Minister’s Message

A Time of Thanksgiving 

As I write this, my family is preparing to drive to Eureka for Thanksgiving. My oldest kiddo can’t come to the Bay Area this year because a badly sprained right ankle makes it impossible for them to drive down. Instead, my husband, son, sister, niece, and I are driving up to spend the day. The brined turkey in my fridge attests to the fact that this was not the plan three days ago. Yet the pull to spend this Thanksgiving with our whole nuclear family – and to care for an injured child, no matter how old they are – is strong. Such is the tradition of this holiday in my family.

At the same time, I am once again troubled about the myth of Thanksgiving, of nondescript Indians welcoming European settlers and yielding their lands before gracefully fading away.  It’s a myth that relies on the doctrine of discovery, the claim that Christian countries had the right to claim lands not occupied by Christians, and hints at manifest destiny, which drove the U.S. to expand across and “redeem” the west. The myth is certainly not the truth. I hope you will take a moment, as I have, to reflect on the immense harm that has been caused for centuries to indigenous people in the Americas and to so many others by U.S. might and assumed superiority. It is important to hold this reality, even as we count our blessings. May it encourage us all to practice humility, gratitude, and generosity, as we remember our interconnectedness with all beings.

Whatever your family traditions in this holiday season, whatever circumstances you find yourself in this year, may you find joy and hope in that interconnectedness. And may we all continue to work for justice and plenty for all people in this great human family.

In faith,

Rev. Susan