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We Gather Together by Christa Buswell We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing on Thanksgiving, that uniquely American Holiday. There are harvest celebrations in many cultures and creeds. In Europe, altars are surrounded by the bounty of the earth: sheaves of grain, fruits, vegetables, brought in by farmers and gardeners. Lovely, appropriate, but generic. Our Thanksgiving is as American as apple pie or the Fourth of July, shades of pilgrim Puritans, Indians, roasting corn and wild turkey, and the legends of Plimouth Plantation. Times have changed, though. Indians run casinos, corn is frozen, Wild Turkey is a whiskey, and Plimouth Plantation is spelled with a y and is a tourist trap. Only some of the Puritans are unchanged and with us still. That old curmudgeon H.L. Mencken defined them as being possessed of "a haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy." We give thanks for the blessing of our fruited plains. For the courage of those who "came to build a nation where none before hath stood." For the welcome of the world's huddled masses, who came and flourished and became a part of us. Perhaps we should think of adding special thanks for the "accident" of the geography and time in history of our birth. What if it had occurred in Africa - poor, starving, dying Africa? Yes, there is need everywhere, here at home, in neighboring Mexico, most of the Americas, India, everywhere. But Africa's need is such that the whole world needs to get together to prevent the death of an entire continent's children: starving, dying, alone. Episcopal World Hunger Sunday, sponsored by Episcopal Relief & Development, is Sunday, November 14th at which time we will be invited to give to reduce hunger. Some say: it's a drop in the bucket, but many drops do fill a bucket. (For more information, visit: www.er-d.org) How can I get back to a celebratory mood? By being grateful for a country abundantly blessed, by praying that those we elect to lead us this month will have the wisdom to crown our good with brotherhood, here and abroad. Closer to home, by being joyously grateful for a year of achievement and growth at St. A's - the Columbarium, the Kitchen and even our great little bookstore and community hangout. And, or course, for the love and fellowship we share. So - grab that wishbone and wish for peace. Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends. New shipments are in nearly every week at St. Augustine Books by-the-Sea. We are gearing up for the holiday season. New soaps from Spain and Italy. Trail mix and Sweet Chipotle Almonds for snacking. New greeting cards, candles, books and CDs. Plus a lot more. Check us out.
Copyright © 2004 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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