tradition was for families to visit more than just one Fall Supper. It was a time for sharing history and family traditions.
As was our experience on Sunday, all were welcomed. If you had family visiting, they were welcomed; or maybe, it was a new family in the community. All were welcomed.
Each year, as the celebrations of Canadian Thanksgiving draw near, I find myself reflecting on the gathering of family.
In the tradition of the Anglican Church, we mark this time with a tradition called Harvest, and we often decorate our churches with symbols of the local harvest. In the past year or two, in keeping with the local harvest in the Valley, we have enjoyed the fragrance of fresh, baled hay filling our sacred spaces. (I am not sure, yet, how we can arrange for a display from the local dairy industry!)
As we celebrate, and give thanks, for our bounty and blessings, we are aware that many people throughout the world daily experience trauma and tragedy. They may be living with the reality of political turmoil, climate change (Fiona and Ian), little economic opportunity, religious intolerance, persecution, injustice, and more.
Considering this list of sorrows and needs, some people may find it difficult to understand any sense of thanksgiving. Then, I am reminded of my own heritage – back to the prairie harvest.
All harvests were not equal. In some years, there was great bounty, while in others there was “less-than.” Nevertheless, we would all gather around a festive table to give thanks.
Traditionally, Thanksgiving Sunday would begin with attending the local community church filled with songs of rejoicing. To this day, I can visualize Sanctuaries filled with families, in their respective pews. Then, we would return home and preparations would continue for the traditional meal.
In all of this, I am reminded of words of wisdom from the prophet Micah:
“He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8)
May we each take a moment, this week, to reflect and give thanks for the patterns of faith and life in our family history.
May we each consider how we might share our gifts with others around us.
Blessings for Thanksgiving 2022,
Archdeacon Brian+
