As the author of this piece, I feel a little background is in order. I wrote this mediatation in my role as a Vestry member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church for our November meeting. Each member does this once per year as a method of preparing our hearts and minds for the work we do as a part of Emmanuel. Steve Bouser, the Opinion Editor, read it and asked if he could print my piece in the paper to which I agreed. Thus, it was not written with so public an audience in mind although it has generated many wonderful and personal conversations since then. I appreciate all of the comments above as that was the purpose - to elicit thoughtful conversation. I agree that those who subscribe to any religious faith do not have a monopoly on thankfulness or gratitude. Maybe that's one of the special things about Thanksgiving. It is a concept all can get behind whether the gratitude is to God for all the blessings of life or thankfulness for "fried chicken and Grandma." While not originally wirtten for the paper, I think its appearance in the Opinion section is appropriate. It is, obviously, my opinion to which others can agree or not. All papers with Opinion sections print opinions about all sorts of subjects, religion being just one. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
ncfarmchick 6 months ago
Do You Pray Out Loud To Voice Your Thanks?
As the author of this piece, I feel a little background is in order. I wrote this mediatation in my role as a Vestry member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church for our November meeting. Each member does this once per year as a method of preparing our hearts and minds for the work we do as a part of Emmanuel. Steve Bouser, the Opinion Editor, read it and asked if he could print my piece in the paper to which I agreed. Thus, it was not written with so public an audience in mind although it has generated many wonderful and personal conversations since then. I appreciate all of the comments above as that was the purpose - to elicit thoughtful conversation. I agree that those who subscribe to any religious faith do not have a monopoly on thankfulness or gratitude. Maybe that's one of the special things about Thanksgiving. It is a concept all can get behind whether the gratitude is to God for all the blessings of life or thankfulness for "fried chicken and Grandma." While not originally wirtten for the paper, I think its appearance in the Opinion section is appropriate. It is, obviously, my opinion to which others can agree or not. All papers with Opinion sections print opinions about all sorts of subjects, religion being just one. Happy Thanksgiving to all!