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“Something magical began to happen among the villagers.  As each person opened their heart to give, the next person gave even more.  And as this happened, the soup grew richer and smelled more delicious.”
-Stone Soup, retold by Jon J Muth

Gas lines, a lost job or job search, a recent loss of a loved one, or a family member or friend serving overseas or far from home.  Each of us has faced difficulty this year.  The pilgrims who celebrated what we know as the first Thanksgiving also faced extreme hardships.  They landed at Plymouth just as winter began.  Roughly half of them died because of disease or starvation.  After the first harvest, though, they found something to celebrate.  Some of them had survived.  Their harvest would be plentiful enough to get them through the winter.  They had welcomed strangers, the Indians, into their community, and they had forged a home for themselves in this strange new world. 

At Cumming First United Methodist Church (CFUMC), we have something to celebrate this Thanksgiving, too.  You, our community.  Each Thanksgiving Day, CFUMC opens its doors to the entire community for a Thanksgiving feast.  Yes, there are hardships that we all have faced and will face, but there is always room to give thanks.  Perhaps a neighbor called just to say hello.  Someone at the store let you go in line first so that you wouldn’t have to wait.  Maybe you just found out that you will be a grandparent soon.  Even if you cannot think of a reason to give thanks right now, we ask that you join us on Thanksgiving Day. 

We don’t ask that you bring anything or do anything special.  Just come, eat, and share.  Share your pain, your smiles, your hopes.  Give yourself the opportunity to be with others who probably are experiencing the same thing as you.  Give us an opportunity to be there for you.  We won’t ask anything of you, except that you come with a somewhat hearty appetite.  If there’s one thing we love to do, it’s eat.  Give thanks with us and join us on Thanksgiving Day anytime from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. 

Come as you are, by yourself or with your family.  We, the CFUMC family, will give you a meal to nourish your body.  When we come together as a community to give thanks, we will share more than a meal, though.  As we eat and celebrate together, we will open our hearts to each other.  Just as the villagers’ soup grew more delicious as the villagers gave more, our community as well will grow stronger and richer as we share with each other.  All we ask is that you come, give thanks, share.

Event information:

Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Thursday, November 27, 2008, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Open to all at no cost
Cumming First United Methodist Church
770 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA  30040
770-887-2900

jwalden@cfumcga.com