UNISON CHALICE LIGHTING: The Gandhi Prayer

I offer you peace. (Arms out in front)

I offer you Friendship. (Clasp hands)

I offer you love. (Hands over heart)

I see your beauty. (Hands beside eyes)

I hear your pain. (Hands beside ears)

I feel your feelings (Hands over chest)

My wisdom comes from a higher source. (One arm up, one arm down)

I honor that source in you. (Palms together in Namaste)

Let us work together for peace.) (Hand holding hand)

OPENING HYMN: #68 Come Ye Thankful People Come

MISSION/COVENANT

            At South Church

            We nurture spiritual growth through worship, learning, and community;

            We celebrate the worth and dignity of all people;

            And we inspire one another

            To act on our faith in the larger community.

REFLECTIONS FOR ALL AGES: Gratitude, Grace, and the Art of Turkey Rev. Elaine

There is a saying that my yoga instructor is fond of repeating- “Darkness has a hunger that is insatiable- and lightness has a call that is hard to hear….”.

 I think what he is trying to tell us that we have to pay special attention not to notice all the things that are wrong, with our selves, with the world, with our jobs, our homes, our lives. And that we have to really be intentional not to get sucked up into all the darkness but to notice that there is a lot of light all around us. That is what thanksgiving is all about, taking a whole day to remember what we have that is good. Listening for the light- when it seems like the darkness is a hungry tiger trying to eat us up.

Peter Fleck was a UU minister who wrote a lot of books- he also was one of the ministers who taught me how to be a minister. He reminded us every Thanksgiving that,” The Pilgrims were not thankful that they survived- the survived because they were thankful.” - We are going to be artist today- turkey artist- and we are going to use our art to remember the light- the best of our lives. You each have something to write with- and right now I want you to trace your hand and make a turkey. You can use the floor to write on- or your friend’s back- Just put your hand on your OOS like this and trace it. Then add the legs, and an eye- and you have VOILA! A turkey-

Lightness does have a call that is hard to hear, but each time we choose to hear it, the call becomes a little more distinct- and louder. We are going to hear lots of stories today about lightness- generosity-efforts to make other people lives a little bit easier. Every time you think of a way you can share what you have- put a little mark on your turkey- draw a picture. If you hear something you are grateful for make a little picture on your turkey. When we remember how much we have- and are thankful we are inspired to be generous with what we have. When we feel rich, we can give our money away. When we feel satisfied, we can give our food away. When we feel loved, we an give love away.