Giving Thanks: Challenging At Times But Vital

Giving thanks isn't always easy. But gratitude is the cornerstone of all religions, and the key to connecting with each other.

That was the message delivered last night at the Grafton Community Thanksgiving Service held at of Grafton. The annual ecumenical service, which is hosted at a different house of worship each year, brings together clergy from Grafton's churches to celebrate the season of giving thanks.

Counting one's blessings can be challenging  during difficult times, but keeping a sense of perspective can help, Rev. Roger Peltier of the told the audience of about 75 people. 

"Say, how blessed I am that this—you can fill in the blank—is my biggest worry today,'' he said.

Sometimes these worries are "laughable,'' he said, noting that his biggest worry that day was his thinning hair. Others—illness, death, loss—are not, he said.

"But no matter what, we can rest in the gladness that we have one another, that we have this beloved community that we can bring'' our triumphs and tragedies to, he said.

"To be grateful is to welcome and delight in each day of our lives,'' he said. "To rid ourselves of negativity, and there is so much negativity.''

He encouraged the audience to take each day as it comes, not focusing on the past or worrying about the future. 

"Thank you is the prayer that helps us to recognize life as the gift that it is,'' he said.

The service was attended representatives of many Grafton churches: Lynn Ljunggren and Rev. Laura Goodwin of ; Donna Blanchard and Rev. Duane R. Brown of Evangelical Congregational Church; Rev. Ed Hanlon and Deacon Ed Richards of ; Jane Donovan of ; Rev. Raymond Goodwin  and Deacon Fred Coggins of ; Pastor Kim Serio of; and Rev. Peltier.