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As we move through the days after Thanksgiving, many of us are still reflecting on moments shared around tables, on couches, or even comfortably on floors surrounded by food and loved ones. Let us continue to celebrate the rich tapestry of our community, woven with diverse threads of culture, belief, identity, and expression. Let us give thanks for the abundance in our lives—the relationships, experiences, and blessings that sustain us.

Yet, as we pause in gratitude, let us also remember those who are struggling—those who face empty plates, lonely hearts, or the burdens of systemic injustices and oppression. May our hearts remain open to their needs, and may our hands be ready to extend compassion and support. Thanksgiving reminds us of the abundance in our lives while also calling us to embody God’s vision of justice, love, and equity for all—a vision that leads us into the sacred season of Advent, beginning this Sunday.

Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation, a time filled with hope and the promise of what is to come. As we prepare to light the first candle of Advent, we will be reminded that God’s light is already breaking into the world, bringing hope even to the darkest places.

As we prepare for this holy season, let us renew our commitment to caring for God’s creation and celebrating the radical love that connects us all—person to person, community to community, and humanity to all of creation.

May this Thanksgiving weekend not only fill you with joy and gratitude but also inspire you with a renewed sense of purpose as we enter Advent. Together, let us prepare our hearts and lives for the hope, peace, joy, and love that Christ brings into the world.

In Gratitude and Hope,
Rev. Dr. Katrina Roseboro-Marsh, Executive Director

TheOpen and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ