As Thanksgiving is upon us, you should know how very deeply grateful I am for you, that you read what I send, that you care about who we are as God’s people and the responsibilities and joys God entrusts to us. I thank you for letting me have the job that I have – which is simply the best – and for your friendship, love, and prayers.

2 things: in my sermon Sunday, I read a long quote from Frederick Buechner, one I ponder every year at Thanksgiving. You’ll find it by clicking here – so you can ponder, and more importantly, grow in the simple peacefulness of being thankful. So lovely.

While I’ve got you… If you want to express your thanks to God, or to me, the best way this week and next month is to give, and with a generosity that matches the gratitude you have or wish you had. These emails are free! – but they come from somewhere with a budget. We really need outstanding giving by year’s end – with surprisingly high utility increases, the costs of engaging in excellent ministry, my need to pay my outstanding staff, and trying to make up for the deaths of some of our extremely generous givers. We need your bold, joyful giving. But even more, you need to become even more of a bold, joyful giver – a giver of thanks. That’s my dream for all of us, and for our church that is such a bright light in this dark world. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

   {You can give online, or mail a check to 1501 Queens Rd 28207, or donate stock, whatever works for you!}