It was a full house on Sunday evening, with 20 youth and 4 advisors, plus Pastor Katherine (a.k.a. Bleacher Preacher). In preparation for Thanksgiving, our program was "Giving Thanks for Life's Ups and Downs." We started with a d-licious dinner (thank you, chefs!) and then played a Thanksgiving version of "Four on a Couch." We practiced giving and receiving thanks, and the ladies prevailed over the gents in this game of memory and manners. One thing we learned, in the words of Dan Bula was, "Giving compliments is easy. I wonder why we don't do it more often." Amen to that.
Then we thought about "gifts" from God that might be hard to receive. Things like being very shy or prone to jealousy in relationships...or having an inherited disease or a relative in a coma. Volunteers acted out the scenarios, and then the group came up with things to be thankful for, even in these difficult circumstances. Youth showed their ability to find the silver lining in almost any situation!
Harold and Cara Weinbrecht shared their own story of being thankful in tragedy, when their house was hit by lightning and burned to the ground. They told us about the generosity of others and how they were reminded of what's really important.
We wrapped up with a quick look at the Jesuit (Catholic) prayer practice of Examen, in which a person reviews the day and gives thanks for all its ups and downs. This Thursday, we'll thank God for friends, family, and all our great "stuff," and also for the things that are harder to receive.
No program this coming Sunday (11/25). Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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