As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to give thought to my annual list of things for which to be thankful. As always, the list is a long one. I present only a few for you to stimulate your own thinking. While we have a lot in common, I'm sure mine is different than yours. Have you given it any thought?

1. In spite of the nasty nature of the presidential campaign, I am still grateful that we live in a country with the freedom to have different opinions, to vote, and to collectively guide the course of our country. No matter what is the outcome of the election, the heated dialogue on many issues will continue, and that is to be seen as a healthy and cherished process.
2. I am thankful for the city officials and the local neighbors who are helping to make our church neighborhood a better place to live. Attempts to clean up and quiet-down the neighborhood are working.
3. I am thankful for a core group of members who give a huge amount of time and effort toward the ministries of our church. I don't say that enough. We have people in leadership roles who are able to approach issues within our parish by focusing on solutions that benefit the whole congregation rather than their own self-interests. This magnanimous approach to decision-making is a blessing that makes us a healthy congregation.
4. I am thankful for people who just show up for church. Of course I give thanks for the many people who work hard on ministry teams, the Council, or through WELCA. But I also appreciate those of you who show up week after week for worship and congregational events. Part of the effectiveness of a congregation depends on a critical mass of people who form our worshipping community of faith. Just being present makes a big difference. Every Sunday I give thanks for everyone who shows up. When we are together, good things happen.
5. I am thankful for the many people who retain a sense of humor when things go wrong. I enjoy our congregation's ability to make the best of the moment, laugh a little, and stay focused on the good things happening. Life if full of little bloopers, but our sense of humor mends those moments graciously.
6. I am thankful for a church that takes worship seriously, looking for a time for the Word and Sacrament to guide us, heal us, and send us out. Regardless of our differences, our time for worship unites us in the Christian faith, keeps us accountable as disciples, and gives us some good news to celebrate.
7. Finally, and most importantly, I am thankful for a church that points us to God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. No other opportunity will ever give us more meaning or more hope.

As you make plans to celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you have your own list of joys for which you are thankful. Our observance of a day of thanksgiving actually happens every Sunday. There is so much for which to be thankful, one day a year isn't enough.