Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth 
Reflection by The Rev. Karen Johnson Gustafson
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, November 23, 2004
Glen Avon Presbyterian Church, Duluth Minnesota
It seems fitting to add this year to our traditional reading of the psalm a small piece from another ancient nomadic tradition, the Anishnabeg . From two vastly different cultures separated by oceans and continents and customs we hear two strong and heartfelt expressions of thanksgiving for the goodness of the creator. The translation from Hebrew is extravagant and expansive. The translation from the oral tradition of the Anishnabeg, simple and restrained. And yet there is here a universal theme - the impulse to say thank-you for the gifts of life and creation.
This has been a year in which the dance of politics and religion has challenged people of faith to examine our alliances and question what it is that passes as moral values. This has been another year in which new and old wars reflect the stubborn unwillingness of principalities and powers to understand violence as the last resort of the powerless .
This has been another year in which our national imagination has failed again and again to transcend self interest and engage itself in pursuit of a more just society.
And yet, in the tradition of the first nation people of this country and in the tradition of the ancient peoples of the Middle east and, I dare say, of all the great religious and secular spiritual traditions, we in America, democrats and republicans, rich and poor, young and old and gay and straight, Christians, Unitarians, Muslim, Jews, and Bah hai and Native Americans gather in homes and places of worship to say thank-you. On this we can agree. There is, amidst conflict and frustration and disagreement so much to be grateful for. This is was the concept held up in the first half of the nineteenth century by Sarah Josepha Hale whose idea it was to promote national unity during an era when tensions between North and South threatened the Union. It is hard to know what effect Thanksgiving Day has had upon national unity in the past but I wonder what would happen if we were to seize this time as opportunity to be transformed across so many divides by the power of gratitude.
There is an ad on commercial television in which a car back ends another car. Both drivers get out and, uncertain of what to say in what is certainly a tense and already unavoidably awkward situation the driver of one of the cars says, "Thank-you.". The tension is broken . The bridge of gratitude is extended across the divide. The steps to reconciliation are begun
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I am moved to reflect on the year to come and all the bridges needed to support a healthy unity. As we face those who oppose and oppress us, might we find a common bond of gratitude? As we seek ways to be more peaceful, might we find amidst the conflict a basis for sincere appreciation? Can we imagine a way of being that invites humility in the face of injustice and moves us to act more graciously and compassionately to extend our privilege to others? After all, "our stores are full, our medicines are strong, our weapons are worn, our spirits are glad. Gitchie Manitou has been kind.
Say Thank-you.