By Sharon Frank
OCTOBER is the month of Thanksgiving and Synod. Is there a connection? It would seem so!
We in the Anglican tradition are blessed to be a denomination that sees all members as having a voice, all members able to be part of the decision making, all members as equal. All the positions – Bishop, priests, deacons, laity are unique and specific (with some overlap) and yet they come together at Synod, as equal members, to determine how best to follow the teachings of Jesus the Christ and support parishes and members of the diocese and beyond.
We give thanks for the opportunity to gather, to pray together, to share liturgy and hymns, to build relationships, to share fellowship and hospitality, to make the decisions about the ministry, the business, direction, and mission of our beloved “church.” To explore and to share our faith, to witness the presence of Christ in our world. We do not always agree but do demonstrate love, respect, and acknowledge the dignity of all and for this we are thankful. We take the time for dialogue and an opportunity to listen to and learn from one another and the Holy Spirit. We always offer prayers for guidance for our Synod work, knowing that “we will/can with God’s Help”
Thanksgiving is a time to stop, to reflect, to be grateful for the many blessings and the abundance of God in our lives, in our world in all of creation. We offer prayers for the harvest, for God’s abundance in this world, and take time for family, friends and those in need. The acts of grace before meals are heartfelt as we contemplate the ways God has been evident in our lives and in the lives of those whom we love and admire. Counting one’s blessings and being grateful for them is a true act of thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving feast - one serves or consumes -in a home, restaurant, or community setting is a visual reflection of Gods abundance and love.
We give thanks for the opportunity to build our relationship with God and each other through prayer practice as we gather for both “Thanksgiving” and as a “Synod.” In many parts of the world this is unknown and unheard of. So yes, there are connections between Thanksgiving and Synod coming in the same month. Synod supports the themes of faith enrichment, gratitude, abundance in stewardship, and ministry; while “Thanksgiving” is about giving thanks and appreciating abundance, the many blessings in our lives, and our ability to serve.
That attitude of abundance and not one of scarcity is part of our Christian hope and a reflection of both “Thanksgiving” and Synod… And for this we pray, “thanks be to God”! Amen and Amen.
Sharon Frank is an AFP executive member.
Photo credit: Joseph Gonzales/Unsplash