Grace and peace to you.
We have come to a time of year when thoughts turn toward family gatherings and holiday festivities — well, thoughts will turn more to those following this little election we are having.
It is a time of much happiness and celebration, which we all could use after the past few months. It also is a time of profound grief for many. That grief could come because of who isn’t at those family gatherings this year, how the festivities are on a tighter budget because of financial challenges, or how thoughts may be more on health concerns we or someone we know are facing.
I’m not looking to be a downer here. I love Thanksgiving and, of course, the Advent and Christmas season. They are special times for me and my family — as they probably are for many of you. While that is true, it also is true that for many, this time of year is when grief and sadness are felt more deeply.
The church in general, and St. Mark specifically, does many wonderful things that bring joy, uplift people, and point people to the hope that is found in Jesus. Another huge aspect of the church is also being a place where people not only feel free to come with their grief but also a place where those who are grieving know that they are not alone.
Sometimes we or society try to push aside and hide grief and sadness. The movie, Inside Out, depicts this well. We can see videos of mega churches that have upbeat music playing and people jumping up and down during worship. That is fine. I have nothing against that — heck, when the Holy Spirit grabs us, we may want to jump around ourselves at St. Mark! But the church also, and maybe most importantly, is a place where we are invited and encouraged to come in our brokenness and heartache, and we come to hear the word of hope and the promises of resurrection — hope and resurrection that are ours because of Jesus.
I will be attending an educational seminar on grief on November 1 — appropriately, All Saints Day. I hope to learn more about walking with people in their grief. I have hopes of starting a form of grief ministry at St. Mark where people come together and are in community with others who also feel some form of grief. Last November, we had an evening, “Navigating Grief During the Holidays,” which was well received and meaningful for those who attended. On December 19, we will have our Blue Christmas service that we do each year. If you are interested in a grief ministry, whether participating or helping with it, please let me know.
Finally, since this is the month of Thanksgiving, I want all of you to know how thankful I am for you. This hasn’t been the easiest year to go through for a variety of reasons, both personally and otherwise, but I am thankful for my family that is Jen, my sons, and relatives, and I am thankful for you and all of the St. Mark family. In joy and in grief, we continue to walk together and live in the light and hope of Jesus. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
Pastor David