It all Started with Thankgiving

You would have been very proud of Vicar Georgi and Music Director Beth as they represented Saint Benedict’s at the annual Interfaith Works Thanksgiving Service, held this year at United Churches on November 18. Georgi and Beth gave a vocal presentation with the singing bowl of  “For the Blessings of God’s Bounty”. Many faith communities were represented at the service including Temple Beth Hatfiloh, Open Gate Zendo, Saint Andrew’s United Methodist Church, the Unitarian Universalist communities, Baha’i of Olympia, First Christian Church and others. We were the only Episcopal congregation present. Many people remarked on the beauty of Georgi and Beth’s piece. Thanks also to David Kindle and Ralph Provencal for their part in planning this inspiring event.

On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, many of us went to the homeless shelter at Drexel House to have a holiday meal. What a wonderful, great evening! My Oh My. We were joined by volunteers from Saint Michael’s and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Churches and did we have fun! There was a lot of laughter, some very good prayers, much great food and very fine Thanksgiving fellowship. Deep thanks to all who sent donations of food (not a crumb left) or who were able to come and help eat it!. Then on Saturday we had our monthly Community Dinner, a fine, warm time with great clam chowder and mac and cheese and wonderful desserts. It was good to visit with several of our homeless friends who came to celebrate. Now, we are thinking of and planning for our Christmas dinners. Our regular Community Dinner is scheduled for December 22. We would like to have a special event for this Christmas season and I invite you to consider how you can be a part of it. We are seeing more and more families at these events, and more children and teenagers. I wonder if we have someone in our midst who might be a Santa at this event. I wonder if we have any musicians who might be available to play some music at the dinner. For sure, without doubt we will need folks to volunteer for table set-up and clean up, to help cook and serve and to help with the food bank. We should plan for a bigger than usual crowd that day. The sign up sheets are in the hallway. Please consider marking the coming birth of our Savior by reaching out to those who are hungry, cold, lonely, forsaken. You will surely find yourself wrapped in the loving arms of the Messiah, for it is He Whom we will meet.  More information? Contact Deacon Zula.