This past month, on Thanksgiving Day, Bedford Presbyterian Church hosted a Community Thanksgiving Dinner for our friends and neighbors. This was the first time we have offered a meal like this – on a day that the church building is normally closed. The meal came out of a creative conversation in the church office back in August of this year in which Pastor John and Michelle Jones asked a “What if. . . ?” question. Michelle ran with the idea, plans were made, invitations were sent, and on Thanksgiving Day, it all came together.
At 1 PM, Michelle Jones welcomed everyone and Pastor John offered a prayer and blessing.
The Fellowship Hall at BPC was decorated in a warm and inviting way, there were table games and activity bags for children, and thirty guests of all ages were welcomed for a sit-down meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, butternut squash, stuffing, cranberry sauce, rolls, and butter from Celebrations Catering. Additional apple and pumpkin pies were donated by some helpful individuals. The food was served by several volunteers from BPC, the Bedford Community Food Pantry, and the Bedford Lions Club.
This year’s meal was funded by BPC, the Bedford Lion’s Club, and other local contributors. In planning the meal, with the knowledge that it was the first time we had planned an event like this, we sought to keep the gathering fairly small. Having been through the experience one time, though, we are hoping to offer a Community Thanksgiving Meal again next year with expanded opportunities to be served and to serve.
The best Thanksgiving meal is one that is shared with others. And whether we are sharing a meal with people who are part of our family of origin or with the family that we find along the way, the real gift of Thanksgiving is to taste, and see, and know that we are blessed and that God is good. This past Thanksgiving Day, as the “found family” of God that gathered for a meal, we gave thanks for every blessing that comes from God.