Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia, focused on Thanksgiving Blessings Given, Received, and Remembered at their Intergenerational Thanksgiving Event. After a brief opening worship and hymn sing, participants (preschool through octogenarian) were divided into four “family groups” of real families and individuals to rotate through stations of crafts, service, and reflection. Reflection/remembering (“Count Your Blessings”) took place in comfortable chairs around the fireplace at the library end of the Fellowship Hall. The leaders uncovered one by one an array of objects to trigger stories of remembered blessings. Here are some examples: conch shell and balsam pillow (favorite vacations); geode, peacock copper, and cotton pod (God’s surprises); prehistoric stone ax (old things) and Zip disk (new things); Matchbox toy rescue vehicles (people who help); and fancy buttons and dollhouse accessories to remind us of favorite pets, toys, foods, hobbies, and family members. At the service activity near the kitchen (“Spread Your Blessings”), children and adults decorated cookies and cookie bags as holiday gifts for participants in the church’s Agape Reservoir program for individuals affected with emotional or mental disorders.

The Community Room offered choices of table decorations that even the “noncrafty” could make: (1) decorating paper-mâché “blessings boxes” as receptacles for “blessings” notes contributed by family members, to be read as part of the family prayer on Thanksgiving Day; (2) turning an assortment of gourds into “look alikes” that reminded them of beloved absent people who had enriched their lives; and (3) turkey centerpieces made from pine cones and pipe cleaners. In the art room everyone pitched in to complete a large, wall-hung “quilt” collage of paper and fabric, begun in workshop rotation church school, with panels illustrating thankfulness for people who help others. This had been created during a study of Moses in workshop rotation church school, which taught that we are called to help suffering people, just as Moses was. The “suffering” theme had been toned down because of 9/11, and the final result was a joyful appreciation of biblical and modern helpers. We closed with prayer, song, refreshments, and a renewed appreciation of the church.

For more information, contact Carroll Bastian, Christian Educator, (703) 533-8444, or Bob Criswell, Pastor, Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, Alexandria, Virginia, (703) 765-6118.

Nancy Traficante, administrative assistant for the Presbytery of Palisades, was taken by Alanna Teague’s illustration of Moses that appeared in the Presbyterian Planning Calendar in September 2000. Alanna submitted the artwork in a contest organized as part of the church’s yearlong celebration of the Year with the Child. The picture inspired Nancy to re-create the design in the colorful rug pictured here. In her letter Nancy wrote, “Just before seeing the calendar, my seven-year-old grandson read me a Bible story for the first time. It was the story of Moses. When I saw the calendar, I knew I had to do the rug.”Celebrate Mission!

Witness Season Web site: www.pcusa.org/witness
Are you looking for fresh stories and materials to energize your congregation about mission? Visit the Witness Season Web site: www.pcusa.org/witness. The Witness Season mission education emphasis is a gathering point for information and resources about PC(USA) mission, Bible studies, frequently asked questions, and opportunities to tell your congregation’s mission stories.

For more information, contact Billie Healy at bhealy@ctr.pcusa.org or by phone at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5689.