Friendsgiving
Parade. Smell of sauerkraut. The Navy friends. Turkey. Aunt Debbie’s sweet potatoes, Grandma’s stuffing, Mom’s twice-baked potatoes. Street hockey.
We all have our own simple phrases that pull us back into the Thanksgivings of another era. I bought roller blades in November of 2020 just for the nostalgia of Thanksgiving afternoons in the streets. (PSA: getting back on roller blades is not the same as getting back on a bike)
Friendsgiving marks one of this generation’s attempts to reclaim the nostalgia for any of us who have transplanted far from home, lost family members, or disconnected from family for any number of reasons. Are you familiar? The idea is to claim Thanksgiving day or another meal around Thanksgiving for the family you choose – the friends in your life.
My family’s gathering was always a Friendsgiving by that definition. “Home is where the Navy sends you,” so said the cross-stitched pillow. So I was taught from an early age that family can be created wherever you are. No holiday exemplified that quite like Thanksgiving the way we did it – potluck + any friends who were going to be with less than 4 people. Bring the dishes and the people.
We’re catching a glimpse of heaven in Friendsgiving. Without opening up a discussion about the breakdown of the family or the transient nature of these past generations – all worthy conversations in their own right– I’d like to own together the holiness of a Friendsgiving.
Peter Kuzmič, a seminary professor of ours said, “It’s not a small world; it’s a big family.”
The feast of heaven is the feast of the global family, united in Jesus as sons and daughters of the Most High God. King Jesus takes the host’s chair. The Church fills the seats. The food plucked from the tree that bears fruit in all seasons and whose leaves are for the healing of the nations adorns the table. Sauerkraut and tortellini, tamales and turkey.
Don’t miss the opportunity to call out this joyful hope around your table this Thanksgiving – Toast something like this:
“I’m thankful that sometimes we get just a little taste of heaven. I believe in a God who wrote that the end of the story is something like this – a feast of friends who have been made into family. I’m grateful for that coming joy and the joy of today.”
Looking for a Friendsgiving moment? Come bring a neighbor or friend or family member to walk or run (your choice!) of a mile or 5k route beginning at 703 Kitsap St. at 9:00 Thanksgiving morning. The parade will be on and cinnamon rolls in the oven when you get back. Or stick around and hold down the couch. We need the aunt/uncle/cousin/grandparent/child who holds down the fort, too. (I’ll be leaving my roller blades at home, ha!)
May the King be glorified in your Thanksgiving gatherings,
Pastor Megan
