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As I prepare to host my first Thanksgiving,  I’m reflecting on all the reasons in my life to be thankful.  One of those is my work.   I realize so clearly how lucky we are to be able to engage in this new start ministry.  Jeff and I had been dreaming and scheming of starting a church for almost 10 years.  To get to the place of even believing it was possible a lot of people taught us about faith, showed us how to have holy dreams, and adventured with us.  Since claiming that dream we have been trained and challenged, supported and nudged.

We would not be here today without the faithful people of Grace United Methodist Church in Elgin, Illinois, or the folks of Trinity and First United Methodist Churches in Salem, Oregon.  I am thankful everyday for the foresight of the people of Sellwood United Methodist Church in building this parsonage.  We come to this place not as isolated followers, but as part of a large network of communities that loved and planned and dreamed as they risked for God.

I so appreciate my clergy colleagues who say lovely encouraging things to us, and who are there to listen when this work gets overwhelming.  I truly believe that we do not succeed in having a rich and deep life on our own.  I’m am privileged to call you friends.

And I’m thankful for you who read this blog, who share our journey in this way, and who help me to reflect on the beautiful work for which I was made and grown.

Many blessings in this season of gratitude,

Eilidh

Aunt Is’ turkey napkin folding from last year!